Matching Supply with Demand: An Introduction to Operations Management

by Gérard Cachon, Christian Terwiesch

The most authoritative, cutting-edge book for operations management and supply chain management. The book demands rigorous analysis on the part of students. When the use of quantitative tools or formal modeling is indicated, it is only to perform the necessary analysis needed to inform and support a practical business solution.

Genres: Business, Management, Reference, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published October 16, 2003

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just in time for my Operations final next week! This text was actually digestible and a useful reinforcement of class material.

Pro tip: You can use the glossary and summary of key notation and equations in the back of the book to create a pretty comprehensive study guide. I'll report back if it helps me pass this exam...

[Nai Hola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sum learnings:
The anathema to operations is variability and uncertainty. It is impossible to perfectly crystal ball demand, therefore we must tailor our supply to expected demand. First, attack the closed system within the current period; understand throughput (using TOC) to determine whether process is capacity or demand constrained. If the former, cycle time becomes the game. Waiting time within cycle time (typically modeled using Kingman's) is the largest contributor. Reduce arrival and processing variability while keeping utilization in check. Predictive maintenance increases resource availability therefore increasing throughput. Cycle time can be malleable with a fixed throughput, shortest processing time decreases inventory in system (little's). Obviously analysis/implementation is context dependent. SPT in hospitals would be unethical.

Supply chain: conflicting incentives leads to variability -> bullwhip effect. Hence the argument for vertical integration (quality control an incentive too)

Cool models: Newsvendor w standard normal, six sigma

[Adam Sylvester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of MBA program. Not bad but extremely dry.

[Brendon Desrochers · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was actually pretty clear and interesting. It had a bit of a sense of humor, too, though it was still dry and academic.

[Tyson Titensor]

Yes, I read a textbook from beginning to end. In that order. (Does inserting a Costanza quote make me less of a nerd for choosing to read a textbook?) I had read assigned parts of this book during graduate school, but many sections were new to me.

I have been unable to find any practical business books covering specifics of Ops Management and Supply Chain so I finally decided to just dig into this. It's pretty dense but provided a good refresher on all the key concepts and provided a new perspective on many professional challenges I am facing.

[Budhi Wibowo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many books about supply chain, but this one is different. The approach and examples used in the book are very practical and useful to solve real problem out there. The book is well structured. It will be best companion on supply chain together with factory physics.

[Mohamed Almadany]

reading

[Antonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

exceptionally good book.