Please respond to the TWO students’ Discussion Post. Min 150 words EACH.
Trent Feltz
A transformation process is defined as the set of activities that takes inputs and changes or adds value to them in order to produce outputs of goods or services for customers (Collier & Evans, 2024, p. 199). This process is central to operations management because it determines how organizations convert resources into value. A clear example of a transformation process can be seen at Starbucks. The inputs include raw materials such as coffee beans, milk, and syrups, human resources like baristas and managers, capital such as espresso machines and store facilities, and information such as recipes and customer preferences. Finance and time are also required inputs. These resources move through the transformation process of roasting beans, distributing them through the supply chain, and preparing customized drinks in stores. The outputs are both tangible in the form of beverages and food, and intangible in the form of service experience and atmosphere (Collier & Evans, 2024, p. 6-8).As an operations manager, I would make changes to inputs to maximize efficiency. Supplier contracts could be refined to stabilize cost and quality, automation could be applied to inventory tracking, and training could be improved to reduce errors in service. Forecasting tools could also improve scheduling to ensure that labor hours match demand, which these changes will increase productivity by raising output per unit of input (Collier & Evans, 2024, p. 10-14).The video highlights four steps that must be monitored in a transformation process. These include inputs, transformation activities, outputs, and customer feedback (Films Media Group, 2013). Monitoring all four creates a complete loop of quality control. Finally, it is not possible for any business or department to exist without customers. Even internal teams such as finance or HR provide value to employees and leadership. I know that every process delivers value to someone, and that person is the customer. According to Collier and Evans (2024), every business and department has customers because a customer is any person or group that receives the outputs of a process and operations must always be designed with the customer in mind, whether that customer is internal or external (p. 9-10).
References
Collier, D., & Evans, J. (2024).
Operations and supply chain management (3rd ed.). Cengage Learning.
Films Media Group. (2013). Operations processes: Inputs, transformations, outputs. Films On Demand. Retrieved April 16, 2023, from
https://fod-infobase-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=53757.
Zachary LaLonde
As the general and operations manager for the Magnetic Silencing Facility, I lead a transformation process that plays a vital role in supporting the Navy, while serving as a defense contractor with INDUS Technology. The inputs for this process include skilled technicians, technical manuals, specialized test equipment, ship availability schedules, and materials such as connectors and replacement cables. The components are the workforce, the established procedures, and the tools we use to carry out the work. The transformation takes place through testing, troubleshooting, cable grooming, and repairs. The final output is a ship that meets magnetic signature standards, ensuring it is mission ready and cleared for deployment.
To strengthen productivity, I focus on refining the inputs. By expanding training and cross-skilling, technicians are able to cover a wider range of tasks without slowing progress. Partnering with suppliers to stage critical materials ahead of time eliminates unnecessary delays. I also emphasize the use of digital reporting and data collection, which reduces paperwork, cuts down on errors, and speeds up communication. These adjustments help us cut waste, manage costs, and deliver a consistent, high-quality service to the Navy (Slack et al., 2022).
There are four stages in the transformation process that I continuously monitor. The first is inputs, ensuring resources are ready and available. The second is the transformation activities, where I confirm that procedures are being followed correctly. The third is outputs, which requires me to check that our service meets the standards expected. The final stage is feedback, which helps identify gaps and allows for ongoing improvements (Heizer et al., 2020).
I also hold the view that every organization or department has customers. They may not always be external, but they always exist. For example, maintenance teams serve operations, and HR serves employees. In my case, the Navy is our direct customer, and without that relationship, our work would have no purpose.
References
Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2020). Operations management: Sustainability and supply chain management (13th ed.). Pearson.
Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A., & Burgess, N. (2022). Operations management (10th ed.). Pearson.
