PERSPECTIVES of the COURSE

Operations Management examines the use of manufacturing and operations as competitive weapons. It is imperative to make the proper strategic choices prior to coping with the tactical issues facing ongoing operations or project managers. While the majority of this course will deal with manufacturing issues, these same principles apply to the service sector. It is the vision and understanding of the strategic problems which will separate the winners from the losers in our global, competitive marketplace.

The industrial landscape in America is littered with the remains of once successful companies that could not adapt their strategic vision to altered conditions of competition. Managers must recognize that they compete in a world of technology driven strategy that requires the ability to master the power of information, demand driven production capability, and an unprecedented capacity for workforce management.

There are five major themes you must keep in mind as you develop operational strategies:

1. Traditional versus strategic approaches to operations,
2. Managing tradeoffs,
3. Interfunctional coordination,
4. Multiplant networks,
5. Tools of the operating manager.

As tools are such an important aspect of your success, you must be cognizant of them and be able to develop strategies with both traditional and innovative problem solving techniques in mind. Specifically you should comprehend the following areas: