Diploma in Operations Management

Purpose

This qualification is aimed at ensuring that the student is capable of optimising the management of resources under the control of the production/operations management departments, evaluating selected tools and technologies and developing strategic plans.

The purpose and overall outcome of the qualification is to provide students who are either already in manufacturing industry, or aspire to a career in manufacturing industry, with the knowledge and skills to manage the production/operations function at a high level. The qualification provides the students with conceptual as well as practical knowledge to enable them to adapt to new situations and problems created by organisational or environmental change.

This purpose is achieved by providing the students with exposure to knowledge and skills in the disciplines that are involved in the successful management of the production/operations function in a progressive manner that ensures that the student has a sound grasp of the concepts, principles and practices that represent best practice in each of the disciplines studied. The inclusion of electives in the qualification enables an element of specialisation in specific disciplines without detracting from the scope of the qualification.

Rationale

The need for middle and senior level managers to have a greater depth of knowledge of the key disciplines that contribute to the management of the operations function informs the rationale for this qualification. Lower level qualifications provide the basics of the disciplines and the means to manage at an operational level. Research has shown that, with ascending managerial rank, comes the need to think more conceptually and strategically. The Diploma in Operations Management provides the knowledge of principles and concepts and the skills to apply them, at higher levels in the organisation.

The qualification contributes to both regional and national goals by

• Providing access to knowledge and skills for individuals who have been disadvantaged in their access to higher education raising the skills level of the region and the nation.
• Providing expertise in the management organisations across a broad range of industries aiding in the improvement of the productivity of these industries and contributing to national competitiveness.
• Providing the students with a pathway to achieving their potential thus contributing to the national goal of promoting life-long learning.
• Accommodating the recognition of prior learning ensuring that the national goals of equity and fairness in access to higher learning are addressed.
• The combination of theory and practice together with project work ensures that the learning is applied and that the student is equipped with learning skills.
• The use of group work and a reflection on the experience of working in a team enhances the students understanding of working with others.

The qualification is consistent with the principles that underpin the National Skills Development Strategy in that it provides a further phase in lifelong learning for managers in the Manufacturing Sector of the economy allowing them to aspire to middle management positions. It fosters skills development in the formal economy for productivity and employability.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Faculty of Engineering accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the Faculty of Engineering will endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

The Faculty of Engineering manages RPL according to the University of Johannesburg's RPL policy, which will be applied as follows for purposes of this qualification as set out in the Faculty of Engineering policy:

• Through RPL a student may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
• Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the Faculty of Engineering.
• RPL in the case of a student not complying with the formal entry requirements.
• Is conducted after payment of the prescribed fees in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the University.
• Is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.
• Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required National Qualifications Framework (NQF)-level.
• Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the programme.
• Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the Faculty of Engineering.
• Is finally decided upon by the Faculty of Engineering Dean's Committee.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement to this qualification is

• Senior Certificate (SC).

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC).

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV), Level 4.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

First Year

Compulsory Modules, Level 5

• Operations management 1A, 15 Credits.
• Operations management, 15 Credits.
• Organisational effectiveness 1A, 15 Credits.
• Organisational effectiveness 1B, 15 Credits.
• Quantitative techniques A, 15 Credits.
• Quantitative techniques B, 15 Credits.
• Workplace dynamics 1A, 15 Credits.
• Workplace dynamics 1B, 15 Credits.

Second year

Compulsory Modules, Level 5

• Operations management 2A, 15 Credits.
• Operations management 2B, 15 Credits.
• Operations management techniques 2A, 15 Credits.
• Operations management techniques 2B, 15 Credits.
• Organisational effectiveness 2A, 15 Credits.
• Organisational effectiveness 2B, 15 Credits.
• Quality assurance 2A, 15 Credits.
• Quality assurance 2B, 15 Credits.

Third year

Compulsory Modules, Level 5

• End-user computing 1A, 12 Credits.
• End-user computing 1B, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6

• Financial principles in operation 1A, 12 Credits.
• Financial principles in operation 1A, 12 Credits.
• Operations management 3A, 12 Credits.
• Operations management 3B, 12 Credits.
• Operations management techniques, 12 Credits.
• Operations management techniques,12 Credits.
• Operations management practice, 12 Credits.
• Operations management practice 3B, 12 Credits.

