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BUSI2181: Operations Management

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Tied
Level 2
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Management and Marketing

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students with a critical knowledge and understanding of operations management at an advanced level.

Content

  • Part I - Operations Strategy - Introduction to Operations Management; The performance objectives of Operations; The strategic role of Operations.
  • Part II - Design Issues - The design of products and services; Design of the operations network; Layout and flow; Process technology; Job design.
  • Part III - Issues in Planning and Control - Capacity planning and control; Inventory planning and control; Supply chain management; Just-In-Time; Project planning and control; Quality planning and control.
  • Part IV - Improving Operations - Performance measurement; Benchmarking; Business Process Re-engineering; Total Quality Management.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • By the end of the module, students are expected to have a critical knowledge and understanding of:
  • the similarities and differences between operations
  • the role which operations management should play in achieving strategic success
  • the nature of planning and control in operations management, ways in which the performance of operations can be measured
  • approaches to managing the rate of improvement of operations.
  • the need for product and service design and process design to be considered interactively.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • By the end of the module, students are expected to:
  • implement different operation strategies to different types of operations
  • plan and manage resources to complete a project
  • articulate how planning and control in operation and supply chain management can be used to help improve performance and achieve competitive advantages for organizations

Key Skills:

  • Written communication
  • Planning
  • Teamwork
  • Problem solving
  • Using initiative
  • Analysis and application
  • Computer Literacy
  • Presentation

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching is by a combination of lectures and simulation workshops. Learning takes place through attendance and participation at lectures, simulations, class exercises, group work and discussions.
  • Formative assessment is by means of a contribution to an application-oriented group presentation. Students will also receive continuous computerised feedback from multiple simulations which run through the course.
  • Summative assessment is by means of an individual assignment in the form of a report. Selective readings on DUO will guide students to prepare for the final assignment. The written report is designed to examine students' critical understanding of subject-specific knowledge in the relevant literature as well as the application of theories to practical situations. Students will also be asked to reflect on their learning from engaging with operation simulations.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures10Weekly2 hour20 
Workshops4Fortnightly2 hour8Yes
Preparation and Reading172 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: AssignmentComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Individual assignment4500 words100Same

Formative Assessment

Contribution to a case-study based group presentation.

More information

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