Operations Management from edX

Have you ever wondered about the right methods to improve productivity, configure your supply chain or address the demand on hand?

In recent years, businesses have strived to improve productivity and quality, reduce costs and delivery times, and embrace flexibility and innovation. These strategies are part of the Operations Management (OM) activities that service and manufacturing organizations engage in.

Operations Management helps you to understand the role of OM in a firm and to develop abilities to structure and solve operations related problems. The course will empower you with skills to address important aspects of business operations including capacity, productivity, quality, and supply chain.

You will understand how operations in an organization are configured and factors that can potentially drive the complexity of managing such operations. We will also introduce concepts like estimating capacity, identifying bottlenecks, and de-bottlenecking.

Throughout the course, you will join us in discussions on productivity improvement methods, development of quality assurance systems and configuration of supply chains.

The course will equip you with the right tools, techniques and skills to estimate, compute, analyze and configure key elements of operations management.

What you'll learn

Identify an operations system with some known standard configurations
Make an assessment of the complexity of an operations system
Compute cycle times for operations and estimate capacity of the system
Understand the various components of a supply chain and the need to configure them appropriately
Identify methods for reducing bullwhip effect in supply chains
Understand and relate the concept of Lean Management to one’s own business situation
Initiate process & productivity improvement using NVA Analysis
Use specific tools and techniques to analyze quality problems
Monitor a process using control charts

View the courseWelcome video from instructor B. Mahadevan.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Identify an operations system with some known standard configurations
Make an assessment of the complexity of an operations system
Compute cycle times for operations and estimate capacity of the system
Understand the various components of a supply chain and the need to configure them appropriately
Identify methods for reducing bullwhip effect in supply chains

Understand and relate the concept of lean management to one’s own business situation
Initiate process & productivity improvement using nva analysis
Use specific tools and techniques to analyze quality problems
Monitor a process using control charts

Identify an operations system with some known standard configurations
Make an assessment of the complexity of an operations system
Compute cycle times for operations and estimate capacity of the system
Understand the various components of a supply chain and the need to configure them appropriately
Identify methods for reducing bullwhip effect in supply chains
Understand and relate the concept of lean management to one’s own business situation
Initiate process & productivity improvement using nva analysis
Use specific tools and techniques to analyze quality problems
Monitor a process using control charts

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by B. Mahadevan, who is a renowned expert in the field of operations management

Examines lean management and NVA analysis, which are essential to improving operations and reducing waste

Useful for professionals in any industry seeking to optimize their operations and increase efficiency

Covers a broad range of topics in operations management, including supply chain management, productivity improvement, and quality control

Provides practical tools and techniques that can be applied directly to real-world scenarios

May require some prior knowledge of operations management concepts

Some of the course materials may be outdated or not reflect the latest industry practices

Reviews summary

Solid operations management overview

Learners say that the Operations Management course has engaging content and a well-structured curriculum. The course is designed to provide a solid overview of the field and includes advanced content.

Well-structured and organized curriculum.

"The structure and content of this course is excellent."

"I feel that I'm learning many new things that I did not get from the same course of Wharton."

Engaging and informative content.

"I'm looking forward to more advanced courses in this field from IIMB"

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 Management with these activities:

Practice Identifying Operations Systems

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Enhance your ability to recognize different types of operations systems and their configurations.

Browse courses on Operations Management

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Review course materials on operations systems.
Find real-world examples of various operations systems.
Practice identifying the characteristics and configurations of each system.

Quality Assurance Simulation

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Enhance your understanding of quality assurance techniques through a simulated quality control process.

Browse courses on Quality Assurance

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Review quality assurance concepts and methods.
Participate in a simulation of a quality control process.
Analyze the results and identify areas for improvement.

Tutorial on Bottleneck Identification

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Improve your understanding of bottleneck identification techniques and their application in operations management.

Browse courses on Bottleneck Identification

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Follow online tutorials on bottleneck identification methods.
Apply the methods to real-world case studies.
Analyze the results and identify potential bottlenecks.

Two other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all five activities

Lean Six Sigma Project Proposal

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Gain hands-on experience in process improvement by developing a project proposal using Lean Six Sigma principles.

Browse courses on Lean Six Sigma

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Identify a suitable process for improvement.
Apply Lean Six Sigma tools to analyze the process.
Develop a project proposal outlining your improvement plan.

Case Analysis Paper on Supply Chain Complexity

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Develop your analytical skills by evaluating the complexity of a real-world supply chain and proposing improvement strategies.

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Research a specific supply chain and its complexities.
Identify factors contributing to the complexity.
Develop recommendations for reducing complexity and improving efficiency.

