Operations Management
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT 2
This assignment will define operations management and explore the various bodies of knowledge and practices that have led to operations management as it is currently known today. Additionally, this paper will focus on topic areas such as supply chain management, total quality management (TQM), reengineering, theory of constraints (TOC), Alfred P. Sloan’s contributions to TQM, JIT, and reengineering in relation to Sloan’s organizational success, and Toyota’s production system, also known as Just in Time (JIT). Lastly, this paper will summarize the highlights of each topic area and its contribution to operations management. Definition of Operations Management Operations management is the process through which goods and services are supplied to end-users. However, in order to understand the functions of operations management, a closer emphasis on the term operations is necessary. The term operations, covers both production operations and service operations. The common characteristic of those two types of operations is that both of them are simply transformation processes (CIO.com). In both of the processes, certain inputs are transformed into different types of outputs.
Therefore, operations management has a crucial duty of planning and controlling the transformation process. Operations managers must also consider the general strategies of the organization, the external environment, and the four decision making domains which are process, quality, capacity, and inventory (CIO.com). Supply Chain Management Supply chain management is a process whereby suppliers work in unison to provide end-users with goods and services. The supply chain may consist of suppliers of raw materials, manufacturers, logistics companies,
This assignment will define operations management and explore the various bodies of knowledge and practices that have led to operations management as it is currently known today. Additionally, this paper will focus on topic areas such as supply chain management, total quality management (TQM), reengineering, theory of constraints (TOC), Alfred P. Sloan’s contributions to TQM, JIT, and reengineering in relation to Sloan’s organizational success, and Toyota’s production system, also known as Just in Time (JIT). Lastly, this paper will summarize the highlights of each topic area and its contribution to operations management. Definition of Operations Management Operations management is the process through which goods and services are supplied to end-users. However, in order to understand the functions of operations management, a closer emphasis on the term operations is necessary. The term operations, covers both production operations and service operations. The common characteristic of those two types of operations is that both of them are simply transformation processes (CIO.com). In both of the processes, certain inputs are transformed into different types of outputs.
Therefore, operations management has a crucial duty of planning and controlling the transformation process. Operations managers must also consider the general strategies of the organization, the external environment, and the four decision making domains which are process, quality, capacity, and inventory (CIO.com). Supply Chain Management Supply chain management is a process whereby suppliers work in unison to provide end-users with goods and services. The supply chain may consist of suppliers of raw materials, manufacturers, logistics companies,
References: Bustillo, M. August 16, 2011. Wal-Mart loses edge. Wall Street Journal online edition. Retrieved August 17, 2011 from: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904253204576510503450823240.html Champy, J. & Hammer, M. (1994). Reengineering the corporation. New York: Harper Collins Business. CIO Website. Supply chain management definition and solutions. Retrieved August 16, 2011 from:http://www.cio.com/article/40940/Supply_Chain_Management_Definition_and Solutions Goldratt. E. (1992). The goal. Great Barrington, MA: The North River Press Publishing Corporation. Harrison, F. (2001). Supply chain management workbook. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Buttersworth Heinemann. Liker, J. (2004). The Toyota way. New York: McGraw-Hill. Morris, P. & Oakland, J. (1997). TQM, a pictoral guide for managers. Woburn, MA: Elsevier Buttersworth Heinemann. Sloan, A.P. (1990). My years with general motors. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell. Rockford Consulting Group Website. Theory of constraints. Retrieved August 16, 2011 from: http://rockfordconsulting.com/toc.htm