Overview

This unit critically examines the issues and techniques of Operations Management. It reviews the strategic importance of the operations function in delivering top quality products and services efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of clients and customers. It focuses on the three key operations management activities of operations design, operations planning and control, and operations improvement – all in a strategic context. The unit also provides an opportunity for students to apply theory and technique to real examples drawn from literature, observed in everyday life, and from students’ own experience. Contemporary issues in operations management are also explored.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of operations management and strategy both in theory and in practice
  • Demonstrate and define the key theoretical and practice issues, decisions and processes involved in managing manufacturing and service transformations
  • Analyse and critically address complex issues in contemporary operations management practice
  • Communicate proficiently in a professional manner and operate as a member or leader of a team
  • Apply theoretical knowledge to an applied research project using operations management theory

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class
2.00 12 weeks 24
Online
Lecture
1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment 1Group 30 - 40% 1,2,3,4,5 
Assignment 2Individual 10 - 20% 1,2,3,5 
Assignment 3Individual 40 - 60% 1,2,3,5 

Content

  • Introduction to Operations Management and Performance
  • Operations Strategy
  • The Design of Process, Products and Services
  • Supply Network Design, Layout and Flow, and Process Technology
  • Job Design and Work Organization
  • Capacity Planning and Control
  • Inventory Planning and Control
  • Supply Chain Planning and Control
  • Enterprise Resource Planning
  • Lean Operations and Just In Time
  • Project Planning and Control
  • Quality Management and Control
  • Operations Improvement
  • Risk Management, Failure Prevention and Recovery
  • Managing Improvement and Total Quality Management approaches
  • Operations and Corporate Social Responsibility, Contemporary Issues in Operations Management

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.