Management Decision Science Module Handbook

AURO UNIVERSITY
(INDIA)
The School of Management & Entrepreneurship

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Module
Management Decision Science
Semester-2 (2011-2013)
Module Leader
Dr. Rana Singh
www.aurouniversity.edu.in
Auro University http://www.aurouniversity.edu.in

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The School of Management &
CONTENTS
Course Outcomes and Objectives
02
Learning Outcomes
04
Readings
04
Learning Process
06
Support for Your Learning
07
Course Assessment
07
Regulations
08
Expectations
08
Using Unfair Means
09
Coursework Task 1: Spread sheet Functions
10
Coursework Assessment Task 2: Assessed Business Plan Individual
11
Coursework Assessment Task 2a: Assessed Presentation-Individual
12
Coursework Assessment Task 3: Mid Term Test 1
13
Weekly Coverage
13
Week 1: Management Decision Science: An Introduction

Week 2: Business Modelling and Business Plans Decisions Using
Ms-Excel
Week 3: Linear Programming, Linear Programming Models:
Graphical and Computer Methods
Week 4: Linear Programming Modeling Applications with Computer
Analysis in Excel
Week 5: Linear Programming and Sensitivity Analysis
14
Week 6: Transportation, Assignment and Network Models
15
16
17
18
19
Week 7: Decision Analysis
20
Week 8: Simulation Modeling
21
Course Outcomes and Objectives:

The Management Decision Science course aims at imparting business
modelling skills and decision making skills in order to optimise resources at
the workplace by learning the conceptual underpinnings of decision making
concepts and integrating it with the spread sheet skills so as to be
comfortable in decision making with the help of spread sheets.
The course has two pronged focus. Firstly the students are expected to
enhance their learning of the various functions, functionalities and
applications of Ms-Excel and its usage in the process of decision making. In

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the modern times, spread sheets have been used and are in vogue in the
process of teaching decision making. The course contents are also taught in
the name of operations research /management science /decision modelling/
Managerial Decision Modeling with spread sheets / Business Modeling / MSExcel and Business Modeling.
The course aims at imparting the various tools of decision making at the
workplace and the spread sheet skills so that the MBA participants are
comfortable to take decisions at the workplace by modelling the real world
alternatives and scenarios using spread sheet modelling.
This module handbook outlines the essential readings and references for the
course and will act as a reference guide for the full semester. The students
will acquire the spread sheet skills and the decision making skills by applying
them on real world problems and situations.
Through self-study and group working elements, first part of the course
introduces students to the various functions, functionalities and applications
of MS-Excel 2010 in its current form and how it is used in Business Modelling
and decision making.
Spread sheet based decision modelling is gaining prominence in the
corporate world gradually. The MBA participants are expected to optimally
integrate the knowledge of decision making tools and the knowledge
regarding Ms-Excel to integrate the two in order to optimize resources and to
facilitate decision making process. The students shall also be motivated to
combine their power to logically model and analyse decision making
scenarios with software-based solution procedures. The students are required
to focus on acquiring skills needed to apply decision models to different
types of organizational decision making situations.
It also aims at introducing the student towards developing business plan by
taking series of associated and interlinked decisions and develop financial
projections, business plan report and powerpoint presentation reflecting the
various decision making skills acquired during the course by completing a
business plan.
The objectives of the course are to:
Develop spread sheet skills of the students to assist them in the process
of decision making
Develop Decision modelling and spread sheet modelling skills.
Provide an introduction into management decision making through the

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application of various management techniques
Develop an understanding of how such techniques fit into the wider

management processes
Enable the student to assess the reliability and usefulness of any

information generated by quantitative techniques
Enable the student to justify decisions made with quantified data using
spread sheets.
Enable the students to optimize resources using spread sheet skills.
Enable the students with Linear Programming Modelling Applications with

Computer Analysis in Excel with application in various domain areas of
management.
Learning Outcomes:
Through your own self-study of the reading materials outlined in this
handout, your participation in your Management Decision Making
Assignments and through lectures, workshops and seminars, you should be
able to:
Understand
decision models, their importance,
types, steps in
developing decision models, problems in developing business models
Understand the Linear programming model, formulating a linear

programming problem, graphical solution of a linear programming
problem with two variables, minimization of linear programming problem,
setting up and solving linear programming problems using Excels Solver
Model a wide variety of linear programming problems in various

application areas for LP problems, including manufacturing, marketing,
finance, employee staffing, transportation, blending and multi period
planning
Understand using graphs, the impact of changes in objective function
Appreciate at an introductory level the decision making using Ms-Excel
Reflect on the nature and types of management decisions in the corporate

