Module: Strategic Operations

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Strategic Operations
Module Code	MNA1027 (ITS: MT588)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of the relationship of operations strategy to business strategy and to provide an introduction to the concepts, processes and methods of managing and controlling operations in manufacturing and service environments.

Learning Outcomes

1. evaluate and describe the nature and differences between operations management and operations strategy
2. define, describe and critique the field of operations strategy in the context of an organisations corporate strategy
3. assess the influence of ethical conduct and sustainability on modern operational design
4. demonstrate the importance of operational change and process improvement in organisational evolution
5. evaluate and develop an operational strategy for a real world organisation

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Assignment Completion	25	assignment research and writeup
Lecture	24	direct lecture and class discussions
Directed learning	25	study and preparation
Independent Study	51	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10114	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Pj Byrne	Module Teacher	Nuala Lonergan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Completion of online activity	Participation in two online discussion forums	30%	n/a
Group assignment	Presentation of a contemporary OM issue.	30%	n/a
Research Paper	Assessing the role of contemporary operations in a real world organisational setting	40%	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

Operations Management/Strategy

Internationalisation of Products and Services

Supply Chain Dynamics

Operational/Process Modelling - Process Improvement

Operational/Process Modelling - Simulation Modelling

Sustainable Operations

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Slack, N. and Lewis, M.: 2019, Operations Strategy, 6th,
Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A., Johnston, R. and Betts, A.: 2015, Operations and Process Management, 4th,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None