Operations Management: Organization and Analysis Course

Lesson 1 • Key Performance Dimensions

Introduces cost, quality, speed, flexibility, and dependability as competitive priorities. Students evaluate trade-offs among these dimensions.

Lesson 2 • Defining Operations Management

Covers the definition, boundaries, and historical evolution of operations management. Anchors all subsequent chapters in a shared conceptual framework.

Lesson 3 • The Operations Function in Organizations

Examines how operations interacts with finance, marketing, and HR. Students map cross-functional dependencies within real organizational structures.

Lesson 1 • Process Mapping Techniques

Teaches flowcharting, swimlane diagrams, and value stream mapping. Students create accurate process maps for a chosen operational scenario.

Lesson 2 • Process Types and Structures

Distinguishes project, jobbing, batch, mass, and continuous process types. Students match process type to volume-variety combinations.

Lesson 3 • Process Improvement Fundamentals

Applies gap analysis and root-cause thinking to process maps. Students propose targeted improvements grounded in process data.

Lesson 4 • Capacity and Throughput Analysis

Introduces capacity, throughput rate, and bottleneck identification. Students calculate effective capacity and locate process constraints.

Lesson 1 • Quantitative Forecasting Methods

Covers moving averages, exponential smoothing, and trend-adjusted models. Students compute forecasts and compare method accuracy.

Lesson 2 • Demand Planning Integration

Connects forecasts to aggregate planning, inventory, and capacity decisions. Students build a demand plan that feeds downstream operational processes.

Lesson 3 • Forecasting Fundamentals

Defines demand forecasting, its role in planning, and common error sources. Students distinguish qualitative from quantitative forecasting approaches.

Lesson 1 • Economic Order Quantity Models

Derives and applies the EOQ model and its extensions. Students solve EOQ problems with quantity discounts and non-instantaneous receipt.

Lesson 2 • Inventory Concepts and Costs

Defines inventory types, holding, ordering, and shortage costs. Students calculate total inventory cost for a given scenario.

Lesson 3 • Lean Inventory Principles

Introduces just-in-time logic, kanban signals, and waste reduction in inventory. Students contrast lean and traditional inventory approaches.

Lesson 4 • Safety Stock and Service Levels

Covers demand variability, lead-time uncertainty, and safety stock formulas. Students set safety stock levels to achieve target service levels.

Lesson 1 • Material Requirements Planning

Introduces bill of materials, MRP logic, and planned order releases. Students run an MRP explosion for a multi-level product structure.

Lesson 2 • Constraint-Based Scheduling

Applies the Theory of Constraints to identify and exploit bottlenecks. Students redesign a schedule to maximize throughput at the constraint.

Lesson 3 • Job Sequencing and Scheduling Rules

Applies FCFS, SPT, EDD, and critical ratio rules to job shop scheduling. Students compare rules on makespan, lateness, and flow time.

Lesson 4 • Master Production Scheduling

Disaggregates the aggregate plan into item-level schedules. Students build a master production schedule and check available-to-promise quantities.

Lesson 1 • Statistical Process Control

Covers control charts for variables and attributes to monitor process stability. Students construct X-bar, R, p, and c charts from sample data.

Lesson 2 • Quality Concepts and Philosophies

Defines quality dimensions and reviews Deming, Juran, and Crosby philosophies. Students compare philosophies and identify applicable principles.

Lesson 3 • Acceptance Sampling and Inspection

Introduces sampling plans, OC curves, and inspection decision logic. Students design an acceptance sampling plan for incoming materials.

Lesson 4 • Quality Management Frameworks

Examines ISO-based management systems, Six Sigma, and total quality management. Students map framework requirements to operational processes.

Lesson 1 • Supply Chain Performance Measurement

Applies SCOR model metrics and balanced scorecard to supply chain evaluation. Students select and interpret KPIs across supply chain dimensions.

Lesson 2 • Logistics and Distribution Networks

Analyzes transportation modes, warehousing, and distribution network design. Students evaluate network configurations for cost and service trade-offs.

Lesson 3 • Supplier Selection and Relationships

Covers supplier evaluation criteria, sourcing strategies, and partnership models. Students score and select suppliers using a weighted decision matrix.

Lesson 4 • Supply Chain Structure and Strategy

Maps supply chain tiers, flows, and strategic fit with market requirements. Students classify supply chains as efficient or responsive.

Lesson 1 • Building a Continuous Improvement Culture

Examines leadership behaviors, employee engagement, and systems that sustain improvement. Students develop an improvement culture action plan.

Lesson 2 • Six Sigma Integration

Connects DMAIC phases to operational improvement projects. Students define a project charter and scope using Six Sigma tools.

Lesson 3 • Performance Measurement and KPIs

Designs KPI systems that drive improvement behavior and strategic alignment. Students build a KPI dashboard linked to operational goals.

Lesson 4 • Lean Thinking and Waste Elimination

Applies the eight wastes framework and lean principles to operational processes. Students conduct a waste walk and quantify identified waste.