Capstone Symposium 2017

The undergraduate senior design course was recently restructured, this new course groups students in teams and matches the team with an industrial partner. Renamed Capstone Experience, every student pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering at the University of Arkansas is required to complete the two-semester course.

During the 2016-2017 academic year, 51 students participated in the experience as part of fourteen teams. The student teams were matched with an industrial partner in mid-October. Each team was led by a student project manager and was advised by a member of the industrial engineering faculty. The experience was coordinated by Richard Cassady, Professor of Industrial Engineering.

In the second eight weeks of the fall 2016 semester, the teams conducted stakeholder analysis and background research on their industry partner and the issues that were of interest to that partner. They then developed a detailed understanding of the process or system of interest and obtained the data necessary to conduct a preliminary analysis into the issues faced by the industry.

The teams conducted extensive data analysis and visualization into the issues faced by the partner and defined meaningful objectives for their work. The performance measures they used to measure their success in achieving the objectives, and the deliverables they would provide to their partner were reviewed, as well as plans for the implementation of recommendations and ongoing decision support.

Each team identified a detailed list of tasks, including data analysis, mathematical and/or computer modeling, and cost and/or financial analysis, required to achieve their project objectives.

During the spring 2017 semester each team completed tasks required to achieve their project objectives. Through performance measures, they assessed their success in achieving the team objectives and created their project deliverables. They also documented information necessary for their industry partner to properly utilize the deliverables.

The experience concluded with a Capstone Symposium. Industry partners and faculty advisors approved each team’s Project Final Report and Presentation prior to the symposium. At the symposium, student teams participated in interactive exhibit sessions and delivered detailed technical presentations about their projects.

This year’s Capstone Symposium was held on May 3rd in the Verizon Ballroom at the Arkansas Student Union, on the University of Arkansas campus. Students setup their research in a exhibit/poster session fashion and were available to give an overview and answer questions regarding their project.

Presentations were also provided in break-out fashion in rooms adjacent to the ballroom, where students covered the course of their research and recommendations to their industry partner. Each team delivered a 35-minute presentation during one of four concurrent tracks. A 15-minute Q&A session followed each presentation.

Judges were selected from former alumni, industry, faculty and graduate students to review the presentations and research. During lunch the industry partners, faculty advisors and judges were recognized.

An awards reception was held at the end of the day in the Ballroom. Students and teams were awarded on their projects in the following categories:

Team Awards

Project of the Year - ArcBest, Improving Labor Scheduling while Considering Cost
Outstanding Achievement in Data Analysis - LM Wind Power - Reducing the Cycle Time of the Infusion Preparation Process
Outstanding Achievement in Modeling - FedEx Freight - Maximizing FedEx Freight’s Dock Performance through Efficient Work Assignment Methods
Outstanding Achievement in Cost/Financial Analysis - Tyson Foods, Inc. - Laying the Foundation for Standardized Work at Tyson Mexican Original
Outstanding Achievement in Decision Support - J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. - Reducing Tractor Cycle Times By Effectively Scheduling Maintenance Technicians

Individual Awards

Outstanding Project Manager: Jacob Brosh, Alex Laguarta and Emily May.
Most Valuable Team Member: Parker Fitzgerald, Tyler Morris, Tanner Woodruff.
Outstanding Faculty Advisor: Greg Parnell, Manuel Rossetti, Kelly Sullivan.
Outstanding Industry Partner: Marc Schwartz, Tyson Foods, Inc.; Ankit Sikka, FedEx Freight; Brett Spicer, ArcBest Technologies.

2017 Capstone Experience Symposium Projects

ABF Freight - Creating Data Driven Guidelines to Improve ArcBest’s Contract Negotiation Process: Nina Drolc – Project Manager, Elizabeth Carter, Alex Huckabee, Tanner Woodruff
ArcBest Technologies - Improving Labor Scheduling while Considering Cost: Alex Laguarta – Project Manager, Stephanie Gibbs, Tyler Morris, Reagan Villarreal
Bimbo Bakeries USA - Reducing Costs by Improving Efficiency in Product Sorting and Delivery Processes: David Cox – Project Manager, Levi Finn, Daniel Ramirez, Cristhian Rojas Quintero
FedEx Freight - Maximizing FedEx Freight’s Dock Performance through Efficient Work Assignment Methods: Elizabeth Schad – Project Manager, Emily Daniel, Brody McDonald, Barth K. Onyekwelu
FedEx Freight - Enhancing Preventive Maintenance Policy and Performing Asset Failure Analysis: David Wellendorf – Project Manager, Parker Fitzgerald, Markham Roberson
Frito-Lay - Optimizing Warehouse Toted Product Flow: Emerald Cole – Project Manager, Celia Aguilar, Daniel Gomez, Clay Nivens
J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. - Recommend an Ideal Fleet Mix of Asset and Non-asset Fleets to J.B. Hunt Management: Emily May – Project Manager, Lujain Rawwagah, Nick Taulbee, Evan Tillman
J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. - Leveraging GPS Pings to Accurately Identify At-Risk Deliveries: Jacob Hardin – Project Manager, Mario Flores, Eduardo Murillo
J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. - Reducing Tractor Cycle Times By Effectively Scheduling Maintenance Technicians: Daniel Britton – Project Manager, John Tlapek, Logan Wewers
J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. - Statistical Process Control for Anomalies in Driver Pay: Alex Schussler – Project Manager, Lexi Gaddy, Chris Oliver
LM Wind Power - Operator Scheduling Tool for Volatile Processes: Shadow Holcomb – Project Manager, Ardraya McCoy, Darius Jordan, Zachary Willis
LM Wind Power - Reducing the Cycle Time of the Infusion Preparation Process: Jacob Brosh – Project Manager, Cynthia Bocanegra, Cam Tu Nguyen, Ross Fulmer
Tyson Foods, Inc. - Laying the Foundation for Standardized Work at Tyson Mexican Original: Sarah Kiner – Project Manager, Liz Luzcando, Adam Hope, Arturo Nunez
Tyson Foods, Inc. - Improving Process Monitoring for Tyson Foods, Berry Street: Grant Holman – Project Manager, Justo Barrios, Hans Maggio