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Rudolf Leuschner, Ph.D.

Supply Chains are made up of a network of companies from the initial raw materials to the ultimate consumer of the finished product. Within this network of companies, there are three ongoing flows: products, information, and finances. To properly understand and manage the supply chain, you need to understand all the flows. If you do not consider all of the flows, you will miss opportunities or sub-optimize parts of the supply chain.

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Supply Chains are made up of a network of companies from the initial raw materials to the ultimate consumer of the finished product. Within this network of companies, there are three ongoing flows: products, information, and finances. To properly understand and manage the supply chain, you need to understand all the flows. If you do not consider all of the flows, you will miss opportunities or sub-optimize parts of the supply chain.

The third of five courses in this specialization will focus on Operations Excellence. You will learn how the internal flow of products, information, and finances into the company facilitates the supply chain. It will consist of four modules, which will cover the following topics: internal product flow; internal information flow; internal financial performance; and finally the capstone case study.

You will have lectures, readings, and discussions with your peers for each topic, as well as a practice quiz in each lesson. At the end of each module, you can put your knowledge to the test and take a graded quiz. The Capstone Analysis module contains a real-life case analysis, as well as a supply chain management project that will enable you to be an expert on a company of your choosing.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 3: Core Manufacturing Elements
Manufacturing Excellence facilitates the transformation of products through the manufacturing system of the firm. To achieve manufacturing excellence, the firm must be able to produce items efficiently and effectively to the highest specifications at the lowest possible cost. The module is made up of the following two lessons: 1. Manufacturing Efficiency, 2. Contract Manufacturers
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Module 2: Internal Information Flow
This module will focus on internal data and mostly highlight how companies can use data within the manufacturing environment. Specifically, we will introduce the Industry 4.0 concept. Afterwards, we have one more forecasting topic to cover. It will involve trends and seasonality.
Module 3: Internal Financial Performance
This module focuses on how Supply Chain Management can contribute to the internal financial performance of the company. Specifically, the concept of Supply Chain Capital is explored, which is often the cheapest form of funding that a company can use. In addition, we discuss the importance of inventory to the financial standing of a company, but we also view it from the perspective of customer service.
Module 4: Operations Excellence Capstone
Now that we have reached the end of this course, it is time to put all of your new knowledge to the test. Not only will you be able to take a second attempt at your SCM project by improving your original submission and adding a new section on information flow. Finally, you will perform a quantitative analysis of a real-life business case and suggest improvements.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Considers internal flows, which is foundational in supply chain management
Develops proficiency in forecasting, which is useful in operations and planning
Teaches how to enhance internal information flow within the manufacturing setting

