Production and Operations Management
- Management Sciences
- 800 level
- 2 credit units
- 300 pages
- 15 units
This course introduces the principles and practices of Production and Operations Management (POM). It explores the design of production systems, operating decisions, and control decisions. Topics include forecasting, process management, job design, site selection, supply chain management, inventory management, and project management. The course aims to equip students with a broad framework for managing operations functions and planning activities that create goods and services.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 208 hours
- Maths
- Intermediate
- Content
- Theoretical, case study, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of BUS801, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
BUS801 · UNIT 1 PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
This first unit introduces you to the field of operations management. Generally, it describes the nature and scope of operations management, and how it relates to the other parts of the organisation.
What you should be able to do
- Describe the nature and scope of POM
- Understand the importance of operations function
- Appreciate why the entire business community is stressing quality
- Discuss the importance of product and service design
- Explain the need for management of technology
What it prepares you for
- Operations Manager
- Production Planner
- Supply Chain Analyst
- Project Manager
- Logistics Coordinator
- Manufacturing
- Supply Chain
- Project Management
- Retail
- Healthcare
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Control Decisions
Unit 2: Material Requirements Planning
Advanced calculus integration techniques require strong mathematical foundation.
- Module 3: Control Decisions
Unit 3: Just-In-Time System
Network security protocols require understanding of cryptography principles.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 78 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: POM: Introduction, Overview and Design
Unit 1: Production and Operations Management · 6 hours
Define production/operations management (POM). Identify major functional areas of organizations. Compare service and manufacturing operations. Describe historical evolution of POM. Explain Japanese influence on Production Management.
- Week 2Module 1: POM: Introduction, Overview and Design
Unit 2: Operations Strategy · 6 hours
Define strategy and explain its importance. Link marketing strategy to operations strategy. Explain how firms use competitive priorities for competitive advantage. Compare organization strategy and operations strategy.
- Week 3Module 1: POM: Introduction, Overview and Design
Unit 3: Forecasting in Production and Operations Management · 6 hours
Describe qualitative forecasting techniques. Compare qualitative and quantitative approaches. Identify basic demand patterns. Choose appropriate forecasting technique.
- Week 4Module 1: POM: Introduction, Overview and Design
Unit 4: Process Management · 6 hours
Describe main process decisions and their relation to volume. Discuss how process choice implements flow strategy. Explain when less vertical integration and more outsourcing are appropriate. Describe ways customer contact affects a process.
- Week 5Module 1: POM: Introduction, Overview and Design
Unit 5: Job Design · 6 hours
Explain various aspects of Job design. Describe concept of work measurement. Enumerate objectives of work measurement. Explain different types of allowances. Mention procedure for conducting a work sampling study.
- Week 6Module 2: Operating Decisions
Unit 1: Management of Technology · 6 hours
Define technology and describe how to manage it. Demonstrate importance of technology to firm's supply chain. Describe role of computer and information technology in reshaping processes. Discuss stages of research and development (R&D).
- Week 7Module 2: Operating Decisions
Unit 2: Site Selection · 6 hours
Understand meaning of site selection. Understand factors to consider before site-selection decisions. Know interrelationships among relevant factors. Use quantitative methods to decide on site-selection.
- Week 8Module 2: Operating Decisions
Unit 3: Supply Chain Management · 6 hours
Define nature of supply-chain management. Describe strategic importance of supply-chain management. Explain roles of purchasing and distribution in effective supply chains.
- Week 9Module 2: Operating Decisions
Unit 4: Inventory Management · 6 hours
Define inventory and list reasons for holding inventories. Contrast independent and dependent demand. List requirements for effective inventory management. Describe A.B.C approach and explain how it is useful. Describe basic EOQ model and solve problems.
- Week 10Module 3: Control Decisions
Unit 1: Linear Programming (LP) · 6 hours
Explain what aggregate planning is and how it is useful. Identify variables decision makers have to work with. Identify possible strategies decision makers use. Describe techniques planners use.
- Week 11Module 3: Control Decisions
Unit 2: Material Requirements Planning · 6 hours
Explain characteristics and assumptions of linear programming model. Formulate models for various problems. Perform graphic analysis for two-variable problems. Describe meaning of slack and surplus variables. Interpret computer output of a linear programming solution.
- Week 12Module 3: Control Decisions
Unit 3: Just-In-Time System · 6 hours
Explain what is meant by just-in time (JIT) production system. List each of the goals of JIT and explain its importance. List and briefly describe the building blocks of JIT. List the benefits of the JIT systems.
- Week 13Module 4: Project Management and Productivity
Unit 1: Work Methods · 6 hours
Discuss behavioral aspects of projects. Discuss importance of work breakdown structure. Give general description of PERT / CPM techniques. Construct simple network diagrams. Analyze networks with deterministic times.
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 database concepts
- Practice SQL queries from Units 7-9 weekly
- Focus on key concepts
- Review all TMAs
- Use flashcards to memorize key terms and definitions from Units 1-6
Questions students ask about this course
What is BUS801 about?
This course introduces the principles and practices of Production and Operations Management (POM). It explores the design of production systems, operating decisions, and control decisions. Topics include forecasting, process management, job design, site selection, supply chain management, inventory management, and project management. The course aims to equip students with a broad framework for managing operations functions and planning activities that create goods and services.
How many units does BUS801 have?
BUS801, Production and Operations Management, has 15 units across 4 modules, over 300 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is BUS801?
BUS801 carries 2 credit units, at 800 level in Management Sciences.
Is BUS801 hard?
BUS801 is rated intermediate level, with intermediate mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and problem solving work.
How long does BUS801 take to study?
About 208 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is BUS801 assessed?
BUS801 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with BUS801?
Operations Manager, Production Planner, Supply Chain Analyst, Project Manager and Logistics Coordinator.