OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (APPRENTICESHIP) - 2021/2

Module Overview

Operations management relates to the scoping, planning, directing and controlling of the facilities, processes and people required to transform resources into products and services. The principles of operations management are used in every industry and every environment. All organisations perform the functions of strategic planning, process design, supply chain management, forecasting and scheduling, work management, innovation and quality management. The same skills are required whether operations managers are working in private manufacturing organisations, the public sector, service organisations or not for profit businesses.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Teaching block 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Introduction to Operations Management. Definitions. Why is it important? Examples of operations management in practice across a number of different industry sectors.

• Competitive advantage and winning business. How are operations processes organised? How do different operations compete? Introduction of the concepts of order qualifiers and order winners.

• Managing Suppliers and Managing Inventory. How has global competition affected many organisations?

• Managing Capacity and Demand. Forecasting Methods. Managing People. Queuing systems and Customer Satisfaction.

• Quality Management and Continuous Improvement. Different methods for managing and improving the quality of both products and services.

• Operations Strategies. How do businesses create an operations strategy? The development of Lean and Agile strategies and future developments to deal with the new digital economy.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide learners with the opportunity to demonstrate all intended module learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and behaviours, and to provide maximum opportunity for applied learning.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Assessment 1 An individual assignment requiring learners to map the supply chain of their organisation, considering key concepts from this module that are applicable to the organisation. Learners should identify and review key decision points for current effectiveness and suggest potential improvement opportunities (maximum 2000 words).

Formative assessment Learners will work regularly in groups and as individuals, participating in classroom or online discussion forums, webinars etc., to demonstrate their understanding of the subject contents and application.

Feedback

Learners will be given formal feedback on their assessments in line with the University’s policy on assessment and feedback, and within the current three-week feedback period. Learners will receive regular, informal feedback on their contribution throughout the module.

Module aims

• Provide theoretical underpinning to enable learners to better understand the rationale behind how businesses work in practice
• Consider key aspects of operations management in different sectors
• Allow students to understand the key challenges facing operations managers today and in the future

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to incorporate a blended learning approach, centred around the key online learning design principles of – Learner-centred; Useful; Engaging; Flexible; Consistent; Supportive and Accessible.

In line with the Apprenticeship Off the Job Training guidance, the teaching and learning undertaken on this module will reflect the following categories of training:

1. Teaching of Theory – may include lectures, role play, simulation exercises, online learning, research and networking)

2. Practical Training – may include shadowing, mentoring, industry visits and participation in competitions

3. Learning support and time spent writing assignments and partaking in assessments

4. Reflective learning and self-evaluation to impart new knowledge, skills and behaviours only. The module will specifically exploit the conjunction of manufacturing and service to explore the issues that arise comparing these two environments.

Learners are encouraged to:

• Assess their current learning and professional development and through studying the theory and practice of operations management identify any areas of weakness and strength.

• Take advantage of appropriate learning opportunities within this module’s activities, the wider university, their workplace, and online to enhance their contribution to the organisations in which they work.

• Reflect on their progress using feedback from tutors and peers Learners completing this module will undertake a combination of campus-based sessions and online directed learning activities supported through SurreyLearn. Learners, with support from their employers, will be expected to demonstrate accountability and commitment to effectively managing their agreed off-the-job training hours to complete required learning activities and assessments.

Learners should take an active part in any asynchronous activities such as forums, wikis, blogs etc., as well as synchronous activities (i.e. virtual meetings, webinars etc.) as appropriate. Participation in these activities will be essential to the successful achievement of the learning outcomes in this module.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MAN1124

Other information

Through completion of the learning and assessments for this module, it is expected that most learners will be able to produce suitable evidence for their Portfolio of Evidence to fully or partially meet specific assessment criteria for the following areas of the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship Standard. Learners may also refer to the CMDA Assessment Plan for further information. Operational Strategy 1.1. How to develop and implement organisational strategy and plans, including approaches to resource and supply chain management, workforce development, sustainability, taking and managing risk, monitoring and evaluation, and quality assurance (K) 1.3. Support the development of organisational strategies and plans (S) 1.4. Develop and deliver operational plans; key performance indicators, set targets and manage resources, and monitor and measure outcomes to establish operational effectiveness, efficiencies and excellence (S) Digital Business and New Technologies 5.1. Approaches to innovation and digital technologies and their impact on organisations, and how their application can be used for organisational improvement and development (K) Developing Collaborative Relationships 9.1. Approaches to stakeholder, customer and supplier management, developing engagement, facilitating cross functional working and negotiation (K) 9.6. Work collaboratively with internal and external customers and suppliers (S) K – Knowledge S – Skills B - Behaviours Degree apprenticeships are delivered over three teaching blocks: • Teaching Block 1 - September - December • Teaching Block 2 - January - April • Teaching Block 3 - May - August

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.