Engineering Tripos Part IIB, 4E4: Management of Technology, 2024-25
Module Leader
Lecturers
Dr L Mortara, Dr R Phaal, Dr C. Kerr, Dr F Tietze, Prof T Minshall
Timing and Structure
Michaelmas term. Eight 2-hour sessions incorporating industry speakers. Assessment: 100% exam
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- provide students with an understanding of the ways in which technology is brought to market by focusing on key technology management topics from the standpoint of an established business as well as new entrepreneurial ventures
- place emphasis on frameworks and methods that are both theoretically sound and practically useful.
- provide students with both an understanding of the challenges and the practical means of dealing with them in an engineering context.
Objectives
As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:
- have a thorough appreciation of how technology is used to address market opportunities, and how technology management supports that process
- assess and utilise appropriate technology management methods in different contexts
- understand the core challenges of technology management and the practical means of dealing with them in an engineering context
Content
Introduction: Technology in the business context
- The objectives, content and procedure of the course
- Technology in organisations and markets
- How technology is managed to generate value – the link between technology and innovation
- What are technology management processes and how are they used?
Strategic Technology Management: How do companies plan for future technology progression?
- Strategic technology management
- Planning for the future by linking technology, product and market considerations - Technology Roadmapping (TRM)
- Scenario planning tools to help manage the uncertainties of the future
Identification: How do companies keep up with scientific and technological developments?
- Technology intelligence and its role for organisations
- Technology intelligence systems
- How do the technology intelligence systems operate: the process
Selection: How to select the right technology for the future?
- Selecting technology investments: specific problems
- Tools and techniques for technology selection
- How do companies manage a portfolio of R&D projects?
Protection: Protecting technology to ensure future business opportunities
- The relevance of intellectual property (IP) in today’s technology and business context.
- How to manage and enforce IP strategically for technology related business problems.
- How to organize for effective IP management.
Acquisition: Different routes to acquire technology from partners
- The process of technology acquisition
- Defining the motivation and what we want to acquire (e.g. Make or buy?
- Assessing the match (Internal drivers, technology and partners’ characteristics)
- Deciding the setup of the acquisition
Exploitation: Making money from new technologies: How to choose the right business model
- What are the different ways in which an idea can be brought to market?
- Why do most innovations reach the market through new firms rather than established firms?
- How do new and established firms work together?
Technology managers: lessons from the trenches
· Invited speaker(s) will reflect on their experience in technology management: Topics covered include
· Managing technology in organisations
· Managing technology projects
· The job of the technology manager
· People in organisations
Resources
Additional resources for this module will be available from Moodle. Details will be given at the start of the module.
Further notes
The order of lectures and lecturers might change at short notice. Please refer to the Moodle page for the latest update
Booklists
Please see the Booklist for Group E Courses for references for this module.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
GT1
Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
IA1
Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.
IA2
Demonstrate creative and innovative ability in the synthesis of solutions and in formulating designs.
KU1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.
KU2
Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
S1
The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.
S2
Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.
P3
Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).
P5
Awareness of nature of intellectual property and contractual issues.
US4
An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.
Last modified: 24/09/2024 16:26
Engineering Tripos Part IIB, 4E4: Management of Technology, 2024-25
Module Leader
Lecturers
Dr L Mortara, Dr Rob Phaal, Dr Clive Kerr, Prof Tim Minshall, Prof. F. Tietze
Timing and Structure
Michaelmas term. Eight sessions incorporating speakers. Assessment: 100% exam. The Lectures will be held in LT6
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- provide students with an understanding of the ways in which technology is brought to market by focusing on key technology management topics from the standpoint of an established business
- place emphasis on frameworks and methods that are both theoretically sound and practically useful
- provide students with both an understanding of the challenges and the practical means of dealing with them in an engineering context
Objectives
As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:
- have a thorough appreciation of how technology is used to address market opportunities, and how technology management supports that process
- assess and utilise appropriate technology management methods in different contexts
- understand the core challenges of technology management and the practical means of dealing with them in an engineering context
Content
Introduction: Technology in the business context
- The objectives, content and procedure of the course.
- Technology in organisations and markets.
- How technology is managed to generate value – the link between technology and innovation.
- What are technology management processes and how are they used?
Strategic Technology Management: How do companies plan for future technology progression?
- Strategic technology management.
- Planning for the future by linking technology, product and market considerations - Technology Roadmapping (TRM).
- Scenario planning tools to help manage the uncertainties of the future.
