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Mansci Chapter 1

Chapter 1 introduces management decision-making and problem-solving processes, emphasizing the scientific method and quantitative analysis. It outlines the steps involved in decision-making, including defining problems, identifying alternatives, and evaluating solutions, while also discussing various models and techniques used in management science. Key terms such as breakeven point, constraints, and decision variables are defined to aid understanding of the concepts presented.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
25 views6 pages

Mansci Chapter 1

Chapter 1 introduces management decision-making and problem-solving processes, emphasizing the scientific method and quantitative analysis. It outlines the steps involved in decision-making, including defining problems, identifying alternatives, and evaluating solutions, while also discussing various models and techniques used in management science. Key terms such as breakeven point, constraints, and decision variables are defined to aid understanding of the concepts presented.
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Management Optional steps:

Science and Quantitative Techniques 6. Implementing the selected


alternative
➢ decision making based on 7. Evaluating the result.
the scientific method
➢ makes extensive use of 1.2: Quantitative Analysis and
quantitative analysis. Decision-Making
➢ two other widely known and figure 1.2: (classification of decision
accepted names; making process)
(operations research &
decision science)
➢ scientific management
revolution in; early 1900s,
initiated by Frederic W.
Taylor (provided the
foundation for the use of ➢ Qualitative analysis
quantitative methods in ○ based primarily on the
management) manager’s judgement and
experience.
1.1: Problem Solving and Decision ○ it includes the manager’s
Making intuitive “feel” for the
1) problem solving: process of problem.
identifying a difference between ○ more an art than a
the actual and the desired state of science.
affairs and then taking action to ○ applies for relatively simple
resolve the difference. problems
2) decision making: term generally ➢ Quantitative Analysis
associated with the first five steps ○ quantitative facts or data
of the problem-solving process: associated with the
1. Define the problem. problem and develop
2. Identify the alternatives. mathematical expressions.
3. Determine the criteria. ○ applies for sufficiently
i) single-criterion complex problems.
decision problems:
problems in which figure 1.3: (role of quantitative and
the objective is to qualitative analysis)
find the best
solution for one
criterion.
ii) multicriteria decision
problems: problems
that involve more
than one.
4. Evaluate the alternatives.
5. Choose an alternative
1.3: Quantitative Analysis - also referred to as ‘decision
variables’
Process
❖ Model Development figure 1.4: (process of transforming model
○ models; representations of inputs into output)
real objects or situations
and can be presented in
various forms.
○ physical replicas of real
objects.
○ enables us to make
inferences about the real
situation by studying and figure 1.5: (flowchart for the production
analyzing the model. model)

Classification of Models
1) Iconic Model (physical replicas)
2) Analog Model
- physical in form but do not
have the same physical
appearance as the object
being modeled.
- Example: thermometer Classification of Mathematical Model
3) Mathematical Model ➢ Deterministic Model
- representations of a - if all uncontrollable inputs to
problem by a system of a model are known in
symbols and mathematical advance and cannot vary.
relationships or ➢ Stochastic (probabilistic) Model
expressions. - mathematical model that
- the model that is focused treats future demand with
on management science. uncertainty.
- the value of the output
➢ Objective Function- mathematical cannot be determined even
expression that describes the if the value of the
problem’s objective. controllable input is known
because the specific values
➢ Constraints- set of restrictions. of the uncontrollable inputs
are unknown.
➢ Uncontrollable Inputs
- environmental factors, that
are not under the control of
the decision makers

➢ Controllable Inputs
- inputs that are completely
controlled or determined by
the decision-maker.
❖ Data Preparation ❖ Report Generation
- refer to the values of the - the results of the model must
uncontrollable inputs to the model. appear in a managerial report that
can be easily understood by the
using the general notation; decision maker.
c= profit per unit - report includes
a= production time in hours per unit a. the recommended decision
b= production capacity in hours b. other pertinent information
about the results that may
❖ Model Solution be helpful to the decision
- In this step, the analyst will attempt maker.
to identify the alternatives decision
variables that provide the “best” ➢ Technical Tools
output for the model. ○ Software for Management
- optimal solution; best output Science: Advances in
- infeasible; rejected if the computer technology have
alternatives does not satisfy all of made management science
the model constraints. techniques more
- feasible; if the alternatives satisfies accessible. Tools like
all of the model constraint. Microsoft Excel and LINGO
are commonly used for
➢ Model Solution For the solving management
Production Problem science problems.
- involves finding the value of ○ Resources: For practical
the production quantity guidance on using these
decision variable x that tools, there are appendices
maximizes profit while not in the textbook that provide
causing a violation of the step-by-step instructions.
production capacity
constraint.
- other procedure;
trial-and-error approach in
which the model is used to
test and evaluate various
decision alternatives.

