This module is designed to introduce learners to the responsibilities of planning and managing operations. Learners will develop project planning techniques, communication strategies, data analysis and how this can be used to inform and forecast the future, decision making strategies, and risk management techniques.

This module is designed to contribute to the development of all Behaviours listed within the apprenticeship
standard, and the following Knowledge and Skills for Operations Managers:

Duty 4 -Manage and influence activities and projects within budget and resources to deliver change and
continuous improvement

* K6: Methods for researching, analysing, interpreting and evaluating data to inform judgements and enable
decision making.
* K7: Financial management techniques and implications of decisions for budgets.
* K9: Project management tools and techniques.
* K12: Problem solving and decision-making techniques.
* K17: Change management concepts and methods for implementing change within the organisation.
* S2: Identify problems and provide solutions.
* S5: Manage and influence project activity to deliver within budget and resource requirements.
* S8: Use digital tools to analyse information and monitor performance and budgets to drive the
implementation and delivery of plans and projects.
* S9: Research, interpret and analyse information to inform the implementation of business plans or projects.
* S10: Evaluate the impact of outcomes from organisational plans or projects to drive the decision-making
process.
* S12: Manage continuous improvement and change for their team and organisation.

Duty 6 - Lead the creation and implementation of their resource plans considering future organisation needs
and impact on change requirements

* K6: Methods for researching, analysing, interpreting and evaluating data to inform judgements and enable
decision making.
* K17: Change management concepts and methods for implementing change within the organisation.
* K25: The strategic direction of the organisation and the impact on operational plans.
* S2: Identify problems and provide solutions.
* S5: Manage and influence project activity to deliver within budget and resource requirements.
* S10: Evaluate the impact of outcomes from organisational plans or projects to drive the decision-making process.
S21: Develop and implement operational plans that align with the strategic direction of the organisation.

Duty 13 - Lead and respond to risk management, assessing the opportunities which could affect individual and team performance, and finding solutions that meet their needs.

* K6: Methods for researching, analysing, interpreting and evaluating data to inform judgements and enable decision making.
* K9: Project management tools and techniques.
* K12: Problem solving and decision-making techniques.
* K17: Change management concepts and methods for implementing change within the organisation.
* S2: Identify problems and provide solutions.
* S8: Use digital tools to analyse information and monitor performance and budgets to drive the implementation and delivery of plans and projects.

Duty 14 - Develop and implement their operational plan that aligns with the strategic direction of the organisation.

* K1: Presentation skills and methods.
* K6: Methods for researching, analysing, interpreting and evaluating data to inform judgements and enable decision making.
* K7: Financial management techniques and implications of decisions for budgets.
* K25: The strategic direction of the organisation and the impact on operational plans.
* S2: Identify problems and provide solutions.
* S5: Manage and influence project activity to deliver within budget and resource requirements.
* S10: Evaluate the impact of outcomes from organisational plans or projects to drive the decision-making process.
* S21: Develop and implement operational plans that align with the strategic direction of the organisation.
Learning within this module maps to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
* 4: Quality Education
* 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
* 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
* 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Learning within this module maps to the following Fundamental British Values:
* Democracy
* Mutual respect
* Tolerance

Learning within this module maps to the following principles of Safeguarding:
* Promoting Fundamental British Values and preventing radicalisation
* Safeguarding and supporting individuals

Learning within this module maps to the following principles of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
* Fair and ethical leadership
* Preventing discrimination and bias
* Flexibility for different needs

In this module, you will be required to create an operational plan for your department or organisation, using a range of resources. This plan will cover learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4. As part of the assessment, you will produce a written operational plan that covers several key aspects. You will explain the importance of data quality in ensuring credible reporting, demonstrate your understanding of financial management and forecasting within your organisation, and outline how you have applied project management principles to successfully manage and implement the operational plan. Additionally, you will discuss various operational management approaches and address the principles of continuous improvement and change management. To conclude, you will make recommendations aimed at helping your organisation drive improvements.

