• Operations management professionals or those within a related role who want to understand how digitization can be employed to improve operations and bottom-line results
• Managers in related roles who wish to improve their operational processes and effectively lead implementation teams
• Professionals who aim to leverage the benefits of digital transformation, lead implementation teams and provide strategic oversight

• Evaluate how technologies, such as automation, smart controls, big data, analytics and machine learning are being applied to digitally transform operations management
• Analyze your business operations and identify opportunities for digital transformation and efficiency improvements
• Understand how digital technologies and analytics can optimize the speed and scale of processes, enable strategic inventory and quality management, and increase the potential of automation
• Align operations and strategy for improved financial performance
• Leverage analytics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of your digitization efforts on your organization’s operational and bottom-line results

Module 1: Aligning Strategy and Operations: A Digital Framework

Discover the importance of implementing strategic, digital and operational frameworks for effective operations management.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the three views of operations
• Articulate the two perspectives of a digital operations framework
• Analyze the important interrelationship between strategy and digitalization for operations management
• Assess the strategic role of operations

Module 2: Driving Financial Performance Through Operational Metrics

Explore the link between operational and financial performance.

• Demonstrate an understanding of traditional and digital processes in an organization
• Identify appropriate operational performance measures
• Relate metrics of scale and speed to inventory using Little's Law
• Use operational metrics as leading indicators of financial performance
• Deduce the impact of digitalization on operational effectiveness and financial performance

Module 3: Digitalization: Delivering Scale and Speed

Understand the role digitalization plays in scaling-up and speeding-up operational processes.

• Identify how to speed up critical path activities and reduce theoretical flow time
• Identify how to manage bottlenecks and improve throughput
• Determine the value of digitization when speeding up and scaling up

Module 4: Digitalization: Improving Quality Through Machine Learning

Learn about the importance of digitalization for autonomy and quality.

• Review the eight dimensions of quality in terms of operations
• Discuss how digitalization affects the implementation of the eight dimensions of quality
• Articulate the impact of machine learning and smart control rules on operations

Module 5: Personalization and Evaluation of Disruptive Technologies

Explore digital technologies that can improve operations management.

• Articulate the relationship between personalization and variety
• Determine appropriate ways to improve personalization using a digital approach
• Analyze the impact of digital technologies on operations management
• Recommend a digital technology to improve an organization’s operations

Achal Bassamboo - Academic Director; Charles E. Morrison Professor of Decision Sciences; Professor of Operations; Co-Director of MMM Program

Jan A. Van Mieghem - Academic Director; Harold L. Stuart Professor of Managerial Economics; Professor of Operations

What is the learning experience?

Digital Transformation in Operations integrates rich, interactive media – such as videos, infographics, and e-learning activities – along with traditional didactic components such as study guides (program notes). There will also be opportunities for collaborative learning through discussion forums. The introductory orientation module is designed to introduce participants to the online teaching and technical support network and help connect participants to each other.

What is the program format?

The program consists of 6 modules delivered over 2 months online. Learners can expect to dedicate 4-6 hours per week to watch videos, complete assignments and participate in discussions. Each module is opened weekly, allowing a flexible but structured approach to learning, with quizzes throughout to assess your learning progress. Learners may choose to engage with the program module all in one sitting or in smaller segments of time throughout the week. While the modules do not close, access to assignments is closed each week.

Could a learner choose to opt out of some topics?

No. This is an online program in which a topic module is introduced each week and the learner is expected to watch the video lectures, participate in the live webinars, complete the exercises/activities and take the mastery quiz at the end of each week to progress to the subsequent week’s topic.

What methods will be used for grading and evaluations?

Program tutors and success managers will review assignments, discussions and exercises to determine participants’ understanding of the material, as well as ensure a positive learning experience in the online learning platform.

How much time is allocated to complete assignments?

The due date for submitting assignments is typically within 7 days of the module opening, but can be as long as 14 days, depending on the scope of the assignment. However, learners may request deadline extensions to accommodate for business and personal conflicts that may arise during the program timeframe. Reach out to the program tutor or success manager to discuss any challenges you may have in completing assignments.

Can participation in this program be counted as credit toward a degree, either at Kellogg, Northwestern University or another academic institution?

No. Executive Education offers only non-degree programs and each participant receives a certificate of completion at the end of the program. This certificate does not count as credit toward a degree. In addition, at this time, our online programs do not count as credit toward a Kellogg Executive Scholar Certificate.

Does the program offer community engagement for learners?

Yes, participants can create a profile, connect and collaborate with peers. In addition, in the live webinars, participants can interact with the head tutor and other content experts.

What are the requirements for accessing the program?

Participants will need the following to access the Digital Transformation in Operations program:

• Valid email address
Computing device connected to the internet (Mac/PC/laptop, tablet or smartphone)
• The latest version of your preferred browser to access our learning platform (though not required, we recommend using Google Chrome when accessing the Online Campus for optimal experience)
• Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and PDF viewer to access content such as documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts
• Additional software and resources may be required for certain programs – this will be communicated upon registration and/or at the beginning of the program
• PLEASE NOTE: Google, Vimeo and YouTube may be utilized in the program delivery.

Does the program offer a certificate?

Yes. Participants will receive a digital certificate of completion from Kellogg following a successful conclusion to the program. Since this program is graded as a pass or fail, participants must receive 70% satisfactory feedback on submitted assignments and assessments in order to obtain the certificate. This digital certificate can be shared with colleagues and posted on LinkedIn. (PLEASE NOTE: We do not provide reports of assessments, or “transcripts,” since this is a non-degree program.)

Who is 2U, Inc./GetSmarter and what is their relationship with Kellogg Executive Education?

Kellogg Executive Education is partnering with GetSmarter, a brand of 2U, Inc., an online education provider, to develop and deliver this program. By working with 2U, Inc./GetSmarter, we are able to provide broader access to Executive Education, beyond our on-campus offerings, in a collaborative and engaging format that is consistent with Kellogg’s standard of quality.

Additional questions?

Please contact us by calling 847-467-6018 or email us at execedonline@kellogg.northwestern.edu.