Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Management is to develop the learners' applied and cognitive competencies in the acquisition, interpretation, and applications of operations management. The qualification offers theoretical concepts and tools needed for the learner to analyse and implement solutions to operations management issues in a business environment. Furthermore, the qualification will enable learners to graduate with an in-depth knowledge of operational issues related to manufacturing as well as service industries worldwide and particularly in South Africa. The qualification therefore focuses on the wider strategic and global issues facing manufacturing and services organisations. It examines the use and application of techniques that enable operations effectiveness.

The qualification also addresses current operational challenges, by incorporating international aspects in the field of operations management. It examines the use and application of techniques that enable operations effectiveness.

Rationale

Under the guidance of an established advisory committee, this qualification has proven critical to industry. The qualification is therefore:

• Designed within a South African perspective to tackle current operational challenges enabling our learners to be career-ready, while incorporating international aspects.
• An enabling environment that creates a platform of knowledge-sharing whereby South African and international learners from Africa, Europe, Asia and America collaborate.
• Able to attract local and international academic staff based on their complementary interests in research in the field of operations management, to dynamically contribute to excellent teaching and learning experience.

It is understood that Operations Management is critical to the success of delivering customer satisfaction.

The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University has designed a suite of Postgraduate Diplomas to articulate from Advanced Diplomas into Master's qualifications. Under the guidance of an established advisory committee, this qualification has proven critical to industry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL will be applied in line with institution's policies and guidelines. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the Faculty will therefore endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

RPL is managed according to the institution's RPL policy, which will be applied as follows for purposes of this qualification as set out in the Faculty policy:

• Through RPL a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at the institution.
• Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the Faculty.
• A formal procedure is followed in the case of a learner not complying with the formal entry requirements and a final decision made by the Dean's Committee.
• Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level.
• Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification.
• 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 and the Built Environment.
• Is finally decided upon by the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Dean's Committee.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Advanced Diploma in Operations Management, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8, totalling 120 Credits:

• Operations Management, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Project Management, 20 Credits.
• Operations Management Techniques, 20 Credits.
• Management of Change, 20 Credits.
• Research Project, 40 Credits.

1. Apply operational tools, techniques, models and frameworks in order to enable the learner to make a significant contribution to an organisation's strategic vision for success.
2. Apply appropriate models of change within an organisation.
3. Design advanced project management scenarios to enhance Operations Management projects, and deploy project leadership skills.
4. Compare research strategies to produce and collate data, perform rigorous interpretations and disseminate quality information.
5. Argue and address ethical issues based on critical reflections of ethical values within a complex, abstract and integrated quality context in order to justify, and motivate ethical behaviour in pursuing management service strategies and goals.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Accurately assess information for decision-making and control within the operational domain.
• Critically evaluate key sources of operations management problems.
• Critically discuss operational problems.
• Confidently offer viable solutions to these problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Appropriately integrate IT-driven organisational change within an organisation.
• Correctly apply strategic, management, and operational imperatives of Information Management.
• Critically evaluate the internal and external drivers and impact of change on projects and the organisational system at large.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Correctly apply the six criteria for a useful project selection/screening model.
• Critically evaluate the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an organisation.
• Correctly demonstrate the application of resource management principles within a multi-project environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Accurately collect data and carry out research in a management services area.
• Develop a concise and relevant literature review.
• Critically evaluate the findings of the research undertaken.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Complete the project timeously, ethically and responsibly.
• Illustrate good judgement in respect of time and cost implications of the research study.
• Demonstrate ethical values and awareness during the data collection process.

Integrated Assessment

The institution ensures that an effective Integrated Assessment strategy is used. There will be at least one assessment opportunity before the final summative assessment for each module.

The modules consist of different forms of formative assessments consisting of project reports, case studies, assignments etc., which will be implemented in each module, depending on the nature of the module. For example, feedback on assignments is returned to the learners within reasonable time, project presentations are scheduled in order for the instructor to provide comments, etc. These progress assessments are done solely by the module instructor. However, the final examination will require the involvement of a suitable external course examiner, who will be requested to approve the module examination paper and mark grading provided by the course instructor.

Summative Assessment: For the modules, each intermediate or progress assessment will be awarded a mark, which will be combined with the final examination mark based on pre-determined weightings for the module. For the Research Report component, two assessors will be required, one of whom will be an internal assessor (a full-time academic staff of the institution) and the other, an external assessor.