Course syllabus

Produktionsledning
Production Management

MION10, 7,5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2013/14
Decided by: Education Board B
Date of Decision: 2013-04-10

General Information

Elective for: E4, E4-pla, I4, I4-lp, I4-pr, M4-lp, M4-pr
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

The goal of the course is to integrate and deepen the previous courses Managerial Economics, Management Organization and Production and Inventory Control. Those courses gave an introduction to problems, techniques and methods, especially suited for producing companies.

The course in Production Management is aimed at the study of production from a production economics aspect, especially focusing on the strategic role of the production system and the infrastructure in the company’s performance. The success of a company is to a high degree depending on the ability to make the production system interact with the chosen market strategy. The aim of the course is to deepen the understanding of production and strengthen the ability to do deep analysis of production strategies.

The integration of products with both goods and service is gradually more focused. Production of goods is one end of the line and in the other production of service is placed. In-between there is a continuous variation of the content goods and service. In the middle platform, modular and customized products are found. This continuum must be strongly related to the company’s strategy, structure, resources and plant layout.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

More specific for Production Strategy:

 

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

The students are also expected to be able to orally and in writing analyse and evaluate different production strategic issues and discuss the proposed solutions. The target group is the top management group. One of the assignments shall be presented in english.

Contents

Within this course, models for Production Strategy that explains the connection between the production system and the market strategy are studied. As an introduction an overview of the Production Strategic Model of Terry Hill is given. This model serves as the conceptual basis throughout the course. In the start, the concept of order-winning and qualifying criteria as a mean of describing market demands are focused.

As an introduction an overview of the Production Strategic Model of Terry Hill is given. This model serves as the conceptual basis throughout the course. In the start, the concept of order-winning and qualifying criteria as a mean of describing market demands are focused.

Next the choice of production processes is in focus. Different generic production processes are studied and the possibilities and limitations of different production processes are explained. This is linked to market characteristics.

The company’s infrastructure (for example reward-systems, MPC-systems, ERP-systems) is discussed from a production strategic point of view. Especially how the infrastructure can enable or stop a company from achieving its goals.

In the later part of this course we walk along the continuous variation of product integration of goods and service. We reflect production of modular, platform products up to customised. We end up this part with a focus on service production with/without supporting systems. We also highlight trends like globalization related to customers need to buy function instead of products with defined performance.

Methods for Product Profiling and other methods for analysis are studied in order to strengthen the analytical ability of the students. The course is based on lectures. Five cases based on existing companies, are used to illustrate the different models of the course. The students are in these cases expected to individually be able to apply the models in the course.

In order to further strengthen the student’s ability to do independent analyses, two larger mandatory assignments are solved in small groups. They result in a written report and an oral presentation. These assignments are graded.

Furthermore, the concept of Lean Production and Agile Supply Chain is illustrated using the models of the course. The aim is that the students will understand the principles, limitations and applicability of the concepts.

Concurrent research within Production Strategy is also discussed in order to make the students able to deepen their knowledge within this area if necessary.

Two guest lecturers with practical experience of the concepts are also a part of the course. They talk about experiences from their own company.

The course is integrative and models from previous courses are applied in a production strategic context.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH
Assessment: The course contains three assignments, solved in groups of four students. The group makes a written report and an oral presentation. The assignments can give 6 extra credits that will be added to the exam credits for a higher grade. The course also contains five cases solved in the classroom. The student must attend at least 4 of the cases. Two mandatory guest lecturers are also a part of the course. If the student fails to attend, the extra credits given by the assignments will be reduced by 0.5 credits/h. The examination is in writing and 100 are the maximum credits. In order to pass, 50 credits are required. For higher grading the extra credits from the assignments are added (only the first exam) and to achieve grade 4, 65 credits are required and for grade 5, 80 credits are required. The mandatory assignments and cases must be done in order to participate in the exam.

Parts
Code: 0111. Name: Production Management.
Credits: 6. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: The course contains three assignments, solved in groups of four students. The group makes a written report and an oral presentation. The assignments can give 6 extra credits that will be added to the exam credits for a higher grade.
Code: 0211. Name: Cases.
Credits: 1,5. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: For higher grading the extra credits from the assignments are added (only the first exam) and to achieve grade 4, 65 credits are required and for grade 5, 80 credits are required. The mandatory assignments and cases must be done in order to participate in the exam.

Admission

Admission requirements:

The number of participants is limited to: No
The course overlaps following course/s: MIO051

Reading list

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Peter Berling, peter.berling@iml.lth.se
Course homepage: http://www.pm.lth.se