The course aims to provide students with knowledge, advanced methodologies and tools - including those computer-based - for the design, management and optimization of production systems. In particular, a complex ERP software will be presented and made-use-of and useful knowledge for its critical evaluation will also be introduced. The course will present the basic concepts related to the measurement of business performance and tools for business intelligence. It will develop conceptual reference schemes and operational tools for the improvement of the collective work (group or team). Through the use of different games aimed at understanding the dynamics of production systems or that of working groups will be shown the potential applications of the same games. Terminology, reference framework and methodologies for project management of production plants will be proposed with the aid of appropriate information technology. The main issues and methodologies for risk analysis and assessment, including tools for the quantitative appreciation of the risk levels in the activities of production systems will be proposed.