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world using various tools and techniques of spreadsheet and modern

simulation tool and add-in like crystal ball.
Readings:
Albright, Winston & Zappe (2009), Decision Making Using Microsoft
Excel, South Western Cengage Learning
Anderson, David R. & Sweeney, Dennis J. & Williams, Thomas A. (2007), An
Introduction to Management Science-Quantitative Approaches to
Decision Making, South Western Cengage Learning
Balakrishnan, Nagraj & Render, Barry & Ralph M. Stair Jr (2008) Managerial
Decision Modeling with Spreadsheets, 2nd Edition. Pearson
Bhat, Shridhara K, (2011), Operations Research, First Edition, Himalaya
Publication
Bridgeland, David M., & Zahavi, Ron (2009) Business Modeling A
Practical Guide to Realizing Business Value, Morgan Kaufmann
Dodge, Marke & Stinson, Craig (2010), Microsoft Excel 2010 Inside Out,
PHI
Gilboa, Itzhak (2011), Making Better Decisions Decision Theory in
Practice, Wiley-Blackwell
Gipp, Jennifer (2008), Spotlight on: Spreadsheets, 2nd Edition, Thomson

Cengage Learning
Hillier, Frederick S. & Hillier, Mark S. (2011), Introduction to Management
Science A Modeling and Case Studies Approach with Spreadsheets,
Fourth Edition, McGraw Hill Irwin
Hillier, Frederick S. & Lieberman, Gerald J. (2010) Operations Research,
Special Indian Edition, Fourth Edition, Tata McGraw Hill
Jechlitschka, Kurt & Kirschke, Dieter& Schwarz, Gerald (2007),
Microeconomics Using Excel: Integrating Economic Theory, Policy
Analysis and Spreadsheet Modeling, Routledge Taylor and Francis Group

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Powell, Stephen G., & Baker, Kenneth R. (2009), Management Science

The art of Modeling with Spread sheets, 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons
Ragsdale, Cliff T.(2011), Spread sheet Modeling & Decision Analysis: A
Practical Introduction to Management Science, 6th Edition, South
Western Cengage Learning
Sharma, Anand (2011), Operations Research, Himalaya Publishing House
Sharma, J.K. (2011), Operations Research, Reprinted 2011, Macmillan
Tennent, John & Friend, Graham (2010), Guide to Business Modelling, First
South Asian Edition 2010
Mayes, Timothy R., & Shank Todd M.(2012), Financial Analysis with
Microsoft Excel, South Western, Cengage Learning
Whigham, David (2011), Business Data Analysis using Excel, Indian
Edition, Oxford University Press
Winston, Wayne L. (2010), Excel-Data Analysis and Business Modeling,
Microsoft Press
In addition to the texts mentioned above, it is important to keep abreast of
current /contemporary business news / issues by reading the pink dailies
from India and abroad as the same facilitates the decision making process
from a holistic view angle in the light of the exponentially dynamic business
environment. A daily dose of leading pink dailies is highly recommended
among but not limited to The Economic Times, Financial Express, Business
Line, The Wall Street Journal etc. Most of these are available in the University
library and are also available free of charge on the internet (If you are unsure
of web address, search for the relevant newspaper using www.google.com).
For e.g. The economic Times -www.epaper.timesofindia.com
Learning Processes:
Your learning for the Management Decision Making course will be mainly by
lectures, seminars, self-study and through your assignments, research and
business plan development.
The students will work on the various functions of Ms-Excel and their
application on a daily basis and will work on 20 functions daily and mail it to
the tutor on a daily basis. The demo examples will be done in the class. This
is important to have a very strong understanding and skill development.

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The students are required to work in groups as well.

The entire class is to be divided in group of four students.
The group is likely to be 1-4, 5-8, 9-12 and so on. The students will do
ungraded group assignment from the book Excel and Business Modelling and
will email the group assignment on a daily basis to the Instructor. The
assignment will comprise four chapters every day. Each student of the group
will work on one chapter and will integrate the four chapters before sending
it to the instructor.
The daily assignment at individual level and the group level will facilitate a
lot in the process of the Business Plan.
Graded Assignment (40%)
The daily assignment is an important pre-requisite for the assessment of the
business plan.
The students are required to submit a business plan in hard copy and soft
copy to the program office by 10AM in 8th week.
The students will be required to submit the business plan in one of the Indian
/ International Business Plan Competitions. Their awarded grades will be
provisional till such time they submit the participation certificate in Business
Plan Competition.
The project groups will be notified to you in the week 1 of the course. (Please
Note: Please consult / contact your tutor regarding any guidance/support
during the course)
It is expected that students will co-ordinate their group and arrange
meetings etc. to complete the necessary tasks during their own time. If you
are having problems with the group working element, please contact your
module leader, but remember that it is your responsibility to arrange to meet
up as a group and co-ordinate the necessary information gathering.
Please note:
Lectures, workshops and tutorials for the module are compulsory for all
students. It will be assumed by the module leader in all assessments
(coursework and examinations) that students have attended all the classes.

