QSO 700 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric

Overview

For the Capstone assessment, you will create a Product Launch Comprehensive Strategy.

The Capstone represents the final stage in your goal to obtain a Master’s Degree in Operations and Project Management. This final course will allow you to demonstrate proficiency in all areas of operations and project management. You will develop an overall, comprehensive strategy to bring a new product from design to mass production within a manufacturing or service environment. Along the way you will complete 3 critical stages of the development process that will require competent skills in project & operations management. You will also complete the three (3) stages of product launch demonstrating that the product or service has gone successfully from conception to high volume manufacturing or full service integration. Additionally, you will self-reflect on the overall program and project and operations management as a career focus.

Evaluation of Capstone
This Capstone will be assessed somewhat differently than other courses you have taken online at SNHU. There are four (4) separate components that will be submitted at different times during the course; however, they all operate together to comprise the whole Capstone experience and are not assessed separately. You will be evaluated on all four (4) of them as a unit in determining whether you have demonstrated proficiency in each outcome. All four (4) components must be completed at the highest levels as the strengths of one cannot “make up for” the weaknesses in another. Your work is expected to meet the highest professional standards. Remember, you are selling yourself as a competent operations and project management professional as much as you are selling your product launch strategy.

The Capstone project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, and Six. The draft submission for Capstone Component 1 is due in Module Seven, Capstone Component 2 is due in Module Eight, Capstone Component 3 is due in Module Nine, and Capstone Component 4 is due in Module Ten as part of the overall Final Submission which includes revised Components 1 through 3 followed by the self-reflection of Component 4.

This assessment will evaluate your mastery with respect to the following outcomes:

• Recommend strategies for optimizing production of goods and services based on a detailed analysis of existing processes, resources, and business goals
• Identify and recommend total quality management (TQM) principles and methods appropriate to a given context
• Create, evaluate, and assess project plans to ensure desired project outcomes
• Recommend inventory management strategies and techniques for improving the efficiency of a supply chain
• Evaluate operational and project management environments using quantitative tools and techniques
• Manage cross-functional environments to ensure the achievement of operational and project management goals

Prompt

Two scenarios will be presented for your selection. You may also select a current or prior employer for which you have strong product and operational knowledge; however instructor approval is required for this option. One scenario is manufacturing based while the other scenario is based on a service operation. Choose the appropriate scenario best suited towards your current or future area of interest. In either scenario, develop the overall, comprehensive strategy to successfully launch a new product into mass production, or service into full integration, within the given organization. All elements of operations management and project management is captured within this product or service launch activity. You can assume the facility has the available floor space (manufacturing scenario) and infrastructure (service scenario) but you must develop the overall plan for equipment, resources, inventory, manufacturing, service implementation and logistics. This plan should also list the stakeholder and customer requirements; consider these requirements as the plan is developed.

Ultimately, you will create the overall strategic plan of approximately 45 pages by developing 3 separate components which are: (a) product/service launch strategy and planning; (b) manufacturing or service, production/resource scheduling, and inventory management planning; (c) financial assessment and resource planning; and (d) self-reflection on project & operations management. Each of these phases will require a comprehensive description of activities outlining the rationale for each constituent with the plan.

Capstone Component 1: Product Launch Strategy and Planning
This is the first of four (4) capstone requirements. In this component of the capstone, create the product/service launch strategy and the overall plan, including a Gantt chart (project task list including milestone tasks), to introduce a new product or service into an existing facility.

Complete a 12–15 page report (including charts and/or graphs) detailing the rationale for why each constituent is included as a milestone to support the product launch and identify the stakeholders. You will want to describe in your narrative why each milestone task was included in the project plan and its significance to keeping the project on track to deliver the planned benefits. Stakeholders should be identified and include common project techniques such as a stakeholder analysis, RACI chart, or RAM. A project charter or project scope statement may be of benefit to further explain the product/service plan.

Further develop the work completed in Milestone One assignment that includes the framework for developing the new product. This may include the quality management approach, quality tools and techniques to be leveraged in the product development and specifically identify the project methodology to be used and explain how this fits the scope of work to be completed and the company culture.

Capstone Component 2: Manufacturing or Service, Production/Resource Scheduling & Inventory Management
In this second phase of the capstone component, develop the manufacturing or service related requirements necessary to support introduction of the new product or service.

