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What is operations management? | FAQs
You may have heard the term “operations management” before and heard various ideas around what an Operations Manager does, but still aren’t exactly sure. Perhaps you’re confused about how it’s different to project management, and are still asking the question: what is operations management?
In this short video Lerisa Roberts, Head Tutor for the UCT Operations Management online short course, gives a concise definition of operations management and how it is applied within a business context.
Operations management is used in a behind-the-scenes manner as part of everything an organisation does. Operations managers can be responsible for making changes to a company’s processes in order to make every project or task that much more efficient, or for overseeing the internal workings of a company to ensure that everything runs according to plan with as few errors as possible.
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Whether streamlining a supply chain, monitoring orders and shipping, implementing process change or optimising performance within an organisation, operations managers are a vital part of a company. Because of this elevated level of responsibility and expectation, careers in operations management are known for being high-pressure, high-reward positions, with space for growth.
The role of an operations manager changes based on what an organisation needs, so the job responsibilities will be varied. As an operations manager, you can expect your role to include:
- Planning, controlling and overseeing change
- Ensuring quality standards are maintained
- Researching new technologies and alternative methods of efficiency
- Setting and reviewing budgets and managing cost
- Monitoring inventory management, distribution of goods and facility layout
If you’re interest in filling the gap in the increasing number of operations management jobs, you’ll need to ensure your skills are up-to-date. Consider investigating operations management online courses where you can explore the knowledge necessary to excel in this industry.
To kickstart your operations management career, add the skill set to your CV
Study the UCT Operations Management online short course today
Transcription
Operations management is an area of management concerned with the design and control of processes and practices, in order to create the highest level of efficiency that is possible for the organisation.