Techniques include value analysis, linear programming, network analysis, statistical quality control and efficiency measures. Schools use staff-student ratios, curriculum planning and class scheduling methods. Quantitative techniques offer only limited help, the whole system and boundary relationships with other systems must be managed. The boundary concerns of operations management include Innovation - for new product development. What the design is and how it can be produced are important development decisions.
Innovative designs have to be made within cost and skill parameters.
When financial organisations launched PEP's - these had to designed and staff trained to handle the new products. What is the role and characteristics of purchasing in supporting the London Underground system. At the end of package holiday we fill in a questionnaire as we fly home. But they offer much information to the Thomson's production system. The tour company may withdraw from a hotel because of poor standards.