Chapter 9

Question 1

What is operations strategy formulation?

Answer 1

the articulation of objectives & decisions (actions, plans, objectives)

Question 2

What are the 4 stages of operations strategy?

Answer 2

Formulation –> Implementation –> Monitoring –> Control

Question 3

How do you align market requirements and operation’s resource capability?

Answer 3

FIT framework - alignment = line of fit

Question 4

How do you achieve alignment?

Answer 4

1) understanding markets
2) understanding resources and processes

Question 5

How do you analize these 2 areas to formulate operations strategy?

Answer 5

1) market requirements: SWOT
2) resources: abstract, aggregated, focus on core capabilities

Question 6

What are challenges of operations strategy formulation?

Answer 6

• organizations - inertial forces
• operations’ resource profile - existing investments influence subsequent decisions
• investment bias - invest further into resources that have proved successful
• history - difficult to change system
• political forces - compete for resources

Question 7

What 4 questions do you need to ask yourself when looking at the operation strategy matrix?

Answer 7

Comprehensive?
Coherent? (horizontal)
Correspondant? (vertical)
Critical?

Question 8

Who is responsible for strategy implementation?

Answer 8

1) staff: formulation, monitoring…
2) line: day-to-day activities

–> dilema with staff

Question 9

How can you make remarks on the implementation process (assessment)

Answer 9

Line of fit - current resources & requirements compared to intended ones

Question 10

What are the roles of a central operations function in implementation?

Answer 10

Trainer (teacher/consultant)
Govenor (messenger/judge)
Curator (recorder)
Facilitator (mentor)