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Support for your Learning

The main form of support will be through your module leaders and
seminar/workshop leaders, who are available on appointment. Also, the
online support in the form of material available on the VLE regarding your
module should be used to keep oneself updated.
The library resources are extended through the availability of electronic
databases, containing Research Journals and various other types of
publications that provide you with enhanced readings and facilitate your
understanding.
Course Assessments:
Coursework Assessments (40%) and Mid Term Test (20%)
The assessment for the Management Decision Making course will be made
up of the following coursework elements:
%
Semester 1:
Individual Business Plan
Break-Up
Ms-word Project Plan
20
Financial Projections -.xls
10
Powerpoint Presentation (5 PPT+5 class presentation) 10
Mid Term Test
(5th Week/any other dated informed in adv)20

60
For the group/individual project element each team/individual member is

expected to complete a proportionate share of the group assignments. The
allocation of specific tasks is the responsibility of the group.
Please note: The institute reserves the right to adjust course work marks
after coursework has been returned to students in order to ensure that the
course work marks have an appropriate distribution.
Examination
The Management Decision Making examination element will comprise a short
discursive section of four questions, from which you will have to answer two

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questions. The specimen exam questions would be similar to the problems

discussed in the class during the workshop and the solved and unsolved
problems mentioned in the recommended text book. questions.
Regulations:
Late Submission of Work
Coursework submitted after the deadline, but within two working
days (48 hours) of that deadline will be awarded a maximum mark
of 45%. All coursework submitted after two days will normally be
awarded a Zero F grade.
Extension for medical reasons or extenuating circumstances must be agreed
with the Module Leader in advance of the deadline where possible and
supported by medical evidence where appropriate. Problems with printing
and binding will not normally be accepted as valid reasons for
lateness.
Attendance Regulation
All students are required to maintain above 70% attendance. Any
student who is falling short of the 70% attendance rule will be
allowed to take the main exam / coursework. However, in such case
10 marks will be deducted from the total marks for the concerned
module. However no student will fail due to the above ruling (for example if
a student has scored anywhere between 45 to 55 marks the marks will be
capped at 45).
Expectations:
There are a number of expectations for your study on this module which you
should be aware of. These are that you will:
Adhere to the guidelines vis--vis submission deadlines; weekly

readings and tasks; practice tests schedule
Regularly log-in to check on the Auro University server for
announcements (and material) pertaining to this module
Attend all the face to face sessions and regularly connect with
module/workshop leaders for any clarification pertaining to the module
Be aware of the plagiarism norms of the Auro University and take care
not to infringe upon the any of the same

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Using Unfair Means

All assessments are intended to determine your individual skills, abilities,
understanding and knowledge. Cheating is defined as obtaining an unfair
academic advantage and any of you found using any form of cheating,
attempting to cheat or assisting someone else to cheat may be subject to
disciplinary action in accordance with the University Disciplinary Procedure.
The Institute takes this issue very seriously and you may be expelled or have
your degree withheld for cheating in assessments. If you are having difficulty
with your work it is important to seek help from your tutor rather than be
tempted to use unfair means to gain marks. Do not risk losing your degree
and all the work you have done. Auro University defines a number of
different forms of cheating, although any form of cheating is strictly
forbidden. These are:
Submitting other people's work as your own - either with or without

their knowledge. This includes copying in examinations; using notes or
unauthorised materials in examinations
Impersonation - taking an assessment on behalf of or pretending to be
another student, or allowing another person to take an assessment on
your behalf or pretend to be you
Plagiarism - taking or using another person's thoughts, writings or
inventions as your own. To avoid plagiarism you must make sure that
quotations, from whatever source, are clearly identified and attributed
at the point where they occur in the text of your work by using one of
the standard conventions for referencing. It is not enough just to list
sources in a bibliography at the end of your essay or dissertation if you
do not acknowledge the actual quotations in the text. Neither is it
acceptable to change some of the words or the order of sentences if,
by failing to acknowledge the source properly, you give the impression
that it is your own work
Collusion - except where written instructions specify that work for
assessment may be produced jointly and submitted as the work of
more than one student, you must not collude with others to produce a
piece of work jointly, copy or share another student's work or lend your
work to another student in the reasonable knowledge that some or all
of it will be copied
Duplication - submitting work for assessment that is the same as, or
broadly similar to, work submitted earlier for academic credit, without
acknowledgement of the previous submission
Falsification - the invention of data, its alteration, its copying from any
other source, or otherwise obtaining it by unfair means, or inventing
quotations and/or references.

