Updated April 20, 2021

Running a smooth operation requires the right techniques and tools to help you run a business efficiently and effectively. As an operations manager knowing your role and its importance to the enterprise will ensure satisfaction and a smooth sailing ship.  

At Visible Systems, we maintain Operation Management deals with the creation of goods and services through the application of a business model - vital in both service and manufacturing firms.  Operations Management has a primary objective, which is to employ the company’s resources to produce goods and services fit for the market. And, we'd like to add ....in the most agile manner. This post highlights the definitions, importance, and function of this concept.

What is ‘Operations Management’

Operation Management is in charge of managing the conversion process. This unit handles the day-to-day running of the business to ensure operations within the organization are carried out smoothly. It is also in charge of production administration, manufacturing and other processes like the rendering of services.

BREAKING DOWN ‘Operations Management’

In short, everything regarding involves utilizing resource such as designing, implementation, and control is the duty of operation management. And the sole aim is to deliver the desired products and services to clients while also ensuring that all parties involved are adhering to the policies presented by the management of the company. The focus is also to make sure that there is little or no wastage during and after the production process, through the effective use of the firm’s resources.

Specific Responsibilities of Operations Management

As earlier mentioned the duty of the operations manager entails making sure that resource are used for the right thing and plays a significant role in the production process to ensure the team delivers quality output. Below are the functions of operations management.

• Finance

Operation management’s responsibility is to make sure that the company’s resources are used in the right manner to generate goods that satisfy its customers.

• Strategy

• Product Design

It is the operations manager’s responsibility to come up with product design that not only caters to the needs of customers but follows the market trend.

• Forecasting

Operation management also predicts the performance of products or services in the future. In other words, he critically analyses what customers’ demand for certain products would be in the future.

Importance of Operation Management

The role of the operation manager is to ensure that products or services are always available and reaches customers promptly. He also makes sure that raw materials are transformed successfully into finished products. One importance of operation management is to improve the overall productivity of the business. Resources are also used properly in other to eliminate wastage and boost profit.

To continue, with running a business, try to have an image or an idea that will help you organize your thoughts and ideas into one specific packet. Being apart of the management team, its okay to organize your thoughts and illustrate it out and portray it to other people. One way to help you is the business plan. 

In its simplest form, a business plan is a guide—a roadmap for your business that outlines goals and details how you plan to achieve those goals. If you’ve ever thought about starting a business and written down a few ideas about your business strategy on the back of a napkin, you’ve written a business plan.

Now, to successfully start and run a business, you’ll need more than a sketch on a napkin. Thankfully, modern business planning is simpler, easier, and faster than ever before. Business plans can be as short as one page and are rarely longer than 10 pages.

To give you a clear understanding of what a Business Plan is, here is my example I did from high school. In my high school career, we were given the opportunity to research something we were interested in and I chose starting a new business and becoming an entrepreneur. In this term, I chose to research and learn about business plans about companies. In my case, I have chosen to start a business called NJ Bakehouse. In this business, we are known for bakeries and cupcakes and our wonderful atmosphere and service.

In my business plan, it includes an executive summary of the company, a company description, operations and management, products, services, marketing industry, advertising, competition, locations, loans, and appliances needed for the business and a conclusion. Typically, a business plan ranges from one page to ten pages, it depends on how much you need in your plan and how much detail you want to provide to help you in the future. You can make it short and simple or you can make it creative and understandable.

In a business plan, all of these topics are necessary because essentially, you are planning out your whole plan for the business hence the name. the executive summary clearly states what the business is known for and its goals in the current and future state. The plan identifies and recognizes its competitors in the location it is desired in. As well, in order to run a business, it needs to obtain licenses, sometimes loans to help out, and the purchase of appliances and furniture.  The business plan is essentially your plan in running the business and making it succeed in the future with goods and services. From analyzing results and data, to labor costs, to competition, to operations etc. This business plan will guide you through a starting business. 

Making decisions can be extremely tough especially in the business industry whether it is in a crisis or making a decision in general. Strategize what is the best plan and what is efficient and effective. Consider all the information to help you. Here are some helpful tips to help you make your decision easier and run smoother. 

1. Stay calm/ relaxed 

2. Look/research at your resources 

3. Gather the relevant information 

4. Ask for opinions 

5. Thoroughly think through 

6. Take Action 

7. Learn from your mistake/ success and grow within 

With making business decisions, always remain calm even when there is a crisis. I know this is hard but try to stay calm and relaxed therefore you might make the wrong decision due to anxiety and pressure. Take time to breath and get into the mindset and then make the decision. always look at your resources and see what we can do with the information already given to us. Next, research some more and gather more information to help you! The more information, the better. You can learn more as well as see what others have to offer. As well, always ask for help if needed. Ask around and talk to people that you trust and are reliable for the situation. Asking for their opinion and advice isn't a bad thing. Having another set of eyes and ears is extremely helpful because having their perspective added onto yours, you might learn something. As well, they might have you see things in a different perspective, something that you never even considered. Having help is always an advantage. After having the relevant information in front of you as well as asking for advice, it is time to think strategically. Before you are ready to kickoff your next project, see here how to level set your project strategy by using one of our industry templates.