MANAGEMENT SCIENCE

MSCI 231 Group Coursework Assignment 2025-26

Due Dates: 12 January 2026 for single-term exchange students | 19 January 2026 for everyone else

THIS ASSIGNMENT IS CLASSIFIED AS AMBER

PERMITTED USE: You can ONLY use AI tools for checking for language errors and for advice on structure. You must:

- NOT write in one language and use AI tools to translate

-  NOT  use  AI  tools that  auto-generate  (substantial) text  as you write  (e.g.,  the  paid  for version  of Grammarly does this, output is AI-generated, and it tends to get flagged on Turnitin)

- NOT ask any AI tool to generate or “improve”/ alter any text in relation to the assignment

- NOT ask AI to summarise any of the coursework material for you

- do you own reading, summarising, and writing (these are essential skills linked to essay writing)

- declare any use of AI in the completion of the assignment

- take responsibility for the ultimate report as a group. Please read the departmental policy on group coursework to know what actions you can take if group matters arise.

Topic: Pencil Production

This coursework is about pencil manufacturing – a product that has been in use for more than 400 years and has weathered many technological advancements in daily writing practice. You are required to  carefully  analyse  the video  “Inside the  (Pencil)  Factory”*  that  focuses  on  a  historic  factory  in Germany that produces 600,000 writing implements a day!

Students do not need prior knowledge about pencil production to complete this coursework. The aim of the assignment is to identify and apply the key concepts covered in the lectures including, for example, quality management, transformation processes (includingthe relationship between volume and variety), MRP, and lean.

* The video has been embedded in Moodle in the coursework section. You can also access the video by clicking on the link in the video title above, or, watch on the BoB website directly by copying and pasting this                            link                            in                             the                            browser                             -

https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/132CB81A?bcast=128919582

If you are outside the UK, the links will only work if you connect to the Lancaster VPN, and you then sign into the above site as  ILancaster University I. Instructions for connecting to  VPN can be found here:

https://portal.lancaster.ac.uk/ask/digital/services/university–it–network/vpn/

Requirements

You are required to submit a written report of no more than 3 000 words. In your report you should do the following:

1.    Describe the manufacturing process for an HB pencil, mapping the process from the receiving of raw materials to the final step before the pencils are ready to ship. Please refer to the video, the lecture materials, and any relevant materials in the textbook to describe the process using the appropriate  operations  management  terminology.   Capture  the   key  figures/   stats  that   are mentioned throughout the video including processing times, changeover times, batch sizes, etc. You may use visuals to communicate more effectively; ensure that you explain it to your readers.

2.    In the video,  much time is spent on describing input materials and the outputs of the factory. Discuss the importance of understanding independent and dependent demand for  managing stock levels for all input materials. Using an example of the production of 1 batch of the “military green” pencil, create a bill of materials to show how independent demand drives dependent demand to inform inventory decisions for the input materials used in the making of the pencils. Extend this beyond the product level to the assortment level and use the examples of graphite and wood, as key input materials, to map and discuss the factory’s needs to produce all sixteen varieties of pencil. Assume that the factory produces one batch of each variety per day to work out needs.

3.    Explain, in detail, and using specific examples from the video, the quality approach taken in the factory.  List  and describe the  processes that  are  built  into the  production  process to  reduce variations deriving from common causes. In the video, they throw 3 pencils from the top of a tower to the ground to test an important quality feature of the pencils. Without getting into the details of how a more sensible test can be done, suggest a quality control process that can be taken using control charts after producing each batch. In addition, compare this process with a process, also  using  control charts, for checking that the  dimensions of the  pencil  are within specification.  Use details from the video and the approaches discussed in the course to give examples on things like sample size per batch, mean-range charts, how the UCL and LCL limits can be set and any other considerations to be made.

4.    Read about the “Four Vs’ framework” and the operations strategy concept of the trade-off from Slack et al. (2016) as well asthe main argument of Fisher (1997). Based on these readings, describe the 4 V’s – i.e. the Volume, Variety, Variability and Visibility in the pencil factory. What trade-offs, if any, do you think have been made to achieve the performance its key operations performance objectives. You must first specify what you consider those objectives to be, giving reasons for your answer.  Finally, assess if the company has picked the right supply chain for its product. You may do additional research to concretely link their decisions for Fisher’s argument.

References

Fisher, M. (1997) What is the right supply chain for your product? Harvard Business Review, March- April, 105-116.

Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A. and Johnston, R. (2016) Operations Management, Harlow, Pearson.