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Coursework Task 1:
Ungraded
The students will work on the various functions of Ms-Excel and their
application on a daily basis and will work on 20 functions daily and mail it to
the tutor on a daily basis. The demo examples will be done in the class. This
is important to have a very strong understanding and spread sheet skill
development.
The students are required to work in groups as well.
The entire class is to be divided in group of four students.
The group is likely to be 1-4, 5-8, 9-12 and so on. The students will do group
assignment from the book Excel and Business Modelling and will email the
group assignment on a daily basis to the Instructor. The assignment will
comprise four chapters every day. Each student of the group will work on one
chapter and will integrate the four chapters before sending it to the
instructor.
The daily assignment at individual level and the group level is the prerequisite for the assessment of the Business Plan.

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Coursework Assessment Task 2:

Business Plan
This is an individual task.
The final business plan must be your own work. The submission of this task
will at the end of first block of second (8 th week) semester, but you may wish
to start gathering source materials for this task in advance.
THE TASK:
You should prepare a business plan on an idea of your choice:
Your aim is to research this topic area widely by using resources available in
the library, from course reading materials and on-line sources. Students
wishing to score highly on this business plan should aim to read as widely as
possible, since a better appreciation of the existing business models and
business opportunity/ies will be reflected in your business plan. It is
recommended that the students should study various existing business
models.
REQUIRED:
1. The students are required to submit the hard copy in the form of report
along with the CD in a CD Cover. The CD must contain the soft copy of the
business plan including MSWord File, MS Excel File, and MS Powerpoint File.
1. Your word-processed business plan should ideally be between 1,250 and
2,500 words in length. Business Plans longer than 2500 words will not be
penalized. The business plan should be word-processed in Microsoft Word
format.
Your business plan should include:
a. a brief introduction
b. main body discussion
c. a conclusion which summarizes the main argument/findings
d. a reference list
e. an appendix (if desired)

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A reference list should be provided at the end of your business plan, which
refers only to those sources, books, articles and website addresses you have
actually used in writing your essay. The reference list is not included in the
word count. AURO has adopted the Harvard system of referencing(see
Appendix 2).
IMPORTANT: Plagiarism is a SERIOUS ACADEMIC OFFENCE. Please ensure you
appropriately acknowledge the source of your ideas and attribute quotations
as appropriate, as these coursework will be routinely checked for plagiarism
using plagiarism software.
DEADLINE:
This piece must be word processed in Microsoft Word and submitted in both
soft and hard copy. The deadline for submission will be in the 8 th week of first
block of second semester. Exact date and time will be latest before 10 AM.
Please Note: late mark penalties will be applied if both hard &soft
copies of your groups piece are not submitted by the deadline. The
hard copy must contain a signed coursework declaration sheet. Please
ensure your name is included on the hard and soft copy of your business
plan.
Please note: The University reserves the right to adjust coursework marks
after course work has been returned to students in order to ensure that the
coursework marks have an appropriate distribution.
NOTE:
See Appendix 2 for Harvard Referencing
See Appendix 3 for a checklist to be used for coursework

submissions.
Coursework Assessment Task 2:

Assessed Presentation
GROUP PRESENTATION
Required: This presentation will require each member to give a 5 minute
oral presentation of their work on the B-Plan to their tutor in the Week 8 of
block I in Semester II.
As a brief guide the presentation should include the following issues:

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Identify your business plan and its associated factors and dimensions
Competitors Analysis
Financial Plan
Marketing Plan
Business Environment
Various other factors mentioned in the e-book regarding business plan.
General guidance on presentation and how you will be judged are provided in
Appendix 6.
Practicalities: In doing presentations, please remember you will only have
the facilities available in the lecture room, so you will need to check what is
there in the room in advance of the presentation? Your tutor will bring along
whiteboard pens, but you will need to arrange for any other materials which
you wish to use for your presentation (e.g. overhead transparencies,
handouts). Do not assume there will be computer projection facilities, and
even if there is, you must bring overhead transparencies as a back-up.
NOTE:
See Appendix for Guidance on Presentation.
Assessment Task 3
Mid Term Test 1
There will be a mid-term test in the week 5/6 from the course coverage of
the earlier weeks. The test will comprise of two sections. Section I will be of
20% weightage comprising of Business Problems. The students will be
allowed to use Ms-Excel 2010and access the book if they so desire.
Weekly coverage:
WEEK
COVERAGE
SEMESTER 1
Week 1
Ms-Excel, Spreadsheets and Decision Making
Week 2
Business Data Analysis using Ms-Excel and

