Operations Management notes – KNEC Diploma

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

This unit or subject is examined by KNEC on those taking the following courses:

• Diploma in Supply Chain Management – Module III

Introduction
This module unit is intended to equip the trainee with the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable him/her effective plan and manage the procurement functions in an organisation

General Objectives
By the end of the module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. Explain the concept of operations management
2. Describe the role of materials management in product development process
3. Discuss the relationship between production planning and control
4. Recognize the role of materials management in production operations
5. Outline the need for the efficient maintenance of plant and equipment
6. Explain the importance of location and layout in operations management
7. Explain the need for new technologies in operations management for effective materials usage.

The topics that need to be covered as required by KNEC in this unit/subject are as follows:

Topic 1: Introduction to Operations Management

• Concept of operations management
• Transformation process in operations management
• Product versus service operations
• Role of materials management

Topic 2: Product Development and Design

• Need for product development
• Sources of new product ideas
• Stages in product development
• Role of purchasing in product development and design

Topic 3: Production Planning and Control

• Meaning of production planning and control
• Interface between material need, plant and equipment maintenance, production planning and control
• Factors to be considered when planning for material to be used in production
• Production planning techniques

Topic 4: Production Systems

• Types of production systems
• Factors that influence the choice of production systems

Topic 5: Plant and Equipment Maintenance

• Need for plant and maintenance and repair
• Reasons for equipment maintenance
• Ways of plant and equipment maintenance and repair
• Types of plant and equipment maintenance
• Factors to be considered when planning for plant and equipment maintenance and repair
• Costs involved in plant and equipment maintenance
• Role of purchasing in plant and equipment maintenance and repair

Topic 6: Location and Layout in Operations Management

• Factors that determine the location of operating units
• Location analysis tools
• Types of factory/plant layout

Topic 7: Technologies in Operations Management

• Concept of benchmarking
• Flexible manufacturing systems
• Computer Aided designs
• Computer Integrated manufacturing system
• Lean performance

Topic 8: Emerging Issues and Trends in Operation Management

• Emerging issues and trends in operations management
• Challenges posed by the emerging trends and issues in operations management
• Coping mechanisms challenges posed by the emerging trends and issues in operations management