NBS8643 Operations Analytics Assessment Brief 2026-27 | Newcastle University Business School

NBS8643 Operations Analytics Assessment Brief 

Assessment Brief

You are required to work on a complex, practice-relevant problem in the broad domain of Operations and Supply Chain Management and to analyse it using quantitative methods introduced in this module. The aim is to assess both your general understanding of the subject and your ability to define, model, and numerically analyse a real-world decision problem.

Your individual coursework should be structured as follows:

1. Introduction

• Briefly introduce the selected problem, its practical context, and why it matters for operations or supply chain management.
• Explain whether the problem is strategic (e.g. network design), tactical (e.g. production planning) or operational (e.g. routing/scheduling).
• Provide a concise literature-based background, citing relevant academic work (both classical and recent) that has studied similar problems.

2. Problem Definition and Mathematical Model

• Clearly define the decision problem in your own words: objectives, decision makers, constraints, and performance measures.
• Formulate an appropriate mathematical model (e.g. linear programming, mixed-integer programming, non-linear model, simulation model, or heuristic/metaheuristic approach, etc., depending on the problem context).
• Explain how this model abstracts the real problem while remaining realistic.

Students may choose any practice-relevant problem in Operations and Supply Chain Management. The proposed topic must be approved by the module leader before substantial work begins; students should submit a short description (problem context, organisation/sector, and intended modelling approach) for early approval. Similar topics across students are permitted only when submissions are clearly differentiated (e.g., context, decision level, model formulation, assumptions, or analytical focus).

3. Numerical Illustration and Analysis

Construct a realistic test instance of the problem by choosing reasonable parameter values (e.g. demands, capacities, costs, times) based on practice or literature.
 
Solve the model using Excel Solver or another off-the-shelf solver / coded heuristic, etc., you are familiar with, to verify that the results of the model are ‘explainable’ and consistent.

Present the main numerical results clearly (tables/figures) and discuss:

• Whether the solution is sensible and consistent with your understanding of the problem
• How key parameters or assumptions affect the solution (e.g. simple sensitivity or scenario analysis)
• What managerial insights or recommendations follow from your analysis?

4. Conclusion

• Summarise the main findings of your work.
• Reflect briefly on the strengths and limitations of your model and analysis.
• Suggest possible extensions or improvements (e.g. relaxing assumptions, richer data, more advanced models).

5. Reference list

6. Appendix: Evidence showing the step-by-step problem-solving process.

General Expectations

• The report length is approximately 2,000 words (±10%), excluding references and any appendices.
• The topic must be motivated by a real-life application or a clearly practice-relevant problem from the operations/supply chain domain (e.g. education, manufacturing, retail, transportation, logistics, healthcare, finance, non-profit, government, etc.).
• The problem should not be a trivial textbook exercise; it must resemble a realistic decision situation with sufficient detail.
• You should use appropriate academic literature to position your chosen problem and model.
• Referencing must follow the Cite Them Right Harvard style.

Formative Feedback

You will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on this assignment in the lectures before the deadline. In particular, you will be able to:

• Discuss potential problem choices (strategic, tactical or operational) and their suitability.
•  Ask questions about how to structure the mathematical model.
• Receive verbal comments on the feasibility and scope of your proposed numerical analysis.

This formative feedback is intended to help you refine your topic, modelling approach and numerical design before you submit your final report.

Submitting Your Work

Students should submit their work via the Turnitin link on or before 5th May 2026 at 12 noon. Only one submission attempt is allowed. It’s the students’ responsibility to ensure the correct document is submitted on time. All submissions received after the deadline will be automatically capped at 50%, provided they are received within 7 days of the submission date. All submissions received after 7 days will be automatically capped at 0%. By submitting your assignment, you have confirmed you understand the guidance provided and the University’s policy on plagiarism.

Summative Feedback

Your feedback for this assessment will be available to you after 20 working days (not including weekends or public holidays). You can expect feedback in the form of including details here. For guidance on how to understand, interpret and implement feedback from your assessment, please visit the Academic Skills Kit website.

Policies

No assignments will be accepted late unless an extension has been granted. Computing problems are not acceptable grounds for late submissions. Plagiarism and any other form of academic misconduct are strictly prohibited and will be dealt with in accordance with University regulations.

Additional Information

In the table below are the marking criteria that will be used to assess your work in this assignment, so read them carefully and make sure you understand what is expected of you and what constitutes success in this assessment task.