Introduction to Managerial Decision Making

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Week 3
Linear Programming, Linear Programming Models,

Graphical and Computer Methods
Week 4
Linear Programming Modeling Applications with

Computer Analyses in Excel
Week 5
Linear Programming Sensitivity Analysis
Week 6
Transportation, Assignment and Network Models
Week 7
Decision Analysis
Week 8
Simulation Modeling
WEEK 1: Ms-Excel, Spreadsheets, and Decision

Making
Learning Outcomes
Having attended these lectures, students should gain
An overview of Ms-Excel and various functions of MS-Excel to be used
in the process of decision making

How to use the various functions of Ms-Excel in Decision Making
To understand the significance of Ms-Excel in Modelling and Business
Decision Making
Defining Decision Models and describe the importance of such models
Understand two types of decision models: deterministic and
probabilistic models
Understand the steps involved in developing decision models
Discuss possible problems in developing decision models
Lecture Outline
Introduction to the course, delivery and assessment.

Introduction to Group Project and related modalities.
What do you mean by Management Decision Making?
Why study Management Decision Making?
What constitutes the process of Management Decision Making?

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Stakeholders in a business decision making process

Spreadsheets and use of spreadsheets in the process of Management
Decision Making
SEMINAR FOR WEEK 01
Class Discussion: How does spreadsheet help in Management Decision

Making? How does the various functions in Ms-Excel help in the process
of Management Decision Making?
What is decision modelling?
READINGS FOR WEEK 01
Tennent, John & Friend, Graham (2010), Guide to Business

Modelling, First South Asian Edition 2010, Chapter 1& 2
Mayes, Timothy R., & Shank Todd M.(2012), Financial Analysis with
Microsoft Excel, South Western, Cengage Learning, Chapter 1& 2
Whigham, David (2011), Business Data Analysis using Excel,
Indian Edition, Oxford University Press, Chapter 1& 2
Winston, Wayne L. (2010), Excel-Data Analysis and Business
Modeling, Microsoft Press, Chapter 1& 2
WEEK 2: Business Modelling and Business Plans

Decisions Using Ms-Excel - Business Data
Analysis Using Excel
Learning Outcome
Having attended this lecture, students should be able to understand
How Ms-Excel functions help in the various Decision Making processes

What are the various types of functions in Ms-Excel
How the Ms-Excel Functions are applied in real world problems
What are the applications and uses of Ms-Excel Functions in Business
Modeling
What are the various tools and techniques in MS-Excel which help us in
Management Decision Making and Business Modeling

What are the various key factors and variables which must be reflected
in business plan

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How Ms-Excel can help us in preparing projected financial statements

so as to produce future projections of finance
Lecture Outline
Ms-Excel functions and Business Modeling
Financial Projections using Ms-Excel
Financial Decision Making using Ms-Excel
Business Modeling and Business Planning
Seminar for Week 2
What is Business Modeling? What are the various key factors

and aspects to be incorporated in a business plan?
READINGS FOR WEEK 2

Business Modelling by The Economist : PP 1-282
Balakrishnan, Render, Stair (2012) Managerial Decision Modeling with
Spreadsheets, 2nd Edition, Pearson : Chapter 1
WEEK 3: Linear Programming, Linear

Programming Models: Graphical and Computer
Methods
Learning Outcome
Having attended this lecture, students should have an understanding:
Introduction to Linear Programming

Formulation of Linear Programming
Application of Linear Programming
Linear Programming and Ms-Excel
Decision Making with Linear Programming
Profit Maximization, Cost Minimization and Resource Optimization
Understand the basic assumptions and properties of Linear
Programming (LP)
Use graphical procedures to solve LP Problems with only two variables
to understand how LP Problems are solved

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Understand
unboundedness, and an alternate optimal solution in LP problems

Understand how to set up LP Problems on a spreadsheet and solve
special
situations
such
as
redundancy,
infeasibility,
them using Excels Solver.