Assessment

1.   This is a piece of group work worth 50% of the MSCI 231 module mark for student completing the full year on the module.

2.    For exchange students visiting for Michaelmas, it is individual work worth 100% of the mark.

3.    Each part of the analysis (1-4 above) is worth approximately equal marks, so you are advised to spend time and effort on the four sections equally.

4.    Please see the attachment for the LUMS-marking guide that will be applied to this work.

5.    Equal marks will be given to the members of a group unless there are exceptional conditions. You should clearly say if you believe there have been exceptional conditions at the start of your project, and inform your module lecturer Dr  Nonhlanhla Dube as and when problems arise within the group. All group members will be invited to a meeting if there are concerns raised and a binding agreement will be reached in the first instance. If you leave it for too late, it may not be possible to resolve the reported issue.

6.   The decision of the examiners concerning the grade is final (i.e., it is not possible to challenge the academic judgement of the markers as there are robust processes for quality assurance, including moderation internally and by external examiners as well as confirmation of grades over two exam boards). By submitting coursework, you are deemed to have accepted their judgment.

Groups

1.    Exchange / visiting students staying for one term complete the CWA individually. Everyone else  should undertake the work in the assigned groups of three or four. The groups have been finalised and it is your responsibility to get in touch with your group members to start working on the assignment.

2.    It is your joint responsibility to ensure that the group operates effectively. Please see the attached group work code of conduct.

Format

1.    You should prepare the report in a style suitable for a graduate-level audience that has no specialist knowledge of topics in operations management. This assignment tests your report-writing skills and this includes:

•     A  document with  a coherent structure and  a good mix of application of established theories/ concepts taught, analysis, and reflection.

•     Critical reflection and nuanced argumentation in terms of choices made.

•     Writing in continuous prose with good paragraphs and overall sections.

•     Proper referencing in-text (any claims about any texts should include citations – tell the reader where they can find the information you are referring to) . Assignments with no in-text referencing will be marked down as the is no evidence of what information came from what source.

•     A full reference list. Assignments with no reference list will automatically fail as there is no way to check any of the claims made.

2.   You are strongly advised to organize your report according to the analytical tasks you have been asked to tackle. You are also strongly advised to follow the guidelines on report writing given in the Attachment.

3.   The  report should  be  integrated  and coherent even if different  parts are written  primarily  by different members of your group.

Resources for support

1.    For tips and guidance on report writing, visit the LUMS academic learning zone. Follow this link to the Learning Development Moodle page where you will get resources for independent study in relation to academic writing (the academic writing zone)  but can also find out which  learning developer(s) can help you with specific problems related to  learning development and English language. You can book appointments with the learning developers, make sure you do it early as they also close for Christmas and start to get busy in January.

2.    For referencing, there is a dedicated section in the Learning Development Moodle page, just scroll down the page or follow this link to the referencing section.

Submission

1.   You should submit one electronic copy only, by 12:00 GMT on 19th  January (12th  January for exchange/ visiting students).

2.    Please put the number of your group as listed on Moodle/ provided by Helena Greenwood at the start of the report together with your library card numbers.

3.   The electronic copy of your report in Microsoft Word format should be submitted via the MSCI

231 coursework section of Moodle. This will be checked for collusion, plagiarism, poor academic practice, and false authorship.

4.    Please submit only one copy, through one group member’s account (it does not matter which one).

5.    Late work will be penalised according to the department code of practice. Any request for an extension beyond the deadline must be made by completing the required form. Please contact Helena Greenwood if you need to seek an extension.

Report Writing Guidance

Report Structure

You should have a clear and logical structure for your report. You should include:

1)   A short introduction that describes the problem you are tackling and the layout of the remainder of the report. It might also help the reader understand the importance of the problem and any particular approach you have taken to tackling it.

2)   A  series  of  sections  that  follows  the  development  of  your  theme  or  argument.  It  would  be reasonable to follow the parts of the analysis you have been asked to carry out in arranging these sections. You should provide clear headings and sub-headings.

3)   A short conclusion that summarises your analysis.

4)   A set of references clearly and fully identifying the sources you have drawn on. The references must also be cited in-text so that readers know what claims are linked to what sources.

Writing and illustration

You should write in a way that is clear, concise and appropriate for the readership. Avoid language that is unreasonably complex, but also avoid language that is too informal for a report of this kind. You must use the appropriate operations management terminology throughout the report. Use tables and charts wherever  this  is  appropriate  to  communicating  your  analysis.  You  should  not  include  gratuitous graphics which do not support your analysis and which might infringe copyright or other provisions.

