Biolytic Operations Analysis
Operations analysis and recommendations report for Biolytic Lab Performance, Inc
Project Role - Operations Analyst & Key Contributor
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Project Year - 2022
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Project Type - Student Project (Group)
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Project Location - Santa Clara, CA​​​
Result
The group produced a comprehensive report and presentation detailing Biolytic's operations. Key documented findings included challenges with lean manufacturing leading to supply shortages and extended lead times. The team provided specific recommendations focused on improving inventory management and lead times.
Overview
S
Situation
Biolytic Lab Performance, Inc., a Fremont-based biotech company manufacturing DNA/RNA synthesizers, faced occasional operational challenges, including inventory management inconsistencies and extended lead times, potentially impacted by factors like reliance on lean manufacturing and supplier issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Task
As part of an Operations Management course project, the student group was tasked with conducting an operations analysis of Biolytic. This involved evaluating their manufacturing processes, inventory management, quality control, and supply chain, culminating in a detailed report and presentation with recommendations for improvement.
A
Action
The team conducted research, including a facility tour and an interview with Biolytic's Senior Director of Operations, James Demmit. They analyzed Biolytic’s background, inventory planning, lean manufacturing practices, quality checks, facility layout, assembly processes, and supply chain, synthesizing findings into a report and presentation.
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My Highlights
Primary Research Interview
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Gathered key operational details directly from Biolytic's Senior Director of Operations, informing the group's analysis.
Authored Key Report Sections
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Developed the background and contributed significantly to the inventory management analysis, shaping core sections of the final report.
Key Report Finalization & Process Diagram
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Created the visual map of Biolytic's operational flow and performed substantial revisions, enhancing report clarity and quality.
Skills
User / Primary Research & Interviewing
Conducted sit-down interview with Biolytic Sr. Director, asking targeted questions.
Owned Skill
Operations & Process Improvement
Group analyzed Biolytic's processes, inventory, quality, and supply chain for report.
Collaborated Skill
Process Mapping & Flow Visualization
Created diagram visually representing Biolytic's operational flow documented in report.
Owned Skill
Technical Writing & Documentation
Authored report's background section and inventory section while performing key final revisions to remaining project sections.
Collaborated Skill
Supply-Chain & Inventory Evaluation
Contributed significantly to analyzing inventory practices and assisted with touring, supplier relations, and lead time issues.
Collaborated Skill
Lean Manufacturing Principles
Team evaluated Biolytic's use of lean methods and identified related challenges.
Collaborated Skill
Stakeholder & Client Communication
The Group drafted a formal letter to the Biolytic contact summarizing the project.
Collaborated Skill
Details
Details
Table of Contents
- Project Overview & Goals -
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- ​My Work -
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- Methodology & Approach -
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- Key Activities & Execution -
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- Deliverables & Outcomes -
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- Tools & Technologies Used -
Project Overview & Goals
​Overview
This project, undertaken for an Operations Management course at Santa Clara University, involved a comprehensive operational analysis of Biolytic Lab Performance, Inc., a biotechnology company based in Fremont, California. Founded in 1993 by Tom Demmit, Biolytic specializes in developing and manufacturing cutting-edge biotechnology, notably DNA and RNA oligonucleotide synthesizers like their flagship Dr. Oligo product. These instruments artificially create DNA/RNA strands for applications in R&D, genetic engineering, diagnostics, therapeutics, drug development, and potentially future uses like DNA-based data storage. Biolytic serves a diverse clientele, including government, academic institutions, and pharmaceutical companies, both domestically and internationally, from its single Fremont location.
​Goals
The primary documented goal of the student project was to analyze Biolytic's existing operations—spanning inventory management, manufacturing processes, quality control, facility layout, and supply chain interactions—to identify areas of inefficiency or potential improvement. The analysis was informed by a site visit, an interview with senior management, and provided company information. The ultimate objective was to produce a detailed report and presentation outlining the findings and offering actionable recommendations to Biolytic, focusing particularly on observed issues related to inventory management and lead times. The project aimed to apply operations management principles learned in the course to a real-world business context.
My Work
​Primary Information-gathering Interview
Conducted the primary information-gathering interview with James Demmit, Senior Director of Operations.
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Tools & Methods Used: Structured questioning during a face-to-face interview as part of a facility tour.
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Linkage/Enablement: The information gathered during this interview directly informed the team's understanding of Biolytic's processes (inventory, manufacturing, quality, etc.) and challenges, providing foundational qualitative data for the group's subsequent analysis and report sections.
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Authored the "Background" Section of Report
Authored the "Background" section of the final report
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Tools & Methods Used: Research synthesis from interview notes and company-provided materials, technical writing.
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Linkage/Enablement: This section provided essential context about Biolytic's history, products, and market position, setting the stage for the operational analysis performed by the entire team in subsequent sections.
Significant Contributions to "Inventory Management" Section of Report
Contributed significantly to the "Inventory Management" section of the final report.
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Tools & Methods Used: Analysis of interview data related to inventory practices, application of inventory management concepts (e.g., lean, JIT, ROP ), technical writing.
