U3AOS3 - Operations Management Flashcards
operations
a series of procedures and processes undertaken in order to create output
operations management
management of resources and functions within a business to achieve efficient output of finished goods and services in a way which adds value to customers and creates a profit margin for the business
- manufacturing has decreased in importance to Australian economy but service industries have increased their relative contribution to gross domestic product
relationship with objectives
- has direct impact on competitiveness and achievement of objectives
- determines the overall quality and cost of production
- controlling operations well can increase effectiveness
improving competitiveness requires operations management to
establish and achieve objectives such as increasing productivity as well as quality in processes and output while adopting a sustainable approach to operations
factors which affect competitiveness
- levels of operational efficiency and productivity
- high standards of quality build into operations
- socially and ethically responsible operations
ways to increase levels of operational efficiency and productivity include
- establishing reliable supply chains
- minimising wastage and defects
- applying technology
high standards of quality build into operations
improves quality of output and thus competitiveness
socially and ethically responsible operations
attracts high quality investors
attracts high quality staff and customers
main goal of operations management
minimising the cost of production (efficiency) while maintaining the quality of the output produced (effectiveness)
main factors of an operations system which provide value to the customer
- productivity levels (max quantity at min cost)
- quality (degree of excellence in products)
- speed (relating to customer demand and production response
- reliability (in meeting customer demand)
- flexibility (ability to change production cycle to meet customer and tech changes)
participants in operations management
production manager quality manager materials manager - procurement manager - logistics manager - inventory control manager IT manager maintenance manager
operations manager
involves making sure the operations system of the business meet the business objectives including tests such as:
- strategic decision making
- overseeing operations as they occur
specific aspects of operations management
- inventory management // determines the qualities of inputs required in order for requirements to be met
- manufacturing // determining production rates required to meet budget forecasts
- quality // determining required standards, documentation of quality and standards as well as codes of practice
- maintenance // ensure equipment is up to date and in working order
measuring efficiency
the primary aim or objective of an operations manager is to enhance efficiency or productivity
- improvements will in effect reducer costs of production and allow the organisation to produce the same or greater level of output for lower input costs
productivity
refers to the ratio of output obtained from the level of input
- measured by KPIs
example KPIs
units of production produced per employee
crop tonnage per hectare planted
number of clients attended to per hour
factors determining productivity
technology research and development equipment and facilities tasks and procedures layout of facilities communication processes workplace safety
main industry types
primary sector
secondary / manufacturing sector
tertiary / service sector
primary sector
- agriculture / mining / fishing and hunting
- extract or harvest products or raw materials from the environment
- products are known as commodities
secondary / manufacturing sector
- create finished goods through the production process
- construction / engineering / factories / craft
tertiary / service sector
- provide intangible products or services // people sell their labour and expertise
- retail / professional sector / media / tourism / banking
goods
- tangible
- production and consumption occur separately
- can be stored
- easily standardised and mass produced
- minimal customer contact
- capital intensive process
services
- intangible
- easily customisable
- production and consumption occur often simultaneously
- difficult to store
- high degree of customer contact
- labour intensive process
goods and services - similar
- utilize technology
- deal with customers and suppliers
- plan and develop organisational objectives
- require decision making on how to optimise productivity / quality levels
- aim to produce high quality goods or services at the lowest cost
key elements of the operations system
inputs
transformation
output
inputs
- materials (raw and components)
- HR (labour)
- technology
- capital (plant and equipment)
- utilities
- information and knowledge
- time
transformation
- the process adds value
- in the process the inputs are referred to as works in progress
- operations manager plans, organises and controls the transformation process
- decisions should be more geared towards optimising efficiency, effectiveness and therefore competitiveness
outputs
- outputs are the final products and results
- to maintain competitiveness management must ensure that the type of output is responsive to market needs
tech optimising operations
automation
CAD
CAM
websites / cloud computing
automation
- involves the replacement of human effort by machinery and technology
- examples include automated production lines which process raw materials and they leave as finished products with little to no human interaction
automation advantages
- increased production speed
- reduction in material waste
- greater precision and accuracy
- more efficient use of time
- potential to replace dangerous or repetitive work
automation disadvantages
- security threats
- high initial start up costs
- social responsibility implication
- tech can be viewed as inflexible
CAD (computer aided design)
computer program that facilitates creation and modification of the design
- uses software to make designs in 3D faster and more accurately
- can test and cost designs before they are produced
CAD advantages
efficient
CAD disadvantages
cost
experience of employees
CAM (computer aided manufacturing)
computer program that controls the manufacturing and parts of the production line
- machinery, tools and equipment controlled through a computer
CAM advantages
- reduces labour and costs
- less time
- improves the quality and consistency
CAM disadvantages
- reduces jobs available // ethical responsibilities
- costly to set up initially
- halts operations if there is an issue
- training to use the machinery
website / cloud computing
ecommerce, advertising, communication, providing information
- the development and maintenance of an accessible and easily locatable business website is vital for competitiveness
- customers see the products of a business, menus, locations, offers and benefits via websites
- inventory storage and accessing data and programs over the internet instead of through a local hard drive
website / cloud computing advantages
- 24/7
- increases access to information
- improves effectiveness and efficiency
website / cloud computing disadvantages
- no physical location
- work life balance affected
- hacking and privacy concerns