Identification: How do companies keep up with scientific and technological developments?
- Technology intelligence and its role for organisations.
- Technology intelligence systems.
- How do the technology intelligence systems operate: the process.
Selection: How to select the right technology for the future?
- Selecting technology investments: specific problems.
- Tools and techniques for technology selection.
- How do companies manage a portfolio of R&D projects?
Acquisition: Different routes to acquire technology from partners
- The process of technology acquisition.
- Defining the motivation and what we want to acquire
- Assessing the match (Internal drivers, technology and partners’ characteristics).
- Deciding the setup of the acquisition.
Protection: Protecting technology to ensure future business opportunities
- The relevance of intellectual property (IP) in today’s technology and business context.
- How to manage and enforce IP strategically for technology related business problems.
- How to organize for effective IP management.
Exploitation: Making money from new technologies: How to choose the right business model
- What are the different ways in which an idea can be brought to market?
- Why do most innovations reach the market through new firms rather than established firms?
- How do new and established firms work together?
Technology managers:lessons from the trenches
· Invited speaker(s) will reflect on their experience in technology and innovation management: Topics covered include.
· Managing technology in organisations.
· Managing technology and innovation projects.
· The job of the technology manager.
REFERENCES
Additional resources for this module will be available from the course Moodle page.
Further notes
The order of lectures and lecturers might change at short notice. Please refer to the Moodle page for the latest update
Booklists
Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIB Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
GT1
Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
IA1
Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.
IA2
Demonstrate creative and innovative ability in the synthesis of solutions and in formulating designs.
KU1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.
KU2
Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
S1
The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.
S2
Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.
P3
Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).
P5
Awareness of nature of intellectual property and contractual issues.
US4
An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.
Last modified: 17/01/2025 14:16
Engineering Tripos Part IIB, 4E4: Management of Technology, 2017-18
Leader
Lecturers
Dr T Minshall, Dr Clive Kerr, Dr R Phaal & Dr F Tietze
Timing and Structure
Michaelmas term. Eight 2-hour sessions incorporating industry speakers. Assessment: 100% coursework
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- provide students with an understanding of the ways in which technology is brought to market by focusing on key technology management topics from the standpoint of an established business as well as new entrepreneurial ventures.
- place emphasis on frameworks and methods that are both theoretically sound and practically useful.
- provide students with both an understanding of the issues and the practical means of dealing with them in an engineering context.
Objectives
As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:
- have a thorough appreciation of how technology is brought to address market opportunities, and how technology management supports that process.
- assess and utilise appropriate technology management methods in different contexts.
- understand the core issues of technology management and the practical means of dealing with them in an engineering context.
Content
Introduction: Technology in the business context
- Technology origins and evolution.
- How technology generates value.
- What are technology management processes and how are they used?
Developing new technologies: Managing research and development (R&D) and intellectual property rights (IPR)
- How do you manage a portfolio of R&D projects?
- What are the key aspects of IPR, and how are they managed?
- How do you put a value on R&D projects and IPR?
Making money from new technologies: How to choose the right business model
- What are the different ways in which an idea can be brought to market?
- Why do most innovations reach the market through new firms rather than established firms?
- How do new and established firms work together?
Resources to bring ideas to market: 'Make versus Buy' (MvB) and strategic alliances
- Strategic context for MvB and partnering decisions.
- Tools and techniques to support MvB decisions.
- Working in partnership with other organisations.
New product introduction (NPI)
- Structuring the NPI process.
- New product life cycles, time-to-market and metrics.
- Completing an NPI project on time and within budget.
Open approaches to innovation
- Why open approaches have become very common
- What are the different types of open innovation?
- What are the challenges in managing open models of innovation?
Planning for the future: Technology strategy and planning
- Strategic technology management.
- Planning for the future by linking technology, product and market considerations - Technology Roadmapping (TRM).
- Scenario planning tools to help manage the uncertainties of the future.
Technology management in practice
- A panel of experienced technology managers will share lessons, and respond to queries posed by students.
REFERENCES
Additional resources for this module will be available from Camtools. Details will be given at the start of the module.
Coursework
For the coursework, students are required to research and write a report of approximately 3,000 words on a specific management of technology theme provided in the first lecture of the module. The report should draw upon module material supplemented with students' own research on both industrial practice & academic theory.
| Coursework | Format |
Due date & marks |
|---|---|---|
|
Final report Coursework 1 brief description Learning objective:
|
Individual Report Anonymously marked |
Friday 19th January 2018, 12:00 (noon) 100% of assessment for this module
|
Booklists
Please see the Booklist for Group E Courses for references for this module.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
GT1
Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
IA1
Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.
