Operations
AnalyticsCornell Certificate Program

Most organizations, whether for profit or nonprofit, seek to optimize efficiencies and maximize the use of their resources. In operations management, one key responsibility is to regularly assess the processes within the work system to ensure resources are appropriately used and aligned to best achieve the goals of the organization.

In this course, you will consider how to analyze an operational process with the purpose of determining its current capacity and potential improvement opportunities. You’ll start by defining a process graphically then assess the capacities of the resources within it along with the process as a whole. The course culminates with identifying and evaluating different options to improve performance. Along the way, you’ll create a decision support tool in Microsoft Excel, applying the course concepts to your tangible skills for work and beyond.

Minimizing wait time is often considered a critical element in maximizing customer satisfaction. Yet managing wait time can be especially difficult in some processes because there is often significant variability in arrival and processing times. A well-designed queueing system can help manage wait time and customer satisfaction, even in situations of high variability.

In this course, you will discover how queueing can be managed effectively through the use of various tools. You’ll have opportunities to explore, develop, and utilize decision support tools as you consider the customer experience beyond wait times. By the end of this course, you’ll have broader perspectives on customer satisfaction and the tools needed to understand and affect it.

Strong operational performance depends on shrewd inventory management decisions, and there are several individual considerations that go into selecting and implementing an overall plan that will work for an organization. In this course, you will explore two classic models for managing inventory and consider how choosing the appropriate model can vary depending on the goals and needs of the organization. You’ll apply your understanding of these concepts to build a decision-making tool and apply it to real-world business decisions.

Decision making is an indispensable professional skill for those working in an operations management setting. In this course, you will explore three different tools that aid in the development and implementation of this key skill. You’ll examine each method and see how each is meant to be used in resolving decision problems related to production, inventory, and risk. By the end of this course, you’ll have gained applicable skills that support your operations management work across any industry.

eCornell online Workshops are live, interactive learning experiences lasting 1 to 4 hours and led by Cornell faculty experts. These premium, short-format sessions focus on AI topics and are designed for busy professionals who want to gain immediately applicable skills and strategic perspectives. Workshops may include faculty presentations, breakout discussions, and guided hands-on practice.

The AI Workshops All-Access Pass provides you with unlimited participation for 6 months from your date of purchase. Whether you choose to attend one Workshop per month or several per week, the All-Access Pass allows you to customize your AI journey and stay on top of the latest AI trends.

Hosted by Cornell faculty at the forefront of their fields, Workshops cover a range of cutting-edge AI topics applicable across industries. Workshops are offered at three levels to allow you to choose topics that match your experience.

• AI Foundations
  • These Workshops introduce core AI concepts, terminology, capabilities, limitations, and practical applications. No prior AI experience is required.
  • Best for: Beginners, AI-curious professionals, and teams starting their AI journey.
• AI in Practice
  • These Workshops focus on practical skills, workflows, and strategies that help participants use AI more effectively in their day-to-day work. Some familiarity with AI tools is recommended.
  • Best for: Professionals who have experimented with AI and want to build confidence and capability.
• AI Leadership and Transformation
  • These advanced Workshops explore emerging technologies, strategic implementation, governance, organizational impact, and specialized applications. AI fluency is expected, and some Workshops may have prerequisites.
  • Best for: AI leaders, transformation teams, executives, and advanced practitioners.