Online Class: Operations Management 101

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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10Lessons
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18Exams &
Assignments -
1,560Students
have taken this course -
5Hours
average time -
0.5CEUs
Course Description
Introduction to Operations Management
Operations Management is a captivating field, central to the success of businesses across industries. With proficient expertise in this area, professionals can substantially influence a company's day-to-day functioning and bottom line. A recent survey indicates that almost 45% of all employment opportunities lie in the realm of Operations Management. The role, albeit challenging, is pivotal for businesses. It requires an amalgamation of knowledge across accounting, statistics, finance, and risk management, coupled with a penchant for making informed decisions.
Why Take This Course?
Our course is meticulously designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of Operations Management. It is tailored for individuals across age groups, who are either looking to kick-start their careers or seeking to fortify their existing roles in this domain. The insights you gain here are versatile, applicable from the manufacturing sector to finance, from sales operations to food services.
Operations managers are the linchpins who answer the crucial questions of 'who', 'what', 'when', 'where', and 'why'. They rely on a mix of empirical evidence, industry experience, and intuition. Each module in our course distills the essential knowledge elements, providing actionable strategies for real-world applications.
By the end of this course, you'll have a clear understanding of:
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Operations Management and its Organizational Context: How does it fit into the broader business environment? An example would be how Toyota's lean production system revolutionized its operational efficiency and became a model for other industries.
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Strategic Dimensions of Operations: Deep dive into crafting operations strategies that align with business objectives. For instance, how did Apple's operations strategy lead to its industry-leading product quality and delivery times?
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Decision Making in Operations Management: Grasp the art of making data-driven decisions. Explore case studies like how Amazon's decisions on warehouse locations optimize its delivery operations.
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Product and Service Management: Understand the life cycle of products and services, and the strategies to manage them effectively. Consider how McDonald's continually revamps its menu based on operational feedback and customer preferences.
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Supply Chain and Operations: Delve into the complexities of global supply chains, and how operations ensure smooth processes. An example here would be Zara's agile supply chain, which has become its competitive advantage.
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Inventory Management: Discover the strategies behind keeping optimal inventory levels and reducing costs. Case studies like Walmart's inventory management system can offer deep insights.
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Forecasting: Learn the techniques of predicting future demand, a crucial aspect for any business. For instance, how do companies like Netflix forecast viewer demand for new shows?
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Operations Scheduling: Master the art of scheduling resources for maximum efficiency. Airlines, for example, have complex scheduling systems to manage their fleet, crew, and routes.
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Quality Management: Understand the principles of maintaining and improving quality across operations. A classic example would be Six Sigma methodologies, widely adopted across industries.
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Facilities Planning and Management: Get insights into planning, designing, and managing facilities. For instance, how tech companies design their campuses for innovation and productivity.
Course Structure
For a more structured learning experience, the course is divided into ten lessons. Each lesson will delve deep into its respective topic, supported by assignments, exams, and surveys. These tools ensure that you not only understand the theory but can also apply it practically.
