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Sustainable and Resilient Operations Management

Christy Bozic, PhD, PMP

4.7

Based on 22 ratings

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Christy Bozic, PhD, PMP

Operations management involves the strategic use of company resources to create value and meet market demands. As customer expectations evolve, there is a growing emphasis on the environmental impact of the products we design and manufacture. Innovative companies such as Siemens Digital Industries Software recognize this need and have partnered with the University of Colorado Boulder to create this course that equips you with the knowledge and skills to implement sustainable operations management practices. In Sustainable and Resilient Operations Management, you will explore concepts such as the circular economy, focusing on minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency. The course is for anyone who is interested in how companies can responsibly design products and operational processes to reduce waste and become more circular.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Sustainable Operations

Welcome to Sustainable and Resilient Operations Management! This first module provides an introduction to sustainable operations management, exploring key concepts such as ESG strategies, circular economy, and systems thinking. By partnering with Siemens Digital Industries Software, you will gain insights from industry experts and examine real-world case studies. This module will equip you with the skills needed to implement sustainable practices in their organizations, benefiting both the environment and business performance.

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what should give you pause

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Develops conceptual and practical understanding of the circular economy, a key element of sustainability

Covers key topics such as sustainable design, sustainable facilities, sustainable production, and decarbonization strategies

Examines practical applications and real-world case studies to enhance relevance

Taught by instructors from the University of Colorado Boulder and industry experts from Siemens Digital Industries Software, providing a blend of academic and industry knowledge and insights

Suitable for individuals with a broad range of backgrounds, incluindo engineers, scientists, and technical professionals interested in sustainability

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of a Master's degree, indicating rigor and depth of coverage

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Reviews summary

Sustainable operations for modern professionals

According to students, this course provides a largely positive and highly relevant overview of sustainable and resilient operations management. Learners frequently commend its practical application, particularly in crucial areas like the circular economy and decarbonization. The collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries Software is consistently highlighted, bringing real-world examples and valuable industry insights. While many find the course content comprehensive and the instructors expert, a few reviewers suggest that certain topics, such as the industrial metaverse or advanced technologies, could benefit from more in-depth exploration or quantitative methods for those seeking detailed implementation strategies. Overall, it is considered ideal for professionals aiming to integrate sustainable practices into their roles.

Offers broad coverage; some desire more in-depth focus.

"While the foundational concepts were well-explained, I felt some areas, like the industrial metaverse, could have been explored in more depth."

"The course content to be mostly conceptual with little practical how-to. I was looking for more actionable strategies."

"While it's a good overview, I'd need to seek additional resources for deeper dives into specific implementation strategies."

Logical progression and manageable pace for learners.

"The course structure is logical, building from foundational concepts to more advanced applications."

"Excellent course, very comprehensive and well-structured."

"The pace was manageable for a working professional."

Benefits from Siemens partnership and knowledgeable instructors.

"The instructors from CU Boulder and Siemens provided excellent real-world examples."

"The collaboration with Siemens really shines through, bringing a practical, industry-focused perspective."

"The inclusion of industry experts from Siemens was a big plus."

Addresses current industry needs with practical applications.

"The content is highly relevant to current industry needs, especially with the focus on circular economy and decarbonization."

"As an operations manager, I found the insights into sustainable production and circular facilities immediately applicable."

"I learned a lot about decarbonization and resource efficiency that I can apply directly to my role."

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 Sustainable and Resilient Operations Management with these activities:

Read 'Cradle to Cradle'

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Read the seminal work on the circular economy to gain insights into the principles and practices of sustainable design and manufacturing.

View Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make... on Amazon

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Summarize the key concepts of the circular economy
Identify examples of circular products and processes
Discuss the implications for businesses and industries

Review Systems Thinking

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Review the concepts of systems thinking to strengthen your understanding of the interconnectedness and complexity of business operations.

Browse courses on Systems Thinking

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Identify the key elements of a system
Understand the relationships between different components
Apply systems thinking to analyze real-world business scenarios

Join a Study Group

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Connect with your classmates and form a study group to discuss course material, work on projects, and support each other's learning.

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Find like-minded classmates
Set regular meeting times
Establish clear goals and objectives

Four other activities

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Design a Sustainable Product

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Engage in a hands-on project to apply circular economy principles and design a sustainable product that minimizes waste and maximizes resource efficiency.

Browse courses on Sustainable Design

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Research sustainable materials and manufacturing processes
Brainstorm ideas for a sustainable product
Design and prototype your product
Evaluate the sustainability and circularity of your design

Contribute to an Open-Source Sustainability Initiative

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Engage with the sustainability community by contributing to open-source software projects that promote sustainable practices and solutions.

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Identify relevant open-source projects
Contribute code, documentation, or other resources
Collaborate with other contributors

Develop a Sustainability Strategy

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Create a comprehensive sustainability strategy for a hypothetical company, outlining goals, objectives, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for achieving sustainable operations.

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Conduct a sustainability assessment
Set sustainability goals and objectives
Identify key performance indicators (KPIs)
Develop an implementation plan
Monitor and evaluate progress

Write a Case Study on a Sustainable Business

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Research and write a detailed case study that analyzes the sustainable operations and practices of a successful business.

Browse courses on Sustainable Business Practices

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Identify a suitable business
Research their sustainability initiatives
Analyze their performance and impact
Draw conclusions and recommendations

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable and Resilient Operations Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 42 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 Sustainable and Resilient Operations Management.

Thinking in Systems

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This is widely considered an essential introductory text to Systems Thinking. It clearly explains core concepts like stocks, flows, and feedback loops using relatable examples. is highly recommended for anyone seeking a broad understanding and serves as a strong foundation for further study. It is often used as a foundational text in academic settings and for professionals new to the field.

Thinking in Systems: International Bestseller

Paperback

(Español) Pensar en sistemas [Thinking in Systems]: Un manual...