➢ Model Testing and Validation


- can use small test
problems having known, or
atleast expected.
1.4: Models of Cost, Revenue, and
Profit ❖ Profit and Volume Models
- profit–volume model can be
❖ Cost and Volume Models derived from the revenue–volume
- cost of manufacturing or producing and cost–volume models.
a product is a function of the
volume produced. ❖ Breakeven Analysis
- can usually be defined as a sum of - profit–volume model can be
two costs: fixed cost and variable derived from the revenue–volume
cost; and cost–volume models.
a. Fixed Cost- the portion of - determine the total profit
the total cost that does not associated with any production
depend on the production volume x.
volume. This cost remains - breakeven point: the volume that
the same no matter how results in total revenue equaling
much is produced. total cost.
b. Variable Cost- is the - the breakeven point for a product
portion of the total cost that provides valuable information for a
is dependent on and varies manager who must make a yes/no
with the production volume. decision concerning the production
of the product.
➢ Marginal Cost
- defined as the rate of change of figure 1.5: (example of graph breakeven
the total cost with respect to analysis)
production volume.
- it is the cost increase associated
with a one-unit increase in the
production volume.
- marginal cost may depend on the
production volume (we could have
marginal cost increasing or
decreasing with the production
volume x).

❖ Revenue and Volume Models


- projected revenue associated with
selling a specified number of units.

➢ Marginal Revenue
- defined as the rate of change of
total revenue with respect to sales
volume.
- it is the increase in total revenue
resulting from a one-unit increase
in sales volume.
- we may find marginal revenue
increases or decreases as the
sales volume x increases.
1.5: Management Science Techniques systems involving waiting
lines.
Numerous Applications for the ➢ Stimulation
Following Techniques: - a technique used to model
➢ Linear Programming- is a the operation of a system.
problem-solving approach - employs a computer
developed for situations involving program to model the
maximizing or minimizing a linear operation and perform
function. simulation computations.
➢ Integer Linear Programming ➢ Decision Analysis
- is an approach used for - used to determine optimal
problems that can be set up strategies in situations
as linear programs. involving several decision
alternatives and an
➢ Distribution and Network Models uncertain or risk-filled
- a network is a graphical pattern of events.
description of a problem ➢ Goal Programming
consisting of circles called - a technique for solving
nodes that are multicriteria decision
interconnected by lines problems, usually within the
called arcs. framework of linear
➢ Nonlinear Programming programming.
- is a technique that allows ➢ Analytic Hierarchy Process
for maximizing or - this multicriteria
minimizing a nonlinear decision-making technique
function subject to permits the inclusion of
nonlinear constraints. subjective factors in arriving
➢ Project Scheduling: PERT/CPM at a recommended
- The PERT (Program decision.
Evaluation and Review -
Technique) and CPM ➢ Forecasting
(Critical Path Method) - techniques that can be
techniques help managers used to predict future
carry out their project aspects of a business
scheduling responsibilities. operation.
➢ Inventory Models ➢ Markov Process Models
- used by managers faced - useful in studying the
with the dual problems of evolution of certain systems
maintaining sufficient over repeated trials.
inventories to meet demand
for goods. (methods frequently used):
- incurring the lowest - linear programming,
possible inventory holding - integer programmin
costs. - network models (including supply
➢ Waiting Line or Queueing Model chain models),
- help managers understand - simulation.
and make better decisions
concerning the operation of
SUMMARY OF TERMS
● Breakeven Point: the volume at
which total revenue equals total
cost.
● Constraints: restrictions or
limitations imposed on a problem.
● Controllable Inputs: the inputs that
are controlled or determined by the
decision maker.
● Decision: the alternative selected.
● Decision Making: the process of
defining the problem, identifying
the alternatives, determining the
criteria, evaluating the alternatives,
and choosing an alternative.
● Decision Variable: another term for
controllable input.
● Feasible Solution: a decision
alternative or solution that satisfies
all constraints.
● Fixed Cost: the portion of the total
cost that does not depend on the
volume; this cost remains the
same no matter how much is
produced.
● Infeasible Solution: a decision
alternative or solution that does not
satisfy one or more constraints.
● Objective Function: a mathematical
expression that describes the
problem’s objective.
● Optimal Solution: the specific
decision-variable value or values
that provide the “best” output for
the model.
● Variable Cost: the portion of the
total cost that is dependent on and
varies with the volume.

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