RGU: RGU Module: Strategic Operations and Project Management (BSM658)

Module Title
Strategic Operations and Project Management

Keywords
Operations strategy, Capacity, Supply-chains, Quality and Performance Improvement, Project Management, Stage gate approach, Project definition, Project planning, Project scoping, Project business case.

Reference

BSM658

SCQF Level

SCQF 11

SCQF Points

ECTS Points

7.5

Created

May 2007

Approved

July 2007

Amended

March 2013

Revision No.

Prerequisites for Module

None in addition to course entry requirements or equivalent.

Corequisite Modules

None.

Precluded Modules

None.

Aims of Module

To enable managers to understand the fundamental importance of operations management; to understand the relationships between stakeholder needs, organisational objectives and operational strategies; to analyse a range of strategic options available to operations decision-makers; to be able to appraise and select the most appropriate sustainable operational strategies; to understand how to apply the stage-gate approach to managing projects; to appraise, select, plan, control and manage projects, to critically analyse the operational performance of organisations.

Learning Outcomes for Module

On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:

1.	Analyse organisations and stakeholder needs to clearly understand what is required for gaining competitive advantage and translate corporate objectives into coherent operational strategies.
2.	Select appropriate options, from a range of alternatives, that can deliver a sustainable operational strategy.
3.	Understand how to use the stage gate approach to define and plan a project, by clarifying the stages and steps.
4.	Design and build a comprehensive project plan for a product or project.
5.	Identify problems, conduct research and develop solutions for a range of operational situations.

Indicative Module Content

Defining operations strategy; analysing operations; examining the market/operations interface; integrating corporate objectives and operations strategy; design in operations; capacity strategies; supply networks; quality management; improvement strategies; global issues and sustainability; the stage-gate approach to projects - taking projects from the concept stage, through scoping, business/development planning, testing and launch.

Indicative Student Workload

Contact Hours	Full Time	Part Time	Distance Learning	Blended Learning
Lectures/Seminars	32	32	0	16
Directed Study
Assessments	12	12	12	12
Online Activities	0	8	40	40
Student centred learning	38	30	30	30
Private Study
Private study	68	68	68	52

Mode of Delivery

Taught Mode (T)
The module is delivered in taught mode by lectures, interactive group work, case study tutorials and directed self-study.
Distance Learning Mode (DL)
The module is delivered in DL mode by self directed learning from web-based learning materials, with on-line support.

Assessment Plan

	Learning Outcomes Assessed
Component 1	1,2,5
Component 2	2,3,4

Component 1 is assessed by written coursework.

Component 2 is assessed by written coursework.

Indicative Bibliography

1.	SLACK, N, and LEWIS, M., 2011. Operations strategy. 3rd ed. Harlow: FT Prentice Hall/Pearson. ebook
2.	SLACK, N., CHAMBERS, S. and JOHNSTON, R., 2010. Operations management. 6th ed. Harlow: FT Prentice Hall. ebook
3.	COOPER, R.G., 2011. Winning at new products: creating value through innovation. 4th ed. New York: Basic Books. ebook

Additional Notes

The module uses a comprehensive list of supplementary texts and Journal sources, for example; International Journal of Operations and Production Management, Journal of Operations Management, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, International Journal of Purchasing Management, R & D Management, The Project Management Journal.