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Linkage/Enablement: This analysis directly addressed one of the key operational areas identified for improvement, contributing to the core findings and recommendations regarding inventory strategy.
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Diagramming Biolytic's Operational Flow
Created the diagram illustrating Biolytic's overall operational process flow.
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Tools & Methods Used: Process mapping based on information gathered during the facility tour/interview
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Linkage/Enablement: This visual aid clarified the complex flow of activities within Biolytic (Storage -> Manufacturing -> Chemical Processing -> Assembly -> Software/Debugging -> Testing -> Shipping), enhancing the readability and understanding of the operational processes described in the report for both the team and the report's audience.
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Substantial Report Revisions and Final Edits
Performed substantial revisions and final edits on the final report.
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Tools & Methods Used: Editing, proofreading, ensuring consistency and clarity across sections written by different team members.
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Linkage/Enablement: This contribution improved the overall quality, coherence, and professionalism of the final group deliverable submitted for the course and intended for the client.​
Methodology & Approach
​Project Approach
The group employed a multi-faceted approach based on the available documentation. Central to their methodology was primary data collection through direct engagement with the company. This involved a facility tour of Biolytic's Fremont plant and a structured interview with James Demmit, the Senior Director of Operations. This interaction provided firsthand insights into Biolytic's operational strategies, challenges, decision-making processes regarding inventory and floor plans, and company culture.
The team supplemented primary data with analysis of Biolytic's existing processes as described during the interview and through supporting materials like educational flyers. We applied concepts from our Operations Management coursework, such as lean manufacturing principles, inventory management techniques (including reorder points and safety stock), quality control systems, process flow, and bottleneck analysis. The group analyzed specific operational areas, including inventory planning (comparing forecasting system use vs. intuition), sourcing strategies (preference for local suppliers), manufacturing layout (non-conventional assembly vs. line), quality assurance steps (three-part check), and employee training (cross-training, biochemistry).
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Project Execution
The collected information and analysis were synthesized into two key deliverables: a detailed written report and a presentation delivered via Zoom. The report structured the findings logically, covering Biolytic's background, inventory management, quality checks, assembly/facility layout, supply chain, and concluding with specific recommendations.
Key Activities & Execution
Activities
The team executed several key activities. A significant activity was the site visit to Biolytic's Fremont facility, which included the crucial interview with James Demmit. During this visit, the team gathered information on Biolytic's history, product applications, future goals, inventory planning techniques, reliance on lean manufacturing, sourcing preferences, quality control procedures, assembly methods, facility layout, and employee training initiatives.
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Analysis
The team analyzed Biolytic’s inventory management strategy, noting the preference for "just-in-time" ordering and present decision-making over strict reliance on forecasting models, alongside the use of separate reorder points for different components. We examined the company's commitment to lean manufacturing, identifying its benefits (reduced costs, improved quality) and drawbacks observed at Biolytic, such as vulnerability to supply shortages due to minimal safety stock.
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Execution
The group investigated the multi-step quality check process Biolytic employs to ensure product reliability before shipping. They documented the assembly process, noting the non-conventional approach with technicians working individually at benches rather than on a traditional assembly line, and the emphasis on cross-training. They mapped out the general operational flow, including storage, chemical processing, general manufacturing, assembly, software engineering, debugging, testing, and shipping. The team also noted the company's efforts to prevent bottlenecks through cross-training and encouraging employee feedback. Finally, the team compiled their findings and analysis into the written report and presentation, including formulating specific recommendations based on our observations.
Deliverables & Outcomes:
Deliverables
The primary deliverables documented were a comprehensive written report and a presentation summarizing the analysis of Biolytic Lab Performance, Inc.'s operations. The report detailed the company's background, operational processes (inventory, manufacturing, quality, supply chain), and included specific, evidence-based recommendations for improvement. A copy of this report was intended to be shared with Biolytic. The presentation, delivered via Zoom to our class, covered the same key findings and recommendations.
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Outcomes
The documented outcome of the analysis was the identification of specific operational issues and corresponding recommendations. The group highlighted challenges stemming from Biolytic's lean, just-in-time inventory approach, which led to insufficient supplies (like wires), extended lead times (especially during disruptions like the pandemic), and potential quality inconsistencies due to using older parts. They also noted perceived issues with flexible deadlines potentially impacting timely completion. Consequently, the team recommended stricter adherence to forecasted sales systems for ordering, establishing firm reorder points for all supplies, implementing safety stock, and enforcing stricter deadlines for production. The report explicitly mentions analyzing supply chain data provided by Biolytic, which revealed drawbacks to the just-in-time approach.
Tools & Technologies Used
Video Conferencing Software (Zoom)​
Utilized for routine group meetings and the final presentation to the Operations Management course.
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Presentation Software
Google Slides was used to create class presentation.​
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Word Processing/Document Software
Google Docs was used to create the Final Report.
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Communication Tools
Video conferencing was utilized for routine group meetings.​
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Collaboration Tools
Google Drive and Google Docs were the primary collaboration tools.
Documents