Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/driving-operational-performance
If you’ve already dipped your toes into the world of operations management with an introductory course, and you’re looking to sharpen your analytical edge, then Coursera’s ‘Driving Operational Performance’ is the next logical step. Building directly on foundational concepts, this course, expertly led by the esteemed Dr. Terwiesch, offers a deep dive into the more intricate aspects of optimizing complex processes. It’s not just about theory; it’s about equipping you with practical tools and actionable insights.
The syllabus is thoughtfully structured to tackle key challenges in modern operations. The initial module on ‘Introduction to Process Analysis with Multiple Flow Units’ immediately throws you into the deep end, exploring how variety, setup times, and attrition (yield) losses impact process flow. Understanding product mix and effectively searching for bottlenecks become second nature here, with the introduction of ‘implied utilization’ providing a powerful new lens for analysis.
Next, the course brilliantly bridges the gap between operational efficiency and financial outcomes with ‘The Power of KPI and ROIC Trees’. This module is a game-changer, teaching you how to construct these crucial trees tailored to your specific operational context. The emphasis on measurable variables and the practical application of sensitivity analysis ensures you can directly link operational improvements to tangible financial results. It’s about speaking the language of business, backed by solid operational data.
‘Managing Wait Time’ is another standout section. It demystifies the science behind queues, introducing concepts like transient queues and strategies to mitigate the negative impact of waiting. The course expertly navigates the complexities of variability, helping you distinguish between seasonality and other forms of fluctuation. Crucially, it provides practical methods for capacity management, sharing risk across resources, and even influencing customer perception of wait times – all vital for customer satisfaction and resource optimization. The exploration of the Time in Queue formula solidifies your understanding of this critical metric.
Finally, ‘Predicting and Reducing Loss’ tackles the often-overlooked but critical aspect of customer attrition. The ‘buffer or suffer’ mantra is central here, as you learn to quantify customer loss and make informed decisions. The module delves into calculating the probability of customer loss and explores strategic approaches like ‘chaining’ to balance pooling benefits with investment. Understanding how to calculate the necessary buffer to manage variability effectively is a key takeaway, providing a robust framework for maintaining stability and ensuring a seamless customer experience.
Overall, ‘Driving Operational Performance’ is an exceptional course for anyone serious about advancing their skills in operational management. Dr. Terwiesch’s engaging lectures and the course’s focus on practical application make complex topics accessible and immediately applicable. If you’re looking to move beyond the basics and truly drive efficiency and profitability in your operations, this course comes highly recommended.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/driving-operational-performance