Module: Operations Analytics & Strategy

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Operations Analytics & Strategy
Module Code	MNA1021 (ITS: MT5218)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	15

Description

This module introduces students to Management Science and mathematical modelling in the context of operations, including familiarise students with decision making and problem solving using appropriate techniques and methods. Operations analytics focuses on transforming operational data into better decision making, predicting outcomes and choosing the best course of action in the face of risk. Operations Strategy focuses on evaluating the principles and practice of operations strategy development and management, and determine a set of approaches and frameworks required to formulate and execute an operations strategy.

Learning Outcomes

1. Determine which quantitative analysis technique is appropriate for solving a specific problem
2. Use the appropriate quantitative method in a technically correct way to solve a business problem
3. Analyze quantitative output and arrive at a conclusion
4. Identify situations where mathematical models can help managers make better decisions
5. Describe and interpret a mathematical model, clarifying the underlying assumptions and the model’s limitations
6. Evaluate the application of a mathematical model, checking its correctness and its adequacy for the decision making problem to tackle
7. Evaluate and describe the interconnected nature of operations management and operations strategy
8. Critically show how successful companies have designed and implemented operation strategies
9. Discuss how the individual components of an organisational system can contribute to the overall success of the organisation

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Directed learning	40	No Description
Independent Study	200	No Description
Online activity	25	No Description
Tutorial	10	No Description
Assignment Completion	100	No Description
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	20072	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	James Byrne	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Participation	Online discussions for Management Science sub module	7%	n/a
Project	Individual project on a key topic for Management Science	26%	n/a
Participation	Discussion forum for Business Process Analytics	7%	n/a
Project	Project on a key topic for Business Process Analytics	26%	n/a
Participation	Online discussion forum exercise for Operations Strategy	7%	n/a
Report(s)	Investigate and report on a key topic for Operations Strategy	27%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to Management Science for Operations

Linear Programming Concepts

Linear Programming Formulation and Applications

Modelling with Spreadsheets

What-if Analysis

Decision Analysis

Business process modelling

Operational design and modelling

Operations strategy and its relationship with both business strategy and operations management

Operational/Process Modelling - Process Improvement

The evolutionary role of operations and its future trends

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Slack, Nigel and Lewis, Mike: 2020, Operations Strategy, 6, Pearson, 9781292317854
Frederick S. Hillier,Mark S. Hillier: 2019, Introduction to Management Science, 6, McGraw Hill, 1259918920

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None