It is a known fact that the function of operations management is major component of an organization that concerns with the creation of utility in raw materials through the conversion process.
The function of Operations Management - OM
As an integral part of management the major functions of operations management are enlisted below:
- Organizing
- Behaviour
- Planning
- Controlling
- Model
1. Planning
Planning involves the design of the conversion system and its timing. This refers to former strategic planning and later refers to operational planning. Planning conversion system includes:
- Operation strategies (long run strategies)
- Forecasting
- Product planning
- Process choice
- Capacity planning
- Location planning
- Layout planning
Scheduling conversion system includes
- Scheduling system and aggregate planning
- Operation scheduling
2. Organizing
Organizing for conversion process include establishment of responsibility and authority to accomplish the production goal. _x000D_ _x000D_ For this operation managers establish a structure of roles and flow of the information within the operation subsystem. Organizing includes activities like;
- Job design
- Production/operation standards
- Work Measurement
- Project Management
3. Controlling
Controlling includes measuring the actual performance in accordance with planned performance in order to determine present status and future course action. Controlling cost, quality and schedule is very important function of production management. Controlling includes activities like:
- Material control
- Inventory control
- Material requirements planning
- Managing for world class competitions
- Japanese manufacturing system
- Managing for quality
- Quality control and analysis
4. Behaviour
Operations manager needs to understand the human behavioural aspects before planning, organizing and controlling. People in their work environment are extremely complex. Their behaviour is affected by leadership, motivation, communication, inter- intra personal relationship and finally by their attitude.
5. Model
As the operation manager plan, organize and control the conversion process, they encounter many problems and must make many decisions. Models are used to simplify these difficulties. Types of the model depending on the type of problem and affecting variables.
For example Assignment Technique is used for Transportation Technique is used for minimization of transportation assigning resources to activities; however Transportation Technique is used for ministration of transportation costs.
From the understanding of this general model production management can be defined as "PM is the process of planning, organizing and controlling the production function, using the concern of behavioral sciences and mathematical models in order to produce the desired output via conversion of input." From the understanding of this general and detailed model, Production management can be now defined as "the process of planning, organizing and controlling the production function, using the concern of behavioral sciences and mathematical models in order to produce the desired output via conversion of input."