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Learning path

Operations Management learning path: everything to study, topic by topic

Comprehensive operations management assessment covering process design, continuous improvement, operational metrics, scaling operations, and operational excellence strategy.

Short answer

To learn Operations Management, work through 5 modules and 25 topics in the order they build on each other. It starts with Process Design & Optimization, then moves on to Continuous Improvement and Operational Metrics & Analytics. Use the map as a checklist, or measure your level and study only what is missing.

5
modules
25
topics
50
min to assess

What you will study

Topics are grouped by module. Open one to see its objectives and key concepts.

1 · Process Design & Optimization4 topics
  • Process Mapping & Documentation

    Creating clear process flows, SIPOC diagrams, and standard operating procedures that capture how work actually gets done

    Objectives

    • Map an end-to-end process using SIPOC and swim lane diagrams
    • Create SOPs that teams actually follow

    Key concepts

    • SIPOC
    • swim lanes
    • process flows
    • SOP templates
    • version control
  • Bottleneck Identification

    Finding and analyzing constraints that limit throughput, using theory of constraints and queue management principles

    Objectives

    • Identify the binding constraint in a multi-step process
    • Apply theory of constraints to improve throughput

    Key concepts

    • constraint analysis
    • theory of constraints
    • throughput analysis
    • queue management
    • cycle time
  • Process Redesign

    Redesigning processes from as-is to to-be state with stakeholder buy-in and structured implementation planning

    Objectives

    • Design a to-be process that eliminates identified bottlenecks
    • Build a stakeholder-aligned implementation plan

    Key concepts

    • as-is vs to-be
    • redesign principles
    • stakeholder buy-in
    • implementation planning
    • change readiness
  • SLA Design & Management

    Defining service level agreements with measurable targets, escalation triggers, and continuous improvement mechanisms

    Objectives

    • Design SLAs that balance service quality with cost efficiency
    • Build escalation frameworks that prevent SLA breaches

    Key concepts

    • SLA definition
    • measurement systems
    • escalation triggers
    • continuous improvement targets
    • penalty clauses
2 · Continuous Improvement5 topics
  • Lean Methodology

    Applying lean principles to identify and eliminate waste, map value streams, and implement pull-based systems

    Objectives

    • Identify all eight wastes in an operational process
    • Create a value stream map that reveals improvement opportunities

    Key concepts

    • waste types (TIMWOODS)
    • value stream mapping
    • flow
    • pull systems
    • just-in-time
  • Root Cause Analysis

    Using structured analytical methods to find the true root cause of operational problems rather than treating symptoms

    Objectives

    • Conduct a rigorous root cause analysis using multiple techniques
    • Distinguish root causes from symptoms and contributing factors

    Key concepts

    • 5 Whys
    • fishbone diagrams
    • Pareto analysis
    • failure mode analysis
    • corrective actions
  • Six Sigma Fundamentals

    Applying DMAIC methodology and statistical process control to reduce variation and improve process capability

    Objectives

    • Apply the DMAIC methodology to a process improvement project
    • Interpret control charts and process capability metrics

    Key concepts

    • DMAIC
    • statistical process control
    • process capability
    • variation reduction
    • control charts
  • Kaizen & Continuous Improvement Culture

    Building a culture of continuous improvement through kaizen events, suggestion systems, and improvement boards

    Objectives

    • Design a kaizen event that delivers measurable improvements
    • Build systems that sustain continuous improvement momentum

    Key concepts

    • kaizen events
    • suggestion systems
    • improvement boards
    • CI culture building
    • gemba walks
  • Supply Chain & Logistics Fundamentals

    Mapping supply chains, optimizing inventory, coordinating logistics, and managing supplier relationships

    Objectives

    • Map a supply chain end-to-end and identify optimization opportunities
    • Balance inventory costs against service level targets

    Key concepts

    • supply chain mapping
    • inventory optimization
    • logistics coordination
    • supplier management
    • lead time reduction
3 · Operational Metrics & Analytics4 topics
  • KPI Design & Measurement

    Designing leading and lagging operational KPIs with measurement systems and target-setting methodologies

    Objectives

    • Design a balanced set of leading and lagging KPIs for an operations team
    • Set targets that are ambitious yet achievable using benchmarking data

    Key concepts

    • leading vs lagging
    • operational KPIs
    • measurement systems
    • target setting
    • benchmarking
  • Capacity Planning & Forecasting

    Forecasting demand, modeling capacity constraints, and optimizing resource allocation across operational functions

    Objectives

    • Build a capacity model that predicts resource needs 6 months ahead
    • Run scenario analyses to prepare for demand variability

    Key concepts

    • demand forecasting
    • capacity models
    • scenario planning
    • resource optimization
    • utilization targets
  • Operational Dashboards

    Building real-time monitoring dashboards with meaningful alert thresholds, drill-down capabilities, and exception reporting

    Objectives

    • Design a dashboard that surfaces exceptions before they become crises
    • Set alert thresholds that minimize noise while catching real issues

    Key concepts

    • real-time monitoring
    • alert thresholds
    • drill-down analysis
    • exception reporting
    • data visualization
  • OKR-to-Operations Alignment

    Aligning operational plans with OKRs: converting strategic objectives to operational metrics, resource allocation, and weekly operational cadences

    Objectives

    • Translate strategic OKRs into operational metrics that drive daily team behavior
    • Design weekly operational cadences that keep teams aligned to OKR progress

