WM975-15 Supply Chain and Operations Management
Introductory description
Supply Chain and Operations Management is designed to equip future leaders with practical
knowledge of how to effectively manage supply and demand within the supply network. The module
will also explore the management of supply network relationships, as well as understanding the
impact of efficient delivery in companies which value customer centricity. The module will also integrate key
topics such as Operations Management and Lean. Together, the knowledge provided can help to encourage supply networks to remain efficient and cost-effective to deliver value for the customer who are central in the global economy.
Module aims
This module covers a wide range of topics including supply chain and operation management strategies, design, planning, and development. Considerations of systems thinking and a process perspective of operations management, and relationship development is shown as key to an effective, efficient and ethical/sustainable supply chain. The module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of key decision areas and responses from an operations management perspective, which can in turn affect supply performance.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
The module will begin by focusing on understanding the fundamental principles of Supply Chain
Management & Operations Management by looking at definitions, links, and fundamentals.
It will establish the links to business objectives and the external world (including an understanding of the students own Supply Chain and/or area of Operations).
A number of in-module exercises/case-studies/activities will be used to emphasise the principles/theory of both Supply Chain and Operations Management.
Building on this, the module will focus on the physical supply chain (where appropriate), by looking at
topics such as network design. Key components of Operations Management will
also be established with case-studies focussing on Capacity/Inventory Management. The learning will continue to build on concepts from the previous sessions to further explore Control Systems, and Operations Planning . This will provide further links into a focus on Supplier Relationships which will help to manage risk in Supply Chain Networks.
The module will proceed to look at product and information flows specifically looking into the Principles of Lean. There will be time to further explore practical case-studies and to allow in-module assessment preparation, which will conclude the delivery of the module.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Compare, contrast and select different supply chain & operations management strategies for the effective supply of products and services.
- Critically evaluate and adopt appropriately, elements of operations management for successful supply chain process delivery.
- Appraise effective relationships within supply networks.
- Apply relevantly and appropriately the principles, models or tools from the module to a business issue or wider context.
Indicative reading list
Supply chain management: strategy, planning, and operation
Book by Sunil Chopra; Peter Meindl 2019: ISBN-10: 0136094511
Operations and process management: principles and practice for strategic impact
Book by Nigel Slack; Alistair Brandon-Jones 2018: ISBN-10: 9781292176130
The handbook of logistics and distribution management
Book by Alan Rushton; Phil Croucher; Peter Baker 2017: ISBN-10: 074947677X
The Lean Toolbox 5th Edition
Book by John Bicheno and Matthias Holweg 2016: ISBN-10: 0956830757
The definitive guide to inventory management: principles and strategies for the efficient flow of inventory across the supply chain Book by Matthew A. Waller; Terry L. Esper 2018: ISBN-10 0133448827
Purchasing and Supply Chain Management: A Sustainability Perspective
Book by T.E Johnson, M.Howard & J Miemczyk 2018: ISBN-10: 1138064769
Dynamic Supply chains
Book by Gattorna, J 2015 ISBN-10: 1292016817
Interdisciplinary
Combines a variety of disciplines to be covered within the module.
Subject specific skills
Supply Chain Dynamics, Enhanced Decision-Making, Balancing Supply and Demand, Analytical Skills
Transferable skills
Team-building, Communication, Numeracy, Data Handling, Time- Management
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 30 sessions of 1 hour (20%) |
| Online learning (independent) | 20 sessions of 1 hour (13%) |
| Other activity | 40 hours (27%) |
| Assessment | 60 hours (40%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
No private study requirements defined for this module.
Other activity description
Work-Based learning/Reflective Learning applying the concepts from the module to a practical application.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A2
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Module Assignment | 80% | 50 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
A report style assignment in which students will answer some essay based questions, and to do some investigative piece by applying principles of the module to their work-place or a chosen company. |
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| In-Module Assessment | 20% | 10 hours | No |
|
Computer-based Multiple Choice Question test (20%)- An assessment to ensure that |
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Feedback on assessment
Written feedback will be provided for the PMA Assessment, which will follow the current WMG MSc feedback process and will include suggestions on the strengths and weaknesses of the work with regard to the module learning objectives. Suggestions for improvement will also be provided as per the current MSc feedback process.
Courses
This module is Core for:
-
TWMS-H1TK Postgraduate Taught Engineering Business Leadership (Part-time)
- Year 1 of H1TK WMG Engineering Business Leadership (Part-time)
- Year 1 of H1TK WMG Engineering Business Leadership (Part-time)