An Introduction to Enterprise Planning

Assessment Task Instructions

This assessment should be prepared in the format of a formal report to a management board complete with all necessary diagrams, system descriptions, conclusions and recommendations. The report should be approximately 3000 words in length and will include references to the source material used in preparation. The subject of the report will be a recommendation for improvements to an existing management system or installation of a management system where one did not previously exist.

Selecting a suitable organization that you are familiar with, preferably one that you are working with, an investigation is to be carried out into the operation of the current management systems with particular emphasis on material management and information flow. If there is an existing computer based management system, this should be fully investigated and documented. If the chosen organization does not have a computer-based system, the investigation will require the documentation of the current paper based system. In both instances particular emphasis must centre on the information handling aspects of the system and the effect on materials management and movement. Diagrams of the information flow through the organization must be prepared and presented as part of the report. Points of entry into the system, users and modifiers of the data must be identified together with the output reports from the system. These diagrams and report should be generic in nature, not system report examples, they should indicate the type of information to be contained in the report rather than actual output examples. Business information systems are by their very nature integrated communication systems. A main theme of this report will be identifying the integrated and coordinating aspects of the system, drawing conclusions and making recommendations as to improvements in this area.

It is essential that the outcome requirements be met. You must demonstrate that you can:

1. Identify all of the systems and sub-systems used to process a minimum of 3 of the following information data types:

* data entry systems

* accounting systems

* planning systems

* spreadsheets

* shipping and dispatch systems

250 words

2. Describe the information handling aspects of the organization's database for a minimum of 3 of the following:

* sales data input

* financial data input

* planning data input

* information processing

* output from the system generated by the information

250 words

3. Trace the flow of information into, through and out of, the system for a minimum of 2 of the following:

* information from customers

* information from suppliers

* information relevant to the organizations processes

250 words

4. Trace and identify the source of erroneous data, for a minimum of 2 of the following:

* stock record errors

* sales order entry errors

* order delivery promising errors

250 words

5. Demonstrate the effect on the system of erroneous data, for a minimum of 2 of the following:

* stock record errors

* sales order entry errors

* order delivery promising errors

250 words

6. Prepare at least one flow diagram from the options below illustrating the movement and use of information through an enterprise organization:

* sales order processing

* purchase order processing

* production planning systems

* stock management systems

* customer invoice processing

7. Explain the structure and purpose of an organization installing a fully integrated information system, and by doing so demonstrate the complex nature of Enterprise Planning Systems and unifying aspects as applied to people, processes and technology in the local, national and international supply chains.

500 words

8. Explain the flow and usage of information within an organization, locally, nationally and globally and examine the benefits and shortcomings that the information system creates. Demonstrate the integrated nature of these systems and identify the coordination aspects as applicable to the supply chain.

500 words

9. Analyze the relationships between customers; the organization and suppliers created by the integrated information system, identifying the business processes that will benefit from integration into an Enterprise Planning system, and recommend upgrades or improvements to the current system.

500 words

10. conclusions and recommendations must be drawn from the report material and detailed in the concluding paragraphs of your report.

250 words

Assessment Task

1

Outcome(s) Covered

1, 2, 3 & 4

Suggested Solution and Making an Assessment Decision

The assessment for this outcome is integrative and includes all four learning outcomes. It takes the form of a 3000 word report based on the candidates