Course unit details:
Operations Management and Strategy

Course unit fact file
Unit code BMAN24291
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Offered by Alliance Manchester Business School
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The course is designed to give students a first look into one of the most fundamental functions of any organisation, its ‘operations’ and its relationship with strategy. The operations function of a business, whether it be in manufacturing or services, has the responsibility of making whatever it is the organisation will sell (whether it’s a product or service). During the semester, we will study this core function extensively and see the vital role it plays in strategy as well as analysing some of the important decisions that must be made by operations managers when it comes to design, planning and control and improvement of the organisation’s industrial engineering system.

Pre/co-requisites

Only available to students on: Mgt/Mgt Specialism; IMABS and IM.

Optional on BSc Management, International Management and ITMB.

Aims

On completion of this course unit the student should be able to use the operations management frameworks and techniques presented to develop strategies, design, plan and control operations.

Learning outcomes

  • To give the students a general understanding of how a business operates, both in manufacturing and services.
  • Students should understand the range of frameworks, tools and techniques taught in this module and how they relate to an organisation.
  • Students should be able to analyse the operations of an organisation using the tools taught in this module.
  • Students should be able to evaluate the operations of an organisation and understand how this output relates to strategy.

Syllabus

Week

Content

1

Introduction to Operations Management and Strategy

2

Design in Operations Management – Process Design

3

Design in Operations Management – Layout and Flow

4

 Supply and Demand

5

Inventory Management

6

Reading Week

7

Supply Chain Management

8

Lean and Improving Operations

9

Quality

10

Revision Session

 

Teaching and learning methods

9 two hour lectures

 

 

Knowledge and understanding

  • To give the students a general understanding of how a business operates, both in manufacturing and services.
  • To develop a wider understanding of operations management regarding characteristics, performance and strategy.
  • To develop knowledge and critical understanding of how the key operations management principles, theories and concepts may be used in the support of strategic decision making.

 

Intellectual skills

  • Show critical awareness of strategic and operational issues associated with different business environments. 
  • Express reasoned arguments about operations and supply chain strategy 

Practical skills

  • Using library, electronic and online resources.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Apply subject level knowledge to real world operations.  
  • Improve own learning through planning, monitoring and critical reflection on the course content.
  • Ability to think critically about operations and supply chain problems and formulate written argument to support your own analysis.   

Employability skills

Other
There will be discussions around real-world case studies in each topic which will give students advice on how to approach operations management and strategy problems in real life.

Assessment methods

This course has two forms of assessment, including 20% multiple choice quizzes (MCQ) and 80% examination (2,200 word essay)

Special Assessment for exchange students only. The special assessment for this course is an essay weighted at 100%. Details of the topics and submission procedures will be made available on Canvas.

 

Feedback methods

Extensive break-out sessions in lectures provides students with real time, targeted and specific formative feedback.I In addition turning point quizzes administered in lectures will give real time formative feedback to learners.

 

Recommended reading

Slack et al. (Operations Management)

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 1.5
eAssessment 2
Lectures 18
Independent study hours
Independent study 78.5

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Christopher Smith Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Dependent courses: None

Programme Restrictions: BSc Management and Management (Specialisms), BSc International Management, Information Technology Management for Business. 

 

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £35,300 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

You will receive a significant tuition fee discount for the placement year. UK students with a household income of up to £35,000 are also eligible to receive a  cash bursary  worth up to £2,000.

Additional expenses

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.

Learn more about student finance options for UK students.

Learn more about fees and finance for international students.

As an international student you may be eligible for our Global Futures Scholarships . This is open to students starting their studies in September 2026.

Return to course details

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.