Understanding Business Process and Operations Management

When companies streamline their daily activities, they save money, boost productivity, and increase profits.¹ Operations and business process management play a big role in making that happen.

Keep on reading to learn the meaning of operations and business process management, and the career paths you can pursue with expertise in these areas. You’ll also see how California State University, Chico, prepares you to thrive in operations management.

Business process management (BPM) is an approach companies use to improve their workflows. In BPM, organizations examine any activity, looking for areas in which they can improve their processes. BPM involves the following:²

• Mapping out how work gets done, step by step
• Analyzing where delays, waste, or errors occur
• Automating repetitive tasks when possible 
• Optimizing processes and systems to save time, cut costs, and boost quality
• Tracking results to foster improvement over time

Business process management aims to streamline all processes, regardless of functional boundaries, to improve overall organizational performance.³

Operations management (OM), on the other hand, focuses on the execution, control, and optimization of core operational activities related to the creation and delivery of goods and services. The main functions of operations management include the following:^{4, 5}

• Quality control: Making sure products and services meet or exceed customer expectations
• Process design and layout: Strategically arranging production equipment and optimizing workflows to maximize operational efficiency
• Supply chain management: Coordinating logistics, procurement, inventory management, and other supply chain components to streamline the flow of goods from suppliers to consumers

Both operations and business process management focus on improving efficiency and effectiveness.

Operations management knowledge and skills, which you can gain through a strong Online MBA program, equip you with what you need to lead cross-functional teams and improve efficiency. By mastering operations, you become prepared for strategic leadership in a number of ways:

 
Operations management involves multiple business functions, including production, supply chain, and quality management.⁵ If you expand your knowledge in this area, you get a comprehensive view of how different parts of a business work.

This broad understanding can help you see the big picture when making decisions that could affect not just one business function, but multiple departments or even your whole organization. That’s exactly what strategic leadership demands—a wide scope and the ability to think beyond individual functions.⁶

 
Strategic leadership in business requires the ability to make arrangements for daily processes and plan for the future.⁶ With advanced knowledge of operations management, you can effectively plan core business functions responsible for the creation and delivery of goods and services. You can also use business analytics technology to pull insights from your operations data and apply them to everyday decisions or future planning.

Chico State’s Online MBA program can prepare you for leadership roles and help you advance professionally. The robust curriculum equips operations-focused professionals with skills, technological knowledge, and a leadership mindset to drive efficiency, lead cross-functional teams, and make strategic decisions that move businesses forward.

In the program, you’ll work through case studies, participate in interactive simulations, and apply what you learn to practical business challenges. This will prepare you to make an impact in the real world. Core courses equip you with the following skills:

• Become a great business leader: Learn how to manage people, teams, and organizations effectively
• Communicate clearly and persuasively: Become proficient at conveying your message effectively in in-person interactions, written communications, and presentations; learn how to take advantage of technology to facilitate communication
• Make strategic, data-driven decisions in business: Discover advanced analytics tools and techniques for extracting insights from data, which you can then use to make informed decisions or provide recommendations that boost operational efficiency
• Excel at operations planning and execution: Understand the operations management process and quality control; develop the skills necessary to use the latest methodologies, systems, and tools to plan, implement, and measure the performance of operations

Expanding your knowledge in operations and business process management can be a chance to climb the career ladder. Popular job titles in this field include those that follow here. In any of them, a bachelor’s degree is typically the minimum requirement for junior roles. An advanced degree, such as an MBA, can make you a suitable candidate for senior positions.

Average annual salary: $77,663⁷

An operations manager oversees a company’s processes to make sure they are efficient and meet quality standards. Key responsibilities in this position include the following:⁸

• Coordinating daily business operations
• Long-term planning
• Identifying and eliminating inefficiencies
• Enforcing quality and regulatory standards

To become an operations manager, you need a degree in operations management, business, or a related field.

Average annual salary: $85,879⁹

A business analyst assesses organizations and develops solutions to operational challenges. With this job title, your duties will include the following:¹⁰

• Collecting and analyzing data for insights that inform decisions
• Finding inefficiencies in a business operation and recommending process improvement
• Creating business performance reports

Entry-level business analyst jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in business administration, data science, or a related field.

Average annual salary: $92,470¹¹

A project manager leads a team of experts in a business project. Key responsibilities in this role include the following:¹²

• Setting project milestones and deadlines
• Delegating tasks to team members
• Ensuring that quality standards are met throughout the project
• Serving as a central point of contact when multiple teams work on the same project

At a minimum, project managers must have a bachelor’s degree in business or management.

Do you want to advance your profession, switch to a new career path, or develop your business skills in operations and process management? The Online MBA from Chico State can be your best next step.

Created by an experienced faculty of experts, the program equips you with practical knowledge and skills you can apply in your career. What you’ll learn can help you move from junior to senior positions with more responsibilities and higher earning potential. With admissions and learning fully online, you can earn your MBA in operations without putting your job, family, or personal life on hold.

Have questions? Reach out to an admissions outreach advisor today to learn more.