Question

Either view a video or find a peer-reviewed article on two distinct subject matters relevant to Operations Management. After viewing the video or reading the article, you are to write a reflection on the article/video. Be sure to include, at a minimum, the following: 1. A summary of the article/video 2. What you learned from the article/video 3. How you believe that the subject matter can be best used in today's business environment Each video/article reflection should be between 500-700 words Topics to choose from : Malcom Baldridge National Quality Award Kaoru Ishikawa Cost of Quality ISO 9000 Customer Value Drum-Buffer-Rope

Answer 1

Operations management is a field that can sometimes be misunderstood because of its multidisciplinary nature. However, its functions form the lynchpin of businesses the world over and success can often rest squarely on its shoulders. The MBA in operations management is a common specialization among leading business schools worldwide.

There are strong parallels between the skills required for effective operations management and those needed in both logistics and supply chain management. Excellent organizational ability is crucial in successfully enhancing efficiency and driving productivity as an operations manager.

One must be able to understand the series of processes within a company to get them to flow seamlessly, and in this sense the role is directly related to supply chain management. Meanwhile, the coordination involved in setting up these processes in practice represents logistics; the combination of understanding and coordinating the work of a company are central to becoming a successful operations manager.  

The operations manager is able to transcend industries so exact job functions can vary based on the company you work for. At the base level, the two main streams an operations manager might belong to can be reduced to companies with a concentration on manufacturing and production, or those that provide services.

Operations management roles within say, a pharmaceutical company fall under the category of production. Planning and coordinating the use of resources to ensure products are designed, created and dispatched to hospitals, chemists and so on, ensure not only that these products are prepared, but also that they are available to customers.