Latest edition of a textbook that covers the basics of operations management (OM) while including lengthy coverage of material tested on the American Production and Inventory Control Society certification exams. It approaches the subject with a strong focus on how OM can contribute to the strategic goals and objectives of the firm and moves chronologically from strategic choices to design decisions to operating decisions, with 12 case studies and computer modeling problems.This highly respected book presents strategic and managerial issues in order to emphasize that the decisions made by operations managers should be consistent with a corporate strategy shared by managers in all functional areas. It presents the operations tools and techniques for solving problems in the context of achieving a firm's overall goals and strategies, and provides a balanced treatment of manufacturing and services throughout. The book blends the latest in strategic issues with proven analytic techniques, and offers a wealth of interesting examples to engage readers and bring Operations Management to life. This sixth addition adds an increased emphasis on processes, to provide linkage between operational issues, as well as new problem-solving software and a website with innovative Internet resources. Other coverage includes operations as a competitive weapon, operations strategy, managing technology, total quality management, statistical process control, capacity, location, layout, supply-chain management, forecasting, inventory management, aggregate planning, resource planning, lean systems, and scheduling. For operations managers in a variety of fields.