Newcastle University

Aims

To introduce students to the increasingly important field of operations management. This module aims to equip students with an understanding of different types of companies, competitiveness and strategic issues. It will also provide knowledge of concepts, techniques and models that are used for planning, managing and optimising operations within manufacturing and service organisations.

Original Summary:
The module starts with an introduction to operations management including a review of different types of products and production systems. Strategic issues, competitiveness and the formulation of strategy and strategic choices are then addressed. Project planning methods are introduced together with examples. Group Technology, Lean thinking and tools are considered in detail, including case studies obtained from local companies. Managing organisational change explores the issues and problems of introducing technological change. Supply chain management, models and principles are considered in a competitive context.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Introduction - different types of products and processes
2. Strategy - definitions, historical context, levels of strategy, competitive strategies, manufacturing strategy, types of process, effect of batch size, mode of service, level of technology, profile analysis, performance measurement (UKSPEC: P3,P3i,P8,P*i,P8m,S1,S2,S2m).
3. Planning - definitions, planning horizons, Gantt Charts, activity on arrow networks, activity on node networks, Critical Path Method, British Standards (UKSPEC: P3,P3i,P4,P6,P8i,P8m).
4. Lean manufacturing - definitions and concepts, waste, goals, product and process design, Gemba Kanri (workplace management), layout, Single Minute Exchange of Dies, Operational Equipment Effectiveness, pull schedulling, lean purchasing, Total Quality Management, Deming Cycle, Fishbone Diagrams, Statistical Process Control, Total Preventative/Productive Maintenance, implementation (UKSPEC: P1,P1m,P1i,P3,P3i,P4,P7i,P7,P8i,P8m,S1,S2,S2m).

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures introduce the theoretical material as well as the practical issues arising in operations management. Students are then expected to use private study to widen their knowledge and understanding through directred reading from a comprehensive online reading list and case studies.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The exam assess the theoretical perspective and its application to ‘real’ international operations management issues


This module is only assessed via exam format and there is no alternative assessment for Semester One Erasmus or Loyola students.