Lecture Outline
Objectives of LPP
Formulation and graphical solution of LPP
Solution of LPP using Ms-Excel
Calculation of feasible and optimal solution
Graphical solution of a linear programming problem with two variables
A minimization Linear Programming Problem
Special Situations in solving Linear Programming Problems
Setting up and solving Linear Programming Problems using Excels

Solver
Seminar For Week 3
Discuss LPP as a strategic tool for

minimization and resource optimization.
profit
maximization,
cost
Reading For Week 3

WEEK 4: Linear Programming Modeling

Applications with Computer Analysis in Excel
Learning Outcome
Having attended this lecture, students should be able to
Model a wide variety of linear programming (LP) problems.

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Understand major business application areas for LP problems, including manufacturing,

marketing, finance, employee staffing, transportation, blending, and multi-period
planning.
Gain experience in setting up and solving LP problems using Excels Solver.
Lecture Outline
Introduction
Manufacturing Applications
Marketing Applications
Finance Applications
Employee Staffing Applications
Transportation Applications
Blending Applications
Multiperiod Applications
Seminar For Week 4
Classroom Exercise
o Discussion based on Classroom activity (based on excel
examples and problems mentioned in the relevant chapter of the
text book )
Reading For Week 4

WEEK 5: Linear Programming and Sensitivity

Analysis
Learning Outcome
Having attended this lecture, students should be able to:

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Understand, using graphs, the impact of changes in objective function

coefficients, right-hand-side values, and constraint coefficients on the
optimal solution of a linear programming problem.

Generate answer and sensitivity reports using Excels solver.
Interpret all parameters of these reports for maximization and
minimization problems.
Analyze the impact of simultaneous changes in input data values using
the 100% rule.

Analyze the impact of the addition of a new variable using the pricingout strategy
Lecture Outline
Introduction
Sensitivity Analysis using Graphs
Sensitivity Analysis Using Solver Reports
Sensitivity Analysis for a Larger Maximization Example
Analyzing Simultaneous Changes by Using the 100% Rule
Pricing Out new Variables
Sensitivity Analysis for a Minimization Example
Seminar For Week 5
Classroom Exercise
text book )
Discussion Question:
o How do we use sensitivity analysis
Maximization and minimization cases?
with
Ms-excel
for
Reading For Week 5

WEEK 6: Transportation, Assignment and Network

Models

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Learning Outcome
Having attended these lectures, students should understand:
Structure special LP network flow models.

Set up and solve transportation models, using Excels Solver.
Set up and solve transportation models, using Excels Solver.
Set-up and solve transportation models with Max-Min and Min-Max
objectives.
Extend the basic transportation model to include trans-shipment
points.
Set up and solve maximal-flow network model to include trans-
shipment points.
Set up and solve maximal-flow network models, using Excels Solver.
Lecture Outline
Introduction
Characteristics of Network Models
Transportation Model
Transportation Models with Max-Min and Min-Max objectives
Transshipment Model
Assignment Model
Maximal-Flow Model
Classroom Exercise
Discussion based on Classroom activity (based on excel examples and
problems mentioned in the relevant chapter of the text book )
Questions pertaining to Transportation, Assignment and Network Models in
Chapter 5 of the text book.

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Reading For Week 6

WEEK 7: Decision Analysis

Learning Outcome
Having attended these lectures, students will be able to:
List the steps of the decision-making process and describe the different
types of decision making environments.

Make decision making under uncertainty and under risk.
Use Excel to set up and solve problems involving decision tables.
Develop accurate and useful decision trees.
Use Treeplan to set up and analyse decision tree problems with Excel
Lecture Outline
Introduction
The Five Steps in Decision Analysis
Types of Decision-Making Environments
Decision Making under Uncertainty
Decision Making under Risk
Decision Trees
Using TreePlan to solve Decision Tree Problems with Excel
Classroom Exercise
text book )
o Questions pertaining to Decision Analysis in Chapter 8 of the text
book

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Reading For Week 5

WEEK 8: Simulation Modeling

Learning Outcome
Having attended these lectures, the student should be able to understand:
Understand the basic steps of conducting a simulation.

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of simulation.
Tackle a wide variety of problems by using simulation.
Set up and solve simulation models by using Excels standard functions.
Use the Crystal Ball add-in for Excel to set up and solve simulation models.
Explain the types of simulation models.
Lecture Outline
Introduction
Monte Carlo Simulation
Role of Computers in Simulation
Simulation Model to compute Expected Profit
Simulation Model of an Inventory Problem
Simulation Model of a Queuing Problem
Simulation Model of a Revenue Management Problem
Seminar For Week 8

Class Discussion: What is the role of Simulation modelling in
organizational decision making process?
Reading For Week 8


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APPENDIX 1
Group Contribution Sheet

Group Based Task
Name
Section
responsible
for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
ANY OTHER COMMENT:
Actual contribution towards

