MIDWEST HOMEBUILDERS, INC

Midwest Homebuilders, Inc



Midwest Homebuilders, Inc

Introduction

This paper proposes an Information Technology Business Value (ITBV) model for case study of Midwest Homebuilders, Inc. by value as applied to common information technology-enabled organizational processes. The form is comprised of:

A two-dimensional application matrix, which focuses on what business value is and where it can be applied in the organization; and

A set of action “triggers” that focus on the “how to” of discovering value opportunities.

The horizontal axis of the matrix identifies five value parameters: quality, cost, speed, innovation and relationship. The vertical matrix identifies five functional areas where IT-enabled value propositions can be applied. The action triggers, based on principles of process re-engineering, activate the process to guide students through the discovery of meaningful value opportunities. (Ward & Griffiths 1996)

Our report will answer the following questions regarding Midwest Homebuilders, Inc. case.

Business value can be added in several ways e.g. quality, cost, speed or innovation. Identify the foremost value-added purposes of the organization. What are these functions and how do they add value to products and processes?

Review the major processes and consider where they might be potential candidates for redesign.

Using the 10 design principles discussed in lecture 3, identify redesign activities applicable to the case. For each activity, provide a written justification for the redesign. (Remember the basic principle of eliminating or reducing non-value adding activities).

Match the redesign undertaking with an endowing technology. What information technology software or hardware will enable accomplishing the activity?

Discussion

To better realise the undertakings through which a firm develops a comparable benefit and creates shareholder worth, it is useful to distinct the business system into a sequence of value-generating undertakings mentioned to as the worth chain. In his 1985 publication comparable benefit, Michael Porter presented a generic value string of links form that comprises a sequence of activities discovered to be widespread to a wide variety of firms. (Bergeron, 1991)

Porter recognised prime and support undertakings as shown in the following diagram:

Primary activities

Inbound logistics: mentions to items being got from the organisations suppliers prepared to be utilised for making the end product.

Operations: The raw materials and items got are constructed into the final product. Value is supplemented to the merchandise at this stage as it moves through the production line.

Outbound logistics: Once the goods have been manufactured they are prepared to be circulated to circulation centres, wholesalers, retailers or customers.

Marketing and Sales: Marketing should make certain that the product is aimed at towards the correct customer group. The trading blend is utilised to set up a productive strategy; any competitive benefit is apparently broadcast to the goal group by the use of the promotional mix.

Services: After the product/service has been sold what support services does the administration have to offer. This may come in the pattern of after sales training, assurances and warranties.

With the overhead activities, any or a blend of them maybe absolutely vital for the firm to evolve the comparable advantage which Porter converses about in his book.

Support Activities

The support activities aid the prime activities in helping the ...