Production and Operations Management

Operations Management is the systematic direction and control of the processes that transform inputs into finished goods or services. Operations is one of the primary functions of a firm. While marketing induces the demand for products and finance provides the capital, operations produces the product and delivers the product (goods and services).

This course provides an introduction to the concepts and analytic methods that are useful in understanding the management of a firm's operations. Our aim is to (1) familiarize you with the problems and issues confronting operations managers, and (2) provide you with language, concepts, insights and tools to deal with these issues in order to gain competitive advantage through operations. Because the course deals with the management of "processes", it applies to both for-profit and non-profit organizations, to both service and manufacturing organizations, and to virtually any functional area or industry.