Module overview
This module will examine the strategic importance of operations management in manufacturing and service settings in both private and public sectors. In the past, where organisations tended to be more hierarchical than today, the words, "strategy" and "operations" were almost mutually exclusive. In today's highly competitive environment, though, strategic operations capabilities must be in place in order for organisations to provide goods and services that meet and exceed customer requirements. Key issues such as cost, speed, quality, flexibility and constant innovation are all part of strategic operations.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the role of operations within different business models.
- Explain and apply quality management concepts;
- Analyse organisations using standard benchmarking;
- Explain the evolution, challenges and consequences of production methods;
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The main design factors and their alternatives which shape operations management.
- The strategic frameworks of operations management;
- Modelling organisations as systems and sub-systems;
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Write effectively for business purposes;
- Manage individual tasks, personal resources and time effectively;
- Contribute solutions to the transformation of business processes.
Syllabus
- Introduction; Strategic Operations Management
- Understanding Services Operations - concepts and definitions
- Process Choice and Layouts in Operations
- Making Improvements - Quality, Benchmarking and Business Process Reengineering
- Making Improvements – Process Mapping Using Work Study Strategically in Operations
- Managing Materials & Inventory; MRPI; MRPII; ERP and Just-in-Time
- Scheduling & Capacity Management
- Operations’ involvement in Innovation
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The emphasis will be on self and peer learning within team/group activities.
Teaching methods include
- Lectures from internal and external specialists and practitioners
- Staff led discussion seminars
- Case studies/problem solving activities
Learning activities include
- Group interactions
- Library based research
- Independent reading from a recommended bibliography
- Private study
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Teaching | 30 |
| Independent Study | 70 |
| Total study time | 100 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Slack N, Brandon-Jones A, and Johnston R (2016). Operations Management. Pearson.
Brown, S. et al (2018). Strategic Operations Management. Taylor & Francis.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
In-class formative opportunities
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: The tutor will feedback via discussions with the students in Q&A sessions during the module.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Report | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Report | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Report | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External