Overview
Operations management and business analytics explores the contemporary principles and practices involved in the management of both service and manufacturing operations. Taking a strategic approach to operations, you will examine fundamental concepts such as process planning, design, control and improvement; quality management and lean thinking; the role of the supply chain in modern operations; capacity and location principles as well as the use of project-based activities in an operational environment. You will examine and utilise data from a variety of organisational sources including financial, economic and market information as part of the analytical process leading to more effective operational decisions. The unit provides you with with the opportunity to engage in independent research using theory-based, and research proven, practical approaches to the identification of workplace issues and problems and ability to generate and recommend viable solutions that enhance organisational effectiveness.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from 'Have Your Say'
"I think the unit coordinator has set the content and assessment style so precisely, for me it is perfect. I do not believe that there is any critical improvement required. However, this unit should offer some simulation exercise so the students can learn and understand more practically. Other than that, everything was good. I am thankful to Dr. Malcolm Johnson and Dr. Kevin Gould."
Maintain effort and continue introducing Australian examples of best practice companies.
Feedback from 'Have Your Say'
"Our class teacher and coordinator were wonderful. Zoom sessions from coordinator were very helpful."
Maintain quality of teaching team, processes, and with emphasis on student success.
Feedback from 'Have Your Say'
As a distant student, unit video tutorials were very helpful. I felt quite like sitting in actual classroom. very innovative. Assistant from the lecturer during assessments were really helpful. Really happy with the content and tutoring.
Student support through emails and recorded materials provides a good foundation for success.
Feedback from 'Have Your Say'
This unit is really amazing in my personal opinion. It has provided me a wide range of new knowledge regarding operations and it is absolutely useful for me. I really like this unit.
The approach we use is to provide practical insight on how best-practice frameworks can boost operational performance. Continue using applying content to context.
- Critically analyse and reflect on operations management and the role of operations managers within the organisation
- Research and apply a systems approach to the management of operational functions
- Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of the linkages between operations and other functions within the organisation
- Demonstrate the ability to successfully use data from a variety of sources as part of the analytical process to identify and propose solutions to contentious workplace business problems
- Develop a critical awareness of contemporary developments in operations management.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||
| 2 - Report - 60% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||||
| 2 - Communication | |||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||||
| 4 - Research | |||||
| 5 - Self-management | |||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||||
| 7 - Leadership | |||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||
| 2 - Report - 60% | ||||||||
Textbooks
Operations Management for MBAs
5th Edition (2017)
Authors: Jack R. Meredith and Scott M. Shafer
John Wiley & Sons Inc
Hoboken Hoboken , New Jersey , United States of America
ISBN: 9781118379790
Binding: Paperback
Practical Management Science
6th Edition (2017)
Authors: Wayne L. Winston and Christian S. Albright
Cengage Learning Inc
Boston Boston , MA , United State of America
ISBN: 9781337406659
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Excel 2016 with Add-in Solver
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.kuik@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Operations Management
Chapter
Chapter 1 (Meredith and Shafer, 2013 - Operations Management)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Process Planning and Design
Chapter
Chapter 2 (Meredith and Shafer, 2013 - Operations Management)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Techniques for Process Monitoring and Control
Chapter
Chapter 3 (Meredith and Shafer, 2013 - Operations Management)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Using "Six Sigma Approach" to Improve Processes
Chapter
Chapter 4 (Meredith and Shafer, 2013 - Operations Management)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Using "Lean Principles" to Improve Processes
Chapter
Chapter 5 (Meredith and Shafer, 2013 - Operations Management)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to Business Analytics
Chapter
Chapter 1 (Wayne and Winston, 2017 - Practical Management Science)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Optimisation Modeling
Chapter
Chapter 2 and 3 (Wayne and Winston, 2017 - Practical Management Science)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Linear Programming Models
Chapter
Chapter 4 (Wayne and Winston, 2017 - Practical Management Science)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Network Models
Chapter
Chapter 5 and 6 (Wayne and Winston, 2017 - Practical Management Science)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Managing the Supply Chain and Inventory
Chapter
Chapter 7 (Meredith and Shafer, 2013 - Operations Management)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Chapter 8 (Meredith and Shafer, 2013 - Operations Management)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Project Management
Chapter
Chapter 6 (Meredith and Shafer, 2013 - Operations Management)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
The assessment is designed for students to apply operations management principles, theories and models. The assessment involves writing a 2500-word business report responding to assessment questions related to specific topics and/or case materials. Submit your 2500-word business report through Turnitin, Moodle, with a cover sheet showing unit name and number, assessment number, your name and student number. Assessment details and guideline will be provided on the unit website.
