Teaching modeling with linear programming

an idea to teach Administration in practice using lead time – SDG 4

Abstract

The successful teaching-learning process has been a frequent concern for modern society. For example, many Business Administration students face difficulties in connecting with the numerical world and theorems of the linear programming (LP) discipline and its management practice because they do not see its practicality in day-to-day management and control. This research aims to disseminate an active way of teaching LP based on the essential premises of the real world, the lead time and the time it takes for a raw material to be transformed into a product. The methodology used, in addition to following the academic norms of the teaching plan as a syllabus and objective in the classroom, proposes that demand variations and other fluctuations in orders be exercised in practice so that students can, through LP, solve a real problem of this variation at the time of production, assuming the roles and responsibilities of managers and using computational and specialized tools such as Geogebra and Excel software. As a result, students are expected to explore everyday situations where they can optimize production and understand the impact of tight deadlines and unexpected changes in demand, enabling them to develop more strategic thinking and make decisions that are more aligned with real market challenges and validated. It is concluded that the classroom approach makes classes more engaging and will better prepare graduates and future administrators for the job market. The proposed methodology can encourage students to better understand and use the quantitative methods of the linear programming discipline as an ally in assertive management and less prone to subjectivity.