PGDM Core Subject

Operations Management

Course Objective

2. Course Description

This course focuses on the design, execution, and control of business processes to deliver value efficiently. It moves beyond traditional manufacturing to cover Supply Chain Optimization, Process Analysis, and Six Sigma Quality. Students will learn to use data-driven insights to minimize waste and maximize operational agility in a digital-first economy.

 

3. Course Objectives (Learning Goals)

  1. To apply Operations Strategy to create a competitive advantage through process efficiency.
  2. To master Supply Chain Optimization techniques using analytics to improve flow and reduce costs.
  3. To utilize Six Sigma and Lean methodologies to eliminate defects and waste in business processes.
  4. To demonstrate Agile Project Management in leading cross-functional operations teams.

 

4. Course Outcomes (COs)

Mapped to Bloom’s Taxonomy and Taxila’s Program Outcomes (POs).

CO Code

Course Outcome Description

Bloom's Level

Primary PO Mapping

CO1

Explain core operational concepts including Capacity Planning, Inventory Models, and JIT.

Understand (L2)

  

PO1

CO2

Analyze business processes using flowcharts and bottleneck analysis to enhance throughput.

Analyze (L4)

  

PO2

CO3

Apply Six Sigma tools (DMAIC) and Statistical Quality Control to minimize process variance.

Apply (L3)

  

PO1

CO4

Evaluate supply chain risks and sustainability using ESG standards and digital twins.

Evaluate (L5)

  

PO6

CO5

Design a Lean operational workflow for a service or manufacturing startup.

Create (L6)

  

PO5



 

5. CO-PO Articulation Matrix

Correlation: 3 (High), 2 (Medium), 1 (Low).

CO Code

PO1

PO2

PO3

PO4

PO5

PO6

PO7

PO8

CO1

3

2

-

-

-

1

-

1

CO2

3

3

1

-

2

-

-

2

CO3

3

3

-

-

1

-

-

2

CO4

2

2

-

-

-

3

2

-

CO5

2

2

3

2

3

-

-

3

AVG

2.6

2.4

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

 

6. Assessment Scheme

Component

Marks

Description

Mapped CO

Simulation

20

Taxila Lab Simulations:

 

• Sim 1 (10 Marks): The Supply Chain Optimizer.

 

• Sim 2 (10 Marks): The Lean Factory (Six Sigma).

CO2, CO3

Case Study

10

  

"The Bullwhip Effect": Analysis of a supply chain failure using real-time data visualization.

CO1, CO2

Presentation

10

  

"Operational Pivot": Presenting an Agile plan to optimize a disrupted service process.

+1

CO5

Mid Term

10

Written exam covering Modules 1 & 2.

CO1, CO2

Project

10

  

"Process Mining": Identifying bottlenecks in a digital workflow using Low-Code tools.

CO2

Class Participation

10

Participation in operations labs and Lean workshops.

+1

All

End Term

30

Comprehensive written exam covering all modules.

All

 

7. Detailed Syllabus & Session Plan (20 Sessions)

Each session is 90 minutes of class time plus 60 minutes of pre-class preparation.

Module 1: Process Architecture & Capacity (Sessions 1-5)

  • Session 1: Introduction to Operations Strategy

Topic: Operations as a competitive weapon, Value Chain Analysis.

Pre-Class Prep: Read Heizer & Render, Chapter 1.

  • Session 2-3: Process Analysis & Design

Topic: Flowcharts, Bottleneck Identification, and Little's Law.
Pre-Class Prep: Read Case: The Goal (Selected Excerpts).

  • Session 4: Capacity Planning & Queuing Theory

Topic: Managing wait times and service levels.

Pre-Class Prep: Review "Wait Time Formulas" on LMS.

  • Session 5: Taxila Lab Simulation 1

Topic: "The Supply Chain Optimizer" – Minimizing total cost while meeting variable demand.

Module 2: Quality & Lean Systems (Sessions 6-11)

  • Session 6-7: Six Sigma & Statistical Quality Control

Topic: DMAIC Framework, Control Charts ($X-bar$ and $R$ charts).
 

Pre-Class Prep: Read Case: “Motorola's Six Sigma Journey”.
 

  • Session 8-9: Lean Operations & JIT

Topic: The 7 Wastes (Muda), Kanban Systems, and Pull vs. Push.

Pre-Class Prep: Watch Video: "Toyota Production System (TPS) Basics".

  • Session 10: Taxila Lab Simulation 2

Topic: "The Lean Factory" – Identifying and removing waste in a live simulation.

  • Session 11: Case Study: "The Bullwhip Effect"

Topic: Information distortion in supply chains.

Module 3: Supply Chain & Technology Integration (Sessions 12-16)

  • Session 12-13: Inventory Management

Topic: Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), Safety Stock, and ABC Analysis.

Pre-Class Prep: Read Heizer & Render, Chapter 12.

  • Session 14: Digital Supply Chains

Topic: IoT, Blockchain in Logistics, and AI-driven forecasting.
Pre-Class Prep: Research "Smart Warehousing Trends 2026".

  • Session 15: Sourcing & Global Logistics

Topic: Strategic Sourcing, Outsourcing, and ESG in Supply Chains.
Pre-Class Prep: Read Note on "Green Logistics".

  • Session 16: Operations Analytics Workshop

Topic: Visualizing supply chain KPIs using Power BI.
 

Module 4: Agile Management & Capstone (Sessions 17-20)

  • Session 17: Agile Project Management in Operations

Topic: Scrum, Sprints, and leading cross-functional teams.
Pre-Class Prep: Read Agile Manifesto for Operations.

  • Session 18-19: Capstone Presentation: "Operational Pivot"

Topic: Redesigning a service process for maximum agility.
Pre-Class Prep: Finalize slides and rehearse.

  • Session 20: Future of Operations (Industry 5.0) & Review

Topic: Human-Centric Automation and Ethical AI in Operations.
 

8. Textbooks & Resources

  1. Mandatory Textbook: Operations Management by Jay Heizer, Barry Render, and Chuck Munson (Pearson).
  2. Lab Resources:

Taxila Lab Sim 1: The Supply Chain Optimizer.

Taxila Lab Sim 2: The Lean Factory.