Advanced Diploma in Operations Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Operations Management is to deepen the learners' knowledge and understanding of the efficient utilisation and management of resources. Learners will be equipped with applied competence to integrate the broad spectrum of resources and operations in the manufacturing and service industry. Qualifying learners will be able to manage all operational tasks strategically, such as capacity planning, inventory/materials management, scheduling, application of the theory of constraints (quantitative techniques, forecasting, and quality control) in order to improve productivity and competitiveness in the manufacturing industry.

Stemming from their exposure to OSTENDO, the qualification will further enhance the students' knowledge and skills through training in Sophisticated IT systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) which are required to manage the daily activities of the operations and service departments within an organisation.

On completion of the qualification learners will be able to

• Analyse and solve complex problems; simulate processes to effect process engineering and/or adaptation.
• Contribute to the maximization of profitability of the organisation.
• Identify and manage risk factors.
• Communicate his/her ideas and opinions in well-formulated arguments.

Rationale

Operations Management is the heart of any business. It is the management of systems or processes that create goods and/or services. In the production environment its function is to convert inputs into desirable outputs. The rapid changes in urbanisation and customer profiles make it increasingly necessary to be managed in a diversified environment and produce or deliver goods and services efficiently and cost effectively. Operations Management is at the core, occupying an indispensable position fundamental to the fulfilment of customer needs. Since the institution is situated centrally to many industries in Gauteng, it is ideally situated to draw from a vast number of working individuals who want to further their careers in this field. This new qualification will replace Bachelor of Technology Operations Management.

The qualification will also prepare learners for studies at a Postgraduate Diploma and Master's levels in the discipline.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification may be achieved in part through the recognition of relevant prior learning which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and through prior experience as a practitioner in the field of Operations Management. It is required to develop structured means for the assessment of individual learners against the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification on a case-by-case basis and assessment is done by means of Integrated Assessment strategies as mentioned above. Such procedures, and the assessment of individual cases, are subject to moderation by independent-assessors. The learner will be thoroughly briefed on the mechanism to be used and support and guidance will be provided. The necessary evidence as required by the Exit Level Outcomes, and presented by the learner, should meet the following principles: currency of evidence, sufficiency of evidence, validity of evidence and authenticity of evidence. If the learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification the appropriate credits will be assigned to the learner.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entrance requirement to this qualification is either a

• A National Diploma in Operations Management or related field, Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Operations Management or related field, Level 6.

Or

• Bachelor's Degree in Operations Management or related field, Level 6.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits

• Marketing I, 18 Credits.
• Financial Planning and Control III, 24 Credits.
• Operations Management Technology IV, 24 Credits.
• Operations Management Techniques IV (NLP), 24 Credits.
• Research Methodology IV, 30 Credits.

1. Demonstrate integrated knowledge of the main areas of operations management including an understanding of and apply and evaluate key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories pertaining to operations management in the context of manufacturing and service industry; and detailed knowledge of an area or areas of specialisation and how that knowledge relates to other fields, disciplines or practices.
2. Demonstrate an ability to use a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and address procedural, process and human-related problems in the manufacturing and service industry, drawing on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to operations management.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities involved in selecting, applying or transferring existing standard procedures, processes or techniques in operations management to unfamiliar real-life or simulated processes.
4. Manage operational tasks of operations management at the tactical managerial level.

[Range: "operational tasks" includes, but is not limited to: capacity planning, inventory/materials levels management, scheduling, application of quantitative techniques, forecasting, budgeting, provision of labour and quality control].

1. Collect, analyse, evaluate and store information for risk identification.
2. Demonstrate an ability to analyse operational scenarios and communicate recommendations through informed opinions in well-formulated arguments, using appropriate professional or occupational discourse and technology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to apply and evaluate the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of the manufacturing and service industry.
• Demonstrate the conceptualisation of the integration of central areas of operations management in terms of the SMART objectives of the strategic management process.
• Implement and integrate principles of financial planning and control in strategic management processes.
• Integrate and implement principles of marketing in strategic management processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Consider, integrate and evaluate a range of interrelated procedural, process and human ergonomic factors to embrace ingenuity in solving different, but specific problems related to the operations management processes.
• Use a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and address procedural, process and human-related problems, drawing on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to operations management to influence systemic change in order to optimise operations in the manufacturing and service industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and dynamics involved in the selection, application and transfer of standard procedures, processes or techniques in operations management.
• Demonstrate an ability to select, apply and transfer standard procedures, processes or techniques in operations management to unfamiliar real-life or simulated processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate an understanding of and the interrelationship of operational tasks.
• Synchronise operational tasks at a tactical level to produce planned outcomes.
• Gather data for the purpose of risk identification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Gather, analyse and store information pertaining to risk identification.
• Produce an evaluation report that contains pertinent information and information sources.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Analyse and develop recommendations for different operational scenarios to optimise production.
• Develop ideas and opinions in well-formulated arguments.
• Communicate ideas and opinions clearly and comprehensively.
• Use appropriate professional or occupational discourse.
• Demonstrate presentation skills in the use of appropriate communication techniques and technology.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment strategies are continuous and aimed at giving learners feedback on their progress in the achievement of learning outcomes as well as to integrate theoretical and practical competence. Such strategies include assignments, discussions, case studies, tests and tutoring. Some of the criteria may be assessed through observation of the learners during classes, practical and tutoring sessions.

Summative assessment implies assessment to be mainly concerned with summing up the learning process and therefore usually takes place at the end of the relevant learning process. Summative assessment strategies are aimed at the judgment of the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Such strategies include examinations, reports, projects or equivalent such as a portfolio of evidence which is representative of a selection of the outcomes practiced and assessed in the formative stage.