15.566:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AS AN INTEGRATING FORCE IN MANUFACTURING

SPRING 1998

H.E. Butt Grocery Company:
A Leader in ECR Implementation

GRADING GUIDELINES AND FEEDBACK

The maximum possible grade in this case was 100 points, which were allocated as follows:

Question 1: 20 points.

Some students were not able to distinguish between CSFs(critical success factors) and competitive strategies. As the question specified, CSFs are the 3-4 areas the in which HEB must perform well to carry out their strategy successfully.

Question 2: 15 points].

This question asked you to discuss technology applications that were supporting HEB’s competitive strategies. Furthermore, this question asked for relevant systems at the time the case was written, not what impact future systems (e.g., electronic shelf tags) might have.

Question 3: 15 points.

Some students thought that IT pushed decision-making down to lower levels. Although IT often has this type of impact, this did not happen in H.E. Butt, as most decision-making power moved to Category Managers who were "above" store managers and the traditional buyers in the organizational hierarchy.

Question 4: 15 points.

Answers should provide evidence from the case to support a "yes" or "no" claim.

Question 5: 20 points.

Please note that scanner data had not been necessary in achieving these benefits. Since the data was not accurate enough, it was not used for electronic integration. Although HEB collected the POS scanner data and analyzed as best they could, the orders to suppliers were generated using inventory and warehouse data that was counted manually. However accurate scanner data in the future could allow further benefits with electronic integration – like direct store ordering.

Question 6 [15 points]

General comments about grading this case

Points were lost because:

• Explanation of a point(s) was unclear or unsupported.
• Only the case facts were recited, without adding value. (although we were lenient on this - THIS TIME)

The following instructions appeared in the case assignment (emphasis added):

"You must turn in at the beginning of class a written case assignment addressing the following six questions. . . . You should provide a separate answer to each question."

A few write-ups did not follow these instructions, although the assignment was handed out in two classes and is posted on the class Web page. Write-ups that did not answer the questions of the assignment were penalized severely, depending on how many of the assignment questions were answered (by luck or by design). Write-ups that did not separate the answers were not penalized (THIS TIME), provided that the assignment questions were answered. Make sure to read carefully the Calyx and Corolla Case Assignment and follow the instructions!

Regarding the writing style, bullet form is fine if the points are well presented. If you have questions about the style of your writing or the presentation of information in the write-up, please see Laurent, Terd or Yannis before you prepare future assignments.

Grade distribution for H.E.Butt Case in 15.566:

Range: 69-92.5; Median grade: 84

Grade distribution for H.E.Butt Case, both sections (15.561A and 15.566 combined):

Range: 65-92.5; Median grade: 83

Finally, click here for an example case writeup.

Best regards,