OPS 350 Week 3 Discussion 1

Post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to other students.

Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:

The focus of this case study (p. 405) is Starwood's sales and operations planning from the perspective of both corporate planners and individual hotel property general managers. These two perspectives give you a unique view of what the aggregate planning process looks like, and how it gets translated into operational plans at the property level.

Discuss 1. At what points in the planning process would you expect accounting/finance, marketing, information systems, and operations to play a role? What inputs should these areas provide, and why?

2. Does Starwood employ a chase, mixed or a level strategy? Why is this approach the best choice for the company?

 3. How would staffing for the opening of a brand-new hotel or resort differ from that of an existing property? What data might Starwood rely upon to make sure the new property is not over- or under-staffed in its first year of operation?

Reply to at least two of your classmates. Be constructive and professional in your responses.

Substantive Post Criteria

Please remember the criteria for a substantive post. A substantive post demonstrates substance and contribution to the understanding and application of ideas by doing one or more of the following:

Reflection about meaning: Describe what something means or new insights it provides or raise a question as a seed for clarification or further discussion.

Analysis: Discuss relevant themes, concepts, main ideas, components, or relationships among ideas. Or, identify hidden assumptions or fallacies in reasoning.

Elaboration: Build on ideas of others or ideas found in the readings by adding details, examples, a different viewpoint, or other relevant information.

Application: Provide examples of how principles or concepts can be applied to actual situations or discuss the implications of theory for practice.

Synthesis: Integrate multiple views to provide a summary, a new perspective, or a creative refashioning of ideas.

Evaluation: Assess the accuracy, reasonableness, or quality of ideas.