person operations starting fall 2021 W r i t i n g

Mini Case Analysis (MCA):
Applying Lean Principles at SJSU

Given the current economic realities of most U.S. states, budgets of public college and universities (including SJSU) are being cut. SJSU faculty and staff are being asked to do more with less. Historically, when budgets got tight, the SJSU were able to ask for state funds and/or request raising the cost of tuition to students to cover any shortfall. This is becoming less of an option today, due to the already high cost of education and the amount of debt, in the form of student loans, the average college student is saddled with upon graduation. Additionally, the Governor’s office in the state of California has been reluctant to approve additional funds—in fact, it has instead cut state’s contribution to public education thereby complicating the situation.

SJSU is therefore looking for ways to cut costs while simultaneously improving the quality of the education. In some cases, SJSU have merged smaller programs; implemented larger teaching loads; delayed infrastructure improvements, maintenance, or major purchases; and increased class sizes. All of these changes in the long run will potentially make it more difficult to improve the quality of education a student receives.

At the same time, there is growing pressure from civic organizations, the U.S. Department of Education, and various state agencies for universities in the CSU system (including SJSU) to do a better job demonstrating results. Taxpayers and politicians are looking for the SJSU to show quantifiable improvements and results.

You have been assigned the role of a consultant with 10 years of experience working with organizations to implement lean techniques (refer to Chapter 16 of the text). You have a good understanding of the elements of lean-waste reduction, lean supply chain relationships, lean layouts, inventory and setup time reduction, small batch scheduling, continuous improvement, and workforce empowerment.

You have been asked by the CSU chancellor’s office to recommend lean elements that should be applied to SJSU. [Please note that while the COVID-19 has severely disrupted current campus operations at present, SJSU has announced of return to in-person operations starting Fall 2021, so your recommendations are to be aimed at a “normal” in-person operational campus working environment.]

In your report, please answer the following three questions (make sure to use table format for Q1 and Q2):

(table format for Q1 and Q2 are in the files below, no table for Q3)

1. What specific examples of lean principles (under each and every lean principle category) would you recommend as having the best chance of being successful in the university system, such as SJSU? Why?
2. What specific examples of seven wastes of lean (under each and every waste category), would most likely be found in the university system, such as SJSU? Cite several examples.
3. Can lean principles help universities, such as SJSU, become more efficient and effective in delivering a high-quality education? Why or why not?

In answering case-specific questions, please avoid vague generalizations and “safe answers” (such as improve quality, etc.). Instead, provide company-specific examples to support your analysis. You may offer your answers in bullet-point format, if appropriate.

Evaluation criteria (as appropriate) are listed below:

Analysis: (i) Does the analysis address SPECIFIC issues pertinent to the question(s)? (ii) Does the analysis incorporate concepts from the readings? (iii) Does it show relationships among important factors in the situation? (iv) Are assumptions made in the analysis stated explicitly? (v) Does it isolate fundamental causes of problems?