Conclusion
The world of Operations Management is a dynamic one, fraught with challenges but abundant with opportunities. With businesses evolving rapidly, the need for adept operations managers is on the rise. Our course offers a holistic view of the domain, preparing you to be a leader in the world of operations. Whether you aim to enhance your job performance or gear up for future opportunities, this course promises to be your comprehensive guide. Join us on this enlightening journey into the heart of business operations.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- Printable Lessons
- Full HD Video
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Lesson 1. The Heartbeat of Organizations: A Deep Dive into Operations Management
Services, forming the backbone of economies, emphasize the intricacies of customer interactions, unlike tangible goods. The rising dominance of the service sector calls for innovative operations management strategies to leverage new technologies and automate processes to enhance customer experiences.Lesson 2. Paths to International Market Mastery: Operational Insights
Businesses that leverage a well-defined mission, global talent, and strategic planning are positioned for success in international markets. These organizations prioritize ethical considerations and cultural fluency, ensuring their operations resonate with both local communities and global standards.Lesson 3. Differentiation and Adaptability: Keys to Innovation
Operations management necessitates a nuanced understanding of product-service dynamics, requiring distinct strategies for inventory, quality, and facility management. Research, like PIMS insights, informs operational strategies, focusing on cost efficiency, quality, and capacity utilization for maximized ROI.Lesson 4. Navigating the Future of Product Development
Innovation thrives on collaboration, making cross-functional development teams essential to integrate varied expertise and ensure efficient product delivery. This approach balances creativity with practicality, fostering an environment conducive to groundbreaking innovations like wearable technology and electric vehicles.Lesson 5. Supply Chain Economics and Strategic Partnerships
Supply chain economics focuses on cost reduction and profit maximization, juggling make-or-buy decisions and outsourcing to capitalize on external expertise. Adhering to ethical principles like loyalty, fairness, and professionalism ensures sustainable supply chain practices and a reputable business image.Lesson 6. Optimizing Inventory: A Strategic Lever for Competitive Advantage
Inventory management is a critical strategic tool for business competitiveness, influencing the bottom line through cost reduction, efficiency improvement, and customer satisfaction. Adopting systematic approaches and cutting-edge technologies ensures optimal stock levels and prepares businesses to adapt swiftly to changing market demands.Lesson 7. Forecasting Essentials for Contemporary Decision-Makers
Effective forecasting is imperative for decision-makers, equipping them with the insights necessary to navigate uncertainty and drive strategic growth while managing resources efficiently. Techniques such as statistical analysis, expert judgment, and AI-driven tools augment forecasting accuracy, enabling companies to anticipate trends and adapt swiftly.Lesson 8. Streamlined Operations: The Key to Scheduling Success
Operations scheduling is a pivotal component of operations management, ensuring that labor, machinery, and customer demand are harmoniously balanced for optimal efficiency and productivity. By employing various strategies and priority sequencing rules, it adapts to the intricate layers of manufacturing and service environments, embracing flexibility to navigate dynamic conditions.Lesson 9. Quality Management: An Essential Guide
TQM is a strategic imperative, touching every aspect of an organization’s operations from design to marketing; its absence can compromise competitive standing. Quality, when executed correctly the first time, reduces costs associated with rework and recalls, saving financial resources and maintaining consumer trust.Lesson 10. Operational Strategy: Mastering Facility Management for Competitive Advantage
Accurate demand forecasting, quality issue evaluations, and strategic capacity management form the backbone of facility planning. Incorporating technological advances like IoT and AI facilitates improved maintenance, energy efficiency, and production optimization, driving substantial business value.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of how operations management intersects with marketing, production, and finance to ensure organizational success.
- Define operations management and describe its role in transforming inputs into outputs to create goods and services.
- Demonstrate understanding of the six fundamental reasons for international expansion by providing real-world examples of companies utilizing these strategies.
- Identify and describe the strategic approaches companies can adopt to gain competitive advantage in a global marketplace, including differentiation, cost leadership, and responsiveness.
- Demonstrate the decision-making process in operations management by evaluating a tangible product and an intangible service regarding quality management, inventory planning, and customer experience.
- Define differentiation, cost efficiency, and responsiveness in operations management, and explain how these principles guide strategic decision-making.
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct a Product-by-Value Analysis to prioritize products based on their annual monetary contribution and strategic alignment.
- Identify and describe key components of cross-functional development teams and their role in fostering innovation and efficient product design.
- Demonstrate the ability to evaluate supplier relationships to foster innovation, cost reductions, and competitive advantage.
- Recognize the strategic importance of integrating supply chain processes and decision-making with suppliers to achieve operational efficiency.
- Demonstrate the ability to classify inventory items using the ABC analysis technique to optimize stock management and focus on high-value products effectively.
- Describe the strategic advantages of incorporating sustainable practices into inventory management to reduce waste and enhance brand reputation.
- Define the concept of forecasting and illustrate its importance in strategic decision-making for operations managers through examples of resource allocation and supply chain management.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

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Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Student Testimonials
- "I thought it was very helpful to get a better understanding of what an Operations Manager does within the civilian realm over what we refer to as Operations Managers in the military." -- Mark J.
- "Loved the course! Very informative and allows me to take quite a bit of knowledge to my job to implement it into the day to day functions." -- Matt M.
- "I will use the information from this course in my professional career." -- Netonya B.
- "I enjoyed this class." -- Tierrnesha M.
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