Operations Optimization and Project Execution

This unit develops students’ ability to optimize operations by applying lean, quality, and supply chain principles while executing projects effectively. Students learn to diagnose and resolve bottlenecks, reduce inventory without sacrificing service, design products and services for manufacturability and operations, and apply traditional and agile project management methods to deliver improvements.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze supply chain and inventory scenarios to identify causes of the bullwhip effect, excess inventory, and demand variability, and recommend lean, JIT, and supplier-relationship strategies to mitigate them
• Apply quality assurance and design-for-operations techniques (including interchangeable parts, designing for X, and process capability improvements) to improve product/service reliability and customer satisfaction
• Demonstrate project management competencies across the project life cycle—planning, risk response, leading, and sprint execution—using both traditional and agile methods to deliver operational improvements
• Evaluate operational performance using throughput, utilization, and bottleneck analysis to prioritize interventions that support growth, market maturity, and adaptability