Signatu
the group task
re

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APPENDIX 2
Some specific guidelines about the Harvard system of
referencing:
a) When making the reference list at the end of your essay/report, use left
alignment and make the author's name stand out by using indentation
of the text.
b) The parts of other work e.g. chapters of books, articles in newspapers,
reports in journals, parts of a websites: give in plain font.
c) Complete works e.g. books, government reports, newspapers, journals,
stand-alone articles: give in italics
d) If you can't find an individual author, use the name of the organization
instead.
e) For printed work, give the place of publication if possible, then the
publisher. Note the punctuation in the reference.
f) For internet sources, as well as the author (or organisation if there is no
clear author) and year, give the date you accessed it and the full URL
along with the details of the material e.g. the title of the article, the
name of the newspaper etc.
g) For a news report, give the exact date, not only the year. Check that
the link you give actually works in that it would take your reader
directly to the exact source if she wanted to read it for themselves.
Giving a broad website such as 'www.bbc.co.uk' is not enough.
h) If the same author has more than one publication in the same year,
use a,b,cetc.
i) Always make sure that the correct edition is referred to as pagination
often differs.
Some examples follow:

(For a book source)
Horngren, C.T. (1972) Cost Accounting, A Managerial Emphasis, 3rd Edition,
Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prel]tice-Hall.

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(For a press release source)

Baker, S. (2003) "Environment Agency Press Release: Repeat Offenders Take
the Shine Off Pollution Reductions," Environment Agency, 30/7/2003.
(For a journal article)
Bloggs, J. (2006) "Accounting is a Wonderful Subject," Journal of Accounting
Education, Vol. 20, No.4, pp. 653-685.
(For a report)
Severn Trent Pic (2003a) Water and Waste.Birmingham: Severn Trent Pic.

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APPENDIX 3
SELF-HELP CHECKLIST
Format
Has the coursework declaration sheet disclaimer been signed?
Does the cover sheet have all necessary information included?
Are the font and spacing clear and legible?
Does it follow the specifications for word count/number of pages?
Structure and Argumentation

Is there a helpful introduction?
Is effective reasoning used? (Do you supporting points with explanation,
illustration, justification, evidence?)
Are headings / subheadings helpful?
Are the points in logical order?
Does the paragraphing help the reader understand the argument and
flow of ideas? Is there one topic per paragraph?
Are there clear breaks between paragraphs to show where they start and
end?
Is it clear how the ideas link together? (both within and between
paragraphs)
Style, appropriateness and accuracy of language

Is a formal style used, including full paragraphs (not notes or bullet
points)?
Is it clear and easy to follow (not too cryptic or overcomplicated)?
Is English grammar used accurately e.g. tenses, word endings etc.
Is the punctuation clear and accurate e.g. full stops. commas, semicolons?
Is the spelling accurate?

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Referencing conventions:
Within the text
Are citations given in the text for all the source material used?
Are direct quotations given in quotation marks with surname, date and
page number where available?
Are paraphrase summary and quotation used appropriately (eg. not too
much quotation)?
Are sources which the student has read for her/himself acknowledged
clearly with surname and date?
Are indirect sources - ones the students has not read him/herself but has
seen mentioned by other writers acknowledged properly, giving the
original source? E.g.(Kim and Um 2003 cited in Brown 2004)
Are websites cited in the text concisely (i.e. author/organisation and date
only)?
Are all the sources acknowledged within the text also included in the
reference list at the end?
In the reference list at the end

Are the references in alphabetical order of surname, with the surname
first followed by the initial(s}?
For books, are all the details included? (author, date, title, place of
publication and publisher.)
For journal articles, are all the details included? (author, date, journal
title, volume/issue number, page range.)
Are journal titles and book titles given in italics?
For electronic sources are all the details included? (author/organisation,
date, full URL and date accessed)

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Useful websites for academic writing and relevant issues

http://www.uefap.co.uk/
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ (US English)
http://www.bradford.ac.uk/
acad/management/external/els/informationsheets. php
(for management students - excellent overall advice,
referencing)
especially
http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/management/external/els/pdf/refandbib.pdf)
http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/main.html
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/generaI/generaI-advice
http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/celt/sldcl?openpage
on

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APPENDIX 4: GUIDANCE ON B-PLAN WRITING

