CSC 340 Tutorial 8

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CSC 340 Tutorial 8

• Y. An, BA 1130
• Friday 9, Dec. 5, 2003

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In This Tutorial

• Overview of FoodCo Ltd Case Study.
• Make an initial fact finding plan emphasizing on
  product costing and production planning.
• Identify descriptions for different designing
  phases.

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Overview of FoodCo

• Products a range of perishable foods for
  supermarkets.
• Location East Anglian region of the UK.
• Chairman John Evans.
• History Since the end of WWII.

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Simple Facts about FoodCo

• Three factories on the site
• Beechfield raw vegetables are prepared.
• Coppice and Watermead more complex processes
  involve making sauces, pickles and the like.
• Managing Director Harold Evans.
• The World Tradition range was launched in 1997,
  selling successfully to direct customers.

5
Information Systems

• Harold persuaded the Board that the introduction
  of a new product range compelled the company to
  manage its information more effectively and
  efficiently.
• Board agreed to undertake a major review and
  updating of all IS.
• A national firm of consultants was commissioned
  to recommend a strategy.

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The Consultants Report

• A recommendation of a phased approach.
• The top priority was to develop new product
  costing and production planning.
• Substantial investment in upgraded hardware.
• Lets do phase 1.

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An Initial Fact Finding Plan Emphasizing on
Product Costing and Production Planning
Objective Technique Subject(s) Time Commitment
To get background on the company and the advertising industry Background reading Company reports, trade journals. 0.5 day
To establish business objectives. To agree on the likely scope of new system. Gain an understanding of timescale Interview Harold Evans and Clare Smythe (the new finance director) At least one hour each.
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Fact Finding Plan
Objective Technique Subject (s) Time Commitment
To gain understanding of roles of each department. Check out line management in production. To agree likely interviewees among staff. Interview Department heads. One hour each
To find out how production operates. To clarify role of different factories and decide whether further fact-finding can focus on just one. Interview Factory managers. Ideally in a group for 2 hours.
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Fact Finding Plan
Objective Technique Subject(s) Time Commitment
To determine role of production planners and controllers Interview Production planner and production controller. 1.5 hour each.
To follow up development of understanding of production planning and control. Observation Production planner and production controller. ½ day each.
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Fact Finding Plan
Objective Technique Subject(s) Time Commitment
To establish what records are kept. Interview/document sampling. Line supervisor. 1 hour.
To determine what kind of events take place during the course of a production run. Observation. Line Supervisor and operatives on line. 1 hour.
To determine how the production costing system operates at present and what improvements are required. Interview. Principal accountant. ½ shift.
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Fact Finding Plan
Objective Technique Subject(s) Time Commitment
To determine how the production costing system operates at present. Interview Costing clerks 1.5 hours each.
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Identify Descriptions for Different Phases

• Which of the following sentences describing an
  element of the FoodCo system represents analysis,
  logical design, and physical design?
• The reason for stopping a run will be selected
  from one of the values displayed in a listbox
  (Java Choice) in the Record Line Stop dialogue
  window.
• When a production line stops during a run, the
  reason for stopping will be recorded.
• The reason for stopping a run will be entered
  into the system by selecting from a list of valid
  reasons.

-End-