IA2
Demonstrate creative and innovative ability in the synthesis of solutions and in formulating designs.
KU1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.
KU2
Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
S1
The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.
S2
Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.
P3
Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).
P5
Awareness of nature of intellectual property and contractual issues.
US4
An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.
Last modified: 10/10/2017 13:14
Engineering Tripos Part IIB, 4E4: Management of Technology, 2023-24
Module Leader
Lecturer
Dr L Mortara,
Timing and Structure
Michaelmas term. Eight sessions incorporating speakers. Assessment: 100% coursework. The Lectures will be held in LT1 and will not be recorded. A video, tailored for online learning, will be made available on Panopto every week
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- provide students with an understanding of the ways in which technology is brought to market by focusing on key technology management topics from the standpoint of an established business
- place emphasis on frameworks and methods that are both theoretically sound and practically useful.
- provide students with both an understanding of the challenges and the practical means of dealing with them in an engineering context.
Objectives
As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:
- have a thorough appreciation of how technology is used to address market opportunities, and how technology management supports that process
- assess and utilise appropriate technology management methods in different contexts
- understand the core challenges of technology management and the practical means of dealing with them in an engineering context
Content
Introduction: Technology in the business context
- The objectives, content and procedure of the course.
- Technology in organisations and markets.
- How technology is managed to generate value – the link between technology and innovation.
- What are technology management processes and how are they used?
Strategic Technology Management: How do companies plan for future technology progression?
- Strategic technology management.
- Planning for the future by linking technology, product and market considerations - Technology Roadmapping (TRM).
- Scenario planning tools to help manage the uncertainties of the future.
Identification: How do companies keep up with scientific and technological developments?
- Technology intelligence and its role for organisations.
- Technology intelligence systems.
- How do the technology intelligence systems operate: the process.
Selection: How to select the right technology for the future?
- Selecting technology investments: specific problems.
- Tools and techniques for technology selection.
- How do companies manage a portfolio of R&D projects?
Acquisition: Different routes to acquire technology from partners
- The process of technology acquisition.
- Defining the motivation and what we want to acquire (e.g. Make or buy?).
- Assessing the match (Internal drivers, technology and partners’ characteristics).
- Deciding the setup of the acquisition.
Protection: Protecting technology to ensure future business opportunities
- The relevance of intellectual property (IP) in today’s technology and business context.
- How to manage and enforce IP strategically for technology related business problems.
- How to organize for effective IP management.
Exploitation: Making money from new technologies: How to choose the right business model
- What are the different ways in which an idea can be brought to market?
- Why do most innovations reach the market through new firms rather than established firms?
- How do new and established firms work together?
Technology managers:lessons from the trenches
· Invited speaker(s) will reflect on their experience in technology management: Topics covered include.
· Managing technology in organisations.
· Managing technology and innovation projects.
· The job of the technology manager.
REFERENCES
Additional resources for this module will be available from the course Moodle page.
Further notes
The order of lectures and lecturers might change at short notice. Please refer to the Moodle page for the latest update
Coursework
The coursework objective is for the students to demonstrate knowledge of the technology management approaches and tools explored in class by applying this understanding to a specific context (e.g. a company that is facing an emerging technology). Information on the specifics will be shared with the class at the start of the module. The context will be the basis to draft the coursework which reflects on technology management practices and approaches which could be relevant for managers, drawing upon module material supplemented with students' own research on both industrial practice & academic theory. The details of the coursework will be discussed in class at the start of the course.
| Coursework | Format |
Due date & marks |
|---|---|---|
|
Coursework Learning objective:
Your report and presentation will be assessed using the following criteria: −Application– Does the report illustrate an understanding and an ability to apply the technology management principles to specific situations, and consider alternative approaches? − Material –Does the report illustrate understanding of the material presented in the lectures and in the key readings? Is there evidence of additional reading and deepening of the concepts covered? −Organisation– Are the messages of the report clearly articulated? Do they clearly explain, in a substantiated way, how the technology management tools/approaches and practices work, and have been applied or could be applied? −Presentation– Is the document itself well presented, clearly structured, with appropriate referencing of supporting evidence, following the guidelines? |
Individual Details to be confirmed
Anonymously marked |
Friday 13th January 2023, 12:00 (noon) 100% of assessment for this module
|
Booklists
Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIB Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
GT1
Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
IA1
Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.
