Question

Q1: Discuss the three types of planning in developing an operations strategy, and MIS's role in each of them.

Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

Operations strategy helps an organization to successfully developed production system, services delivery, overall supply and logistics activities along with other efficiency and effectiveness building functions. It comprises a set of value driven activities formulation and implementation within the organization. The following three planning actions will be done with the support of Management information system:

1) Understanding the organizational needs : A detail data should be maintained regarding previous orders given by clients, gaps in business operations, lack of human resources, cost related information etc. through MIS. It can be further utilized to devise the operations strategy. It will design organizational need assessment profiles.

2) Analysis of Immediate competitors in the area of business or Industry:

MIS should be enriched with data and information which highlights the pros and cons of organizations working in similar industry. MIS should be accessed to gather information related to competitor's products, services, strategic inputs etc. It will help in formulating operations strategy so as to gain competitive advantage.

3) Operations strategy for achieving value delivery:

Companies may intergrate its core activities and support business activities to provide value delivery to end users. MIS can be utilized to keep integration among activities like inhouse logistics, Outbound logistics, operations, sales , marketing, after sales services and set of activities like HRM , infrastructure, technology, procurement. MIS will help in taking decisions with low cost interventions.