βοΈ Operations β Map of Content
Operations Management is the design, control, and improvement of the processes that create and deliver a firmβs products and services.
Strongest at: HBS (TOM) Β· Wharton Β· MIT Sloan
π Process Management
- Process Flow Analysis β Throughput, cycle time, bottlenecks
- Theory of Constraints β Goldrattβs bottleneck theory
- Lean Manufacturing β Eliminating waste (Toyota Production System)
- Six Sigma β Data-driven quality improvement
- Capacity Planning β Matching supply to demand
π Supply Chain Management
- Supply Chain Management β End-to-end network design
- Inventory Management β EOQ, safety stock, JIT
- Bullwhip Effect β Demand amplification up the supply chain
- Global Supply Chain Risk β Resilience vs. efficiency tradeoffs
- Make vs. Buy Decision β Vertical integration in operations
π¦ Quality Management
- Six Sigma β DMAIC methodology
- Total Quality Management β TQM principles
- Statistical Process Control β Control charts
- Quality-Cost Tradeoff β Prevention vs. failure costs
π οΈ Project Management
- Critical Path Method β CPM scheduling
- Agile vs. Waterfall β Software and product contexts
- Resource Allocation β Prioritization under constraints
π Core Concepts & Formulas
| Concept | Formula |
|---|---|
| Throughput | Output / Time |
| Cycle Time | 1 / Throughput |
| Utilization | Demand Rate / Capacity |
| Littleβs Law | WIP = Throughput Γ Cycle Time |
| EOQ | β(2DS/H) |
| Safety Stock | z Γ Ο_LT Γ βLT |
| OEE | Availability Γ Performance Γ Quality |
π Essential Books & Cases
- The Goal β Eliyahu Goldratt (Theory of Constraints β must read!)
- The Machine That Changed the World β Womack (Lean/Toyota)
- Operations Management β Krajewski & Ritzman
- HBS Case: βToyota Production Systemβ β foundational
π« School Spotlights
- HBS: Technology and Operations Management (TOM) β famous case: Shouldice Hospital
- Wharton: OIDD 612 β Operations, Information and Decisions
- MIT Sloan (bonus): World leader in supply chain; SCM research hub
π Case Studies
- Amazon Fulfillment Network
- Benihana of Tokyo
- Boeing 787 Dreamliner Delays
- Dell Build-to-Order Model
- McDonalds Operations
- Shouldice Hospital
- Sport Obermeyer
- Toyota Production System Case
- Walmart Supply Chain Innovation
- Zara Supply Chain
β π Dashboard | Next: π₯ Organizational Behavior MOC β