INTRODUCTION TO

OPERATIONS
MANAGEMENT

Department of Management &HRM

NUST Business School

National University of Sciences & Technology

BS(A & F)
Course Details
Course Title: Introduction to Operations Management
Course Code: OTM 352 Prerequisite.
Program: BS Accounting and Finance 2k17 Credit Hours: 3
Sections: A &B
Course Faculty
Shahid Mehmood

Email: apcoms.shahid@gmail.com

Course Description
Introduces operations as a functional area of management and explores its links with other key
functional areas of the firm. You will learn about the acquisition and allocation of resources, product
and process design, process improvement techniques, supply and materials management, operation of
the production system, and technology deployment to support and improve the entire value chain.
Both manufacturing and service systems will be explored. You will be introduced to contemporary
operations management issues, such as just-in-time systems, flexible production systems, agility, mass
customization, process reengineering, and quality management programs.

Course Objectives
The entire course will be focused on the exploration of the body of knowledge and practical
applications of well-tested theories and techniques in the design and operation of both manufacturing
and service systems. Added emphasis will be placed on new trends and emerging strategies in the field.
Upon completion of this course, it is expected that students would have expanded their knowledge
base and improved their communication, analytical and conceptual skills. These primary objectives are
achieved through guiding students in developing:

Skill-related outputs:
 Improved critical thinking, conceptual and analytical skills, and
 Improved teamwork skills and ability plan and execute projects.

Knowledge-related skills:
 Knowledge of the scholarly and practitioner works in the operations management field.
 A better understanding of the prevailing technical and managerial issues impacting the field.
 A good grasp of the role and impact of technology and its applications in the operations field.
 The necessary abilities to design, operate and improve manufacturing and service systems.

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Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Identify and articulate how operations management contributes to the achievement of an

organization’s strategic objectives.
2. Critically evaluate the operations function in manufacturing and service production settings.
3. Appraise and apply forecasting methods by using software as the basis of management’s planning
and control activity.
4. Assess and formulate decision making strategies to address operating issues that have short,
intermediate or long lead times.
5. Evaluate approaches to problem solving and process improvement in production settings.
6 .Use of basic mathematical techniques and computing tools for operations management.
7. Synthesize the depth and breadth of knowledge, knowledge of methodologies, application of
knowledge, and communication skills.
8. Incorporate a sense of professional ethics and responsibility.

Undergraduate Program Learning Goals and Objectives

1. Provide an in-depth knowledge of principal methods and techniques of accounting and financial
management.
2. Instill a structured approach in students to effectively deal with complex business issues.
3. Prepare students for the role of accounting/ finance professionals who can add value to all areas of
organization.
4. Enhance interpersonal, team building, communication and leadership skills.
5. Incorporate a sense of professional ethics and responsibility.
6. Provide hands on training in different soft wares in accounting and finance.
7. Enter into collaborative arrangements with various local and international accounting and finance
bodies.

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 PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS AND COURSE ASSESSMENT
COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVES ITEM
Goal 1- Provide an in-depth
knowledge of principal methods and Identify and articulate that how OM
contributes to achieve the desired
techniques of accounting and productivity by using the OM techniques.
financial management.
Identify and articulate how
operations management contributes
Goal 2- Instill a structured approach
to the achievement of an
in students to effectively deal with organization’s strategic objectives.
Cases, CP and exams
complex business issues. (CLO 1)
Critically evaluate the operations
function in manufacturing and service
production settings. (CLO 2)

Goal 3- Prepare students for the role

Assess and formulate decision making
of accounting/ finance professionals strategies to address operating issues
CP, quizzes, assignments,
who can add value to all areas of that have short, intermediate or long
cases and exam
organization. lead times.Synthesize the depth and
breadth of knowledge (CLO 4,7)

Goal 4- Enhance interpersonal, team Synthesize the depth and breadth of

building, communication and
knowledge, knowledge of
methodologies, application of Assignments, cases
leadership skills.
knowledge, and communication skills.
(CLO 4,7)

Students work in groups of 4-5

Goal 5- An appreciation of
persons each to prepare case briefs
professional and ethical Cases
and analyses. Most case settings are
responsibilities
global and multicultural(CLO 4,7)

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 Goal 6-Provide hands on training Appraise and apply forecasting
methods by using software as the
in different soft-wares in CP, quizzes, assignments
basis of management’s planning and
accounting and finance. control activity. (CLO 3,7)

Course Evaluation (Grade Breakup)

Grading will be done as per NBS criteria. The breakup of the grade points is as follows:
(Sample here)
Final Exam                        40%
Mid Semester Exam       20%
Final Project            15%
Assignment 10%
Quizzes 15%

Course Content (Weekly)

Weekly breakdown is given below
Week Lecture Topic Reading Assignments & deadlines

