BMM4432 - Operations Management

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Assess the role of operations management in the modern customer and business environment.
Demonstrate understanding of product and process design and its connection with operations management performance indicators.
Explain and apply planning and control techniques for the operations management function.
Explain and demonstrate the techniques for operation improvement and failure prevention.
Select and apply appropriate operations management techniques, theories and models to aid problem solving and decision making.

Content:

Operations Management is a field of study and business activity that plays an important role in securing long-term profitability, superior performances and competitive advantage. The module incorporates studies of operations management and strategy, which allow to direct, design and manage processes, resources, information / technology and people to ensure the most effective and efficient production of products and services. The Operations Management module also includes quality assurance / control and continuous improvement methods / techniques, as well as performance management systems / approaches underpinned by evidence-based business decision making, which allow businesses and organisations to achieve world class performance.

This module is designed to provide students with a contemporary and comprehensive understanding of key aspects of operations management and strategy from global perspective. The course content covers four major areas of Operations Management:

1. Directing: via understanding the nature and role of operations management in modern business environment, defining operations strategy within context of services and manufacturing;
2. Designing: product / services and process design;
3. Delivery (Managing): through planning and control of supply and demand (capacity, inventory, supply chain / relationships, forecasting, lean operations, project management);
4. Development (Improving): measurement of performance, Total Quality Management and other QA systems, tools and techniques and continuous improvement.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will be delivered via a series of weekly 3-hour teaching blocks, comprising whole-group interactive lecture and seminar covering fundamental theories and applications. Lectures and seminars will be supported by in-depth applied workshops. Questions / team exercises / case studies will be set at each lecture for students to complete before the associated small group session. Students will be provided with, and / or directed to, relevant reading and additional questions / exercises to support their progress through the module material.

Lectures/Seminars
Contact hours: 30
Intended group size: Cohort

Workshops/on-line tests
Contact hours: 7
Intended group size: Cohort

Tutorials
Contact hours: 3
Intended group size: Cohort or variable size groups

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Further details relating to assessment
On-line tests: in this module Directed Activities are replaced with regular (bi-/weekly) assessed on-line quizzes. All students in the cohort will be provided with an access key to the Connect e-learning platform (McGraw Hill). This will give them access to an e-copy of the text book plus a schedule of pre-assigned e learning resources, self-study sections and assignments designed to facilitate learning.

Group presentation: the final 30% of the mark for this module is coming from enterprise challenge, which is conducted during Programme Level Assessment. Students will present and submit a comprehensive business plan including four sections on marketing, operations, finance and economics, and people and organisations. The section on people and organisations will be assessed as part of this module.

Formative assessment: as part of this module, and in preparation for programme level assessment, student multi-disciplinary teams will be formed. Team challenges will be set mid-module and on the basis of team performance and dynamics, a formative feedback will be provided both on the context and effectiveness of team work.

Alternative assessment: for students deferring or re-sitting group presentation (30%), an alternative method of assessment will be used - Essay (1,200 words).

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Professor Denis Kobzev
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S2

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