Business Foundations Specialization

Learn to analyze and improve business processes in services or in manufacturing by learning how to increase productivity and deliver higher quality standards. Key concepts include process analysis, bottlenecks, flows rates, and inventory levels, and more. After successfully completing this course, you can apply these skills to a real-world business challenge as part of the Wharton Business Foundations Specialization.

100% online course

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 15 hours to complete

Suggested: 4 weeks of study, 4-6 hours/week

English

Subtitles: English, Portuguese (Brazilian)

Skills you will gain

Process ManagementInventorySix SigmaProduct Management

100% online course

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 15 hours to complete

Suggested: 4 weeks of study, 4-6 hours/week

English

Subtitles: English, Portuguese (Brazilian)

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

1

Section

27 minutes to complete

Introduction

This short module was designed to introduce you to the course, and to give you an overview of what you can expect from the course and the instructor!...

3 videos (Total 17 min), 1 reading

3 videos

Course Logistics1m

Four Dimensions of Operational Performance7m

Trade-offs and the Efficient Frontier7m

1 readings

Module 1 - Introduction: Lecture Slides (PDF)10m

2

Section

3 hours to complete

Process Analysis

In this module, you'll learn how to identify key elements of process analysis: flow rates, and flow times, how to uncover bottlenecks, how to optimize labor and inventory, and how to handle the complexities of multiple flow units. At the end of this module, you'll be able to break down operations into processes which can then be improved to maximize profits and efficiency....

10 videos (Total 115 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

10 videos

Flow Rate, Inventory, and Flow Time9m

Finding the Bottleneck11m

Labor Cost and Labor Utilization15m

Little’s Law6m

Inventory Turns7m

Make to Stock vs Make to Order / Reasons for Inventory10m

Dealing with Multiple Flow Units14m

Review of Process Analysis26m

Module 2 Practice Problem: Atlas Inc (video)8m

Module 2 Practice Problem: Multiple Flow Units (video)4m

2 readings

Module 2 - Process Analysis: Lecture Slides (PDF) and Excel Template10m

Module 2 Practice Problems (PDF) and Solutions10m

2 practice exercises

Homework Assignment: Module 2 - Process Analysis20m

Final Exam - Module 222m

3

Section

3 hours to complete

Productivity

You'll learn the key components of productivity in this module. Beginning with the academic definitions of productivity, you'll move on to the common blockers, measurements, indicators of effectiveness, improvement techniques and financial values. By the end of this module, you'll be able to identify, describe and measure the relationship between inputs and outputs and also be able to develop strategies for decreasing inputs while increasing outputs, thereby boosting productivity wherever you see the need to....

11 videos (Total 102 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

11 videos

Intro to Productivity, Taylorism7m

The Seven Sources of Waste9m

Financial Value of Productivity6m

Key Performance Indicators and KPI Trees 6m

Overall Equipment Effectiveness12m

Takt Time8m

Quartile Analysis9m

Productivity Ratios9m

Review of Productivity19m

Module 3 Practice Problem: Dr. Peters (video)5m

Module 3 Practice Problem: Assign Tasks to Workers (video)5m

2 readings

Module 3 - Productivity: Lecture Slides (PDF) and Excel Files10m

Module 3 Practice Problems (PDF) and Solutions10m

2 practice exercises

Homework Assignment: Module 3 - Productivity16m

Final Exam - Module 318m

4

Section

3 hours to complete

Quality

Quality is not only a cornerstone of operations management, but also a critical component of an organization's long-term viability and success. This module covers all the major aspects of quality in operations, from examining the common reasons for defects to the most widely used implementation techniques for addressing problems of quality and ensuring reliability and standards. At the end of this module, you'll be able to anticipate where defects may occur and recommend a sound strategy for maintaining quality and stability....

10 videos (Total 98 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

10 videos

Reasons for Defects10m

Quality and Flow17m

Six Sigma12m

Control Charts9m

Jidoka8m

Problem Solving6m

Toyota Production System9m

Module 4 Review19m

Module 4 Practice Problem: Assembly Tolerances (video)3m

Module 4 Practice Problem: Security Check (video)2m

2 readings

Module 4 - Quality: Lecture Slides (PDF) and Excel Files10m

Module 4 Practice Problems (PDF) and Solutions10m

2 practice exercises

Homework Assignment: Module 4 - Quality16m

Final Exam - Module 416m

Instructor

Christian Terwiesch

Andrew M. Heller Professor at the Wharton School, Senior Fellow Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics Co-Director, Mack Institute of Innovation Management

About University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies. ...

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I pay for this course?
If you pay for this course, you will have access to all of the features and content you need to earn a Course Certificate. If you complete the course successfully, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. Note that the Course Certificate does not represent official academic credit from the partner institution offering the course.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
Yes! Coursera provides financial aid to learners who would like to complete a course but cannot afford the course fee. To apply for aid, select "Learn more and apply" in the Financial Aid section below the "Enroll" button. You'll be prompted to complete a simple application; no other paperwork is required.

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Business Foundations Specialization