Operations Management

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

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Modelling organisations as systems and sub-systems;
The main design factors and their alternatives which shape operations management.
The strategic frameworks of operations management;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Manage individual tasks, personal resources and time effectively;
Write effectively for business purposes;
Contribute solutions to the transformation of business processes.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Analyse organisations using standard benchmarking;
Explain and apply quality management concepts;
Explain the evolution, challenges and consequences of production methods;
Critically evaluate the role of operations within different business models.

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

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	70
Teaching	30
Total study time	100

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Brown, S. et al (2018). Strategic Operations Management. Taylor & Francis.

Slack N, Brandon-Jones A, and Johnston R (2016). Operations Management. Pearson.

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.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Report	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
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.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Report	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External