1. Apply operations principles to systematically diagnose and solve well defined operations management problems.
2. Explain and apply knowledge of key mathematics and analytical techniques to well defined operations and manufacturing related procedures, processes, systems and methodologies to solve well-defined operations related problems.
3. Design systems, processes or methods of well-defined operations related problems involving components, systems, works, products or processes to meet desired needs normally within applicable standard, codes of legislation and practice.
4. Address issues by designing systems and procedures for understanding the operations management impact on society, economy, industrial and physical environment.
5. Appropriate techniques, resources, and modern operations management tools including information technology for the solution of well-defined and lower-level open-ended operations related problems are used, with an awareness of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions and constraints.
6. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing within an operations management context.
7. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of operations management principles and apply these to one's own work, as a members and members or leaders in a team.
8. Commit to and apply professional ethics, responsibilities and norms of operations managers.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Analyse and define problems and identify criteria for acceptable solutions.
• Identify relevant information and operations knowledge and skills for solving problems.
• Generate and formulate possible approaches that would lead to workable solutions for problems.
• Analyse possible solutions.
• Evaluate possible solutions and select the best solution.
• Formulate and present the solution in an appropriate form.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Bring to bear an appropriate mix of knowledge of basic mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, at a fundamental level on the solution of well-defined operations related problems.
• Use theories, principles and laws.
• Perform formal analysis on materials, components, systems or processes.
• Communicate concepts, ideas and theories.
• Perform reasoning about and conceptualising of systems or processes.
• Identify and make recommendations regarding uncertainty and risk.
• Perform work within the boundaries of the practice area.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Formulate well-defined operations related problems to satisfy user needs, applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
• Plan and manage processes to focus on important issues and recognise and deals with constraints.
• Acquire and evaluate knowledge, information and resources in order to apply appropriate principles and tools to provide a workable solution.
• Perform and evaluate tasks including analysis, optimisation of the product, system or process subject to the relevant constraints and restrictions.
• Evaluate alternatives for implementation and select a preferred solution is s based on techno-economic analysis and judgement.
• Communicate relevant information in a technical report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Plan and conduct basic impact investigations and experiments within an appropriate discipline.
• Search available literature and evaluate material for suitability to the investigation.
• Select and use impact assessment equipment or software as appropriate in the investigations.
• Analyse, interpret and derive information from available data.
• Draw conclusions from an analysis of all available evidence.
• Assess selected system or method to address the well-defined impact of the operations related problems in terms of the social, economic, legal, health, safety, and environmental impact and benefits.
• Record the purpose, process and outcomes of the impact investigation in a technical report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Assess the method, skill or tool for applicability and limitations against the required result.
• Apply the method, skill or tool effectively to achieve the required result.
• Test and assess results produced by the method, skill or tool against required results.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Use appropriate structure, style and language of written and oral communication for the purpose of the communication and the target audience.
• Use appropriate graphics to be effective in enhancing the meaning of text.
• Use visual materials to enhance oral communications.
• Use accepted methods for providing information to others involved in the operations management activity.
• Deliver oral communication fluently with the intended meaning being apparent.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Explain the principles of supervision and planning, organising, leading and controlling.
• Carry out individual work effectively, strategically and on time.
• Contributions to team activities support the output of the team as a whole.
• Demonstrate functioning as a team leader.
• Organise and manage a team project.
• Carry out effective communication in the context of individual and team work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Describe the nature and complexity of ethical dilemmas.
• Describe the ethical implications of decisions made.
• Apply ethical reasoning to evaluate operations related solutions.
• Accept responsibility for consequences stemming from own actions.
• Make judgements in decision making during problem solving and design.
• Limit decision making to area of current competence.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment across the qualification forms an integral part of the teaching and learning process for this qualification. In achieving the learning outcomes, students are required to comply with the minimum assessments set for the level of the qualification, as per the Institution's Assessment Policy. Assessments vary depending on the module and the outcomes of the module, however all modules are formatively and summatively assessed. The assessment of theoretical modules is usually in the form of assignments, practicals and written tests or examinations. The weighting of the different assessments toward the calculation of the final mark is clearly indicated to students in the learning guide for each module.

Integrated Assessments/case studies also take place through a variety of assignments, for example, those completed in industry or those that assess aggregated knowledge acquired (such as in a capstone module).

Formative and Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment opportunities are not formally recorded and take the form of class tests, question and answer sessions and monitoring of practical work.

Summative Assessment leads to the final judgmental mark in accordance to the institution's Assessment Policy. The assessments for theoretical modules will be in the form of assignments and written tests or practical examinations.