ETLS 504 Excellence in Operations

Spring 2008

To:         ETLS 504 Excellence in Operations Students
From:     Tom Becker
Subject: Term Paper Evaluation Criteria

The term paper is an important part of the ETLS 504 course requirements. Therefore, you should give thought to this paper and its ground rules early in the semester.

You can choose the specific subject of the paper, however, we expect the paper to focus on a proposed solution to a real problem using techniques and key elements of the course materials. The subject you choose should be relevant to your operations, its potential impact, and what is needed to implement it (human resources, timing and finances). Consider yourself a consultant making a persuasive presentation to your management for support of and possible funding for your proposal.

You should support your proposal with clear references to the counsel and experiences of experts in the field. Using your personal opinions is valid, but should be liberally supported with outside justifications. Also, a clear road map of "how-to" implement your proposal in your own company is a key part of this paper.

This is a demanding chore, so the topic you selected should not be too broad. The paper should be about 10 typewritten, double-spaced pages and must include a bibliography of reference material to support your recommendations.

Some subjects might be sensitive to your company. If so, it may restrict your topics or you may want to veil it with code names, etc., or request confidentiality.  If you choose the latter, please review this with the instructor.

It might be helpful to discuss some of the attributes that are looked for in technical and managerial reports in industry in general and the grading criteria used for this specific course.

Instructive Value

• Is the subject clear to the reader or would further research be needed?

Application/Implementation

• Is the recommended course of action presented persuasively? Is it reasonable, financially feasible and can it be implemented?

Style and Impact

• Is your paper professional, succinct and easy to read?
• Are key concepts highlighted?
• Do you make clear recommendations of how to implement? A well-constructed concluding section brings the paper to a graceful conclusion.

Bibliography and References

• The proper use of references does not mean a footnote every other sentence. Too many are distracting. Providing evidence that you considered the most relevant scientific work or the relevant experiences of others in your analysis and proposal is appropriate.

We will discuss these term paper requirements as the semester progresses, but it is highly recommended that you begin planning early.

ETLS 504 Excellence in Manufacturing

Term Paper Assessment

Possible
Points                                              Score

12   Instructive value
 
           (1 low - 5 high) 
           Clear to reader            1 2 3 4 5
           Persuasive?                1 2 3 4 5 
           Is it feasible             1 2 3 4 5        -------

8    Style and Impact

           Is it professional?        1 2 3 4 5
           Is it succinct?            1 2 3 4 5
           Is it easy to read?        1 2 3 4 5        -------
 
8    Format, Clarity, Spelling and Structure 

           Do conclusions follow?  1 2 3 4 5 
           Are acronyms defined?   1 2 3 4 5 
           Misspellings?           1 2 3 4 5         -------
 
2    Bibliography and References

           Relevant to paper?      1 2 3 4 5 
           Reasonable number of
           supporting references?  1 2 3 4 5          -------

30   TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS                          -------

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