Intro to Quantitative Analysis
Chapter 1
Introduction to Quantitative Analysis
Teaching Suggestions
Teaching Suggestion 1.1: Importance of Qualitative Factors.
Section 1.2 gives students an overview of quantitative analysis. In this section, a number of qualitative factors, including federal legislation and new technology, are discussed. Students can be asked to discuss other qualitative factors that could have an impact on quantitative analysis. Waiting lines and project planning can be used as examples.
Teaching Suggestion 1.2: Discussing Other Quantitative Analysis Problems.
Section 1.2 covers an application of the quantitative analysis approach. Students can be asked to describe other problems or areas that could benefit from quantitative analysis.
Teaching Suggestion 1.3: Discussing Conflicting Viewpoints.
Possible problems in the QA approach are presented in this chapter. A discussion of conflicting viewpoints within the organization can help students understand this problem. For example, how many people should staff a registration desk at a university? Students will want more staff to reduce waiting time, while university administrators will want less staff to save money. A discussion of these types of conflicting viewpoints will help students understand some of the problems of using quantitative analysis.
Teaching Suggestion 1.4: Difficulty of Getting Input Data.
A major problem in quantitative analysis is getting proper input data. Students can be asked to explain how they would get the information they need to determine inventory ordering or carrying costs. Role-playing with students assuming the parts of the analyst who needs inventory costs and the instructor playing the part of a veteran inventory manager can be fun and interesting. Students quickly learn that getting good data can be the most difficult part of using quantitative analysis.
Teaching Suggestion 1.5: Dealing with Resistance to Change.
Resistance to change is discussed
Introduction to Quantitative Analysis
Teaching Suggestions
Teaching Suggestion 1.1: Importance of Qualitative Factors.
Section 1.2 gives students an overview of quantitative analysis. In this section, a number of qualitative factors, including federal legislation and new technology, are discussed. Students can be asked to discuss other qualitative factors that could have an impact on quantitative analysis. Waiting lines and project planning can be used as examples.
Teaching Suggestion 1.2: Discussing Other Quantitative Analysis Problems.
Section 1.2 covers an application of the quantitative analysis approach. Students can be asked to describe other problems or areas that could benefit from quantitative analysis.
Teaching Suggestion 1.3: Discussing Conflicting Viewpoints.
Possible problems in the QA approach are presented in this chapter. A discussion of conflicting viewpoints within the organization can help students understand this problem. For example, how many people should staff a registration desk at a university? Students will want more staff to reduce waiting time, while university administrators will want less staff to save money. A discussion of these types of conflicting viewpoints will help students understand some of the problems of using quantitative analysis.
Teaching Suggestion 1.4: Difficulty of Getting Input Data.
A major problem in quantitative analysis is getting proper input data. Students can be asked to explain how they would get the information they need to determine inventory ordering or carrying costs. Role-playing with students assuming the parts of the analyst who needs inventory costs and the instructor playing the part of a veteran inventory manager can be fun and interesting. Students quickly learn that getting good data can be the most difficult part of using quantitative analysis.
Teaching Suggestion 1.5: Dealing with Resistance to Change.
Resistance to change is discussed