Career center

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

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the operations of an organization. They work to improve productivity, efficiency, and quality, while also reducing costs. This course can help Operations Managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as capacity planning, quality management, and supply chain management. This knowledge can help Operations Managers make better decisions about how to allocate resources, improve processes, and manage inventory.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. They work to ensure that goods are delivered to the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost. This course can help Supply Chain Managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as supply chain design, inventory management, and transportation management. This knowledge can help Supply Chain Managers make better decisions about how to manage inventory, reduce costs, and improve customer service.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Quality Manager

Quality Managers are responsible for developing and implementing quality assurance systems. They work to ensure that products and services meet customer requirements and expectations. This course can help Quality Managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as quality control, quality assurance, and statistical process control. This knowledge can help Quality Managers make better decisions about how to improve quality, reduce defects, and satisfy customers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Manager

Production Manager

Production Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the production of goods and services. They work to ensure that products are produced efficiently and effectively. This course can help Production Managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as production planning, scheduling, and inventory management. This knowledge can help Production Managers make better decisions about how to allocate resources, improve productivity, and reduce costs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Production Manager

Lean Manufacturing Engineer

Lean Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for designing and implementing lean manufacturing systems. They work to improve productivity and efficiency by eliminating waste and improving flow. This course can help Lean Manufacturing Engineers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as value stream mapping, waste reduction, and continuous improvement. This knowledge can help Lean Manufacturing Engineers make better decisions about how to improve processes, reduce costs, and improve quality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lean Manufacturing Engineer

Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineers are responsible for designing and improving industrial systems. They work to make systems more efficient, effective, and reliable. This course can help Industrial Engineers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as work measurement, ergonomics, and plant layout. This knowledge can help Industrial Engineers make better decisions about how to improve systems, reduce costs, and improve quality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Engineer

Process Engineer

Process Engineers are responsible for designing and improving processes. They work to make processes more efficient, effective, and reliable. This course can help Process Engineers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as process analysis, process design, and process improvement. This knowledge can help Process Engineers make better decisions about how to improve processes, reduce costs, and improve quality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Process Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for designing and improving manufacturing processes. They work to make processes more efficient, effective, and reliable. This course can help Manufacturing Engineers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as manufacturing processes, quality control, and production planning. This knowledge can help Manufacturing Engineers make better decisions about how to improve processes, reduce costs, and improve quality.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts are responsible for using mathematical and analytical techniques to solve problems in operations management. They work to improve productivity, efficiency, and quality. This course can help Operations Research Analysts develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as linear programming, simulation, and optimization. This knowledge can help Operations Research Analysts make better decisions about how to allocate resources, improve processes, and reduce costs.

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Inventory Manager

Inventory Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the management of inventory. They work to ensure that inventory is maintained at the right level to meet customer demand. This course can help Inventory Managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as inventory control, forecasting, and warehousing. This knowledge can help Inventory Managers make better decisions about how to manage inventory, reduce costs, and improve customer service.

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Warehouse Manager

Warehouse Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the operations of a warehouse. They work to ensure that goods are stored and retrieved efficiently and effectively. This course can help Warehouse Managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as warehouse layout, inventory management, and material handling. This knowledge can help Warehouse Managers make better decisions about how to manage inventory, reduce costs, and improve customer service.

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Logistics Manager

Logistics Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the movement of goods and services. They work to ensure that goods are delivered to the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost. This course can help Logistics Managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as transportation management, inventory management, and warehousing. This knowledge can help Logistics Managers make better decisions about how to manage inventory, reduce costs, and improve customer service.

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Materials Manager

Materials Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the procurement and management of materials. They work to ensure that materials are purchased at the right price, at the right time, and in the right quantity. This course can help Materials Managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as supply chain management, inventory management, and purchasing. This knowledge can help Materials Managers make better decisions about how to manage inventory, reduce costs, and improve customer service.

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Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the purchasing of goods and services. They work to ensure that goods and services are purchased at the right price, at the right time, and in the right quantity. This course can help Purchasing Managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as supplier management, contract negotiation, and inventory management. This knowledge can help Purchasing Managers make better decisions about how to manage inventory, reduce costs, and improve customer service.

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Transportation Manager

Transportation Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the transportation of goods and services. They work to ensure that goods and services are transported at the right price, at the right time, and in the right condition. This course may help Transportation Managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. For example, the course covers topics such as transportation planning, routing, and scheduling. This knowledge may help Transportation Managers make better decisions about how to manage transportation, reduce costs, and improve customer service.

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