Advanced Diploma in Operations Management

Purpose

After completing this qualification, the learner will have advanced knowledge and skills within the discipline of Operations Management. The qualifying learner will have the ability to apply a range of specialised tools and techniques within the Operations Management context. The learner will be able to apply critical and innovative thinking at a higher level as well as problem solving skills in Operations Management. The learner will develop research skills for application in Operations Management.

Rationale

There is a great demand for highly skilled and suitably qualified Operations Managers because of the growing manufacturing and service industry needs of South Africa. Operations Managers function in both manufacturing and service industries. Their input is necessary in the areas of production planning and control, supply chain management, quality control and workplace design. The services provided by operations managers requires a strong production knowledge as well as an ability to provide leadership in managerial decisions.

The qualification seeks to equip learners with the necessary theoretical and practical skills in Operations Management. The qualifying learner will be able to apply Operations Management tools and techniques on an advanced level. The outcomes of the qualification are underpinned by compliance with statutory requirements including quality, ethics and safety.

Learner output from this qualification will provide the manufacturing and service industries in the country with the much needed work force and skills. Industry and other stakeholders around the country will benefit immensely from the qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• The qualification may be granted, according to policies governing higher education, to learners who have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal courses, provided they can demonstrate competence in the outcomes of the qualification as required by the fundamental, core and elective areas stipulated in the Qualification and Exit Level Outcomes.
• An RPL process may also be used to credit learners with credits in which they have developed the necessary competency because of workplace and work-integrated learning.
• RPL may also be used to gain access to the qualification. Learners submitting themselves for RPL may be required to submit a portfolio or evidence in the prescribed format to be accessed for formal recognition. If the RPL is awarded, an exemption form is completed and the candidate may continue with full registration.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A 360 Credits Diploma in Operations Management or relevant qualification.

This qualification comprises compulsory and elective Modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules: 100 Credits

• Research Methodology for Operations Management, 20 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management, 20 Credits.
• Organisational Processes, 20 Credits.
• Quality Management, 20 Credits.
• Workplace Design, 20 Credits.

Elective Modules: 20 Credits (Choose one module)

• Industrial Management, 20 Credits.
• Financial Management, 20 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship, 20 Credits.
• Modelling in Operations Management, 20 Credits.
• Manufacturing Systems, 20 Credits.
• Service Operations, 20 Credits.

1: Solving well-defined Operations Management problems.

2: Applying technical and Operations Management knowledge.

3: Designing Operations Management systems.

4: Conduct investigations, experiments and collate data.

5: Using appropriate Operations Management methods, skills, tools and techniques.

6: Communicating technical information in a professional manner.

7: Demonstrating critical awareness of the impact of operations and production activities.

8: Effectively working as an individual and in teams.

9: Engaging in independent learning.

10: Acting professionally and ethically at all times.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Integrate advanced knowledge of Supply Chain Management, procurement and outsourcing management, marketing management and information technology to solve well defined Operations Management problems
• Utilise strategies at least once in a specialised area of Supply Chain Management, procurement and outsourcing management and Marketing Management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Utilise appropriate operations management theories, methods, technical skills, tools and technologies to communicate, engage, sustain and manage production and operation activities.
• Apply information technology knowledge and techniques to bear on operations management problems.
• Implement and utilise supply chain management principles and procedures as a foundation to solve operations management problems and design operations management systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Design operating systems for operations management by integrating, applying scientific, operations management methods, and skills.
• Apply tools and technologies to manage diversity in workforce, workplace dynamics, operations and production activities, as well as regulatory challenges.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Conduct investigations by applying sound knowledge of research.
• Explore and apply sound research theories, principles and methods to identify, analyse, experiment, evaluate and critical reflect on operations management problems, approaches and processes.
• Produce and present scientific researched and written arguments and solutions to assess and address complex problems impacting on operations management to provide relevant research informed design solutions.
• Conduct research in an ethical professional manner.
• Report data in a scientific manner.
• Apply sound scientific knowledge when conducting experiments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Utilise appropriate operations management methods, skills, tools and techniques to initiate a continuous improvement change program in a manufacturing organisation.
• Develop an operations management program by considering the interdependence of the organisational function with the other manufacturing systems and key function areas (e.g. quality management and audits, process control, advanced statistical tools, crisis control) to maintain organisational flow and sustainability.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Implement sound information technology strategies to communicate technical information professionally.
• Conceptualise and professionally communicate orally and/via presentations and/written reports related to scientific research, technical information, interpretation of financial management, risk and return assessment, finance and investment decisions within operations management to ensure the sustainability of an organisation.
• Use advanced communication skills to report on financial and investigative data.
• Apply scientific knowledge to calculate risk and return on investment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Analyse product, process and schedule design interactions through studying the functions involved in the production development cycle, manufacturing system, material handling, flow systems, activity relationships and space requirements for warehousing operations.
• Evaluate, select and implement facility plans by analysing theoretical lay-out models and design algorithms and using necessary modern engineering tools to solve problems.
• Critically assess subject related case studies by utilising theoretical operations management knowledge, skills, decision making, principles and practice in internal and external working environments.
• Illustrate and develop theoretical knowledge and subject philosophy through specific operation management assignments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Integrate sound interpersonal relations, communication skills and methods to work independently and effectively as an individual and/with others as a member of a diverse team within an operations management environment.
• Professionally and ethically produce advanced solutions as an individually and/ with others as a member of a diverse team to resolve problems with in operations management.
• Resolving challenges, individually or as part of a team, on a conceptual, theoretical, practical, technical and technological level for pre- and post-production processes and application in industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Use industry-related simulation tools to model operations management systems, workflow, system configurations and designs effecting business organisations.
• Engage in critical thinking by analysing situations, constructing and selecting viable solutions to resolve problems covering areas of uniqueness, legislative aspects, ethicality, marketability and financial viability within operations management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Respond and behave in a professional and ethical manner within operations management at all times.
• Apply sound knowledge of ethics according to labour practices.
• Use operations management skills to conduct oneself in a socially accepted, professional and ethical manner.

Integrated Assessment

The following assessments guidelines will be to assess the courses offered

For Formal Assessed Subjects

• At least three formative assessments will be used to obtain a year mark for the subject. These assessments can be any of the following:

> Semester Tests.

> Case Studies.

> Research assignments.

> Practical assignments.

> One final summative assessment.

For Continuous Assessment Subjects

The assessment can be any of the following

• Semester Tests.
• Case Studies.
• Research assignments.
• Practical assignments.
• Class tests.
• Presentations.