Certificate in Operational Excellence for Process Digitisation

Course Outline

The course duration is 11 months. Lectures will be delivered two evenings per week online and two Saturday’s per month, one of which will be delivered in-person. (ECTS: 60 Credits)

Module 1: Fundamentals of Maths and Statistics 

Provides learners with the basic knowledge, skills and competence they will require to solve practical mathematical problems within a digitized industrial setting. Maths is additionally a fundamental tool in computer programming. This module will therefore provide learners with a solid base of skills using mathematical tools that will be used in subsequent advanced modules e.g., Industrial statistics and Programming modules within this programme. 

Module 2: Transversal Skills

Provides learners with the skills to recognise the changing environmental climate and identify and demonstrate a range of newly required transversal skills and competencies to act in such an environment. Learners will also develop their ability to prepare an appropriate CV, successfully complete an interview and present themselves in the best possible manner are key elements of the module. An additional element of the module is to assist learners to develop their network which will aid their entry into the industry.

Module 3: Operations Management & Supply Chain Management 

Provides learners with a basic understanding of operations management and supply chain management in manufacturing and service organisations. The key functions of operations management involve organisational strategy, product design, forecasting, inventory management, quality control, scheduling, supply chain management and facilities management. Key characteristics of common supply chain strategies and criteria for their selection are presented, as well as an introduction to key performance metrics for supply chain management. Learners will develop their competence to contribute to the functions that design, plan, direct and improve all the activities that transform resources into goods or services in manufacturing and services companies.

Module 4: Operational Excellence – Lean thinking

Provides an overview of the fundamentals of organisational success, the concept of value, quality and waste in the business environment. Learners develop their knowledge of the concept and principles of lean thinking, value stream mapping and process mapping. The module introduces the learner to the range of lean tools utilised in waste elimination, such as 5S; SMED; Kanban; Kaizen; error-proofing and level loading. The module also discussed the importance and impact of culture on the lean transformation journey. 

Module 5: Operational Excellence – Six Sigma 

Introduces the learner to the fundamentals of six-sigma as a method to reduce variation and understand root cause. Understanding the importance and validity of quality data is critical to any improvement strategy, hence the module also covers fundamentals of data integrity, measurement systems analysis, statistics, quality tools, cause and effect, FMEA, solution development and control strategies. The module also introduces the learner to the creative problem-solving tool TRIZ and the importance of blue-sky thinking and transdisciplinarity. Finally, the module provides an overview of a typical Corrective Action Preventative Action (CAPA) process, based on the DMAIC methodology, introducing the learners to risk identification and risk assessment.

Module 6: Emerging Trends in Operations Management

Provides a basic understanding of some trends that accelerate the smart manufacturing future – product manufacturing and service convergence; redefined processes; hybrid human-machine processes; manufacturing ecosystems and manufacturing culture. Learners will develop an awareness of the impacts of the implementation of Industry 4.0, the increased importance of being sustainable and the rise of supply chain technology or blockchain.

Module 7: Fundamentals of Project Management

Aims to give students a basic knowledge of project management techniques used to identify the roles involved (in a team) and the processes used when managing an industrial project from the conceptual stage to full completion. It also aims to enable the student to understand the main aspects of project management methodologies together with key elements of control, risk and financial evaluation. 

Module 8: Digital Communication & Technical Reporting

Introduce learners to the discipline of technical communication. Acquiring technical writing skills is essential in workplace contexts where process digitisation is occurring, as it enables personnel to accurately communicate thoughts, ideas, information, and messages in writing; and create documents such as letters, directions, specifications, manuals, reports, presentations, graphs, flow charts, etc. Preparation of visuals to supplement the text, workplace communication, descriptions of mechanisms, explanations of processes, and writing reports are the major topics included.