Operations Management
Operations Management is the management of systems and processes that create goods and/or provide services. It interacts with finance and marketing management within a business.
Operations Management deals with the design and management of products, processes, services and supply chains. It considers the acquisition, development, and utilization of resources that firms need to deliver goods and services.
Our Operations Management program includes direct support in:
- forecasting methods that will provide the greatest insight into future predictions for better decision making,
- capacity planning to enable the best match of resources to future requirement,
- design of work systems to reduce lead time, increase throughput and minimize defects,
- application of production support systems to manage inventory and schedule work,
- implementation of Supply Chain Management best practices to outsourcing, procurement and the management of suppliers,
- improvement of distribution, delivery and customer service.
Operations Management ranges from strategic (size and location of facilities, structure of services) to the tactical (facility layout, equipment selection). Operational issues include production scheduling and control, inventory management, quality control and inspection, traffic and materials handling, and equipment maintenance policies.
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Testimonials
John de Wardt provided us with a straight forward, hard driving, no nonsense approach to strategic planning that is still helping us define and achieve new business goals.
John’s emphasis on rigorous planning has resulted in tangible and measurable results in the area of drilling and completing wells. A true step-change.
His insight into the oil and gas industry is invaluable, and his knowledge of best practice in manufacturing has added measurable value to several of our investments.
His recent corporate strategy development work resulted in a set of strategic initiatives that are already beginning to deliver value only a few months into their implementation.
...substantial improvement in product delivery and resultant reductions of inventory. The catalyst for these new processes was the Strategic Planning workshop lead by John de Wardt.
We have seen significant improvements in results and have adopted the principles in our planning and operations efforts.
Case Studies
Significant growth through strategy development.
THE INDUSTRIAL COMPANY (one of the top Industrial Construction Contractors in the US - see links under "Clients") hired DE WARDT AND COMPANY to apply their scenario based strategy development program to their construction business. TIC's initial 20 years of growth had reached a plateau and they were keen to find ways to achieve their next phase of growth. The strategy development program identified six key initiatives which were pursued according to the implementation plans developed by TIC's teams and guided by John de Wardt. Each of these initiatives have achieved significant changes to their respective areas in the organization. TIC revenues doubled during the 2 years after the strategy session (from circa $500 million to over $ 1 billion) and continue an upward trend in spite of the competitive climate for both projects and resources. These initiatives crossed the breadth of the company including training, human resources, information technology, marketing, organization and international operations. TIC has placed in the top 10 contractors, in nine categories, as ranked by Engineering News Record.
Increased competitiveness in low price environment
Western Summit, a major player in the construction of water and waste-water treatment plants, relied on our scenario based strategic planning program to build a foundation from which to grow. After a period of updating their organization, systems and management techniques, their revenues started to rise and continue to do so. This company is better ready to face the significant challenges in this highly competitive industry as municipalities continue to pursue the low cost bidders while adding full services to the scope of work. These full services include operation and maintenance of the plants after construction, often on an incentive payment scheme basis.