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Alan Pilkington

The sole task of organisations is to either deliver customers the services that they require, or design, manufacture, and deliver products that customers are after. How do firms and organisations manage the very tasks that they carry out? How can operations themselves give excellence to organisations to enable them to be competitive?

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The sole task of organisations is to either deliver customers the services that they require, or design, manufacture, and deliver products that customers are after. How do firms and organisations manage the very tasks that they carry out? How can operations themselves give excellence to organisations to enable them to be competitive?

Operations management is concerned with the design, planning and control of operating systems for the provision of goods and services. This course will provide an introduction not only into the development of operational systems but more importantly into the how operating methods can help achieve corporate excellence.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: What is operations excellence?
This week we will explore and define the meaning of operations management using case studies and introduce some simple tools to help us identify the fundamental types of operations. 
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Week 2: Operations strategy for excellence
Week 3: Process design for excellence
This topic examines the focus of operations on the need to think in terms of processes. We examine the Hayes and Wheelwright typology of process types, which enables us to think clearly about what differentiates different approaches to processes and their design. We explore research and ideas underpinning process design to gain a grounded sense of operations management and what this means in practice.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops skills, knowledge, and/or tools that are highly relevant to industry
Examines operations management, which is highly relevant to businesses and organizations
Explores the development of operational systems and how they can contribute to corporate excellence
Provides a solid foundation for understanding operations management
Taught by Alan Pilkington, who is recognized for their work in operations management
Requires learners to have some prior knowledge of operations management

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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 Systems Excellence with these activities:
Design for Excellence Two-Day Workshop
Discover strategies and tactics to optimize operations for exceptional performance and competitiveness.
Show steps
  • Prepare for the workshop by reading materials and researching best practices.
  • Engage actively in discussions and case studies to gain insights and share experiences.
  • Collaborate on developing an operational excellence plan for your organization.
Design a Process Flowchart
Develop analytical skills by creating a visual representation of a process, identifying inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
Browse courses on Process Mapping
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  • Select a process to analyze and gather relevant data.
  • Use appropriate diagramming tools to create a detailed flowchart.
  • Analyze the flowchart to identify bottlenecks and areas for optimization.
Operations Management: A Competitive Advantage
Gain a comprehensive understanding of operations management principles and practices to drive organizational success.
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  • Read designated chapters to enhance knowledge of specific operations management concepts.
  • Summarize key takeaways and apply them to real-world scenarios.
Two other activities
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Show all five activities
Operations Simulation Exercises
Develop critical thinking and decision-making skills in managing operations through hands-on simulations.
Browse courses on Process Management
Show steps
  • Review simulation instructions and familiarize yourself with the scenario.
  • Analyze data, make decisions, and observe the impact on operations performance.
  • Reflect on outcomes and identify areas for improvement.
Operational Improvement Project
Apply operations management principles to improve a real-world process, demonstrating analytical, problem-solving, and implementation skills.
Show steps
  • Identify an operational problem or area for improvement within your organization.
  • Develop a project plan outlining the scope, goals, and methodology.
  • Collect and analyze data to understand the current process and identify root causes of inefficiencies.
  • Design and implement improved processes or solutions.
  • Monitor and evaluate the impact of the improvements.

Career center

Learners who complete Operations Systems Excellence will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Operations Manager
Operations Managers oversee the daily operations of businesses and are responsible for ensuring that the organization runs as smoothly as possible and that processes are as efficient as possible. As an Operations Manager, you must stay abreast of novel trends and advancements in operations and management. This course will help you stay up-to-date on modern operations strategies and methods.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst identifies the needs of businesses through analysis of processes and data. As a Business Analyst, you must leverage data and combine it with your understanding of operations as a whole to help propose and implement strategies. This course can help you build a foundation in operations excellence.
Process Improvement Specialist
A Process Improvement Specialist examines and modifies processes to create better operations and workflow. This role is all about understanding not only how a process works but its implementation within an organization. This course will help you to build a strong foundation and enhance your skillset for this very role.
Supply Chain Manager
A Supply Chain Manager oversees the production, storage, and distribution of goods and services. You work with vendors and suppliers to ensure steady and efficient movement of goods and are responsible for optimizing operations. This course will help you better understand how operations can lead to excellence within the supply chain.
Quality Assurance Manager
A Quality Assurance Manager works to ensure that products and services meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. This includes implementing and refining processes for quality control. This course can help you advance your career in quality assurance by helping you to better understand operations excellence.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, organize, and execute projects. As a Project Manager, you determine the scope and objectives of a project and can leverage your knowledge of operations to excel. This course will help you refine your skillset by developing a strong knowledge of operations excellence.
Operations Researcher
Operations Researchers use advanced analytics to solve complex problems in operations management. As an Operations Researcher, you will need to have a deep knowledge of operations. This course will help you to develop the skillset you need to succeed as an Operations Researcher.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights to businesses. This role requires a thorough understanding of data and how to translate it into practical usage within operations. This course will help you build a strong foundation in operations excellence and can help advance your career as a Data Analyst.
Consultant
Consultants provide advice and guidance to businesses on a variety of topics, including operations management., As a Consultant, you can work with clients to improve their operations and achieve excellence. This course will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Consultant.
Industrial Engineer
Industrial Engineers design, improve, and install integrated systems for managing industrial production processes. This role requires a strong understanding of operations and efficiency. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be an Industrial Engineer.
Logistician
Logisticians plan and oversee the movement of goods and services. This role requires a strong understanding of operations and supply chains. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a Logistician.
Inventory Manager
Inventory Managers oversee the storage and distribution of inventory. This role requires a strong understanding of operations and supply chains. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be an Inventory Manager.
Production Manager
Production Managers oversee the production of goods and services. This role requires a strong understanding of operations and manufacturing. This course may be useful for developing a strong foundation as a Production Manager.
Quality Control Inspector
Quality Control Inspectors ensure that products and services meet quality standards. This role requires a strong understanding of operations and quality control. This course may be useful for developing a strong foundation as a Quality Control Inspector.
Warehouse Manager
Warehouse Managers oversee the storage and distribution of goods. This role requires a strong understanding of operations and logistics. This course may be useful for developing a strong foundation as a Warehouse Manager.

Reading list

We've selected ten 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 Systems Excellence.
The Toyota Way provides an insider's look at the management principles that have made Toyota one of the most successful companies in the world. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about the Toyota Production System and its application to other organizations.
Lean Thinking provides a practical guide to the implementation of lean manufacturing principles. It valuable resource for anyone interested in improving the efficiency and productivity of their operations.
Six Sigma provides a comprehensive overview of the Six Sigma quality improvement methodology. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about Six Sigma and its application to different industries.
The Goal novel that teaches the principles of the Theory of Constraints. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about the Theory of Constraints and its application to different industries.
The Service Profit Chain provides a framework for understanding the relationship between service quality and profitability. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about service quality and its impact on business performance.
The Innovator's Dilemma provides a framework for understanding why successful companies often fail to innovate. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about innovation and its impact on business performance.
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Drive provides a framework for understanding what motivates people. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about motivation and how to motivate others.
The Lean Startup provides a framework for building successful startups. It valuable resource for anyone interested in starting a business or learning about entrepreneurship.

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