Integrated Learning Project Assignment Instructions

Students searching for a step-by-step integrated learning project on designing an Excel-based ERP model for a real manufacturing firm will find here a full breakdown of weekly ERP modules, word counts, and final report expectations tailored to logistics and operations management courses.

Sample Answer Style Paragraph (Model Excerpt)

In the Integrated Learning Project, a manufacturing firm such as Tesla can use an Excel-based ERP model to connect its master production schedule, material requirements planning, and capacity planning into a single decision-support tool. The staged design of each module allows students to mirror how leading companies prototype ERP processes before investing in large-scale platforms such as SAP S/4HANA, especially in volatile demand environments where scenario analysis is vital [web:23]. A strong ILP submission explains how the chosen firm’s income statement and balance sheet are influenced by inventory turns, capacity utilization, and logistics costs across the full supply chain. Clear justification of software choices, whether SAP or an alternative ERP, should reference functionality fit, implementation risks, training needs, and long-term scalability. Well-developed projects also quantify the net benefit of ERP adoption using realistic assumptions on service level improvements, stock reduction, and labor productivity. Students who integrate case evidence, industry benchmarks, and textbook models throughout each module demonstrate advanced competency in ERP design for real-world manufacturing contexts.

Follow-up / Topical Authority Paragraph

Recent case studies of SAP S/4HANA implementation in manufacturing show that integrated ERP rollouts can improve on-time delivery performance by up to 20 percent while reducing inventory levels through better MPS and MRP coordination [web:23]. Research on ERP adoption also highlights that successful projects align software modules with specific production, distribution, and financial processes rather than treating ERP as a generic IT upgrade [web:21]. Professional guidance from Oracle and other major vendors emphasises the importance of accurate master data, carefully phased training, and robust capacity planning logic to avoid data corruption and bottlenecks in MPS, MRP, DRP, and CRP modules [web:28]. Students who design their Excel-based models with these principles in mind build a strong foundation for later work with full-scale ERP suites in complex manufacturing environments.

Overview

The integrated learning assignment is a series of 6 assignments and a final course consolidated submission. You will progressively build knowledge, spreadsheets, and written analysis so that each component feeds directly into a coherent ERP design story for your chosen firm. All assignments and the compilation of the final consolidated submission is managed as an individual assignment.

Purpose

The purpose of the ILP is for everyone to develop a working model of an ERP system applied to a firm of their choosing. In current industry practice, firms often start with pilot models and spreadsheets to clarify data structures and process flows before committing to full ERP implementation, so this project mirrors that professional pathway [web:23]. This model will be built up in modular format through weekly assignments culminating in the submission of the completed model in the final week of the course together with a management proposal detailing the costs and benefits as they apply to the income statement and balance sheet of the selected firm.

Resources

The development of the assignments will be supported not only by written instructions but also with an explanatory Watch item. Many students also find it helpful to review short vendor tutorials or case study videos on MPS, MRP, DRP, and CRP concepts to reinforce the spreadsheet logic used in the ILP [web:28].

Expectations

Each component, from Module 3: Week 3 will be the development of an ERP module in Excel relevant to the topic for that week. You are encouraged to keep all files well organised in a single folder so that integration work in the final weeks is smoother. The Excel development will follow SAP and other ERP systems formats. The Excel file will be accompanied by a written assignment containing:

Details on how this ERP assignment could be implemented (assignment management process, who should be involved, and why, etc.) within the chosen firm (min 300 words)
Details on how ERP could be operated (management process, who should be responsible, numbers of different users of each module, data accuracy, etc.) within the chosen firm (min 300 words)
What could be the future sources of inaccuracy in the data contained the ERP system (min 300 words)
How the corruption of the data could be prevented (min 300 words)
An analysis and composition of the net benefit (benefits minus costs linked to income statement and balance sheet) of the implemented ERP system

The final integrated Excel ERP working model for your chosen firm, due at the end of week 8, will tie all the preceding modules together into a fully integrated working ERP model in Excel. In practice, this mirrors how manufacturing organisations link planning, procurement, production, and distribution in a single digital thread. The integrated modules will include, Master Production Schedule, Bill of Materials, Materials Requirements Planning, Capacity Planning, Distribution Requirements Planning and Shop Floor Control. The Excel file will be submitted simultaneous with the following written report. The final course report would be about 3,000 words (excluding references and appendices), much of which would have been accumulated over the preceding 6 weeks.

The final submission will also include a written management report detailing (1) a recommendation for implementation based on a cost / benefits analysis (2) implementation assignment plan with responsibilities, (3) a justified recommendation for an ERP system (e.g. SAP, or other) and its operation (local or cloud processing, scope of application (national, global, etc.). Including recent industry examples of on-premise and cloud deployments will strengthen the credibility of your recommendations [web:19].