In addition to the operational plan, you must provide work product evidence to demonstrate how you have gathered information and applied these concepts of organisational planning in practice. The evidence should be naturally occurring within your role/organisation and should not be created solely for this assessment. The purpose is to showcase real-world application through existing documentation, polices, records, budgets, financial forecasting, data analysis, and the use of witness statements where appropriate.

Work product evidence can include, but is not limited to:

* High-quality data that ensures accurate reporting, which is critical for decision-making and strategy within your operational plan
* Examples of how you have managed data validation, governance and the tools you have used
* Budgets, financial forecasts, resourcing mechanisms
* Historical data, market trends, predictive analytics to forecast future financial outcomes
* Risk assessments
* Project management tools used such as Gantt Charts, project plans
* Stakeholder mapping and communication plans as well as meeting notes, surveys, or feedback forms

This module will be delivered through a combination of face-to-face on campus sessions and online webinars, designed to provide an engaging and interactive learning experience:

* Face-to-face teaching: Sessions will incorporate group work, formal teaching, case study analysis, and
guest speakers. Apprentices will also be encouraged to share their workplace experiences to enhance peer
learning.
* Online webinars: These will take the form of recorded content, interactive e-learning, or live tutorials,
offering opportunities for group discussion, presentations, flipped-classroom activities, further group work,
and case study analysis.

Additional learning activities include:
* Engaging with supplementary online content, including videos and presentations
* Independent reading to reinforce and expand on formal teaching
* Completing formative tasks set by the tutor to consolidate learning
* Preparing for assessments, writing, and gathering evidence
* Developing and maintaining a portfolio

In line with DfE Apprenticeship Funding Rules, this module includes 112 off-the-job (OTJ) training hours as standard, covering new learning funded by the apprenticeship levy. A total 200 nominal learning hours has been attributed to this module, incorporating OTJ training alongside broader academic development beyond levy-funded new learning.
Please refer to your Aptem account to identify your individualised off-the-job hours.

1. Demonstrate critical understanding of operational management approaches, including approaches to continuous improvement and managing change.
OM Apprenticeship Standard: K1, K12, K17, K25, K18 and S2, S10, S12, S21
University Learning Outcome: Knowledge & Understanding Learning

2. Apply project management principles to effectively govern, implement, manage, and evaluate projects.
OM Apprenticeship Standard: K9 and S9
University Learning Outcome: Knowledge & Understanding Application

3. Demonstrate critical understanding of the practical application of financial management and forecasting within an organisation.
OM Apprenticeship Standard: K6, K7 and S5
University Learning Outcome: Knowledge & Understanding Application

4. Understand the importance of data quality as the foundation for credible reporting and informed recommendations.
OM Apprenticeship Standard: K5 and S8
University Learning Outcome: Knowledge & Understanding

* Computer facilities to access online materials
* Access to specialist online databases, appropriate core texts and journals via the library, module leader and own research.

Slack, N (2022), Operations Management (10th Edition), Pearson Education (eBook)
Slack, N (2021), Operations and process management: principles and practices for strategic impact (6th Edition), Financial Times Prentice Hall (eBook)
Maylor, H. (2021). Project management. Pearson Higher Ed.
Newton, R. (2024). Project Management: Step by Step: How To Plan And Manage A Highly Successful Project (3rd Edition). Pearson UK.
Elliot, B, Elliot, J (2024), Financial Accounting and Reporting (20th Edition), Pearson Education (eBook)

The module is typically open to those enrolled on the Operations Manager Higher Apprenticeship programme.

The module is also open to those who wish to undertake this as a standalone module; those candidates should be currently in working towards an operations manager position.

This module is intended to prepare you for understanding operations management in your organisation, giving you the skills required to initiate and manage projects, set and maintain organisational budgets and use your knowledge of continuous improvement techniques to improve the performance of your organisation.