Operations Management

MGT 434

Sullivan University

Spring 2010

 

 

I.             Instructor:      William J. Patterson (WJ)

                                    Phone:  (502) 456-6504  

                                    Cell:     (502) 533-1671

                                    E-mail:  wjpatterson@sullivan.edu

                                   

II.        Required Text:          Operations Management (4th Edition)

                                                By:  Reid and Sanders

                                                John C Wiley Publishing, Copyright 2010.

 

III.             COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Understanding the role of the operations function and its impact on the competitiveness of the firm is an important part of any manager's training. Operational issues include designing, acquiring, operating, and maintaining the facilities and processes; purchasing raw materials; controlling and maintaining inventories; and providing the proper labor needed to produce a good or service so that customers' expectations are met.

This course in operations management is intended to be a survey of operating practices and models in both manufacturing and service oriented firms. It is intended to provide managers in all functional areas with sufficient knowledge to make informed "total business decisions" and to introduce standard terms and concepts for communications with operating personnel. In such a course, it should be recognized that breadth of subject matter, not depth of topic, will be the goal. We will often use cases for classroom discussion. The discussion will provide a forum for improving communications skills and sharing personal experiences, which add to the learning process.

 

IV.       COURSE OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES:

 

Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:

           

  • Build an understanding of how the Operations Manager fits into the organization.
  • Provide a knowledge base for conversing with operations personnel.
  • Build both quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, especially those needed for managing the operational systems of a firm.
  • Provide common-sense modeling concepts which can be used to help managers evaluate various management problems.
  • Show the similarities of operating problems in the Manufacturing and Service Sectors.
  • Conduct scholarly research in the field of Operations Management..

V.        TEACHING STRATEGY:

 

Classroom discussions, case studies, and in-class activities will be of major importance, as they will help tie theory to practice.  The instructor will also have guest speakers who are “real world” small business owners/operators to connect the students from the course material to the real world.  Your instructor will also use his 20 years experience as a business owner to provide real world examples.  Students are expected to be actively engaged in the class, in order to pass it, you must attend and contribute to it.  To prepare for the in-class work, reading of textbook chapters and assignments must be accomplished prior to class. 

 

VII.          COURSE OUTLINE

 

Week 1            Introductions, Syllabus Information

                  Chapter 1, 2

 

Week 2            Chapters 2 Continue, Chapter 4

                 

 

Week 3            Chapters 5 (pg 150-179), 6

                       

Week 4            Chapters 6 - Continue, 7

 

Week 5            Chapter 7-Continue, Mid Term Exam

 

Week 6            Chapter 8, 9

                       

Week 7            Chapters 9 – Continue, 10

 

Week 8            Chapters 10 – Continue, 12

                       

Week 9            Chapter 15     

 

Week 10          Chapter 16

 

Week 11          Final Exam

 

VIII – Evaluation

                        Mid Term Exam                   20%

                        Final Exam                            20%

                        Homework Problems            40%

                        Project                                   20%