Instructions

Part 1 – Company selection

Part 1 – Company selection – Characteristics – Manufacturing – Publicly available financial accounts – consumer or industrial product (either make to order or make to stock) – examples Tesla / Boeing (search YouTube “Mega factories” and choose one of these documentary examples to appreciate the level of manufacturing detail required). Choosing a firm with rich public data and clear supply chain complexity will make your ERP modelling and financial analysis more realistic and insightful. Structure your assignment as follows (word counts are minimums):

Title page
Company description (300 words)
Financial trends: Overview of inventory types/trends/productivity (trends in day’s stock by type, Etc.) (300 words)
Income statements (last 3 years) (300 words)
Balance sheet (last 3 years) (300 words)
Opportunities for logistics to improve income statement (consider revenues and operating costs) and balance sheet asset productivity. Provide quantitative calculations and probable range of costs / benefits. (300 words)

For these analyses, you should draw directly from annual reports, 10-K filings, or similar sources to support your commentary with actual figures and ratios.

Part 2 – Master Production Scheduling (MPS)

Part 2 – Master Production Scheduling (MPS) – Develop an Excel based Master Production Schedule for your chosen product. As you build the schedule, ensure that forecast demand, confirmed orders, and capacity constraints are all clearly represented in your spreadsheet tabs [web:28]. Use the format and logic as shown in the illustrative Excel spread sheet to be found under Course Content. Also review the Kaptur presentation for this week, as well as pages 281 through 303 in your Logistics textbook. Your MPS Excel file will be accompanied by a written assignment containing:

Details on how this module could be implemented (assignment management process, who should be involved, and why, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words)
Details on how this module could be operated (management process, key factors in the MPS policy, who should be responsible and why, the users of this modules data, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words)
What could be the future sources of inaccuracy in the data contained in the module (300 words)
A comparison of any 2 MPS schedule formats and logic taken from http://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/?more=true#more or other MPS types from your own research of available MPS software (300 words)

Your comparison should consider usability, flexibility for different demand patterns, and how well each format supports integration with downstream MRP.

Part 3 – Enterprise Resource Planning

Part 3 – Enterprise Resource Planning – Develop an Excel analysis of the modules and functionality of 3 ERP systems, one of which must be SAP and the other 2 are of your choice. Including at least one cloud-native ERP alongside SAP can highlight differences in deployment models and subscription pricing [web:21]. Follow the “ERP Links” tab under the Readings section of Course content for a listing of over 100 ERP software systems, including SAP. Overlay the functionality of these ERP systems onto the main manufacturing processes of your selected firm and determine which software best fits your chosen company. Your Excel analysis will accompany your written assignment which will contain:

Description of the how the software selection criteria (and which ones) were chosen for your company (300)
An analysis and tabulation of the strengths and weaknesses of the main modules of each software solution when compared of your selection criteria (300)
A discussion of any ancillary data capture equipment and other software that may be advantageous to the operation of the ERP system in your company (300)
Consideration of which functional areas would be responsible for the operation of each of the major ERP modules (300)
An analysis of the possible software costs of your recommended ERP software (300)

Where possible, refer to vendor pricing pages or case study estimates to support your cost analysis with realistic ranges.

Part 4 – Materials Requirements Planning (MRP)

Part 4 – Materials Requirements Planning – Develop an Excel based Materials Requirements Plan for your chosen product. In contemporary manufacturing, robust MRP logic is central to balancing inventory investment with service level performance [web:25]. Use the format and logic as shown in the illustrative Excel spread sheet to be found under Course Content. Show at least 4 MRP levels with sub-assemblies, purchased components, manufactured components, and raw materials. Review the Kaptur presentation for this week, as well as pages 233 through 305 in your Logistics textbook. Your MRP Excel file will be accompanied by a written assignment containing:

Details on how this module could be implemented (assignment management process, who should be involved, and why, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words)
Details on how this module could be operated (management process, key factors in the MRP operating policy, who should be responsible and why, the users of this modules data, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words)
What could be the future sources of inaccuracy in the data contained in the module (300 words)
A comparison of any 2 MRP schedule formats and logic taken from http://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/?more=true#more or other MRP types from your own research of available MRP software (300 words)

Highlight how lead times, lot-sizing rules, and bill of materials accuracy affect the quality of your MRP outputs.

Part 5 – Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP)

Part 5 – Distribution Requirements Planning – Develop an Excel based Distribution Requirements Plan for your chosen product. Contemporary DRP methods often incorporate multi-echelon inventory logic to coordinate stock across regional and central warehouses. Use the format and logic as shown in the illustrative Excel spread sheet to be found under Course Content. Show at least 4 distribution warehouses with 4 components planned for each with at least 1 common to all distribution warehouses. Review the Kaltura presentation for this week, as well as pages 319 through 406 in your Logistics textbook. Your DRP Excel file will be accompanied by a written assignment containing:

Details on how this module could be implemented (assignment management process, who should be involved, and why, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words)
Details on how this module could be operated (management process, key factors in the DRP operating policy, who should be responsible and why, the users of this modules data, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words)
What could be the future sources of inaccuracy in the data contained in the module (300 words)
A comparison of any 2 DRP schedule formats and logic taken from http://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/?more=true#more or other DRP types from your own research of available MRP software (300 words)

You should comment on how demand volatility, lead time variability, and warehouse capacity constraints influence DRP planning decisions.

