Essential Guide to Operations Management

This book is a novel treatment of Operations Management. It takes a fresh insight to this increasingly important topic, exploring fundamental principles equally applicable to service and manufacturing situations. The book adapts a strategic stance by providing a framework for effective decision making and is aimed at practising managers who need to design working processes, manage change and make decisions within a strategic framework. The framework and supporting case vignettes allow the practitioner to grasp essential concepts quickly in a range of different operational contexts. <p> <i>&#8220;Bamford and Forrester have done an excellent job in creating a concise, salient, and appealing approach - they have captured the essential elements of designing processes, products and work organizations; exploring approaches to operations planning and control; managing change through effective project management and technology transfer; and then managing quality and improvement strategies&#8221;.</i> <p> <b>Professor Rob Handfield, Professor of Supply Chain Management</b> <p> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><b>North Carolina State University</b></st1:City><b>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region></b></st1:place> <p> <i>&#8220;This is an excellent concise text that introduces students to all of the key areas - it&#8217;s an invaluable aid for students in understanding all of the major aspects of operations and their importance to the success of businesses&#8221;.</i> <p> <b>Professor Steve Brown, Professor of Management</b> <p> <b>University of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Exeter</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Business</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">School</st1:PlaceType>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">University of Exeter</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place></b> <p> <i>&#8220;For today&#8217;s or tomorrow&#8217;s business leaders this text has well structured invaluable content ready for immediate adoption. Follow the guide, put it into practice, and the rewards will follow&#8221;.</i> <p> <b>Mr Vernon Barker, Managing Director</b> <p> <b>First TransPennine Express, First Group Plc,</b> <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b>UK</b></st1:place></st1:country-region> <p> <i>&#8220;This book combines technical theory &#8216;book smarts&#8217; with real life experience &#8216;street smarts&#8217; in a flowing read&#8221;.</i> <p> <b>Mr Stephen Oliver, Vice President Marketing &amp; Sales</b> <p> <b>Vicor Corporation, Boston, USA.</b>