MG401 Half Unit
Operations Management for Management Consultancy
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Richard Steinberg NAB.3.08
Availability
This course is available on the CEMS Exchange, Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (CEMS MiM), Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange), MBA Exchange, MSc in Management (1 Year Programme) and MSc in Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
This course is capped at 45. Students on the waiting list will be selected based on their academic background.
Pre-requisites
There is a pre-assignment that is due at the first lecture of Lent term 2021. The specification of the pre-assignment will be posted to Moodle on the last day of Michaelmas term 2020. Note that the pre-assignment is compulsory and cannot be accepted late.
Course content
The course covers eight topics: (1) Process Flow Analysis, (2) The Toyota Production System, (3) Inventory Management, (4) Assembly Line Balancing, (5) Project Management, (6) Quality Management for Services, (7) Forecasting, and (8) Scheduling. The course is structured in three parts. Part I is called 'Cases', and is based around a set of 5 readings: three Harvard Business School cases and two articles. Part II is called 'Techniques'. Part III is called 'The Goal', which takes place during the final 2-hour session, and consists of an in-depth discussion of the book, The Goal, by E.M. Goldratt and J. Cox.
Teaching
16 hours of lectures and 12 hours of seminars in the LT. 2 hours of lectures in the ST.
Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6, in line with departmental policy.
Formative coursework
In addition to the pre-assignment students will have six assignments throughout the term covering the material in the course, and will be expected to work as a group on each assignment. The problems comprising each assignment will be discussed in the seminar classes, and each student will be individually responsible for answering all the problems for each assignment.
Indicative reading
(1) Case: 'National cranberry cooperative (abridged)'
(2) Case: 'Toshiba: Ome works'
(3) Case: 'Toyota Motor Manufacturing, U.S.A., Inc.'
(4) Article: 'Controlling variation in health care: a consultation from Walter Shewhart'
(5) Article: 'Monitoring patients using control charts: systematic review'
(6) Book: The Goal, Fourth revised (30th anniversary) edition, E.M. Goldratt and J. Cox, 2014.
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Management
Total students 2019/20: 16
Average class size 2019/20: 8
Controlled access 2019/20: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Commercial awareness
- Specialist skills
