Acct 361: Business Process Data Modeling
50 points
Business Process Data Modeling
This assignment requires a solid understanding of the data modeling theory covered in class
and Chapter 17. I recommend reviewing that material before beginning this assignment.
Feed My Starving Children
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a non-profit organization committed to feeding hungry
children around the world. Their approach includes the development of a food mixture that
is easy and safe to transport, simple to make with only boiling water, and culturally
acceptable worldwide. The basic dry food mixture includes rice, high protein soy nuggets,
vegetables, vitamins and flavoring. The following describes the companys expenditure
cycle.
Description of the Expenditure Cycle
The FMSC expenditure cycle begins when a food production manager reviews inventory
records. When it is determined that inventory is needed for production of the food mixture,
the manager manually prepares a purchase requisition. A carbon copy of the requisition is
filed in the production department numerically. The original purchase requisition is
forwarded to the purchasing department.
After receiving the requisition, a purchase order clerk prepares the purchase order using
the ERP system. The purchase order clerk may negotiate price as well as combine
requisitions and/or orders to achieve the lowest cost with the highest-rated vendor. Note
that vendors permit back-orders. The ERP process accesses the vendor and inventory
master files and updates the purchase order transaction file. Three copies of the purchase
order are subsequently printed. One copy is sent to the vendor. One copy is filed in the
purchasing department numerically along with the purchase requisition. The last copy is
forwarded to the accounts payable department and filed in the Accounts Payable Pending
temporary file numerically.
An important part of FMSC operations are the warehouse captains who monitor incoming
goods. Warehouse captains are located at the receiving dock. Captains are responsible for
receiving, inspecting and recording each delivery for correct items, quantity and quality.
When a delivery comes in, a captain reviews the goods and manually creates a receiving
report. The captain prints a copy of the related purchase order from the ERP system and
compares the receiving report to the purchase order for quantity or item differences. If
there is a difference, the captain works with the department manager to resolve the
discrepancy. When no differences exist, the captain stamps the original receiving report
approved and keys the data into the ERP system to update the receiving transaction file.
The general ledger is automatically updated when changes are made to these records. The
approved receiving report and the purchase order print out are sent to the accounts payable
department.
The approved receiving report and purchase order are received in the accounts payable
department where a cash disbursement clerk manually creates a check on carbon copy
based on the supporting documentation. Vendors allow FMSC to make partial payments by
the 20th of each month for all deliveries made during the preceding months. The original
check is mailed to the vendor and the carbon copy is sent to the accounting department and
filed by check number along with the supporting documentation. The accounting
department scans all carbon copy checks into the ERP system to update the disbursement
transaction file.
Some vendors allow inventory items to be returned and will work with the warehouse
captain to coordinate that process.
Required:
Conceptual model: Prepare a data model with cardinalities for the operating events, agents,
and resources in the expenditure cycle process described above. Use crows feet notation for
cardinalities. The data model can be hand-drawn but neatness is required. (If you use
Lucid Chart use the Flowchart Process symbol for events.)
What to Submit:
1. PAPER: Bring the paper copy of the data model to class. The paper copy will be
used for grading.
2. UPLOAD TO BLACKBOARD: Upload the electronic file of the data model to
Blackboard. If hand drawn, upload a photo. The electronic file is required for your
assignment to be graded.
