Operations Management Reflection Paper

Running Head: OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
Operations Management
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
Reflection Paper
The module we have gone through is about the operations management and the value
chain. The module has been designed for developing the core skills in the area of operations
management. The module has properly addressed the functions of the operations management
contributing to the achievement of the organizational goals. I this paper , I will reflect on
how the module has helped me in developing an understanding of the connections between
operational and strategic issues. I would like to express how the module has explored the
management of operations contributing to the sustainable development in organizations.
The module has helped me in learning about the way operations management
functions such as the capacity planning, the process design and the inventory management. I
have become able to relate how it can contribute to the competitiveness of the organization.
It was aimed to teach how values could be added to the products and the services because it is
perceived by the customers a well. As an addition, I have further become aware of efficiency
and the profitability might be somewhat damaging for the long term sustainability of the
firms. I have come across the discussions related to the limits of the Taylorist approach and
the process management. As I progressed with the module, I studied the methods of
organizations using value creation by six operational priorities such as cost, quality, time,
flexibility, sustainability and fashion. It further made us aware of what are the digital
technologies such as the Blockchain.
I would also like to emphasize on the resources I have been through in order to gain
better insight in the operation management processes. The first lecture made us familiar with
the basic principles of the operations management. We formed groups after discussing with
the supervisor and fellow students and the book of Slack et al. (2013) has helped in this a lot.
According to Slack et al. ( 2013), the operations management is a special filed which is

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OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
multidisciplinary nature. The operations management deals with the planning, organizing and
the supervising on the productions, manufacturing and the service provisions. It is focused on
ensuring the organizations represent the best out of the equipment, the materials, the
technology and the human resources. In simple words, the operations management is
precisely about the supply chain management and the logistics. Moreover, I have learnt that
there are some specific skills which are required from an operations manager. An excellent
organizational ability is required and it is crucial as it successfully enhances the efficiency
and productivity of the organization.
The lectures from 3rd to 6th consisted of the different aspects of the operations
management. According to Slack and Lewis (2011), the operations strategy is the collection
of the concrete actions which are selected, mandated or stimulated by the help of the
corporate strategy. It is well implemented within the operations function. The operations
strategy binds different operations decisions along with the actions into a cohesive response
to the competitive forces having linked the policies, systems, programs and actions in a
systematic response. In short, the operations strategy clarifies the way the firm will employ
all the operation capabilities for supporting the business strategy. The lectures and the course
materials made me know what the key steps for developing an operational plan are. From the
study resources I have come to learn that it must be started with a strategic plan, the most
important goals should be focused on, leading indicators should be used and most
importantly, communication is the key to success.
In the seminar after the 4th lecture, we were asked in the group to deconstruct the
operations strategy of a specific company, develop the corporate strategy of the company and
form the operations strategy. Through the lectures starting with 5th to 9th we came across
innovation and New Technology in Operations, the incremental and the step change. It
further made me learn the internet of things, the Big Data , the Social Media and how these