1 Intro to Operations Management chapter 1 Appreciate the scope of Operations

2 Productivity and types of
productivity. Exercises and
applications
3 Introduction to forecasting,
forecasting approaches,
forecasting methods
3 Linear regression analysis.
Correlations,
Management
Chapter 2 Understand the mathematical tools
that are needed to solve
(CLO 5).
chapter 4 Appraise and apply forecasting
methods by using software as the
basis of management’s planning
and control activity.(CLO3) .
Estimate and forecast the production
Chapter 4: using quantitative tools
Forecasting (CLO3 &6)

4 Exponential smoothing method Chapter 4: (CLO2, 3 ,7),

Exponential smoothing with trend Forecasting
adjustment.
5 Process control Intro to Quality supplement 6 Critically evaluate the operations
Tools, function in manufacturing and
service production settings.
6 Introduction to project chapter 3 Evaluate approaches to problem
management , solving and process improvement

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 Project management techniques in production settings. (CLO 4)
7 Product design, House of Quality Chapter 5: . Evaluate approaches to problem
Design of solving and process improvement
Goods & in production settings (CLO5)
services
8 Introduction to Supply Chain chapter 7 Synthesize the depth and breadth
management of knowledge, knowledge of
methodologies.
9 MIDTERM

10 Intro to Inventory management Chapter 12: Use of basic mathematical

ABC analysis, record accuracy , Inventory techniques and computing tools
cycle counting management for operations management. (CLO
6)
11 Intro to Inventory management Chapter 12: (CLO 3 & 6)
Independent demand inventory Inventory
models management

12 Introduction to linear Chapter 20: Understand the mathematical tools

programming linear that are needed to solve optimization
programming problems
13 Simplex method of linear programing Chapter 8: Students should be able to
for profit maximization. Location Understand the applications of
Strategy simplex method in profit
maximization.
14 Transportation models Appendix C: Explainbasic
Transportation Transportation planning And
modeling principles.(CLO 6)
15 Transportation models Appendix C:
Applications Transportation (CLO 6)
16 Project presentations
17 Buffer Week
18 FINALS

Required Course Material

Reference Books:
a. Introduction to Operations Management (10th Edition)
By Jay Heizer
. Optional/Reference Literature Production and operations management (2nd Edition )
By S. Anil Kumar and N. Suresh

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Course Policies
Project
Students are required to form groups of 4-5 each during the first week of the course. They will select an
industry specific problem and apply their gained knowledge to solve that problem. Their solution will be
in the form of a written report and a group presentation at the end of the class.

I. Executive Summary (2 pages)

II. Introduction
III. Analysis
IV. Conclusions
V. Exhibits

Each group must work as a team in preparing the report/presentation. The groups are expected to visit
their chosen industry/business outside of class. Groups are expected to communicate their progress
with the instructor on a regular basis, especially while selecting their problem and selecting the correct
tool to solve that problem. The grading criteria for marking is as follows;

Project Component Details

Marks
Report
Industry Problem Identifying the right problem suitable for an Operations
5
identification Research Project
Solution Innovativeness in the solution 5
Presentation Presentation skills and Q&A 5

Total 15

Class Participation
The students are encouraged and invited to participate actively in class discussion and activities. You
are expected to come to class prepared i.e. read the material and prepare some opinions/questions to
share. It is advised that you discuss your ideas and experiences with regard to how they relate to the
concepts discussed in the class. Please note that your in-class participation will be closely monitored
throughout the semester. Also, it is advised not to argue for the sake of argument or to show your
presence; Ample representation shall be given to all, reflect and analyze the information given to you,
think critically!

Attendance:
 If you are absent, please ask a classmate for any missed course material or assignments.

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  Class attendance will be taken in first 5-10 minutes of the class.
Assignments:
 Please submit all your assignments according to the instructions given.
 Assignments may be graded through quiz in the class
There will be no make-ups for assignments, presentations and quizzes under any circumstances.
Academic Dishonesty:
You are responsible for knowing and enacting academic conduct that is in line with the University’s
statement entitled “Academic Dishonesty” available at:
http://www.nust.edu.pk/usr/showContents.aspx?mdl=1839
The statement highlights examples of unacceptable behavior which include, but are not limited to, the
following:
 Cheating: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study
aids in any academic exercise; copying from another student’s examination; submitting work
prepared in advance for an in-class examination; taking an examination for another person or
conspiring to do so.
 Plagiarism: Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own
in any academic exercise; failure to attribute direct quotation, paraphrase, or borrowed facts or
information.
It is expected that all work that is handed will be your own.  Any ideas or content that come from
another source must be properly cited (including any content taken from the Internet, books, articles
and lectures). A handout ‘How to Avoid Plagiarism’ is provided to you along with this course outline. It
is expected from you that all your work (project, assignment and presentations) are referenced using
this handout.
Moreover, TurnItIn will be used as the plagiarism software to evaluate all your submissions. Any acts of
plagiarism and cheating will be dealt strictly and in accordance with the policy in place by the
University.