Operations Management
What is operations management?
In the business arena, operations management is the backbone that keeps everything moving—from raw materials arriving at a factory
through to finished goods reaching customers. It's about steering and shaping the entire production process, making sure goods or services
reach customers efficiently. It's not a single task but a continuous effort to refine how work is done.
A striking figure underscores its importance: in 2025, 91 per cent of operations and supply-chain leaders surveyed by PwC indicated
they will significantly change their supply-chain strategies because of evolving trade-policy pressures.
In essence, operations management answers the question: How do we make the work of our organisation run efficiently, reliably and strategically?
How does operations management work?
At its core, operations management orchestrates people, processes and systems to deliver value. The process typically involves the following:
- Planning: Establishing what needs to be produced or delivered, when, and with what resources.
- Organising: Assigning tasks, aligning roles, and ensuring the right technology and infrastructure are in place.
- Directing: Guiding operations in real-time by monitoring output, adjusting schedules, and managing the workforce.
- Controlling: Measuring performance, identifying deviations, and implementing corrective measures.
- Improving: Continuously seeking ways to enhance processes, reduce waste, raise quality, and adapt to change.
What are the functions of operations management?
These are the major functions that make operations management a strategic capability rather than just a routine function:
- Capacity planning and scheduling: Ensuring you have the right level of resources (machines, workforce, space) to meet demand.
- Quality management: Setting standards, monitoring performance and ensuring output meets customer expectations.
- Inventory and supply-chain management: Managing input materials, production flows and delivery of finished goods.
- Process design and optimisation: Mapping how work flows and designing efficient systems to produce at speed and scale.
- Resource allocation and staffing: Placing the right people, skills and technology where they can have the greatest impact.
- Monitoring and continuous improvement: Tracking metrics, analysing performance and refining operations for better results.
What are the benefits of operations management?
When organisations invest deliberately in managing their operations, they benefit in multiple ways:
- Improved efficiency and lower costs by reducing waste, mistakes and idle time.
- Better quality and customer satisfaction through consistent output and fewer defects.
- Greater flexibility and responsiveness to market changes or disruptions.
- Stronger competitiveness as operations evolve from a cost centre into a strategic advantage.
- Stronger alignment between strategy and execution—so operational workflows support the wider business goals.
Why should you opt for operations management at MITSDE?
If your goal is to build a career or function that drives real-world impact, choosing a course in operations management at MITSDE offers distinct advantages:
- MITSDE provides structured learning around how operations management functions in modern, digital-enabled environments—so you grasp not just theory but understand the real-life applications, too.
- You develop a holistic viewpoint: from planning to execution to continuous improvement, you master elements that matter for business success.
- The skills you gain are highly transferable: managing workflows, optimising resources, driving efficiency and quality are in demand across industries.
- You take charge: MITSDE focuses not only on maintaining processes, but on continuously improving them as well.
Operations management is the engine behind every efficient, customer-centric organisation. By understanding what it is, how it works, its core functions and the benefits it delivers, you unlock a powerful discipline. At MITSDE, you can lead operations that matter—and transform how things get done. You become the guiding light for your organisation.
