ITEC: An Integrated Manufacturing Instructional Exercise

In: International journal of operations & production management, Band 12, Heft 6, S. 3-19

Abstract

Describes an integrative microcomputer‐based exercise, ITEC, used
in teaching manufacturing strategy and manufacturing planning and
control courses. The exercise allows students the opportunity to gain
actual experience in making strategic decisions in manufacturing and in
managing the flow of materials in complex operations. It gives students
experience in making process choice decisions, and reinforces their
understanding of the difference between the planning and execution
decisions necessary to manage manufacturing operations using MRPII
planning logic under dynamic conditions. It provides experience in
managing both batch and line operations and is useful in demonstrating
the introduction of Just‐in‐Time manufacturing. The exercise also
provides experience in scheduling and co‐ordinating vendor operations to
support manufacturing requirements. Because of the uncertainty in
customer demand, process yields and vendor deliveries, students gain
insight and facility in managing complex operations with imperfect
information. Outlines the structure of ITEC, its educational benefits,
and its application within undergraduate, masters and executive
education classes.