COURSE SYLLABUS
BUSML 4387 – Lean Logistics
Spring 2014 – Session 1
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Primary Phone:
E-mail:
Thom Rogers
Class Day & Time:
Fisher Room 50
Location:
By Appointment
Credit Hours:
440-668-5172
rogers.1097@osu.edu
Revised:
December 30,2013
TR 7:05-8:25 PM (Session 1)
Schoenbaum Room 200
1.5
Course Description & Prerequisites - Examines using Lean tools and insights to remove bottlenecks
and impediments to efficient, effective logistics, resulting in reduced logistics costs and improved service.
This course will include lectures, guest visits, in-class games & simulations, and readings.
Prerequisites: BUSML 4380 Advanced Logistics Management; BUSMHR 2291 Applied Business Skills &
Environment II
Textbook – “Building a Lean Fulfillment Stream” by Robert Martichenko & Kevin von Grabe (ISBN 9781-934109-19-9).
Sources:




Your bookstores
Architecture Library (1 copy)
Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Building-Fulfillment-Stream-RobertMartichenko/dp/1934109193/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364397246&sr=81&keywords=building+a+lean+fulfillment+stream
Lean Enterprise Institute
http://www.lean.org/BookStore/ProductDetails.cfm?SelectedProductId=272&ProductCategoryId=1
There will also be assigned readings from industry articles and journals, which will be posted on Carmen.
Communication - OSU Carmen will be used as the primary source for class information and posting.
Course Method - Classes will be conducted using an interactive format combining: class discussions,
lectures, guest speakers, simulations/games, and text readings. Everyone is expected to participate in
class and to prepare by reading the appropriate readings prior to the class meeting. Because of the
participative nature of the class, attendance is critical and attendance will be taken. Excessive absences
will be noted and will affect your participation grade. If you think you’ll miss class, please let instructor
know in advance.
Americans with Disabilities Act - If you have a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA), which requires classroom/course accommodation or auxiliary aids, please inform me of your
needs during the first week of class so that I can take appropriate action.
Course Disclaimer - The schedule, policies, and assignments contained in this course syllabus or on
the course website are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, class progress, or
by mutual agreement between the instructor and the students.
General Course Instructions - All cellular phones, pagers and other electronic communication devices
are to be turned off during class. Any electronic recording of the lecture or presentations is not authorized
without prior approval by the instructor or guest speakers. The only exceptions will be those authorized in
writing by the Office of Disability Services.
Software and Industry Participants - When possible, we will be working with various companies to
either learn about their processes, or to get hands-on experience with their software and tools. While all
are leading commercial applications, the use of specific tools is for educational purposes and not meant
as an endorsement of any one company or application. Likewise, statements made by guest speakers
should not be construed as endorsements or opinions of The Ohio State University.
Attendance Policy - Fisher College of Business strongly enforces University attendance policies. As per
University rule 3335-8-33, any student may be disenrolled from a course for failure to attend by the first
Friday of the term, or by the 3rd instructional day of the term, or by the second class meeting, whichever
occurs first. For more on the rule, visit here: http://trustees.osu.edu/rules/university-rules/rules8/ru833.html
Evaluation/Grading Criteria
Final Exam – There will be a final exam, in our classroom, on the last day of our course. The exam will
be composed of fifty (50) multiple choice questions, each worth six (6) points. The exam is worth a total
of 300 points.
Gemba Paper – Each student will pair up with another to prepare a paper. The two-person team must:






Pick a business where a repeatable process is executed.
Select a repeatable process on which to focus the paper.
Observe, measure, and analyze the process and suggest improvements. The focal process can
be industrial or routine. Complex processes are not essential. Rather, students should focus on
a process that allows for direct observation, interviews with those performing the work, and
measurement of inputs and outputs. Talk to/interview the people who execute the process; no
one knows that process better than they do!
A swim-lane process map must be used to capture the process work steps, and be included in
the appendix. Swim-lane diagrams will be explained in class.
Based on your observation and evaluation, offer suggestions on how the existing process might
be made “leaner” and be improved, by eliminating waste. Feel free to share your findings with
the people you interview.
The paper will be at least two, and no more than four, pages in length (single-spaced, one-inch
margins, 12-point font). An appendix consisting of tables and figures is permitted beyond the
four-page maximum. This assignment is due at the start of class (in hard copy) on February 13.
Should there be an odd number of students enrolled in the course, I will allow a very limited number of
individuals to complete the paper assignment in trios or without a teammate. The bases for grading (and
expectations) are the same for individuals as they are for team efforts. Also, should your partner drop
the course, the remaining individual is responsible for the paper (unless we can identify another
individual in the same situation and you wish to pair up). If you find you’re having trouble with your
partner(s), let the instructor know as soon as possible; the day your paper is due is too late! The paper is
worth 200 points.
Class Participation – Class participation will be graded based on classroom and Carmen discussion, as
well as quizzes if the instructor chooses to have any. Participation will be evaluated based on quality and
frequency of participation. “Quality” is defined as factually correct, in-context and constructive. To
encourage your participation each week, I will also review your activity on the discussion boards. Please
note that participation in the discussion boards is not a substitute for class discussion, but it is a way to
increase learning and dialogue around the reading and topics we discuss in class. Posting quality will be
measured using the same guidelines as the class discussion. Your participation and performance on
class quizzes (if any are given) will be combined for your class participation grade, with a maximum of
100 points possible for the course. Because class attendance and participation is important, missed
quizzes (if any are given) may not be made up.
Overall Grading Criteria & Scale
Criteria
Points
Final Exam
Gemba Paper
Class Participation
300
200
100
600
Grading Scale
Point Total
558 – 600
540 – 557
522 – 539
498 – 521
480 – 497
462 – 479
438 – 461
420 – 437
360 – 419
359 and Below
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
E
Schedule and Assignments (Subject to Change)
Week
Date
Topic
1
1/7/14
1
2
1/9/14
1/14/14




Course Overview and Expectations
Class Introductions
The Lean Fulfillment Stream
The Supply Chain Game, Part I
2
1/16/14

The Supply Chain Game, Part II
3
3
4
1/21/14
1/23/14
1/28/14



4
5
1/30/14
2/4/14


Getting Started and the Current State
Envisioning the Future State
Customer Collaboration & Outbound
Logistics
Case Study
Lean In Action – A Real World Example
5
2/6/14

6
2/11/14

6
2/13/14

Shipping, Receiving, Trailer-Yard
Management & Material Ordering
Inbound Logistics & Supplier
Collaboration
Lean Logistics – Going Forward
7
2/18/14

Additional Lead Concepts
7
2/20/14

Final Exam – In Class
NOTE: All guest speakers tentative and subject to change
Guest Speaker
(If Any)
Assignment
BLFS, Part 1
Eric Densmore –
Senior Director,
Lean Six Sigma,
Bob Evans Foods
Eric Densmore –
Senior Director,
Lean Six Sigma,
Bob Evans Foods
BLFS, Part 2
BLFS, Part 3
BLFS, Part 4
Case Study
Eric Densmore and
Scott Eder – Bob
Evans Foods
Rob Wright – Mast
Global Logistics
Doug Hartshorn –
Roxane Labs
BLFS, Part 5
BLFS, Part 6
BLFS, Part 7
Papers Due, Start of Class
Dave Harry –
Process Whisperer