Contents

The Operations Manager’s Toolbox: Using the Best Project Management Techniques to Improve Processes and Maximize Efficiency

Dedication

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1. The Power of Completion

How Do You Gain Power from Completion?

Believing in the Task or Project

Proper Assessment of a Task or Project

Managing a Task or Project

Accountability in Completing a Task or Project

Take the Blinders Off

Time Is of the Essence

Organizing a Task or Project

Should a Task Become an Official Project?

Operations Manager or Project Manager—Who Are You?

Managing Processes Versus Reporting on Progress

Power Tools for the Manager

Power Tool Summary

Chapter 2. Communication Is King

Why Communication?

The Communication Path

Communication Applications

Communicating in Meetings

Communication Management Plan

Power Tool Summary

Chapter 3. Fix the Processes

What Is a Process?

Why Look at the Processes?

Process Development

Documentation

Staffing a Process

Training Staff for Processes

Monitoring and Measuring a Process

Changing the Process

Is There a Better Way?

Power Tool Summary

Chapter 4. Waste Management

What Is Waste in an Organization?

Process Organization

Waste or Manufacturing Cost Reductions?

Waste in Procurement

Waste in Shipping and Receiving

Waste in Facilities

Waste in Managerial Decision Making

Waste in Meetings and Decision Processing

Sustainable Change

Power Tool Summary

Chapter 5. Managing Your Resources

Knowing your Resources

Human Resources

Managing Versus Leading

Allocation of Resources

New Managers

Capital Equipment

Facilities

Equipment

Power Tools Summary

Chapter 6. Budget Control

Establishing a Budget

Scope of the Budget

Controlling a Budget

Contracts

Conclusion

Power Tool Summary

Chapter 7. Don’t Be Afraid of Risks

Risk in Today’s Operations

Risk Versus Uncertainty

Risk Management Planning

Learn from Your Experiences

Power Tool Summary

Chapter 8. Synergy in Management

Managerial Behavior

Managerial Diversity

Managerial Relationships

Communication System

Needs of the Manager

Power Tool Summary

Chapter 9. Tamper-Proof Training

Training Is a Process

Training Plan

Power Tool Summary

Chapter 10. The Weakest Link

Procurements

Supplier Relationships

Suppliers

Inventory Control

Power Tool Summary

Chapter 11. Organizing for Efficiency

At What Level Should Organizing Be Done?

Design It In

Cost Benefit

Power Tool Summary

Chapter 12. Managing Change

Why Change Anything?

Problems with Change

Types of Change

Documentation Changes

Change as a Process

Power Tool Summary

Bibliography

Index

The Encyclopedia of Operations Management: A Field Manual and Glossary of Operations Management Terms and Concepts

Preface

How Readers Can Use this Encyclopedia

How Instructors Can Use this Encyclopedia

About the Author

Quotes From Executives

Quotes From Professors and Students

Acknowledgments

Essential Supply Chain and Operations Terms

New Entries in this Edition

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Useful Links

General References

Cited References