    Key concepts

    • OKR-to-operations alignment
    • operational metrics
    • resource allocation for OKRs
    • weekly operational cadences
    • leading indicators
    • operational reviews
    • capacity-to-OKR mapping
4 · Scaling Operations7 topics
  • Process Automation Strategy

    Assessing automation opportunities, selecting RPA and workflow tools, and designing human-in-the-loop systems

    Objectives

    • Evaluate processes for automation potential using structured criteria
    • Design automation that augments human judgment rather than replacing it blindly

    Key concepts

    • automation assessment
    • RPA
    • workflow automation
    • human-in-the-loop design
    • ROI analysis
  • Outsourcing & Vendor Management

    Making rigorous make-vs-buy decisions, selecting vendors, managing SLAs, and planning transitions without service disruption

    Objectives

    • Conduct a make-vs-buy analysis that accounts for total cost of ownership
    • Plan a vendor transition that maintains service continuity

    Key concepts

    • make-vs-buy analysis
    • vendor selection
    • SLA management
    • transition planning
    • vendor risk
  • Standardization & Governance

    Standardizing processes across teams and regions while maintaining governance frameworks and compliance integration

    Objectives

    • Design a standardization program that allows for justified local variation
    • Build governance frameworks that enable rather than obstruct

    Key concepts

    • process standardization
    • governance frameworks
    • compliance integration
    • global consistency
    • exception management
  • Global Operations Management

    Managing multi-region operations with cultural considerations, follow-the-sun models, and regulatory compliance across jurisdictions

    Objectives

    • Design a follow-the-sun operating model across three regions
    • Navigate regulatory differences without sacrificing operational efficiency

    Key concepts

    • multi-region operations
    • cultural considerations
    • follow-the-sun
    • regulatory compliance
    • time zone management
  • Crisis Operations & Business Continuity

    Designing disaster recovery plans, incident response procedures, and degraded operations protocols that maintain critical functions

    Objectives

    • Design a business continuity plan that covers the top 5 failure scenarios
    • Run an incident response that minimizes downtime and customer impact

    Key concepts

    • disaster recovery
    • incident response
    • degraded operations
    • communication protocols
    • business impact analysis
  • Operations in Hypergrowth

    Scaling operations during hypergrowth: process documentation, capacity planning, operational debt management, and automation-first approaches

    Objectives

    • Design operations that scale with the business without accumulating unmanageable operational debt
    • Balance velocity with quality in a hypergrowth environment using automation and documentation

    Key concepts

    • hypergrowth scaling
    • process documentation
    • capacity planning
    • operational debt
    • automation-first
    • operational resilience
    • velocity vs quality balance
  • Global Operations Design

    Designing globally distributed operations: time zone management, regional autonomy, compliance variability, and global process standardization

    Objectives

    • Design a globally distributed operations model that balances standardization with regional flexibility
    • Manage compliance variability across geographies without duplicating operational infrastructure

    Key concepts

    • time zone management
    • regional autonomy vs standardization
    • compliance variability
    • global process standards
    • center of excellence
    • regional operations leaders
    • global SLAs
5 · Operational Excellence & Strategy5 topics
  • Operating Model Design

    Designing end-to-end operating models including functional structures, shared services, centers of excellence, and digital operations

    Objectives

    • Design an operating model that aligns structure to strategy
    • Decide when to centralize vs federate operational functions

    Key concepts

    • functional design
    • shared services
    • COEs
    • digital operations
    • process ownership
  • Operational Transformation

    Leading large-scale operational transformations including technology integration, organizational change, and benefit realization

    Objectives

    • Build a transformation roadmap with clear milestones and benefit gates
    • Manage the human side of operational transformation

    Key concepts

    • transformation roadmap
    • technology integration
    • organizational change
    • benefit realization
    • transformation governance
  • OpEx Culture Building

    Fostering an ownership mindset, data-driven decision making, experimentation culture, and operational discipline across the organization

    Objectives

    • Design systems that make operational excellence the default behavior
    • Build a culture where every team member thinks like an operator

    Key concepts

    • ownership mindset
    • data-driven decisions
    • experimentation culture
    • operational discipline
    • performance rituals
  • Business Continuity & Resilience Planning

    Designing business continuity programs: BIA, recovery strategies, crisis response plans, and operational resilience testing

    Objectives

    • Design a BCP program that covers critical processes with appropriate recovery objectives
    • Conduct resilience testing that validates operational continuity assumptions

    Key concepts

    • Business Impact Analysis
    • recovery strategies
    • RTO/RPO for operations
    • crisis response plans
    • resilience testing
    • third-party risk
    • operational continuity
  • Automation & AI in Operations

    Identifying and implementing automation opportunities in operations: RPA, AI-augmented processes, and managing the human-automation interface

    Objectives

    • Identify and prioritize automation opportunities using process mining and ROI frameworks
    • Design human-automation interfaces that preserve exception handling quality

    Key concepts

    • RPA
    • AI augmentation
    • automation ROI
    • human-automation interface
    • process mining
    • exception handling in automation
    • workforce impact of automation

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Frequently asked questions

Where should I start studying Operations Management?

Start with Process Design & Optimization: Process Mapping & Documentation, Bottleneck Identification, and Process Redesign. The map orders topics by what they depend on, so each one prepares the next.

How long does a full Operations Management assessment take?

A full assessment of this path takes about 50 minutes. Study time depends on where you start; a diagnostic shows which topics you can skip.

Do I need an account to use this page?

No. The map, objectives and key concepts are open. You only need an account to be measured, get your gap by topic and receive a plan.