IA2
Demonstrate creative and innovative ability in the synthesis of solutions and in formulating designs.
KU1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.
KU2
Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
S1
The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.
S2
Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.
P3
Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).
P5
Awareness of nature of intellectual property and contractual issues.
US4
An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.
Last modified: 26/09/2024 12:58
Engineering Tripos Part IIB, 4E4: Management of Technology, 2018-19
Leaders
Prof T Minshall and Dr L Mortara
Lecturers
Prof T Minshall, Dr L Mortara, Dr C Kerr, Prof Rick Mitchell, Dr R Phaal
Timing and Structure
Michaelmas term. Eight 2-hour sessions incorporating industry speakers. Assessment: 100% coursework
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- provide students with an understanding of the ways in which technology is brought to market by focusing on key technology management topics from the standpoint of an established business as well as new entrepreneurial ventures.
- place emphasis on frameworks and methods that are both theoretically sound and practically useful.
- provide students with both an understanding of the issues and the practical means of dealing with them in an engineering context.
Objectives
As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:
- have a thorough appreciation of how technology is brought to address market opportunities, and how technology management supports that process.
- assess and utilise appropriate technology management methods in different contexts.
- understand the core issues of technology management and the practical means of dealing with them in an engineering context.
Content
Introduction: Technology in the business context
- Technology origins and evolution.
- How technology generates value.
- What are technology management processes and how are they used?
Developing new technologies: Managing research and development (R&D) and intellectual property rights (IPR)
- How do you manage a portfolio of R&D projects?
- What are the key aspects of IPR, and how are they managed?
- How do you put a value on R&D projects and IPR?
Making money from new technologies: How to choose the right business model
- What are the different ways in which an idea can be brought to market?
- Why do most innovations reach the market through new firms rather than established firms?
- How do new and established firms work together?
Resources to bring ideas to market: 'Make versus Buy' (MvB) and strategic alliances
- Strategic context for MvB and partnering decisions.
- Tools and techniques to support MvB decisions.
- Working in partnership with other organisations.
New product introduction (NPI)
- Structuring the NPI process.
- New product life cycles, time-to-market and metrics.
- Completing an NPI project on time and within budget.
Open approaches to innovation
- Why open approaches have become very common
- What are the different types of open innovation?
- What are the challenges in managing open models of innovation?
Planning for the future: Technology strategy and planning
- Strategic technology management.
- Planning for the future by linking technology, product and market considerations - Technology Roadmapping (TRM).
- Scenario planning tools to help manage the uncertainties of the future.
Technology management in practice
- A panel of experienced technology managers will share lessons, and respond to queries posed by students.
REFERENCES
Additional resources for this module will be available from Camtools. Details will be given at the start of the module.
Coursework
For the coursework, students are required to research and write a report of approximately 3,000 words on a specific management of technology theme provided in the first lecture of the module. The report should draw upon module material supplemented with students' own research on both industrial practice & academic theory.
| Coursework | Format |
Due date & marks |
|---|---|---|
|
Final report Coursework 1 brief description Learning objective:
|
Individual Report Anonymously marked |
Friday 18th January 2019, 12:00 (noon) 100% of assessment for this module
|
Booklists
Please see the Booklist for Group E Courses for references for this module.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
GT1
Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
IA1
Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.
IA2
Demonstrate creative and innovative ability in the synthesis of solutions and in formulating designs.
KU1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.
KU2
Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
S1
The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.
S2
Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.
P3
Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).
P5
Awareness of nature of intellectual property and contractual issues.
US4
An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.
Last modified: 18/11/2018 18:45
Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3E10: Operations Management for Engineers, 2025-26
Leader
Lecturer
Dr Gökçen Yilmaz
Lecturer
Timing and Structure
Lent term. 16 lectures and 4 examples classes.
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- Introduce Operations Management to students coming specifically from an engineering background.
- Give a foundation course for any engineering student who aims to take on an operations focused role at a manufacturing or service firm or go into management consultancy.
Objectives
As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:
- Understand the role, objectives and activities of Operations Management
- Be familiar with the main Operations Management concepts and techniques, which they can apply in practice.
