1. ASHFORD INF 336 All Discussions Questions
PLEASE DOWNLOAD HERE
Risk Management. Risk management is a critical aspect of project management.
The supply chain decisions that are made have risk involved like any other project
decision. Comment on two examples of risks that can occur in the supply chain
that can affect a project. What can you do as a project manager to reduce or
eliminate the risks that you defined? Provide professional examples, if at all
possible, from a project you have managed or of which you have been a team
member. Respond to at least two of your classmates‟ posts.
Organizational Structure. The structure of an organization can influence the
overall success of a project from initiation to closure. Identify if your organization
is centralized or decentralized and evaluate benefits and weaknesses of the
structure. Would you change from centralized or decentralized to meet the needs
of your projects? Why or why not? Respond to at least two of your classmates‟
posts.
Supply Process Improvements. Examine the steps of the supply process in
Chapter 4 of the text and identify a project where improvements could be made in
one or more of the steps. Would the project have been more successful with the
implementation of any or all of these steps in the supply process? Respond to at
least two of your classmates‟ posts.
Outsourcing. The process of outsourcing the creation of a product or a service is
a controversial, yet critical strategic decision for many employers. Describe one
example from your professional experience, or that you are familiar with, where a
process or function was outsourced. What are the financial implications of this
change? Did the quality of the product or service stay the same, improve, or
decline? Respond to at least two of your classmates‟ posts.
Capital Goods. A project manger needs to understand the importance of the
acquisition of capital goods. There are many choices for capital good
procurement, including buying or leasing new equipment, or buying used
equipment. Describe an example from the text or your personal professional
experience where your project or organization had to procure capital goods for
strategic reasons. What was the type of equipment (new, used) and how was it
purchased? Please comment on the benefits of the choice selected. Respond to
at least two of your classmates‟ posts.
Quality. Suitability and reliability are two examples of quality in terms of buying
materials, goods or services. Provide an example of a “best buy” from your

2. professional experience where quality aspects were not met in accordance to the
text definition of quality dimensions. What aspect of quality could be improved for
future projects? Respond to at least two of your classmates‟ posts.
Procuring Services. Many projects need to procure services to execute
successfully no matter what industry you are in. There is a personal relationship
with the service provider, which makes collaboration much more important than
when selecting goods products. Describe a project you have been involved with,
or have knowledge of, where services were a major part of the deliverables. How
were references checked for service suppliers and what lessons were learned
from the process? What contributing factors ultimately led to the service supplier
being selected? Respond to at least two of your classmates‟ posts.
Target Pricing. Target pricing is experiencing growing use in North America.
Should businesses use target pricing? Do you think target pricing can only be
used for manufactured goods, or can it also be applied to services? Defend your
choices. Respond to at least two of your classmates‟ posts.
Sustainability. Sustainability is an important ethical and environmental issue in
purchasing. Describe one material, product, or service that can contribute to
sustainability in a project you have been involved with, or in your current
organization. Describe how these decisions enable the organization to avoid
violations in terms of environmental issues. Respond to at least two of your
classmates‟ posts.
Liability. Personal liability is a serious issue in purchasing and supply
management. Provide details from the text or your personal experience where a
supply officer or project manager has been held personally liable for conditions of
a contract. Comment on how you will proceed in the future to avoid any personal
liability for contracts if at all possible. The text provides excellent examples that
can be researched starting on page 311. Respondtoatleasttwoofyourclassmates‟
posts.