Digital Operations Efficiency – Module 8

Unit 7 – Operational planning and management

Operations management is everywhere, in every organisation, in every service experienced and in every product consumed. It is the administration of business practices to create the highest level of efficiency possible in an organisation. It is concerned with converting materials and labour into goods and services as efficiently as possible to maximise profits.

The aim of this unit is to enable students to explore how operations management manages all business activities to efficiently create and deliver products and services. This includes the transformation of inputs into outputs of finished goods and services and activities throughout the supply chain. Students will explore the approach to quality management and continuous improvement in the production process. They will review how operations managers have to look externally as well as at internal processes, considering suppliers’ performance and customers throughout the supply chain.

By the end of the unit students will have an insight into the complex nature of operations, processes and supply chain management, fundamental for understanding the holistic work environment in any industry and organisation.

Unit 8 – Digital Business in Practice

As businesses across industries digitise their operations and processes, digital skills are highly valued by employers. Developing digital skills – ranging from data analysis to digital design, digital marketing and customer relationship management – is vital for progression in higher education but, crucially, also aids employability in a vast array of roles in the business environment. In today’s world, new technologies play an increasingly important role in the economy and in society. To remain competitive, businesses need to continually update and upskill their workers’ competence. There is also a responsibility and onus on individuals to keep up to date with the changing digital landscape.

In this unit, students will explore the impact of a range of digital technologies on the workplace. They will examine how these technologies can support businesses aims and services and allow interaction with customers, for example, to promote their business, to encourage people to visit their e-commerce site, to buy goods or services, to drive and increase sales, and to provide high levels of customer service.

The skills generated through an understanding of the practical and necessary use and application of relevant technologies will enable students to present themselves as being digitally literate to employers and give them the confidence to succeed in applying modern, digital methods.