For the manufacturing product scenario, you will create a manufacturing and inventory plan that addresses the following:

Production Process Flow Chart
Manufacturing Systems
Supply Chain Utilization
Capacity Plan
Inventory Management Strategy
Resource Staffing Plan

For the service scenario, you will create a service process plan that addresses the following:

Service Process Flow Chart
Process Time Study
Supply Chain Utilization
Capacity Plan
Inventory Management Strategy

Resource Staffing Plan

This component shall be accompanied by a 12–15 (including charts and/or graphs) page report detailing the rationale behind each of the major items outlined in the manufacturing/service plan. This will include the detail to support each constituent of the plan and any calculations or graphics that fully depicts the overall plan.

Capstone Component 3: Financial Assessment and Resource Planning
In the third component of the capstone, conduct a financial assessment (cost/benefit analysis) of the new product/service as well as identify all related resources needed to support the product or service launch. The estimating approach and confidence level of the estimates must be clearly stated and explained.

You will create a financial assessment (cost/benefit analysis) that addresses the following:

Resources (including, but not limited to):

• Equipment/Materials
• Staffing

Cost (including, but not limited to):

• Cost to manufacture the product
• Cost to complete the service
• Cost associated with supporting operations

The third component shall be accompanied by a 12–15 page report detailing the rationale behind each of the major items outlined in financial assessment. This will include the detailed calculations and appropriate graphical tools used to fully support your financial assessment and resource plan.

Capstone Component 4: Professional Reflection
For the final component of your capstone, you will write an essay in which you discuss the process and outcomes of this project, as well as how your coursework cumulated in the capstone project. This may include discussions of unforeseen problems or obstacles, and any unexpected surprises. The essay should also discuss your identified strengths and problems that you encountered while completing the project. Finally, the essay will examine how the capstone project will be useful in the job market or furthering your education.

You are encouraged to discuss how the SNHU experience changed your perception of operations and project management and how it has affected your current job or your future career aspirations. Additionally take a self-awareness approach and evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses as they relate to operations and project management; what are your strong points? Most importantly what are the areas that require improvement to succeed in operations and project management?

You should envision this component as a personal reflection on the capstone and your experience in the operations and project management program as a whole. For instance, relative to the capstone, you could discuss what you did (or intended to do), and then consider what worked well, what challenges you faced, and what you would change or do differently to make your experience better. In reflecting on your time here at SNHU, you might discuss where you started, where you have ended up, where you see yourself going, etc.

Note that this component is not about evaluating the capstone itself but rather your experience within the capstone project.

Some of the issues that you could address in this final component of this capstone may include:

• Overall, what was your capstone experience like?
• Reflect on the significance of the capstone in relation to your own experience at SNHU.
• What connections do you see between your capstone, your academic program and a career in operations and project management?
• How will you apply what you’ve learned to your future academic and/or professional life?
• As a result of completing the capstone, what are your strengths and where do you need improvement?
• What is your perception of operations and project management based on your capstone and overall academic experience?

Milestones

Milestone One: Product/Service Launch Strategy and Planning Brief Milestones In Module Two, you will submit a Product/Service Launch Strategy and Planning Brief, which will also become part of Component 1, due in Module Seven. In Milestone One, you will explain which case study you have selected, provide a rationale for why you selected this particular organization, and describe what new product or service you are proposing for the organization. Include the proposed approach you will use for product/process development. Also include a highlevel deployment strategy and the overall plan with a Gantt chart that will be used as the framework to introduce a new product or service into an existing facility. You can begin identifying key stakeholders that will need to be involved in the project. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.

Milestone Two: Manufacturing or Service, Production/Resource Scheduling and Inventory Management Brief In Module Four, you will submit the Manufacturing or Service, Production/Resource Scheduling and Inventory Management Brief, which will become part of Component 2, due in Module Eight. In this brief, you will begin defining the manufacturing or service-related requirements necessary to support the introduction of a new product or service. You will propose the manufacturing system (if appropriate), propose how inventory (if any) will be managed, and begin the highlevel estimates on capacity and/or resource planning. A detailed process flow chart must be developed showing the recommended service or manufacturing process. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.

