Operations & Technology Management

• SMG OM 323: Operations Management
  Junior requirement—component of SMG SM 323, The Cross Functional Core. Focuses on the elements of operations management that are of particular importance in the context of new product development. These include: product and process design, process analysis, supply chain configuration, inventory management, and capacity and production planning. A semester-long business plan explores the interaction between operations management and marketing, information systems, and finance decisions.
• SMG OM 440: Operations Strategy
  Operations Policy explores the ability of an organization’s operations to satisfy its strategic requirements. We do so by investigating the influence of decisions made about the structure—capacities, facilities, technology, and vertical integration—and infrastructure—workforces, quality, production planning and control, and organization—of an organization’s operations and its capabilities. These decisions are considered in the context of different types of performance improvement plans organizations use: quality management, JIT, reengineering, supply chain management, strategic alliances, and performance management.
• SMG OM 441: Operations Analysis
  This course presents tools and modeling frameworks that are relevant to solving today’s supply chain problems. The class is a mixture of case discussions, lectures, games, and outside speakers. Case discussions cover subjects including designing new-product supply chains, optimizing inventory levels, quick response, and capacity management. Lectures provide the theoretical foundation for the course; the major subjects are inventory theory and forecasting. Although the course is not overly focused on mathematics, enough detail will be provided so that students can apply the material in practice. Games including the distribution game, the OPT game, and the Beer Game will reinforce the concepts in a constructive way. Finally, outside speakers will present real-world examples of how supply chain models are being developed in practice. This course is designed for students that will be working in consulting or supply chain management after graduation. For students majoring in areas like Finance or Marketing, it is a solid exposure to an area that is integral to any product-focused company.
• SMG OM 443: Supply Chain Modeling Practicum
  This class provides hands-on exposure to modeling a real-world multi-echelon supply chain problem. Students will work in teams and be assigned to solve a supply chain problem presented by a local company. Companies include Boston Scientific, Gillette, and Seven Cycles. The projects focus on determining the optimal solution as well as near-optimal solutions that can be more easily implemented in practice.
• SMG OM 465: Improving Quality: Six Sigma Certification
  Six Sigma quality programs help companies deliver near-perfect products and services. It has not only changed the quality “DNA” of leading companies around the world, but also emerged as a key factor in promotions and salaries. People trained as Six Sigma experts are highly sought after on the job market. This course makes students proficient in Six Sigma including its underlying philosophies, tools (for example, statistical process control), and implementation. This course certifies students as Six Sigma Green Belts and is also designed to prepare students so that when they complete one or more quality improvement projects in a post-BU career, they will be ready to test for a “Black Belt.”
• SMG OM 467: Global Supply Management
  Required for Operations Management concentrators. Aims to develop an understanding of the nature of international problems associated with the supply, distribution, and sourcing of products. Issues such as the operational support of market development in foreign countries, international sourcing, country analysis, and the management of supply and distribution activities are covered. A team project is required.
• SMG OM 498: Directed Study in Operations Management
  Directed study requires consent of the instructor and the department chairman.

Note that this information may change at any time.

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