A synopsis of the curriculum
• An overview of the continuous improvement process illustrating how it is being applied throughout the bioscience industries
• Building and leading effective teams
• Project management in the work place
• Business improvement process cycles – PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) and the progression to DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control). DMAIC will then be used as the cycle to deploy the methodologies and tools.
• Methodologies: - Lean (reduction of "waste" in all its forms and productivity improvement); - Six Sigma (reduction in process variation and elimination of errors)
• Continuous Improvement Reporting – the Toyota A3 Report
Blended distance learning:
Contact hours: 122 hours
Private Study Time: 28 hours
Total Learning Time: 150 hours
Hypothetical Project 40% - composed of individual assignments (5000 words in total)
Assignments 20% - 2 Assignments (10% each)
Oral Presentation 40% (20 minutes)
The pass mark for each individual assessment is 40%. All assessments must be passed in order to pass the module.
Harold Kerzner (2006) Project Management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. Wiley.
Rath & Strong (2000) Six Sigma Pocket Guide. Rath & Strong.
Rath & Strong (2006) Lean Pocket Guide. Rath & Strong.
Paul Keller (2011) Six sigma demystified. McGraw-Hill.
Williams & Sayer (2012) Lean for Dummies. Wiley & Sons.
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
Demonstrate a working knowledge of project management and an ability to relate this to the current work environment.
Demonstrate a clear understanding of the various continuous improvement cycles, methodologies and tools that are commonly employed in a process plant, laboratory or office business context.
Apply a project management or continuous improvement process to a real work based situation confidently.
Show the ability to critically self-appraise the application and impact of the project management or continuous improvement process project and to identify its' strengths and weaknesses.
Clearly communicate the findings through a report and presentation to a varied target audience.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
Demonstrate the development of practical/technical skills.
Analyse, evaluate and correctly interpret data.
Communicate and present data effectively.
Obtain and use information from a variety of sources as part of self-directed learning.
Manage their time and use their organisation skills within the context of self-directed learning.
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