Operations: Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Syllabus, Career Scope & Top Colleges

Operations revolves around a business's daily activities and their optimisation. By optimising such processes, a business can provide customer satisfaction and create internal and external stakeholder value. 

Operations as a concept is historically found in the manufacturing industry after the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century. Following that, there are theoretical approaches, such as Taylor’s Scientific Management Theory, to making workers efficient. By the time the age of computing took over the world between the 1960s and 1970s, manufacturing processes were automated. And now, in the field of operations, advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) help optimise processes and improve efficiency. 

But how the operations is structured in a business is choosing an operating model that caters to the needs of the industry. This is done on analysing different frameworks, such as SWOT analysis, Lean six sigma, Agile, and others.  

Operations is present across all departments, from HR to marketing. They are specific to use cases and challenges to overcome across any department, but the goal is the same - to optimise. Likewise, it is not limited to the manufacturing industry. It is used in healthcare, banking, and IT more. 

Operations in Healthcare: Implementing electronic health record (EHR) systems that are used for streamlining data management for patients and improve care coordination. 

Key Functions: Patient Care, Medical Records, Supply Chain Management, and Quality Control

Key Trend in Healthcare Operations: 59% of consumers are comfortable with artificial intelligence in their healthcare experiences (J.P. Morgan)

Operations in Banking: Using machine learning algorithms to detect and prevent fraud in real-time.

Key Functions: Customer Service, Account Management, Risk Management, and Compliance

Key Trend in Operations Banking: 40% of financial service providers are now utilizing generative AI to bolster their fraud detection and financial forecasting capabilities (J.P. Morgan).

Operations in IT: Optimising cloud resource allocation and scaling based on real-time demand. 

Key Functions in IT Operations: Overseeing IT infrastructure, including computing and networking hardware, software applications, hybrid cloud environments, network security management, and facilities management

Key Trends in IT Operations: As the shift to hybrid work models continues in 2024, IT operations teams will face new challenges in delivering a positive employee experience. They'll need to prioritize robust security, reliable remote access, and solutions for overcoming other hurdles associated with remote work.
Another is from Gartner. By 2027, 75% of enterprises are expected to streamline and unify their automation initiatives, up from just 10% in 2022.

 

Optimising operations is an ongoing process. 

As operations continue to evolve with the integration of advanced technologies and changing customer needs, it is essential for you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to optimise processes and improve efficiency.

Read about Operations Manager Skills in 2024. 

Professionals with operations management skills can pursue various career paths, such as operations manager, supply chain analyst, quality control specialist, and more. These are lucrative jobs in India and abroad. 

Here are some additional advantages of learning operations from a career perspective. 

• Equip yourself to streamline processes and boost output.
• Learn to identify and tackle operational challenges effectively.
• Gain insights to make data-driven decisions for optimal results.
• Position yourself for higher-level roles in operations management.
• Understand the interconnectedness of operations with other business functions

 

Following are the most popular Operations Colleges in India. Learn more about these Operations colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

1. Operations Management A-Z on Udemy 

• Gain a thorough understanding of operations management concepts, including supply chain management, quality control, and process improvement. 
• Learn how to apply operations management techniques in real-world scenarios through case studies and practical exercises.
• Improve job prospects by gaining skills that are essential for operations management roles in various industries.

2. Operations Analytics on Coursera

• Learn the fundamentals of descriptive and predictive analytics.
• Understand how to apply prescriptive analytics in situations with low uncertainty.
• Equip yourself with the ability to make informed business decisions using data analytics.
• Earning a certificate from the University of Pennsylvania can boost your resume and LinkedIn profile, making you more attractive to employers.

3. Operational Excellence Foundations on LinkedIn Learning

• Learn the principles of operational excellence, including Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Value Stream Management.
• Learn best practices for driving the right mindset, behaviours, and results for sustaining operational excellence.
• Earn a certificate that you can showcase on your LinkedIn profile and resume, demonstrating your commitment to continuous improvement.

Following are the most popular Operations UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Operations PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the top exams for Operations. Students interested in pursuing a career on Operations, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.