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Study information

Agile, Lean and Competitive Enterprise - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEAgile, Lean and Competitive Enterprise CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECMM113 MODULE CONVENERProf David Zhang (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 12 weeks 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 60
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

In an ever changing world, businesses can stay ahead of the game by using competitive operation and supply chain strategies. Manufacturing and service are two industries that benefit from employing a range of enterprise concepts and techniques, including lean enterprise and agile manufacturing, which have implications to both internal operations as well as supply chains.

Lean production concerns the creation of quality products, consuming less human energy and using less equipment, time and space. Agile manufacturing, on the other hand, is related to bringing new products into changing markets in a responsive way and the ability to be innovative and to thrive in a changing environment.  These two operation strategies have significant implications to and are closely related to supply chain management.

The module will be run in two sub-streams - lean enterprise, and agile manufacturing and others. There will also be advanced topics looking at recent development in operational and manufacturing strategies. One of the key aims is to encourage independent learning, so, while lectures will serve as a guide to topics, you will learn mostly through directed reading, class discussions and a research dissertation.

Prerequisite module: ECM2106 or equivalent.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module enhances your understanding of key manufacturing and enterprise concepts and techniques, and gives you the opportunity to put your knowledge into practice, by assessing the business environment of a company and formulating continuous improvement strategies. Through practical project work and interaction with industry, you will also improve your professional communication and presentation skills. Furthermore, you will have improved your professional project management skills, including target setting and scheduling and progress control.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

This is a constituent module of one or more degree programmes which are accredited by a professional engineering institution under licence from the Engineering Council. The learning outcomes for this module have been mapped to the output standards required for an accredited programme, as listed in the current version of the Engineering Council’s ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ document (AHEP-V3).

This module contributes to learning outcomes: SM1m – SM6m, SM1fl - SM3fl, EA1m-EA6m, EA1fl – EA3fl, D1m-D8m, D1fl-D3fl, ET2M – ET7m, ET2fl – ET6fl, EP4m – EP11m, EP2fl – EP4fl, G1m – G4m, G1fl – G4fl.

A full list of the referenced outcomes is provided online:
https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/studentinfo/subjects/engineering/accreditation/

The AHEP document can be viewed in full on the Engineering Council’s website, at http://www.engc.org.uk/

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge: SM1m – SM6m, SM1fl - SM3fl, EA1m-EA6m, EA1fl – EA3fl, D1m-D6m, D1fl-D3fl, ET2M – ET7m, ET2fl – ET6fl, EP4m – EP11m, EP2fl – EP4fl

1 show a systematic understanding of lean principles, agility strategy, and other manufacturing concepts, including their limitations;

2 demonstrate in writing, in-depth knowledge and understanding of the tools and techniques used to improve competitiveness through lean and agile principles;

3 appreciate the suitability, benefits (etc) of advanced manufacturing concepts in improving industrial competitiveness.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: EA2m – EA6m, EA1fl – EA3fl, D1m – D8m, D1fl – D3fl, ET2fl – ET4fl

4 assess the business environment of a company and formulate continuous improvement strategies;

5 analyse business needs and identify suitable business tools to implement a continuous improvement programme;

6 recognise industrial situations that can be improved through leanness and agility.

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge: G1m – G4m, G1fl – G4fl

7 exhibit professional project management skills, through set assignments;

8 work constructively and supportively within a team, adapting any role required, to develop solutions to typical new business problems;

9 illustrate professional communication and presentation skills.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The module will run in two sub-streams in respect to competitiveness: Lean Enterprise and Agile Manufacturing. Lectures are meant to be a guide on topics and students learn through directed reading, class discussions and research dissertation.

Lean Enterprise:

- introducing the module;

- the principles of lean manufacturing and enterprise;

- value stream mapping and production wastes;

- product analysis and cellular manufacturing;

- pull system, JIT and Kanban;

- continuous improvement schemes;

- Kaisen and Kaikaku, workplace organisation and 5Cs;

- SPC and 6-sigma.

Agile Manufacturing and others:

- the principles of agility;

- agility strategies;

- business systems analysis for agility;

- agility drivers, capabilities and performances;

- virtual enterprise;

- mass customisation;

- strategy formulation, implementation and continuous improvement.

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 44 Guided Independent Study 106 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 24 Scheduled self-study and mini-projects
Guided independent study 106 Lecture and assessment preparation; wider reading

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Not applicable      
       
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Coursework – assignment 40 Unspecified All Written
Coursework – group project 60 Unspecified All Written
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
All above Coursework (100%) All Completed over summer with a deadline in August
       
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be by a single piece of coursework worth 100% of the module. For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 50%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Bicheno, John The New Lean Toolbox 3rd edition Buckingham: Picsie Press 2004 000-0-954-12441-3
Set Womac James P and Jones Daniel T Lean Thinking 2nd Free Press 2003 0743249275
Set Kidd, Paul T. Agile Manufacturing: Forging New Frontiers Addison Wesley 1994 000-0-201-63163-6
Set Gunasekaran, A. Agile manufacturing : the 21st century competitive strategy Elsevier 2001 008043567X
Set Pine, Joseph B. Mass Customization: the New Frontier in Business Competition Harvard Business School 1999 000-0-875-84946-6
Set Sharifi, H A methodology for assisting manufacturing organisations to implement agile manufacturing PhD Thesis Liverpool 1999
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES ECM2106
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 10th July 2018 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 18th January 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Manufacturing strategy; lean; agility.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.