Diploma

Facts about the Diploma in Operations Management

What qualification will I get?

The Institute of Operations Management Level 4 Diploma in Operations Management (DOM) The Diploma in Operations Management (DOM) is a vocationally related qualification set at level 5 in the National Qualification Framework.

What are the aims of the course?

The Diploma in Operations Management aims to provide students with detailed and specific coverage of the various elements of supply chain, production and inventory management. It aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills of operations management to improve business performance within the global environment.

What subjects will I study?

The Diploma has eight taught units and a Project. The taught units are as follows:

D1 Operations Management Strategy	D5 Supply Chain & Inventory Management
D2 Operations Resource Management	D6 Enterprise Planning for Operations Managers
D3 Business Excellence for Operations Managers	D7 Manufacturing Planning
D4 Customer Focus in Operations Management	D8 Added Value for Manufacturing

Within the taught units the following subject areas will be amongst those covered.

Sales and Operations Planning	Demand Management
Operations Strategy	Product and Services Management
Marketing Strategy	Procurement Management
Lean and Agile Operations	Inventory Management and Control
Managing Individuals and Groups	Distribution
Health, Safety and the Environment	Advanced Planning & Scheduling
Customer Needs and Service Standards	Master Planning/Master Production Scheduling
Sources of Information and Effective Communications	Project Management
Cost Reduction Techniques	Materials Requirement Planning
Budgetary Control, Utilities and Asset Management	Capacity Requirement Planning
Business Excellence	Shop Scheduling (Factory Scheduling)
Customer Focus and Customer Relationships	Adding Value to Operations

How long is the course and how will I study it?

The qualification consists of 9 units, including a project. It is normally studied over two years.
Each of the studied units takes approximately 45 hours of class contact time. It is expected that students will supplement this time further with directed work based assignments or supported individual study, reading and practice and student initiated study. The project unit is double weighted and will normally take up to 90 hours of your time. The mode of delivery will usually be part-time day and/or evening courses, although it could be more intensive. Students may study the Diploma conventionally or by distance learning using the ‘Supply Chain Pathfinder’ for support.

How do I become a student?

Candidates enrol at a Centre that has been validated to run the Institute’s Diploma course. The Centre may be a college or University, industrial site, or a private provider of training. The candidate must register as a student of the Institute through the Centre.

What qualifications do I need to enrol on the course?

In principle, a Centre may admit any candidate if it believes they will benefit from attending, and
have a realistic expectation of successful completion of the course. Experienced centre staff will
assess this at interview based on the following guidelines:

• Candidates will have had at least two years of relevant industrial experience and are working in
  an Operations Management environment.
• Candidates will normally require the minimum educational requirements permitting entry to a
  university first-degree course, or equivalent.
• Mature candidates, without these normal entry qualifications, who would be able to derive
  benefit from the course may be permitted exceptional entry.
• Candidates holding the Institute’s Certificate in Operations Management will be considered for
  entry to the Diploma course, following assessment by an IOM Centre.

Can I get any exemptions from parts of the qualification?

Exemptions from subjects will normally be granted for those who can demonstrate success in formal assessments conducted by other bodies recognised by the Institute, providing that the subject(s) assessed equate in content and level to the syllabus of the relevant Diploma unit. More detail on this procedure is available from the Institute.

What will the qualification lead to?

Many successful Diploma students have moved onwards into more responsible operations
management posts in their own and other companies. All have benefited from the in-depth content of the programme and its direct relevance to their work.

Companies such as Rolls Royce use the Diploma in Operations Management as a basis for employees to further their careers in operations management within the company. Each year a few students undertake the Institute’s Advanced Diploma, which is a research-based qualification. For more information contact the Institute.

What is the success rate of students on the course?

This is a new qualification, which has not yet had any students complete. Its predecessor, the Diploma in Production and Inventory Management has had many groups of successful candidates.

How can I get further help?

For further information contact the Institute