1-1CHAPTER1Introduction to Quantitative AnalysisTEACHING SUGGESTIONSTeaching Suggestion 1.1:Importance of Qualitative Factors.Section 1.2 gives students an overview of quantitative analysis. In this section, a number ofqualitative factors,including federal legislation and new technology, are discussed. Students canbe asked to discuss other qualitative factors that could have an impact on quantitative analysis.Waiting lines and project planning can be used as examples.Teaching Suggestion 1.2:Discussing Other Quantitative Analysis Problems.Section 1.2 covers an application of the quantitative analysis approach. Students can be asked todescribe other problems or areas that could benefit from quantitative analysis.Teaching Suggestion 1.3:Discussing Conflicting Viewpoints.Possible problems in the QA approach are presented in this chapter. A discussion of conflictingviewpoints within the organization can help students understand this problem. For example, howmany people should staff a registration desk at a university? Students will want more staff toreduce waiting time, while university administrators will want less staff to save money. Adiscussion of these types of conflicting viewpoints will help students understand some of theproblems of using quantitative analysis.Teaching Suggestion 1.4:Difficulty of Getting Input Data.A major problem in quantitative analysis is getting proper input data. Students can be asked toexplain how they would get the information they need todetermine inventory ordering orcarrying costs. Role-playing with students assuming the parts of the analyst who needs inventorycosts and the instructor playing the part of a veteran inventory manager can be fun andinteresting. Students quickly learn that getting good data can be the most difficult part of usingquantitative analysis.Teaching Suggestion 1.5:Dealing with Resistance to Change.Resistance to change is discussed in this chapter. Students can be asked to explain how theywouldintroduceanewsystemorchangewithintheorganization.Peopleresistingnewapproaches can be a major stumbling block to the successful implementation of quantitativeanalysis. Students can be asked why some people may be afraid of a new inventory control orforecasting system.Preview Mode
This document has 544 pages. Sign in to access the full document!
