The material in this text is part of the core knowledge in your education. Consequently, you will derive considerable benefit from your of operations management, regardless of your major. Practically speaking, operations is a course in management. This book describes principles and concepts of operations management. You should be aware that many of these principles and concepts are applicable to other aspectos of your professional and persona life. You can expect the benefits of your study of operations management to server you in those other areas as well. Some students approach this course with apprehension, and perhaps even some negative feelings. It may be that they have heard thar the course containts a certain amount of quantitative material that they feel uncomfortable with, or that the subject matter is dreary, or that the course is about ´factory management´. This is unfortunate, because the subject matter of this book is interesting and vital for all business students.