Your course textbook can be accessed via the DART eBook link in the Getting Started module.
Your course requires a textbook that must be purchased from the NU Bookstore or any other resource of your choosing (for example, on Amazon).
Operations Management 3rd Ed.
Cachon, G. & Terwiesch, C. (2023) Operations Management (3rd ed.). McGraw Hill
Chapter 4 – Process Improvement
This chapter is important because it covers improving efficiency of inputs and outputs. Improvements lead to productivity and financial profits. Efficiency is defined as costs of labor, processing times, and utilization of the workforce or resources. Balancing processes, off-loading bottlenecks, and meeting demand are covered with many real-world examples. Computations and formulas are included.
Chapter 5 – Process Analysis with Multiple Flow Units
This chapter includes an understanding of generalized process flow patterns. How to find a bottleneck in the general flow of a process. Attrition losses, yields, and scrap rates are discussed. Review of dependent processes where other processes are involved and understanding how they rework the flow.
The rationale for reviewing this chapter is to practice the formulas for performance. The learning curve framework is discussed for estimating efficiency through a cumulative process and learning coefficients. For example, unit costs of production and analysis of costs.
Chapter 7 – Process Interruptions
This chapter introduces you to evaluating processes for capacity, utilization of a resource, inventory size. Examples are provided to determine the capacity of a process, set up times for a production line, and manage the processes efficiently.
Chapter 8 – Lean Operations and the Toyota Production System
This chapter is important to understand how an organization can move into a lean management system for quality control. You will learn how to identify wasteful operations, value added work to determine the percentage of flow time. Finally, to understand the building blocks of Toyota’s production system.