Content
Operations management is the business function concerned with the creation, management and improvement of processes. These processes must be efficient and effective in the delivery of products and services. This module will cover the key tools, techniques and practices required to manage a modern manufacturing and service operation. We will explore the issues faced by operations managers as well as examining how companies can differentiate themselves based on their operations strategy. This module will introduce the key tools and techniques of operations management, and provide experience of process improvement methodologies, such as Lean production and Six Sigma quality across a range of industries. The course will emphasise the importance of being able to observe and analyse an operation, and to recognise operational excellence.
Topics covered:
- Delivering operational efficiency: process design and analysis:
- Ensuring operational effectiveness: quality management
- Delivering improvements: the Six Sigma organisation
- Delivering improvements: the Lean enterprise
- Managing a project: implementing improvements
- Managing resources: facilities, materials, people and technology
- Creating value across the supply chain
- Operations strategy: ensuring organisational alignment
Further notes
TEACHING METHODS
A mixture of:
- Interactive lecture sessions
- In-class exercises
- Case studies
Coursework
To be announced in lectures.
There is no Full Technical Report (FTR) associated with this module.
Booklists
Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
GT1
Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
IA1
Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.
KU1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.
KU2
Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
D3
Identify and manage cost drivers.
D5
Ensure fitness for purpose for all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal.
S1
The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.
S2
Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.
E2
Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.
E4
Understanding of and ability to apply a systems approach to engineering problems.
P1
A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.
P3
Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).
P7
Awareness of quality issues.
P8
Ability to apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints.
US2
A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.
Last modified: 03/12/2025 10:02
Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3E10: Operations Management for Engineers, 2024-25
Leader
Lecturer
Prof J Davies
Timing and Structure
Lent term. 16 lectures and 4 examples classes.
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- Introduce Operations Management to students coming specifically from an engineering background.
- Give a foundation course for any engineering student who aims to join large manufacturing firms or go into management consultancy.
Objectives
As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:
- Understand the role, objectives and activities of Operations Management
- Be familiar with the main Operations Management concepts and techniques, which they can apply in practice.
Content
Operations management is the business function concerned with the creation, management and improvement of processes. These processes must be efficient and effective in the delivery of products and services. This module will cover the key tools, techniques and practices required to manage a modern manufacturing and service operation. We will explore the issues faced by operations managers as well as examining how companies can differentiate themselves based on their operations strategy. This module will introduce the key tools and techniques of operations management, and provide experience of process improvement methodologies, such as Lean production and Six Sigma quality across a range of industries. The course will emphasise the importance of being able to observe and analyse an operation, and to recognise operational excellence.
Topics covered:
- Delivering operational efficiency: process design and analysis:
- Ensuring operational effectiveness: quality management
- Delivering improvements: the Six Sigma organisation
- Delivering improvements: the Lean enterprise
- Managing an improvement project
- Managing resources: facilities, materials, people and technology
- Creating value across the supply chain
- Operations strategy: ensuring organisational alignment
Further notes
TEACHING METHODS
A mixture of:
- Interactive lecture sessions
- In-class exercises
- Case studies
Coursework
To be announced in lectures.
There is no Full Technical Report (FTR) associated with this module.
Booklists
Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
GT1
Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
IA1
Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.
KU1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.
KU2
Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
D3
Identify and manage cost drivers.
D5
Ensure fitness for purpose for all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal.
S1
The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.
S2
Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.
E2
Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.
E4
Understanding of and ability to apply a systems approach to engineering problems.
P1
A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.
P3
Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).
P7
Awareness of quality issues.
P8
Ability to apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints.
US2
A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.
Last modified: 13/01/2025 14:55
Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3E10: Operations Management for Engineers, 2023-24
Leader
Lecturer
Prof Feryal Erhun
Timing and Structure
Lent term. 16 lectures and 4 examples classes.
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- Introduce Operations Management to students coming specifically from an engineering background.
- Give a foundation course for any engineering student who aims to join large manufacturing firms or go into management consultancy.
Objectives
As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:
- Understand the role, objectives and activities of Operations Management
- Be familiar with the main Operations Management concepts and techniques, which they can apply in practice.
Content
Operations management is concerned with the processes by which organisations deliver goods and services. The course will be covering the basic concepts and techniques used in managing modern manufacturing and service operations, from the composition of a manufacturing system, to planning and scheduling at factory level, and the coordination of supplier networks
- Process Fundamentals, Types of Manufacturing and Service Operations
- Capacity Management
- Inventory Management
- Forecasting
- Machine-level Scheduling and Assembly Line Balancing
- Factory-level Scheduling and MRP Systems
- Toyota Production System, Lean Thinking and Six Sigma
- Supply Chain Management
Further notes
TEACHING METHODS
A mixture of:
- Interactive lecture sessions
- In-class exercises
Coursework
To be announced in lectures.
