We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Course image
Coursera logo

Sustainable and Resilient Operations Management

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.

Read more

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.

Enroll now

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.
Read more
Sustainable Product & Process Development
This module examines sustainable design principles, focusing on product and process design for sustainability. It covers the sustainable design process, techniques, challenges, and tools, with a spotlight on the circular economy. You will explore the role of digital enterprise and digital twins in achieving sustainable design.
Sustainable Facilities
This module provides an overview of sustainable facilities, examining different types and showcasing a case study on facility decarbonization. It covers standards, scopes, and strategies for reducing carbon emissions through electrification. You will explore the concept of circular facilities and hear insights from sustainability experts to enhance an understanding of practical applications.
Sustainable Production
This module focuses on sustainable production, providing insights on achieving sustainability and energy efficiency. It covers decarbonization strategies and discusses the role of additive manufacturing in the circular economy. You will also be introduced to the concept of the industrial metaverse.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
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

Save this course

Save Sustainable and Resilient Operations Management to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

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'
Read the seminal work on the circular economy to gain insights into the principles and practices of sustainable design and manufacturing.
Show steps
  • 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
Review the concepts of systems thinking to strengthen your understanding of the interconnectedness and complexity of business operations.
Browse courses on Systems Thinking
Show steps
  • 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
Connect with your classmates and form a study group to discuss course material, work on projects, and support each other's learning.
Show steps
  • Find like-minded classmates
  • Set regular meeting times
  • Establish clear goals and objectives
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Design a Sustainable Product
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
Show steps
  • 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
Engage with the sustainability community by contributing to open-source software projects that promote sustainable practices and solutions.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant open-source projects
  • Contribute code, documentation, or other resources
  • Collaborate with other contributors
Develop a Sustainability Strategy
Create a comprehensive sustainability strategy for a hypothetical company, outlining goals, objectives, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for achieving sustainable operations.
Show steps
  • 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
Research and write a detailed case study that analyzes the sustainable operations and practices of a successful business.
Show steps
  • 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 haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Sustainable and Resilient Operations Management.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser