Operations management involves managing the day-to-day operations of a business, which can vary depending on the type of business. Manufacturing operations are complex and involve managing different stages of the manufacturing process. Operations management can also involve hiring and supervising support staff, ordering supplies, and contracting services. Consulting services can provide integrated operations management for professionals who want to outsource these tasks.
Operations management refers to managing the day-to-day operations of a particular business. It can differ greatly depending on the type of business being run and the operations undertaken. Such management may also be performed by internal employees or may be outsourced, depending on the circumstances.
Generally, the most complex types of operations management exist in the manufacturing sector. When goods are manufactured, many different stages go into operation in the manufacturing plant or company. For example, parts must be ordered, purchased, and delivered to employees; employees must be hired, trained and supervised; and the goods must be packaged and shipped or distributed to retailers or end users.
Within manufacturing, operations management involves taking care of all of these individual steps. The operations manager may also take steps to set up cost control procedures or to improve system efficiency through systems analysis. Techniques such as total quality management, which involves focusing on quality assurance at every stage of the manufacturing process, are used to successfully manage such large and complex processes.
In other environments, operations management takes on a very different meaning. In a law firm, for example, management may primarily involve hiring and supervising support staff for attorneys. An office manager may be employed to ensure the availability of paralegals, legal secretaries, clerks and other support staff. Other duties of an operations manager may include ordering office supplies and/or contracting with telephone service providers, Internet service providers, copier technicians, and other personnel and services necessary to keep an office running smoothly .
In still other cases, this process can be contracted out. For example, many surgeons run their own medical practices. These physicians may be busy caring for patients and unable or uninterested in handling the logistics of running an office and hiring support staff. However, they may not want to hire an Operations Manager as the management role within the office is not large enough to hire a full time Operations Manager.
Consulting services allow professionals to outsource operations management. Some services, termed turnkey services, will provide integrated operations management. This means that the consulting group will take care of all the logistics of running the business, leaving the surgeon or other professionals to work with clients and perform their professional role without worrying about the technical details to keep the business running smoothly .
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