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Operations Excellence with these activities:
Compile Resources
Gathering resources such as lecture notes, textbooks, and any additional online materials can help you create a comprehensive study guide tailored to your learning style and needs.
Show steps
  • Gather lecture notes, handouts, and any additional materials provided by your instructor or any course resources.
  • Organize digital copies of all your course materials in one convenient location such as an online drive, or physical copies in a binder.
  • Review the materials regularly and make notes or highlight important concepts.
The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement
Reading this book will provide you with a solid foundation in the principles of manufacturing excellence, which is a key component of operations excellence in supply chain management.
Show steps
  • Read the book thoroughly.
  • Take notes and highlight important concepts.
  • Discuss the book with your classmates or colleagues.
Forecasting Practice Problems
Solving practice problems will help you develop your forecasting skills, which are essential for effective supply chain management.
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  • Find a set of practice problems on forecasting.
  • Solve the problems using the techniques learned in the course.
  • Check your answers and identify areas where you need improvement.
Five other activities
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Show all eight activities
Industry 4.0 Tutorials
Exploring tutorials on Industry 4.0 will deepen your understanding of the concept and its applications in the manufacturing environment, enhancing your knowledge of internal data flow.
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials or courses on Industry 4.0.
  • Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises and assignments.
  • Apply what you learn to your understanding of internal data flow in supply chain management.
Supply Chain Case Study Analysis
Analyzing a real-life supply chain case study will allow you to apply the concepts learned in the course and develop your critical thinking skills.
Show steps
  • Choose a supply chain case study from a reputable source.
  • Analyze the case study and identify the key issues and challenges faced by the company.
  • Develop a set of recommendations for how the company can improve its supply chain performance.
Mentor a Junior Student
Mentoring a junior student can help you solidify your understanding of the course material while also giving back to the community.
Show steps
  • Identify a junior student who is struggling with the course material.
  • Offer to meet with the student regularly to provide support and guidance.
  • Review the course material with the student and answer any questions they may have.
Lean Six Sigma Workshop
Attending a Lean Six Sigma workshop will provide you with hands-on experience in using these tools to improve operational efficiency, which is a key aspect of operations excellence.
Show steps
  • Find a Lean Six Sigma workshop in your area.
  • Attend the workshop and participate actively in the exercises.
  • Apply what you learn to your understanding of operations excellence in supply chain management.
Operations Excellence Project
Applying the concepts you learn in the course to a real-life business case will not only help you understand the practical applications but also build your problem-solving skills.
Show steps
  • Select a company or industry that interests you.
  • Research the company's operations and identify areas where improvements could be made.
  • Develop a plan for implementing your proposed improvements. Include specific metrics to measure the success of your plan.
  • Present your findings to your instructor or classmates for feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Operations Excellence will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Operations Manager
An Operations Manager is responsible for leading and directing the operations of a business, including planning, organizing, and overseeing the production of goods and services. This course would help build a foundation for a career as an Operations Manager by providing a comprehensive understanding of supply chain management, from the flow of products to the flow of finances. The course would also help develop skills in manufacturing excellence, internal information flow, and internal financial performance.
Inventory Manager
An Inventory Manager is responsible for managing the inventory of a business, including planning, organizing, and controlling the flow of goods and materials. This course would help build a foundation for a career as an Inventory Manager by providing a comprehensive understanding of inventory management and its importance to the financial standing of a company.
Supply Chain Manager
A Supply Chain Manager is responsible for managing the movement of goods and services from suppliers to customers through a network of companies. This course would help build a foundation for a career as a Supply Chain Manager by providing a comprehensive understanding of all the flows within a supply chain, including products, information, and finances.
Manufacturing Engineer
A Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for designing and improving manufacturing processes. This course would help build a foundation for a career as a Manufacturing Engineer by providing a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing excellence and the flow of products through a manufacturing system.
Production Manager
A Production Manager is responsible for managing the production of goods and services in a factory or plant. This course would help build a foundation for a career as a Production Manager by providing a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing excellence and the flow of products through a manufacturing system.
Quality Control Manager
A Quality Control Manager is responsible for ensuring that products and services meet quality standards. This course may help build a foundation for a career as a Quality Control Manager by providing a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing excellence and the importance of producing items efficiently and effectively to the highest specifications.
Purchasing Manager
A Purchasing Manager is responsible for managing the purchase of goods and services for a business. This course may help build a foundation for a career as a Purchasing Manager by providing a comprehensive understanding of the flow of finances through a supply chain.
Logistics Manager
A Logistics Manager is responsible for managing the movement of goods and services from suppliers to customers. This course may help build a foundation for a career as a Logistics Manager by providing a comprehensive understanding of the flow of products through a supply chain.
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst is responsible for analyzing financial data to make recommendations on investments and business decisions. This course may help build a foundation for a career as a Financial Analyst by providing a comprehensive understanding of internal financial performance and its importance to the financial standing of a company.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses make informed decisions. This course may help build a foundation for a career as a Data Analyst by providing a comprehensive understanding of internal data and its use in the manufacturing environment.
Management Consultant
A Management Consultant is responsible for providing advice and guidance to businesses on how to improve their operations and performance. This course may help build a foundation for a career as a Management Consultant by providing a comprehensive understanding of operations excellence and its importance to the success of a business.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing business needs and identifying opportunities for improvement. This course may help build a foundation for a career as a Business Analyst by providing a comprehensive understanding of operations excellence and its importance to the success of a business.
Project Manager
A Project Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. This course may help build a foundation for a career as a Project Manager by providing a comprehensive understanding of operations excellence and its importance to the success of a project.
Systems Analyst
A Systems Analyst is responsible for analyzing and designing computer systems. This course may help build a foundation for a career as a Systems Analyst by providing a comprehensive understanding of internal information flow and its importance to the success of a business.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications. This course may help build a foundation for a career as a Software Engineer by providing a comprehensive understanding of internal information flow and its importance to the success of a business.

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Operations Excellence.
An extensive textbook that covers a broad range of topics in supply chain management, including operations excellence. It would be valuable as a supplement for students looking for a deeper understanding of the concepts covered in the course.
A comprehensive guide to the Six Sigma process, which can be used to improve quality and reduce variation in operations. It would be valuable as a reference for students looking to implement Six Sigma in their own organizations.
A novel that illustrates the principles of the Theory of Constraints, which can be applied to improve operations in any industry. It would be a useful reference for students looking to understand how to identify and eliminate bottlenecks in their processes.
A textbook that covers the fundamentals of operations research, including linear programming, network optimization, and simulation. It would be valuable as a supplement for students looking to develop their analytical skills for operations excellence.
A classic work on manufacturing excellence that provides insights into the principles and practices of lean manufacturing. It would be helpful as additional reading for students interested in the manufacturing aspect of operations excellence.
A book that explores the financial aspects of supply chain management, including inventory management, working capital management, and capital budgeting. It would be useful as a supplement for students looking to understand the financial implications of their operations decisions.

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