Supply Chain Operations

About this course: Have you ever wondered how products and services are created exactly the same thousands of times over? And how companies are able to smooth out operations to manufacture efficiently, effectively, and without any waste? How is such precision possible? The answer lies at the heart of operations. In the Supply Chain Operations course, we introduce and apply essential process improvement tools to achieve perfection. After completing this course, you will be able to apply the Six Sigma methodology for process improvement. You will demonstrate that you understand the basic tenets of the Lean philosophy that enables manufacturers to eliminate waste and make processes more efficient. Finally, you will be able to apply the tools that you just gained to improve a process of your own. This is an introductory course designed to provide you with a start on your learning journey in operations. You do not need to have any background in operations, but it would be beneficial if you had a basic understanding of business concepts, a working knowledge of spreadsheets, and ideally have mastered the Supply Chain Logistics course. Join me and we will learn together about operations!

Who is this class for: This course is for those looking to start a career in Supply Chain Management, but lack the basic background, for those working with people in Supply Chain Management and want to understand their daily challenges better, or for are fascinated by how optimize operations within a complex network of firms.

Created by:  Rutgers the State University of New Jersey

• Taught by:  Rudolf Leuschner, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

  Department of Supply Chain Management

Basic Info Course 2 of 5 in the Supply Chain Management Specialization Level Beginner Commitment 4 weeks of study, 2-3 hours/week Language English, Subtitles: Greek How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.7 stars Average User Rating 4.7See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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Rutgers the State University of New Jersey

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Lean Operations and Theory of Constraints



Welcome to the exciting world of operations! This module introduces you to the professor who is teaching the courses in the Supply Chain Management Specialization. You will also discover the essential tools that help make operations better. By the end of this module, you'll know what to expect in the course and hopefully be as excited to learn about Supply Chain Operations as I will be to teach you. In addition, you will understand the major goals of optimizing Operations. You will also be able to recall the major foundations of Lean Thinking and the Theory of Constraints.


4 videos, 3 readings expand

1. Video: What is Supply Chain Operations?
2. Reading: Is this course for me?
3. Discussion Prompt: Introductions
4. Video: The Goals of Operations: Speed, Flexibility, Quality, and Cost
5. Video: Lean Operations
6. Reading: "Lean Thinking" by Womack and Jones
7. Discussion Prompt: Lean Thinking
8. Video: Theory of Constraints
9. Reading: "The Goal" by Goldratt
10. Discussion Prompt: Theory of Constraints

Graded: The Goals of Operations

WEEK 2


Lean Inventory



In Lean Inventory, we will focus on the application of lean principles to a core concern of Supply Chain Management - Inventory. By the end of this module, you'll know how to calculate the Economic Order Quantity, which is an popular method of managing inventory. In addition, you will be able to quantify the uncertainty of demand and logistical execution to select the right level of safety stock. Finally, you will be able to determine the size of a Kanban bin by calculating lead-time-demand.


4 videos, 6 readings expand

1. Video: Lean Inventory
2. Reading: Economic Order Quantity Terms and Notation
3. Video: Screencast - Economic Order Quantity
4. Reading: The EOQ Calculation
5. Reading: Safety Stock Terms and Calculation
6. Video: Screencast - Safety Stock Calculation
7. Reading: The Safety Stock Calculation
8. Video: Kanban
9. Reading: Kanban
10. Reading: Lean Inventory Quiz Instructions

Graded: Lean Inventory

WEEK 3


Six Sigma



Six Sigma is an overview of the Six Sigma Quality System. We start by reviewing the different quality systems that were popular in the past. The main takeaway is an understanding of the DMAIC methodology. By the end of this module, you will be able to apply the DMAIC methodology to improve a process.


6 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Video: From "Quality is Free" to "Six Sigma"
2. Video: DMAIC and the Define Stage
3. Discussion Prompt: What should happen after the Define Stage?
4. Video: Screencast of DMAIC and the Measure Stage
5. Discussion Prompt: What should happen after the Measure Stage?
6. Video: Screencast of DMAIC and the Analyze Stage
7. Discussion Prompt: What should happen after the Analyze Stage?
8. Video: Screencast of DMAIC and the Improve Stage
9. Discussion Prompt: What should happen after the Improve Stage?
10. Video: Screencast of DMAIC and the Control Stage
11. Discussion Prompt: What should happen after the Control Stage?
12. Reading: Summary of the DMAIC Example
13. Reading: Some more Six Sigma Examples
14. Peer Review: Six Sigma Case Studies

Graded: Quality Management and the DMAIC Methodology

WEEK 4


Lean Six Sigma



In Lean Six Sigma, you will apply all the tools you learned in this course to a project of your choosing. You will be able to show that you not only mastered the lean tools, but also the six sigma methodology to improve processes. After completing this module, you will not only have a better process, but also the ability to improve any process in a systematic manner.


1 video, 2 readings expand

1. Video: The Lean Six Sigma Toolkit
2. Reading: The Road to Lean Six Sigma
3. Reading: Selecting a Great Lean Six Sigma Project

Graded: Lean Six Sigma