What background knowledge is necessary?

Background and knowledge in statistical concepts is recommended.

Can I take the course for free?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Where can I learn more and ask questions about earning credit or a degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

Please find more information at https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/graduate-hub/online or email your questions to giesonline@illinois.edu

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Value Chain Management Specialization

New! Discover how 91% of learners achieved at least one positive career outcome. Learn more.

Value Chain Management Specialization

Master Value Chain Analysis. Acquire critical business management competencies to create, measure, and maximize value.

Instructors: Gary Hecht, Ph.D.

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

6 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.7

(2,760 reviews)

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

3 months to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

6 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.7

(2,760 reviews)

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

3 months to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

The purpose of organizations is to produce and deliver goods and services of value to customers while generating a surplus for owners. Value chain management focuses on understanding what different customers value, measuring inputs and outputs to assess value, and generating higher value for customers and surpluses for organizations.

In this specialization, you will gain competencies that are critical for managers in any functional area. You will learn to create, model, analyze, and maximize value in accounting, operations, and marketing.

This specialization is part of Gies College of Business’ suite of online programs, including the iMBA and iMSM. Learn more about admission into these programs and explore how your Coursera work can be leveraged if accepted into a degree program here.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

143 practice exercises

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Specialization - 6 course series

Managerial Accounting: Cost Behaviors, Systems, and Analysis

Course 120 hours

What you'll learn

Describe fundamental concepts of managerial accounting.
Apply the financial perspective of accounting for costs.
Address common "what-if" questions using cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis and apply CVP analysis in a variety of scenarios.
Apply activity-based costing (ABC) and recognize the influence of setting and decision characteristics on the relevance of ABC systems.

Skills you'll gain

Cost Accounting, Management Accounting, Cost Management, Decision Making, Cost Estimation, Accounting Systems, Operating Cost, Supply Chain, Analysis, Accounting, and Financial Accounting

Managerial Accounting: Tools for Facilitating and Guiding Business Decisions

Course 225 hours

What you'll learn

Prepare a master budget and its key components.
Evaluate capital investments via a variety of measures.
Calculate, interpret, and investigate variances.
Compute and interpret financial performance measures.

Skills you'll gain

Budgeting, Variance Analysis, Decision Making, Cost Accounting, Return On Investment, Capital Budgeting, Performance Measurement, Management Accounting, Accounting, Financial Accounting, Organizational Strategy, Cash Flows, Financial Analysis, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Operations Management: Organization and Analysis

Course 313 hours

What you'll learn

Understand the role of operations management.
Relate underlying principles to operations management frameworks and techniques.
Synthesize information to make operations decisions in important areas.
Evaluate processes on different dimensions.

Skills you'll gain

Inventory Management System, Operations Management, Process Analysis, Operational Analysis, Capacity Management, Service Level, Demand Planning, Manufacturing Operations, Strategic Decision-Making, Cost Benefit Analysis, Organizational Strategy, Supply Chain, Business Strategies, Decision Making, and Business Operations

Operations Management: Quality and Supply Chain

Course 416 hours

What you'll learn

Discover, implement, and sustain process improvements in organizations.
Practice the use of statistics for analyzing variation in processes.
Understand frameworks and techniques for supply chain management.
Value the relationship of operations and supply chains with environmental sustainability.

Skills you'll gain

Supply Chain Management, Quality Management, Supplier Relationship Management, Process Capability, Process Improvement, Emerging Technologies, Statistical Process Controls, Process Control, Supply Chain, Continuous Improvement Process, Sustainable Business, Process Analysis, Inventory Management System, Business Technologies, Business Operations, Vendor Contracts, Operations Management, Transportation, Supply Chain, and Logistics, Lean Manufacturing, and Program Management

Developing a Winning Marketing Strategy

Course 516 hours

What you'll learn

Define marketing and understand its underlying rationale.
Describe how marketing creates value.
Describe product strategy.
Describe the nature of branding and evaluate brand extensions.

Skills you'll gain

Value Propositions, Target Market, Consumer Behaviour, Branding, Marketing Analytics, Promotional Strategies, Marketing Strategy and Techniques, Product Planning, Market Analysis, Marketing, Competitive Analysis, Marketing Planning, Customer Insights, and Brand Management

Developing a Marketing Mix for Growth

Course 613 hours

What you'll learn

List all elements of the Marketing Mix and explain the role each element plays in creating value.
Evaluate the use of different Channels of Distribution by existing businesses.
Critique Advertising execution and create a persuasive Advertising piece.
Develop a Marketing Plan proposal.

Skills you'll gain

Product Lifecycle Management, Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Channel, Promotional Strategies, Integrated Marketing Communications, Product Strategy, Marketing Strategies, Marketing Communications, Marketing Management, Marketing Effectiveness, Marketing, Price Negotiation, Strategic Marketing, Value Propositions, Product Management, Market Analysis, Writing, Brand Management, and Advertising

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Build toward a degree

This Specialization is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

Instructors

Gary Hecht, Ph.D.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

9 Courses123,139 learners

Ujjal Kumar Mukherjee

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

4 Courses92,718 learners

Hayden Noel

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

2 Courses64,926 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Frequently asked questions

Each course in the Specialization offers regular and open enrollment. You can begin and complete the course on your own schedule.

It is recommended that the courses in the Specialization be taken in the order outlined.In the Capstone Project, you will have the opportunity to synthesize your learning in all courses and apply your combined skills in a final project

Time to completion can vary widely based on your schedule, most learners are able to complete the Specialization in 3-6 months.

Courses on Coursera do not carry University of Illinois credit on their own. Each iDegree course has an enhanced for-credit component. You can earn academic credit if you combine an open online course with the enhanced for-credit component offered on the University of Illinois platform. To learn more visit https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/graduate-hub/online. Some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.

You will learn how to apply financial perspective of accounting for costs, understand how financial and non-financial accounting information facilitates strategic performance measurement and integrate this information to continuously improve strategy. · You will understand the role of operations management and process improvement, synthesize information to make decisions for organizational initiatives and apply analytical techniques for tactical operations and process improvement decisions. · Finally, you will enhance your understanding of how marketing works in the business world and how various marketing elements interact to create value for consumers and ultimately maximize value for your organization.

Value Chain Management Specialization

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Specialization - 6 course series

Managerial Accounting: Cost Behaviors, Systems, and Analysis

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Managerial Accounting: Tools for Facilitating and Guiding Business Decisions

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Operations Management: Organization and Analysis

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Operations Management: Quality and Supply Chain

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Developing a Winning Marketing Strategy

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Developing a Marketing Mix for Growth

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Earn a career certificate

Build toward a degree

Value Chain Management Graduate Certificate

Master of Science in Management (iMSM)

Master of Business Administration (iMBA)

Instructors

Offered by

Compare with similar products

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Related skills

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Advance your career with an online degree

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Frequently asked questions

How often is each course in the Specialization offered?

Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?

How long does it take to complete the Specialization?

More questions