Unit 190: Business Operations and Management

1. Introduction to Business Operations

• Definition and role of business operations in organizations
• Distinction between efficiency and effectiveness
• Key components of operations management:
  • Inputs, processes, outputs
  • Operations functions and their interrelations
• Importance of operations for competitive advantage

2. Operations Strategy

• Definition and purpose of operations strategy
• Aligning operations strategy with overall business objectives
• Competitive priorities in operations:
  • Cost, quality, flexibility, delivery, innovation
• Decision-making in operations strategy:
  • Capacity, supply network, process technology
• Implementation challenges and performance measurement

3. Process Design and Analysis

• Understanding business processes and process flow
• Techniques for process mapping and documentation:
  • Flowcharts, SIPOC diagrams
• Performance metrics for processes:
  • Cycle time, throughput, bottlenecks
• Process improvement methodologies:
  • Lean principles and waste elimination
  • Kaizen and continuous improvement

4. Quality Management

• Principles of quality management
• Quality control vs. quality assurance
• Total Quality Management (TQM): philosophy and tools
• Six Sigma methodology and DMAIC cycle
• Continuous improvement practices and culture building

5. Supply Chain Management

• Overview of supply chain and its significance
• Supply chain design and configuration
• Supplier relationship management and collaboration
• Inventory management and order fulfillment
• Logistics and distribution management
• Integration and coordination across the supply chain

6. Inventory Management

• Purpose and importance of inventory management
• Inventory control systems:
  • Periodic vs. perpetual
• Inventory classification: ABC analysis
• Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) model and calculations
• Safety stock determination and service levels
• Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory management principles

7. Capacity Planning and Facility Layout

• Concepts of capacity and capacity planning
• Techniques for demand forecasting
• Methods to determine capacity requirements
• Strategies for capacity adjustments:
  • Lead, lag, match, and adjustment strategies
• Facility layout types and design principles
• Impact of layout on efficiency and workflow

8. Sustainability in Operations

• Importance of sustainability in business operations
• Green operations and environmentally friendly practices
• Environmental management systems (EMS)
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in operations
• Triple Bottom Line approach:
  • Economic, social, and environmental performance

9. Technology in Operations

• Role of technology in enhancing operations
• Information systems used in operations management
• Automation and robotics in production and services
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in operations
• Digital transformation and Industry 4.0 concepts
• Benefits and challenges of integrating technology