Operations management is the management of the productive resources of the firm which includes raw materials, human resources, land, equipment and facilities in the manufacture of goods or the delivery of services. It entails the design and control of operations processes centred around activities and people in order to provide maximum value. Its origins are in manufacturing organisations and the rational school of management with figures such as F.W.Taylor and Henry Ford as its early pioneers. Operations focuses on all activities which engage the resources of an organisation. Today, the environment for most managers is dominated by competition. The customer has choice and the effectiveness of the operations function is rising in importance as a contributor of value addition and competitive differentiation.