Week 5 Friday (10 Aug 2018) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 6 Thursday (23 Aug 2018)
Your report analysis, recommendations and presentation will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- Demonstrated understanding of operations management frameworks that are related to the questions posed:15%
- Able to evaluate and articulate practical implications, feasibility, justification and limitation: 20%
- Accurately explain the latest trends in operations management and make the linkage between practical and theoretical aspects: 15%
- Articulate appropriate and well-structured, concise and clear expression of operations management arguments in terms of theoretical and practical elements: 15%
- Provide a clear flow of thought throughout the business report, evidenced by succinct Executive Summary, Introduction, and Conclusion: 15%
- Critical evaluation and integration of relevant academic and literature to provide theoretical and practical aspects. Insights from a minimum of 15 academic journal articles must be incorporated in your critical analysis: 10%
- Adherence to APA Reference format: 5%
- Clarity of written expression, grammar, spelling: 5%
- Report length 2500-words (penalty of 1% per 100-words that exceed the maximum 2750-words)
- Submissions must be in Business Report format using Word with 1.5 line spacing and Times Roman 12-point font.
- Late submissions will also be penalised at the rate of "five percent of the total marks available for the assessment each calendar day (full or part) it is overdue" (Policy: Assessment of Coursework section 3.2.4)
- Critically analyse and reflect on operations management and the role of operations managers within the organisation
- Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of the linkages between operations and other functions within the organisation
- Demonstrate the ability to successfully use data from a variety of sources as part of the analytical process to identify and propose solutions to contentious workplace business problems
- Develop a critical awareness of contemporary developments in operations management.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
2 Report
The assessment is designed for students to apply operations management principles and business analytics. The assessment involves writing the business report responding to assessment questions related to specific topics and/or case materials in operations management. Submit your 4000-word Business Report and your quantitative outcomes based on the developed Optimisation Models using Excel Spreadsheets through Turnitin, Moodle, with a cover sheet showing unit name and number, assessment number, your name and student number. Assessment details and guideline will be provided on the unit website.
Week 12 Thursday (4 Oct 2018) 5:00 pm AEST
Results and feedback will be made available on the unit website after Grade Certification
Your report analysis, recommendations and presentation will be assessed according to the following criteria.
- Demonstrated understanding of operations management frameworks and models that are related to the questions posed: 15%
- Accurately explain the latest trends in operations management and make the linkage between practical and theoretical aspects: 15%
- Accurately suggest and develop the model for detailed analysis in relation to the case applications: 10%
- Able to articulate and evaluate scenario modelling to provide insights and limitations based on quantitative outcomes: 10%
- Provide appropriate and well-structured, concise and clear expression of operations management arguments in terms of theoretical and practical elements 15%
- Provide a clear flow of thought throughout the business report, evidenced by succinct Executive Summary, Introduction, and Conclusion: 15%
- Critical evaluation and integration of relevant academic and literature to provide theoretical and practical aspects. Insights from a minimum of 15 academic journal articles must be incorporated in your critical analysis: 10%
- Adherence to APA Reference format: 5%
- Clarity of written expression, grammar, spelling: 5%
- Report length 4000-words. (penalty of 1% per 100-words that exceed the maximum 4400-words)
- Submissions must be in Business Report format using Word with 1.5 line spacing and Times Roman 12-point font.
- Late submissions will also be penalised at the rate of "five percent of the total marks available for the assessment each calendar day (full or part) it is overdue" (Policy: Assessment of Coursework section 3.2.4)
- Research and apply a systems approach to the management of operational functions
- Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of the linkages between operations and other functions within the organisation
- Demonstrate the ability to successfully use data from a variety of sources as part of the analytical process to identify and propose solutions to contentious workplace business problems
- Develop a critical awareness of contemporary developments in operations management.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
