Understanding operations management
Understanding operations management is a self-paced online course delivered by The Open University (OpenLearn). It is free, takes about 4 hours, and awards a statement of participation (free).
FreeChecked on 7 October 2026
- Relevance to work
- 1.8 / 3
- Cost and access
- 2 / 2
- Provider
- 2 / 2
- Credential
- 0.8 / 1.5
- Currency
- 0.45 / 1.5
- Total
- 7 / 10
Provider learner rating: 4.4 out of 5 from 49 ratings on OpenLearn course page, as at 2026-10-07
Key facts
| Cost | FreeFree. Free statement of participation on completion. Free OpenLearn account needed. |
|---|---|
| Time | 4 hours (provider stated) |
| Level | Advanced |
| Format | self-paced online |
| Prerequisites | none |
| Credential | statement of participation (free) |
| Open to | Worldwide |
| Free in | Worldwide |
| Content written for | Any country |
| Last checked | 2026-10-07 |
Topics:People leadership
Things to know
- Last updated by the provider in 2019
- OpenLearn rates it level 3 (advanced), though it reads as introductory
- Statement of participation only, no badge
- Module names are summarised from the provider's stated outcomes
Summary
A four-hour Open University course on what operations are and what operations managers do. It uses the transformation model of inputs, processes and outputs to show how any organisation turns resources into products or services, and how to draw the boundaries of an operation.
Why it's listed
Builds Resource management and operations, number 20 on the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs 2025 core skills list.
Also supports Systems thinking.
From the course: Outcomes on the transformation model and operational processes
See how the AI Adaptation Profile treats Resource management and operationsYou will be able to
- Define operations and the role of an operations manager
- Use the transformation model of inputs, processes and outputs
- Tell operational processes from administrative ones
- Set the boundaries of an operating system
Modules
- What are operations
- The role of operations managers
- The transformation model
- Operational and administrative processes
- System boundaries
Who it suits
Supervisors, team leaders and small business owners who run day-to-day operations and want a structured way to think about them.
Who is behind it
- Delivered by
- The Open University
- Hosted on
- OpenLearn (open.edu/openlearn)
- Funded by
- Not stated
- Partners
- Not stated
Related courses
Questions
Yes. It is free for anyone, anywhere in the world. Free. Free statement of participation on completion. Free OpenLearn account needed. Checked 7 October 2026 against the provider's own page.
The Open University Understanding operations management takes about 4 hours.
Yes. The Open University awards a free statement of participation for The Open University Understanding operations management.
The Open University Understanding operations management is best for supervisors, team leaders and small business owners who run day-to-day operations and want a structured way to think about them.
ApplyAI rates The Open University Understanding operations management 3.5 out of 5. Best for supervisors, team leaders and small business owners who run day-to-day operations and want a structured way to think about them. Watch for: Last updated by the provider in 2019.
Sources
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