Milestone Three: Financial Assessment and Resource Planning Brief In Module Six, you will submit a Financial Assessment and Resource Planning Brief, which will become part of Component 3, due in Module Nine. In the brief, you will begin developing key financial documents. You may need to supplement the case study with additional research on current or past financial statements for the organization. Consider how the new product/service fits into the financial capacity of the organization. Is the new service/product appropriate for the organization’s strategic financial investment? Describe the company valuation and the financial fit of the new product/service. Begin estimating the costs to manufacture or develop the service, the staffing needs, the materials or equipment needed, etc. Next estimate the planned benefit of the new product/service making sure to consider the ongoing costs as well as the initial development costs. In the appendix include an initial draft of the financial valuation and justification of the new product/service using a standard approach such as a cost/benefit analysis, return on investment, internal rate of return, net present value, and/or break-even analysis. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Three Rubric.

Final Submission: Capstone Components 1-4. Each Component is due in a different module, however, the all four Components will be graded as one final submission in Week 10. Only one file should be submitted as all artifacts and components should be incorporated into the final submission

Capstone Component 1: Product Launch Strategy and Planning
In Module Seven, you will submit Capstone Component 1. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.

Capstone Component 2: Manufacturing or Service, Production/Resource Scheduling & Inventory Management
In Module Eight, you will submit Capstone Component 2. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.

Capstone Component 3: Financial Assessment and Resource Planning
In Module Nine, you will submit Capstone Component 3. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.

Capstone Component 4: Professional Reflection
In Module Ten, you will submit Capstone Component 4. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.

What to Submit

Your capstone will include a title page, optional Table of Contents, introduction, main body (Components 1, 2 and 3), your reflection (Component 4) and formal references. Include an Appendix for your illustrations, photographs, graphs and charts, and other non-textual materials as needed to support your comprehensive product launch strategy. Utilize the latest edition of APA and format your work with 12- point Times New Roman font. Each Component lists the number of pages for each part, but in general the final submission should be approximately 45 pages in length.

This rubric will be applied to the four components as a whole and no component will be assessed on its own.

The “Possible Indicators of Success” are examples for you and the instructor of the types of concepts to look for to demonstrate proficiency. They are neither exhaustive nor proscriptive and should be used as guides for illustrating how your capstone embodies the outcome. All course outcomes are weighted equally.

Final Project Rubric

Course Outcome	Progress Toward Meeting the Outcome	Value
Recommend strategies for optimizing production of goods and services based on a detailed analysis of existing processes, resources, and business goals	Proficient (100%)	Not Proficient (0%)	17
Identify and recommend total quality management (TQM) principles and methods appropriate to a given context	Proficient (100%)	Not Proficient (0%)	17
Create, evaluate, and assess project plans to ensure desired project outcomes	Proficient (100%)	Not Proficient (0%)	17
Recommend inventory management strategies and techniques for improving the efficiency of a supply chain	Proficient (100%)	Not Proficient (0%)	16
Evaluate operational and project management environments using quantitative tools and techniques	Proficient (100%)	Not Proficient (0%)	17
Manage cross-functional environments to ensure the achievement of operational and project management goals	Proficient (100%)	Not Proficient (0%)	16
Total:			100%

Possible Indicators of Success

1. Recommend strategies for optimizing production of goods and services based on a detailed analysis of existing processes, resources, and business goals
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to strategically plan for optimal production?
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to apply analytical thinking to optimize production/service planning?
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to describe a cross functional team to support a product launch?
2. Identify and recommend total quality management (TQM) principles and methods appropriate to a given context
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to insightfully determine and satisfy customer requirements?
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to assure the achievement of the product/service launch is implemented with a process approach to operations management?
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to use an integrated systems approach to launch a product/service within a facility?
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to utilize a customer centric approach to operations management?
3. Create, evaluate, and assess project plans to ensure desired project outcomes
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to critically assess the financial implications of product/service development?
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to evaluate the overall product/service launch for customer and stakeholder requirements?
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to analyze potential risks of product/service development?
4. Recommend inventory management strategies and techniques for improving the efficiency of a supply chain
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to create an inventory plan that strategically maximizes resources?
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to identify optimal inventory management strategies?
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to creatively utilize material requirement planning techniques?
5. Evaluate operational and project management environments using quantitative tools and techniques
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to critically evaluate overall production and manufacturing capacity based on customer demands?
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to forecast operational and product requirements to support product/service launch?
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to apply a break-even method of investment analysis within the launch of a product?
6. Manage cross-functional environments to ensure the achievement of operational and project management goals
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to strategically utilize and integrate support functions to support the operation during a product/service launch?
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to determine and communicate the goals of each support function, allowing the organization to fulfill business goals?
   • Does the capstone demonstrate the student’s ability to strategically take advantage of the cross-functional effort, meeting operational and project management goals?