Part 6 – Capacity Requirements Planning (CRP)

Part 6 – Capacity Requirements Planning – Develop an Excel based Capacity Requirements Plan for your chosen product. CRP connects the feasibility of your MPS and MRP plans to actual work centers and resources, which is a critical step in realistic ERP modelling [web:28]. Use the format and logic as shown in the Integrated Learning Project Example found on . Review the Kaptur presentation for this week, as well as pages 439 through 478 in your Logistics textbook. Your CRP Excel file will be accompanied by a written assignment containing:

Details on how this module could be implemented (assignment management process, who should be involved, and why, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words)
Details on how this module could be operated (management process, key factors in the CRP operating policy, who should be responsible and why, the users of this modules data, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words)
What could be the future sources of inaccuracy in the data contained in the module (300 words)
A comparison of any 2 CRP schedule formats and logic taken from ERP Software or other CRP types from your own research of available CRP software (300 words)

Your comparison may include how different tools handle finite versus infinite capacity assumptions, as well as their reporting and visualisation features.

Part 7 – Assignment Plan

Part 7 – Assignment Plan – Develop a time phased assignment plan for the implementation of an ERP system at your selected firm. Implementation planning is often where real-world ERP projects succeed or fail, so give careful attention to sequencing and ownership [web:20]. Review the assigned Learn material, as well as pages 511 through 551 in your Logistics textbook. Your time phased assignment plan Excel file will be accompanied by a written assignment containing:

Overall structure of the ERP implementation plan detailing responsibilities and timing (300 words)
Details on the Education and Training activities of the plan, their sequencing and timing (300 words)
Details on the key activities in the Bills of Materials sub-assignment to achieve a company document with 98% accuracy (300 words)
Details on the key activities in the Warehouse sub-assignment to achieve a minimum of 95% accuracy (300 words)
Details on the key activities in the Master Production Schedule sub-assignment to achieve a 98% customer service accuracy (300 words)

Incorporate milestones, change management steps, and feedback loops to show a realistic, managed approach to ERP rollout.

Part 8 – Final Submission

Part 8 – Final Submission – The final integrated Excel ERP working model for your chosen firm, due at the end of week 8, will tie all the preceding modules together into a fully integrated working ERP model in Excel. Many students find it useful to create an index sheet that links to each module and summarises key KPIs across the model. The integrated modules will include, Master Production Schedule, Bill of Materials, Materials Requirements Planning, Capacity Planning, Distribution Requirements Planning and Shop Floor Control. The Excel file will be submitted simultaneous with the following written report. The final course report would be about 3,000 words (excluding references and appendices), much of which would have been accumulated over the preceding 6 weeks.

The final submission will also include a written management report detailing (1) a recommendation for implementation based on a cost / benefits analysis (2) implementation assignment plan with responsibilities, (3) a justified recommendation for an ERP system (e.g. SAP, or other) and its operation (local or cloud processing, scope of application (national, global, etc.). Drawing connections to real case studies of ERP success and failure will strengthen your conclusions and show awareness of practical risks [web:20].

Suggested Peer‑Reviewed References (Harvard)

Ruivo, P., Oliveira, T. and Neto, M. (2024) ‘Exploring ERP systems adoption in challenging times: Insights of manufacturing SMEs’, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 205, 123987. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162523004808 [web:21].
EY (2026) ‘How a manufacturer aligns future growth plans with a new SAP ERP’, EY Insights. Available at: https://www.ey.com/en_in/insights/consulting/how-a-manufacturer-aligns-future-growth-plans-with-a-new-sap-erp [web:23].
Oracle (2023) ‘Master Production Scheduling and Material Requirements’, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Supply Chain Manufacturing. Available at: https://docs.oracle.com/en/applications/jd-edwards/supply-chain-manufacturing/9.2/eoarp/master-production-scheduling-and-material-requirements.html [web:28].
Mecalux (2021) ‘MRP: a production process milestone’, Mecalux Blog. Available at: https://www.mecalux.com/blog/mrp-material-requirements-planning [web:25].
Hogan, R., O’Reilly, D. and Cleary, K. (2022) ‘Digital workplace skills: Designing the integrated learning of financial accounting and Excel’, Accounting and Finance Research, 11(3), pp. 45–62. Available at: https://afgr.scholasticahq.com/article/77593 [web:24][web:27].