Simulating Material Requirements Planning on Lotus 1-2-3 - Volume 15 - 1988 Abstract

Sep 25, 2026

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This paper examines how suitable simulating material requirements planning (MRP) problems on Lotus 1-2-3 can be. It provides an example simulation, outlines techniques to improve user-friendliness, and argues for assigning students to use either number-entering mode or formula-entering mode. Because student motivation differs between performance and learning, the two modes may create distinct motivational conditions, leading to different learning effects.

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Abstract

Introduction

Implementation

Techniques for User-Friendliness

Prompt for Input

Informative Error-Trapping Messages

Student Assignments

Developments in Business Simulation & Experiential Exercises, Volume 15, 1988 SIMULATING MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS PLANNING ON LOTUS 1-2-3 K. Kern Kwong, California State University, Los Angeles Precha Thavikulwat, California State University, Los Angeles ABSTRACT This paper discusses the suitability of simulating materialrequirements-planning (MRP) problems on Lotus 1-2-3. It gives an example of such a simulation, suggests techniques to enhance user-friendliness, and proposes that students maybe assigned to work with the template in number-entering mode or formula-entering mode. Because learning is profoundly affected by the extent to which students are motivated for performance or motivated for learning, the two modes may Induce different motivations, and consequently, lead to different effects on learning. INTRODUCTION Material Requirements Planning (MRP) is a computerized system for managing materials used in producing goods. Its importance in the study of manufacturing operations is wellrecognized. Gaither (1986) has noted that “no course in (production and operations management] is complete today without a treatment of MRP”(p. 505) . Although MRP is covered in several simulations (Able Associates, 1983; Greenlaw & Hottenstein, 1969; Fok, Kwong, & Hiranyawasit, 1987; Pray, Strang, A Burlingame, 1984) written in languages such as Fortran, Basic, and P“asnocaclo, thmpelaxctathndatsMRPophisctiocntainsatedm, aas Dtheorthtical (19m8bode)lnso”tsp, 3C9) makes the subject suitable for spreadsheet simulation. In fact, simulation by spreadsheet is uniquely appropriate to the task because spreadsheet templates may be designed to allow students to enter formulas in place of or in addition to numbers, a feature difficult to implement in rudimentary computer languages. The difference between students entering numbers and students entering formulas into a simulation is not of trivial consequence. A student can enter numbers that work correctly while understanding little of the structure of the problem. The likelihood, however, that a formula entered without understanding will work correctly in any situation is exceedingly small, a lesson quickly learned by every beginning programmer. In essence, when students are required to enter numbers into a simulation, good performance is demanded of them, but when they are required to enter formulas, good learning is that which is demanded. Thus, motivation for performance or motivation for learning may be induced by the demands of a simulation. The qualitative difference in motivation so induced can, as Dweck (1986) has observed, have profound effects on learning. Recognizing the value of students entering formulas, Schroeder and Gentry (1987) suggested that students be required to develop their own templates for MRP. That approach, however, is feasible only if either the MRP system is exceedingly simple or several weeks of class are allocated to the task. In the case when a complex MRP system must be covered in courses in approach is a week, which is usual in production and operations infeasible. most introductory management, that This paper shows how a template for a complex MRP system can be created. It discusses several ways of making the template more “user-friendly,” and points out the possibility of judiciously encouraging motivation for learning by properly constructed students’ assignments. IMPLEMENTATION The essence of an MRP system is the data so that material and capacity computed readily from a production MRP system consists of the following proper organization of requirements can be schedule. A complex elements: 1. product-structure tree 2. routing file 3. Item master file 4. bill-of-materials file [5. work-center master](5. work-center master) file 6. master-production-schedule record 7. material-requirements-planning record 8. capacity-requirements-planning record Examples of these elements taken from our particular implementatio

FAQs

What does the paper argue about simulating MRP on Lotus 1-2-3?

It discusses the suitability of simulating MRP problems on Lotus 1-2-3, including an example and guidance for improving the template for learning.

How do number-entering mode and formula-entering mode differ in learning impact?

Number-entering mode emphasizes performance, while formula-entering mode emphasizes learning by requiring understanding of the problem structure, which can produce different learning effects.

What implementation elements does an MRP system require according to the paper?

It lists product-structure tree, routing file, item master file, bill-of-materials file, work-center master file, master-production-schedule record, material-requirements-planning record, and capacity-requirements-planning record.

Sep 25, 2026

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