By

Dr. Olaniyi Opanuga, PhD, FNIPM

Faculty Lead, Department of Production and Operations Management

Nigerian Institute of Production Management- NIPM Nigeria

 

I. Introduction

In the world of business, operations planning and control are the backbone of any successful organization. It’s the difference between a well-oiled machine and a chaotic mess. Think of it like a symphony orchestra – without a conductor and a score, the music would be a cacophony of clashing notes. Similarly, without effective operations planning and control, businesses can quickly descend into chaos. In this write-up, we’ll explore the importance of operations planning and control, and why you should never joke with it.

II. Consequences of Poor Operations Planning and Control

 

– Reduced Efficiency: Poor operations planning and control can lead to reduced efficiency, as resources are wasted on unnecessary activities or misallocated.

– Increased Costs: Poor operations planning and control can lead to increased costs, as organizations may need to rectify mistakes or address problems that arise from poor planning.

– Decreased Customer Satisfaction: Poor operations planning and control can lead to decreased customer satisfaction, as products or services may not meet customer expectations or be delivered on time.

– Damage to Reputation: Poor operations planning and control can damage an organization’s reputation, as customers and stakeholders lose confidence in the organization’s ability to deliver.

III. Real-World Examples

 

– Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner Production Issues: Boeing faced significant production issues with its 787 Dreamliner aircraft due to poor operations planning and control, resulting in delays and cost overruns.

– Target’s Canadian Expansion Failure: Target’s expansion into Canada was a failure due to poor operations planning and control, resulting in supply chain issues and inventory management problems.

– Nokia’s Decline: Nokia’s decline in the mobile phone market was partly due to poor operations planning and control, as the company failed to respond to changes in the market and customer preferences.

IV. Best Practices to Improve Operations Planning and Control

 

– Develop Clear Objectives: Develop clear objectives and communicate them to all stakeholders.

– Allocate Resources Effectively: Allocate resources effectively to achieve organizational objectives.

– Monitor and Control Performance: Monitor and control performance regularly to identify and address problems.

– Improve Communication: Improve communication to ensure that all stakeholders are aligned and informed.

V. Conclusion

 

In conclusion, operations planning and control are critical components of any successful organization. It’s not something to be taken lightly or joked about. By prioritizing effective operations planning and control, businesses can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction. So, don’t joke with operations planning and control – it’s a recipe for disaster. Instead, take it seriously and invest in the people and processes that will drive your organization’s success. NIPM Nigeria is here to help you achieve that.