Case Study #1 Assignment
Overview
Case Study assignments are designed to challenge students into applying their knowledge of the material presented in this course to real-world situations. Students are required to use the assigned case listed in the details below but will also be expected to do individual research, if necessary, to answer the questions required. Providing examples, documenting outside resources and explaining analysis, recommendations or derived conclusions from the case are expected and considered in the grading of the case assignments.
Formatting
Case study assignments do not have a minimum or maximum page or word count requirement. The document formatting rules from previous assignments should be applied, such as readable and manageable fonts and standard page layouts and margins. Unless a list, diagram, chart or matrix/table is requested all responses are required to be in complete sentences in order to properly communicate comprehension and analysis of the material presented. This is a question and answer case study, so students are expected to answer the questions directly asked instead of providing a full case study report (with an executive summary, overview, and etcetera). Students should use Microsoft Word or equivalent word processing software to record their Case Study responses.
Case Study #1 Materials
Students need to purchase a case study from the Harvard Business Review website. It cannot be purchased from the GGU University Bookstore. To purchase the case, students will need to go to www.hbr.org and using the following information locate the case and purchase:
Eli Lilly and Company: The Flexible Factory Decision(1993). Harvard Business Review, 9-694-074, 1994.
Case Study #1 Requirements
After reading the assigned case, complete the following case study questions:
1. Create a process flow diagram outlining the Eli Lilly’s traditional product development process activities. Include the approximate timing for each of the processes and note who may be involved in the process. Provide an explanation of the possible bottlenecks in this process.
2. Given the design process outlined in the case what are the major manufacturing implications for companies like Eli Lilly and the global pharmaceutical industry? Use the product life cycle in your response (hint: costs, risks, and production volumes).
3. In this case, two options were considered by Eli Lilly’s management for the new facility design. Create a matrix explaining the pros/cons of each decision.
4. Given the facts in the case and your independent research, if you were part of the management team at Eli Lilly in 1993, which facility design option would you have chosen? Is there a third option to consider? Defend your position.
5. It has been twenty years since this case was written. Where is Eli Lilly now in market position, profitability, and operational design? Has the company progressed, stayed the same or slipped over the years? In your opinion, why?