Preparation and editing

You should expect to go through several stages in preparing the report. You need a plan for writing drafts,  revising  the  text,  editing  and  formatting,  ensuring  alignment  throughout  the  report,  and submitting the report. This is important in a group  report where you  may  need to  bring together individual  contributions from  several  members.  You  will  need  to  work  out  how  best  to  use  the restricted word limit you are working to.

Use of the work of others

It is essential that you avoid plagiarism. Some basic guidelines are these:

1)   Whenever you quote someone else literally (in their own words) you must enclose their words in quotation marks and give a reference at the end of that quotation. You must add a reference to every distinct quotation from a given source. Quotations should not be longer than a paragraph and generally be shorter: only quote a whole paragraph if you need to.

2)   Whenever you use someone else’s findings, ideas or terminology add a reference to the work in which you found it. Use your own words to express someone else’s findings or ideas, and if you make a change to the substance of the finding or idea you should say so.

3)   As a rule you should re-draw any figures you copy from other sources, acknowledging them fully and editing them so that they are appropriate to your report. The only situation in which it is acceptable to cut-and-paste someone else’s diagram or picture into your own work is where the form of that diagram cannot be redrawn (such as a photograph) or where the form is relevant to a point you want to make (for example where some aspect is illegible or ambiguous). Pictures are normally protected by copyright so you should not reproduce them without careful thought and you must cite the sources.

4)    Use a well-known referencing convention, use it comprehensively and consistently, and check that your references are complete. You are strongly advised to use the Harvard convention.

Formatting and word length

1)   You are strongly advised to  use Times  New  Roman font,  size  12, single-spaced.  Page  margins should be at least 25.4mm.

2)    Figures must be as legible as the main text, be labelled, and be referred to in the accompanying text.

3)   You may exceed the word limit by up to 10% if you have compelling reasons to do so. The word limit applies to the whole report, including references and any material you choose to consign to an appendix. You should not need to use appendices or footnotes.

Departmental code of practice for assessed group work

Group formation

It is entirely up to the course leader (module convenor / lecturer) how groups will be formed.  Students may be allowed to choose their own groups or to state preferences as to the composition of their groups, but they have no right to do so, and no right of appeal against the membership of their group.

Group conduct

Every group member should provide to other group members a reliable means of contact (phone, email, mobile, etc.) at the start of the groupwork.  Every group member is responsible for keeping in touch with other group members, helping to organise group meetings, attending group meetings, sharing out work and carrying out allocated work to jointly agreed deadlines.   If any group member cannot attend a meeting or carry out agreed work, this must be for a good reason and other group members must be properly informed in advance of the meeting if at all possible.

Problems within a group

If a group is suffering from difficulties owing to the behaviour of one or more of its members, it should first try to resolve them internally.  If this cannot be done swiftly and satisfactorily, group members should contact the course leader, explaining the nature of the difficulties, and make an appointment to see him/her as soon as possible.  Alternatively, if the course leader observes problems within a group, (s)he may ask to see the students.  The course leader may decide whether to see the students all together or to see one or more of them separately.  The course leader will make notes of such meetings and the notes will be distributed to the students and kept on their files.

There are a number of actions a course leader may decide to take, including:

•    a request to the group to make further efforts to resolve their problems internally

•    asking for full details in writing from all students

•    issuing a warning to one or more students

•    making a further appointment with one or more of the students

•    penalising an offending student by a specified number of marks

•    asking an offending student to carry out extra work

•    requiring an offending student to undergo an oral examination

•    removing an offending student from a group

In all cases, the course leader will make clear in writing what action will be taken regarding assessment, including any possible compensation for non-offending students. Students have the right of appeal to the Head of Department for the module, whose decision will be final.

Assessment of group work

The  normal expectation  is that the course  leader will  assign the same group work mark to every member of a well-functioning group.   If  (s)he  decides  to give different  marks within a group, the reasons will be clearly stated.

However, if the course leader wishes, up to 20% of the assessment may be affected by students individually assessing their fellow group members ("peer assessment").  These ratings will be strictly relative, so it will not be possible for students to decide simply to give every group member a very high mark. They will also be confidential: no student will be told any rating awarded by any other student.

The course leader will make clear exactly how such ratings should be expressed and how they will be used, but has the right to amend or ignore such ratings before using them for assessment if (s)he considers them unreasonable or unfair to any student.