How MBA Students Use Operations Management to Solve Business Problems

For Southwest Airlines, the holiday season of 2022 was anything but joyful. A major winter storm caused a series of flight cancellations, which soon turned into a full-blown customer service catastrophe. Many passengers were left stranded, and thousands didn’t receive the refunds they were owed until the government investigated.¹

Southwest’s infamous holiday “meltdown” vividly illustrated the importance of operations management. When one part of the airline’s operations crumbled, the disruption quickly spread across the entire organization. Customers were outraged, and the incident damaged Southwest’s reputation.

While most businesses aren’t as complex as an international airline, every organization needs efficient operations to succeed. Skilled operations managers help coordinate all the moving parts so that businesses meet customers’ needs. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) can give you the leadership and problem-solving skills you need to solve (and hopefully prevent) complex operational challenges.

This guide explores how an MBA can prepare you for an operations management role, including essential skills and potential career paths.

What Is the Importance of Operations Management? 

Operations management coordinates and improves the behind-the-scenes processes that help businesses deliver products and services. It focuses on making these activities more efficient and cost-effective.²

This field has a major impact on how companies function every day. Operations managers oversee many activities, including:²

• Inventory management 
• Quality control 
• Supply chain operations, including procurement and logistics  
• Workforce planning 

Operations professionals coordinate employees and resources to keep all these processes running smoothly.
Suppose a clothing retailer typically sells more children’s apparel during the back-to-school season. An operations manager works with vendors to make sure the company doesn’t run out of inventory during this busy time. They may also recommend scheduling more staff in stores to prevent long checkout lines.

A strong business operations strategy helps companies adapt to challenges and keep growing. Even small efficiency gains can also reduce costs while providing consistent quality.² For instance, a restaurant could work with local farmers to source fresh ingredients instead of ordering them from out of state (which can also be a draw for many guests). By improving their supply chain, they reduce waste and serve more delicious dishes.

Core Operations Manager Skills Taught in an MBA 

You don’t need a specialized degree in operations management to break into this field. An MBA can teach you core operations manager skills, including:³

• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills will allow you to coordinate different teams and delegate tasks
• Critical thinking: An MBA teaches you how to approach challenges from different angles and find creative solutions 
• Decision-making: Operations professionals often need to make high-stakes choices about how to use resources and solve problems 
• Leadership: MBA programs often include courses on leadership, which will help you manage and motivate diverse teams 
• Process optimization: You’ll learn how to spot inefficiencies, automate tasks with software and use data to improve workflows 
• Project management: As an MBA student, you’ll learn how to plan and manage complex projects 
• Time management: As you complete MBA projects and study for exams, you’ll gain valuable experience prioritizing tasks and juggling deadlines that you can apply to real-world operations 

An MBA also allows you to gain hands-on experience improving business operations. For example, you might complete an internship with a logistics team or consult with a local business that wants to simplify its supply chain. These practical experiences help you strengthen your operations management skills outside the classroom.

Real-World Operations Management Applications and Use Cases 

There are plenty of practical operations management use cases in every industry.

Supply chain optimization is one of the most well-known operations management applications. Companies use AI and other cutting-edge technologies to anticipate challenges and improve efficiency. For example, AI can monitor inventory to help businesses prevent overstocking and waste. Many organizations also use Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to track inventory levels.⁴

Operations management professionals also support capacity planning. This process helps businesses forecast future demand and adjust their operations accordingly.⁵ If a product has gone viral on TikTok, an operations professional may help the company source more raw materials to meet demand. Meanwhile, if sales have declined for a service, the business might reallocate its resources to a more profitable area.

Fixing bottlenecks is another common application. Under the leadership of MBA graduate Mary Barra, GM has overcome challenges in developing its electric vehicle lineup, including freight delays and software problems. The company has addressed these issues by building more factories to expand its production capabilities.⁶

Operations Management Career Paths for MBA Graduates 

The business acumen and leadership skills you develop during an MBA program can help you pursue many operations management career paths.

Many professionals begin their careers as operations managers. They manage resources and make strategic decisions about business processes. As you gain experience, you may qualify for more senior roles, such as director of operations or chief operating officer. These roles involve overseeing operations across an entire organization and aligning them with the business’s overall goals.⁷

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for general and operations managers is expected to grow by 4% between 2024 and 2034.⁸ An operations management MBA may help you appeal to employers looking for candidates with strong leadership skills.

Lead Business Innovation With a William & Mary Mason MBA 

Supply chain disruptions from weather and the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed just how vulnerable many business processes can be. As a leader in operations management, you can help organizations overcome these challenges and solve complex business problems. You’ll also spearhead exciting transformations, from streamlining supply chains to adopting new logistics tools.

Take the next step in your operations journey with William & Mary’s Online MBA program. Designed for busy professionals, this flexible program lets you study at your pace with asynchronous courses. You’ll also have the opportunity to network in person during our one-week residency.

Led by experienced faculty, the rigorous curriculum will help you build critical operations and leadership skills. You’ll take courses in Business Analytics, Integrated Technology, Operations and other relevant areas.

Explore our admissions requirements or contact our team to learn more about how we can support your operations journey. You can also schedule an appointment with an admissions outreach advisor.