UMass Lowell
D. Sutton
Spring 2010
63.210
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL
COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT
Don Sutton
Email: dsutton68@gmail.com
PHONE: (603) 476-5942
OFFICE: FA207 (x4269)
63.210 (207) Operations Analysis Techniques
Spring 2010
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces students to quantitative methods for analyzing business problems.
Analytic methods include decision analysis, linear programming, queuing, inventory analysis,
statistical process control, and project management. Applications address issues in areas such as
marketing, production, finance, and logistics.
COURSE OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this course is to expose students to some selective quantitative
techniques that can be used to analyze a variety of business problems in the area of accounting,
finance, management, marketing and production. Students are expected to learn methodological
skills for recognizing business problems, formulating appropriate models, analyzing the model
for solutions, and for each situation, choosing the best course of action for implementation
(critical thinking). In addition, students are expected to practice their communication skills
through classroom discussion (effective communication).
GENERAL INFORMATION
A. Time:
Wednesday 2:00PM – 4:45 PM (3 credit hours)
B. Prerequisites:
Statistics I (49.211) or Introduction to Statistics (92.183 or 92.283)
C: Required Text:
Render, Stair, Hanna, Quantitative Analysis for Management,
Prentice-Hall, 10th edition, 2009. Includes CD
D. Office Hours:
Wednesdays: 1PM – 1:45 PM in the OIS Conference Room or by
appointment.
F. Evaluation methods:
The final grade in the course will be determined on the basis of
scores earned on exams, homework assignments, and class
attendance/participation.
1st Mid-term
25%
nd
2 Mid-term
35%
Final Exam
25%
Assignments
10%
Class Attendance/Participation
5%
EXAMS:
The course will have three exams – two Mid-terms and a Final exam. Exams are mandatory and
are required to be taken at the time established in the syllabus unless there is a school closing.
Any deviation from this requires the advanced approval from the instructor. Exams will
primarily consist of problems, however, short written responses and/or multiple choice/true false
questions may also be on the exams. The exact number of each will not be provided beforehand.
Only the chapters identified in the class schedule will be tested on the exams. Exams are closed
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UMass Lowell
D. Sutton
Spring 2010
63.210
book, however, you will be allowed to bring a single sheet (8.5x11) with handwritten notes (i.e.
no typed material, cut/pasted material, etc). The handwriting exercise can actually help the
learning process. Violations of these conditions will cost you 10 points on the exam. Copies of
notes done by somebody else is not allowed. Copies will be confiscated and you will have to
take the exam without notes (not something you should want to do).
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:
Homework assignments consist of using the computer program (QM for Windows) to solve
review problems. The program comes with the text book or is available in the computer lab.
Homework assignments must be turned in on or before date listed. Provide a neatly handwritten
or typed overview of the problems and the inputs you are entering into the computer program
along with the printed output from the program. You may discuss the homework with other
students, however, you must turn in your own assignment on or before the dated indicated in the
course schedule. Evaluation will consist primarily of completeness and clarity. Emphasis is on
effort and completion. The following grade scale will be used:
5: Full credit; all parts of the assignment have been completed and calculations/reasoning
clearly indicated.
4: Most of the assignment completed; some parts missing/incomplete.
3: More than half of the work has been completed, but substantial parts missing or
incomplete.
2: Most of the assignment missing or incomplete.
1: Vast majority of the assignment has not been completed.
0: Assignment not turned in by the class following the scheduled submittal. If you turn it in
one week late, you will start at a 3 on the grade scale.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION:
Class attendance and participation is relatively subjective and depends on your quantity and
quality of comments, observation and questions. Attendance will be checked. Students are
responsible for the material and announcements covered in class whether there or not.
Professional behavior is expected at all times in the classroom. In a business training
environment, you don’t show up late, you stay for the entire training period, and you don’t disrupt
the session with phone calls, texting, etc.
TEACHING METHODS:
Learning these diverse topics will require solving business oriented mathematical problems.
Hence, the class sessions will be spent in discussing the reading assignments, clearing up
difficulties, and problem solving. You will get the most out of this course by reading the
assignment material and attempting to complete the review problems prior to class.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Your University and the College of Management expect high standards of ethical and moral
conduct. You are expected to prepare and present your own original work. Plagiarism or any
other sort of cheating will be individually diagnosed and swiftly dealt with. See your
undergraduate catalog for detailed UML policies.
(www.uml.edu/catalog/undergraduate/policies/academic_dishonesty.htm).
SICK DAYS AND UNSCHEDULED CLOSINGS OF UML OR COM:
If for any reason, the University is closed, written assignments due during the day of closure will
become due at the next class date.
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UMass Lowell
D. Sutton
Spring 2010
63.210
COURSE OUTLINE
The following topics will be covered in the course
1
DATE
Jan 27th
TOPIC
Introduction (Overview of
course)
ASSIGNED
READINGS
Ch/Section
REVIEW PROBLEMS/
ASSIGNMENTS
1 (all)
Probability & Statistics
Review
2 (2-1 thru
2-5, 2-8,2-9)
13 (all)
Chap 13: 13,15,17,24
2
Feb 3rd
Project Management
 PERT/CPM
 Crash Analysis
(time/cost)
3
Feb 10th
Project Management
 Probabilistic Analysis
13 (all)
Chap 13: 19,28
4
Feb 17th
Network Models
 Minimal Spanning
Tree
 Maximal-flow
 Shortest-route
12 (all)
Chap 12: 7,12,19,21,22
Homework Assignment:
Turn in any three
problems from session 2
or 3.
5
Feb 24th
1st MID-TERM EXAM
(covers sessions 1-4)
Overview of second third
of the course
6
March 3rd
Linear Programming
 Problem Formulation
 Graphical Solution
7 (all)
Chap 7: 14,18,20,22
7
March 10th
Linear Programming
Problems
8 (8-1 thru
8-3, 8-5, 8-8)
Chap 8: 7,11,18,24
March 17th
SPRING BREAK
ENJOY YOURSELF
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UMass Lowell
D. Sutton
8
Spring 2010
63.210
DATE
TOPIC
Mar 24th
Transportation Model
 Initial Solution
 Improvement methods
ASSIGNED
READINGS
CH/Section
10 (all)
REVIEW PROBLEMS/
ASSIGNMENTS
17 (all)
Chap 17: 7,13,15,16
Chap 10:
11,17,21,26,32,35,36
Assignment Problem
9
Mar 31st
Statistical Process Control
10 Apr 7th
Statistical Process Control
(Cont) & Review
11 Apr 14th
2nd MID TERM EXAM
(covers sessions 6-10)
Homework Assignment:
Turn in any three
problems from sessions 6
thru 9.
Overview of final third of
course
12 Apr 21st
Decision Analysis
 Six Steps
 Types of decision
problems
 Risk
 Uncertainty
Value of Information
Apr 28th
13 May 5th
NO CLASS
Queuing Theory
 Queuing Systems
(QS)
 QS characteristics
 Single-channel QS
 Multiple-channel QS
14 May 12th
Inventory Control Models
 EOQ
 Production quantity
 Quantity discount
TBD
3 (3-1 thru 3-5) Chap 3: 16,17,18,19,24,27
FINAL EXAM
(covers sessions 12-14)
4
14 (14-1 thru
14-5)
Chap 14: 11,12,16,19,
20,24,25
6 (6-1 thru 6-7,
6-11, 6-12))
Chap 6:
221,25,26,27,32,43
Homework Assignment:
Turn in any three
problems from sessions
12 or 13.