There will be some study skills guidance provided about report writing. However,
some brief guidance is provided here for your information.
As a brief guide, your group written report should include:
1. An executive summary, which summarizes your main findings during the
project. (This should be no more than 250 words long and is included in
the word count).
2. Table of contents
3. Clearly titled sections/sub-sections
4. References: You should ensure your references are correctly attributed in
a reference list, and any quotes from texts must be correctly attributed to
their source (for example, Blogs (2002, p.23) says "...."). Please take care
to ensure your material is referenced and remember to ensure that
material is appropriately acknowledged in your work submitted. Please
use the Harvard style of referencing see the guide for referencing for
further guidance (this is available from the Department of Accounting and
Finance site).
5. Tables, Charts and diagrams: these should be correctly titled and labeled.
Also state the source of your data.
6. Any supplementary material may be included within an appendix. (Note:
the appendix is not usually included within the word count, but it should
not be seen as a dumping ground for material exceeding the word limit.).
A final thought... Consider the reader of your report.... They will only have
limited time to read your B-Plan report, and so it is important that your
argument is clear and focused; there should be a concise and coherent
argument throughout. A common mistake in B-Plan reports is to report on
everything. This is not necessary! It is important to focus on the key focus areas.
Additional material should be placed in an appendix, but be selective. However,
if you include material in an appendix, it is important to refer this in the main
text of your B-Plan report.
The examiner would judge the report on the following grounds:
1. Structure (Relevant to Topic & Topic Covered in Depth)
2. Argument (Logically Developed Argument)
3. Originality (Creative Thought)
4. Style (Fluent & Succinct Writing)
5. Presentation (Legible & Well Set Out)
6. Sources (Adequate Acknowledgement)
7. Mechanics (Spelling & Grammar)

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Please note: The indications are provided to help you. There is not necessarily a
straightforward relationship between them and your final grade. Categories are
not equally weighted and other factors will be taken into account.

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APPENDIX 5: GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR PRESENTATIONS

Oral presentations should get easier the more you give. A frequent reaction after
giving your first one is 'that wasn't so bad but I'd make a better job if I gave it
again'. This hints that the key to a good talk is preparation. Be well prepared,
practice your talk beforehand.
Transforming what you did or what you have found out into a presentation
involves hard work. Preparation isn't just practice. Before you draft what you will
say, remember
Decide what you would like the audience to learn from your presentation.
Get the overall picture clear in your mind so you can decide on a logical order
for the content
Distil from the mass of information you have accumulated, the points that
need to be made at each stage
The following points refer mainly to the mechanics of the presentation itself.
1. Plan the structure of your talk, preparing themes for overheads
2. Make the content of your talk coherent.
3. Normally keep diagrams on overheads to one per overhead, making them as
large as possible. Make the writing on the overheads large enough to be
completely clear from the back of the room.
4. It's not essential but it's a good idea to begin the presentation with an
overhead showing a clear title, the author(s) names and, either on the
overhead or accompanying it, a few sentences summarizing why the
audience will find the topic interesting.
5. Rehearse very well the first few sentences; stand up when you're introduced
and take a deep breath, look at the audience and put up your opening slide
or produce something else for them to look at while you relax and deliver
your opening at a pace that's not hurried.
6. Talk to the audience, making eye contact with them, using the overhead
projector as a diversion from the main attraction, namely you. This requires
remembering a fair bit what you are going to say and not reading from a
script all the time.
7. Talk loudly enough to be heard above the noise of the audio / visual aid.
8. Don't rush, but keep to time and use the time available to you. A few
practices beforehand will let you know you've got the timing right.
9. Do finish on a positive and definite note. Don't just peter out. This is very
important since your final comments remain in the minds of those assessing
the talk. Conclude by reminding people of the key points or emphasizing the
achievements of what you have done.
The presentation will be graded on the following grounds:
Well balanced with proper emphasis on relevant details.

Clear visuals & easy to hear
Creative thoughts
All sections adequately covered

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Succinct presentation
Knowledgeable about material
Please note: The indications are provided to help you. There is not necessarily a
straightforward relationship between them and your final grade. Categories are
not equally weighted and other factors will be taken into account.

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Management Decision Science Module Handbook

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AURO UNIVERSITY

The School of Management & Entrepreneurship

Auro University http://www.aurouniversity.edu.in

The School of Management &

Support for Your Learning

Using Unfair Means

Coursework Task 1: Spread sheet Functions

Coursework Assessment Task 2: Assessed Business Plan Individual

Coursework Assessment Task 2a: Assessed Presentation-Individual

Coursework Assessment Task 3: Mid Term Test 1

Week 1: Management Decision Science: An Introduction

Week 6: Transportation, Assignment and Network Models

Week 7: Decision Analysis

Week 8: Simulation Modeling

Course Outcomes and Objectives:

Auro University http://www.aurouniversity.edu.in

The School of Management &

Develop Decision modelling and spread sheet modelling skills.

Provide an introduction into management decision making through the