There is no Full Technical Report (FTR) associated with this module.
Booklists
Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
GT1
Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
IA1
Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.
KU1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.
KU2
Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
D3
Identify and manage cost drivers.
D5
Ensure fitness for purpose for all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal.
S1
The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.
S2
Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.
E2
Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.
E4
Understanding of and ability to apply a systems approach to engineering problems.
P1
A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.
P3
Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).
P7
Awareness of quality issues.
P8
Ability to apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints.
US2
A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.
Last modified: 30/05/2023 15:21
Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3E10: Operations Management for Engineers, 2022-23
Leader
Lecturer
Prof Feryal Erhun
Timing and Structure
Lent term. 16 lectures and 4 examples classes.
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- Introduce Operations Management to students coming specifically from an engineering background.
- Give a foundation course for any engineering student who aims to join large manufacturing firms or go into management consultancy.
Objectives
As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:
- Understand the role, objectives and activities of Operations Management
- Be familiar with the main Operations Management concepts and techniques, which they can apply in practice.
Content
Operations management is concerned with the processes by which organisations deliver goods and services. The course will be covering the basic concepts and techniques used in managing modern manufacturing and service operations, from the composition of a manufacturing system, to planning and scheduling at factory level, and the coordination of supplier networks
- Process Fundamentals, Types of Manufacturing and Service Operations
- Capacity Management
- Inventory Management
- Forecasting
- Machine-level Scheduling and Assembly Line Balancing
- Factory-level Scheduling and MRP Systems
- Toyota Production System, Lean Thinking and Six Sigma
- Supply Chain Management
Further notes
TEACHING METHODS
A mixture of:
- Interactive lecture sessions
- In-class exercises
Coursework
To be announced in lectures.
There is no Full Technical Report (FTR) associated with this module.
Booklists
Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
GT1
Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
IA1
Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.
KU1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.
KU2
Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
D3
Identify and manage cost drivers.
D5
Ensure fitness for purpose for all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal.
S1
The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.
S2
Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.
E2
Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.
E4
Understanding of and ability to apply a systems approach to engineering problems.
P1
A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.
P3
Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).
P7
Awareness of quality issues.
P8
Ability to apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints.
US2
A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.
Last modified: 09/03/2023 10:13
Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3E10: Operations Management for Engineers, 2019-20
Leader
Lecturer
Dr F Erhun-Oguz
Lab Leader
Dr F Erhun-Oguz
Timing and Structure
Lent term. 16 lectures and 4 examples classes.
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- Introduce Operations Management to students coming specifically from an engineering background.
- Give a foundation course for any engineering student who aims to join large manufacturing firms or go into management consultancy.
Objectives
As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:
- Understand the role, objectives and activities of Operations Management
- Be familiar with the main Operations Management concepts and techniques, which they can apply in practice.
Content
Operations management is concerned with the processes by which organisations deliver goods and services. The course will be covering the basic concepts and techniques used in managing modern manufacturing and service operations, from the composition of a manufacturing system, to planning and scheduling at factory level, and the coordination of supplier networks
- Process Fundamentals, Types of Manufacturing and Service Operations.
- Inventory Management.
- Forecasting.
- Machine-level Scheduling and Assembly Line Balancing.
- Factory-level Scheduling and MRP Systems.
- Toyota Production System and Lean Thinking.
- Quality Management, Six Sigma and Project Management
- Supply Chain Management
Further notes
TEACHING METHODS
A mixture of:
- Interactive lecture sessions
- Group discussion of case studies
- In-class exercises
Coursework
To be announced in lectures.
There is no Full Technical Report (FTR) associated with this module.
[Coursework Title]
Learning objectives:
Practical information:
- Sessions will take place in [Location], during week(s) [xxx].
- This activity [involves/doesn't involve] preliminary work ([estimated duration]).
Full Technical Report:
There is no Full Technical Report (FTR) associated with this module.
Booklists
Please see the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references for this module.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
GT1
Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
IA1
Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.
KU1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.
KU2
Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
D3
Identify and manage cost drivers.
D5
Ensure fitness for purpose for all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal.
S1
The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.
S2
Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.
E2
Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.
E4
Understanding of and ability to apply a systems approach to engineering problems.
P1
A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.
P3
Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).
P7
Awareness of quality issues.
P8
Ability to apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints.
US2
A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.
Last modified: 15/05/2019 09:30
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