Improving Clinical Laboratories: A Six Sigma Approach

This assignment focuses on implementing the Six Sigma concept in clinical laboratories for quality improvement. It involves understanding the Six Sigma methodology, applying it to a lab setting, and analyzing potential improvements based on case studies (Kalra & Kopargaonkar, 2016). Additionally, the assignment may incorporate elements of leadership styles and their impact on team dynamics within the laboratory context.

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Description on function and characteristics of leader and manager..................................1
P2 Analyse role of leader and function of manager...............................................................3
P3 Define theories and model in relation to leadership approach..........................................4
M1 Description on role and function of leader and manager by applying such theories.......5
M2 Weakness and strength in relation to different approaches.............................................6
D1 Evaluation of theories and approaches.............................................................................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
P4 Define role of leader and manager and approaches of operational management..............8
P5 Description on significance and value of operation management.....................................9
P6 factors which effects on decision making of operation management.............................10
M4 explain factors which affects business environment......................................................10
D2 Assessment of application of operation management....................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
operational management plays crucial role in relation to success of business. It is very
helpful in manner to control wide majority of shareholders and prevent operational and
mismanagement. The main aim of operational management is to utilise resources in effectively
and efficient manner in order to satisfy expectation of customer. Managers of the company are
responsible for managing the whole operational. The production system of organisation
should be in well-developed manner so it can contribute productivity and profitability to
organisation. The manager should make necessary modification in strategies, plans and
policies of organisation (Cherrafiand et.al., 2016). The labour of firm should work in well
coordinative way so that business can survive in market for longer period. The company
should have enough resources for taking production activity in process. The organization
named Metcalfe's which is privately owned by food enterprise. This report is focusing on the
activities, role, characteristics of leader and manager. With effective framework of operational
and management policies the firm can succeed their working efficiency in large manner.
TASK 1
P1 Description on function and characteristics of leader and manager.
The internal function of organisation performed by leaders and manager. The role of
leader in organisation as leading the whole activities of firm in one direction and keeping
proper tracking of all activity for desirable outcome. They always try to motivate their
employees so that they can perform in the best manner (Hoffmanand et.al., 2013.). The
manager performs their role as to managing the whole operational of firm in the specific
manner so that product and other activities can be efficiently progressed. They follow aim to
fulfil the object of organisation within stipulated time. The quality should be maintained by
Matcalfe in order to satisfy the need of consumer.
The manager performs their role in probability manner but leader used to carry their
function in possibility manner. This is the major difference between their workings. The
deviation between their activities can be understood in following manner are as-
Roles Leaders Mangers
Characteristics The leader chooses to perform
their activities in innovative
Manager used to follow their
role in specific set process and
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manner. in systematic manner.
Focus The focus is to motivating the
employees by paying attention
to function as leading workers
of firm so they can work in
well coordinated manner.
They used to give their focus
as in manner to managing the
workers of firm.
Vision Their vision are of long term
process and they deal in
activity which can give them
profit by full filling long term
objective (Newman and et.al.,
2014).
Their vision are of short
period. They work in manner
to achieve current goals of
organisation by performing
one particular task for specific
period.
Targets The target should be set by
leader in expertise way so they
future object of firm can be
achieve and entity can receive
large amount of profitability
and productivity.
The main target of manager is
to improve communication
between employees so that
they can work in well specific
manner by following activity
of coordination.
Values The value of firm can be
identified with the help of
goals they are achieving. In
this manner, they should
inspire their worker so that
they encourage and perform
their activities in expert
manner.
The manager gives value to the
results they are receiving. In
this manner, they can control
one specific person to follow
firm’s rules and regulations
systematically (Different
Theories On Behaviour And
Strategies Linking Them,
2017).
2

Role The leaders of Matcalfe plays
their role as innovator who
brings process of modification
in his working style.
The manager plays role as
administrator. He properly
manages the work of
employees to give profit output
to firm.
P2 Analyse role of leader and function of manager.
Leadership and manager are two crucial part of organisation. They both work in
manner to enhance growth and profit survival of business. Metcalf is performing their function
in food industry with proper qualified manner so their guest can be satisfied and firm can have
profitability and productivity (Scaria, 2016). Customer always wants to have those foods
which can meet their expectation level as per their choice and preferences. It is very essential
to ensure the quality of food products. In this way role of leader is to motivate team member
and tell them way to improves working efficiency and effectiveness with help of this kind of
activity employees can work in positive environment. In this manner the role of manager is to
seeing performance of their employees on regular basis. They should give reward of
performance to their employees so they feel motivated and perform their activity in expertise
manner. Without effective role of leader and manager the organisation cannot survive for
longer period (Stewart and Shamdasani, 2014). The job turnover of company can be fall if
organisation is not capable in running their activities in better way.
In company there are various factor which changes rapidly in order to manage that all
the decision making power of leader and manager should be effective. The problem of the
employees should be resolve in specific period. If manager are not taking initiative step in
order t solve issues than such individual can go for gig her authorities so hat they can have
effective solution.
Risk is essential part of business, without taking this activity in process the organisation is not
able to meet his expectation (Newman and et.al., 2014). In this manner the Metcafe want to
expand their business activity by having amalgamation with any big food organisation. The
leader are ready to face this challenge and individuals will take this as task. At level manager
can resist merger because they start to think like it is risky and brand image of company can be
fall.
3

The function are as planning organisation, staffing and controlling are need to be perform at
various level of activity to have better output. At the time when employees are performing
their duties than manager should direct them to compete the task within stipulated period. The
leader perform their role as to lead, motivate and encourage to employees so they perform
their role in better manner. The task should be achieve with innovative ideas which can
represent as extra ordinary performance. In this way the growth of organisation can be possible
in large extent.
P3 Define theories and model in relation to leadership approach.
Theorise of leadership are to be taken in process. With the help of these approaches'
organisation can meet desirable outcome. These are defined in following manner are as-
Situation leadership theory
According to present scenario it is very difficult to survive in such complex
environment because it is too competitive and there are lot of challenging performance. In this
manner It should be flexible (Scaria, 2016). This theory states that leader should perform their
role in matured manner, The more emphasize is need to be given on some task. It can be
understood with the help of example are as-
If market is upgraded with new technology which is very helpful in manner to improve
the working efficiency and effectiveness. In this way it became essential to adopt such new
methods of functioning in order to sustain in market for longer period.
4

Contingency leadership theory-
As per this approach it states that behaviour of the person is varies on situation. In firm
there are various condition on which individual can behave in different manner. There are
three kinds of division in contingency theory are as- fielder, situational and path goal
leadership theory. In the fielder approach defines that the working of leadership is totally
dependent on psychological feature level of leaders (Wu and et.al., 2017). The path goal
5
Illustration 1: situation leadership
(source: Wu and et.al., 2017)

theory refer as it is the duty of leader to structure the framework of company in well and take
steps to create positive Working culture so that aims of the firm can be achievable and
organisation can survive for longer period. If market is upgraded with new technology which
is very helpful in manner to improve the working efficiency and effectiveness. In this way it
became essential to adopt such new methods of functioning in order to sustain in market for
longer period.
Systematic leadership model-
This model is very useful for organisation in relation to make modification and
expansion in working of business operational. The Mstcalfe want to start operating his
business in entire world in this way it is very essential to improve the quality and taste of foods
so desire of people can be satisfied effectively (Wu and et.al., 2017). With the help of this
approach firm is able to enhancing the revenues of company and sustain for longer period.
M1 Description on role and function of leader and manager by applying such theories.
The manager and leader both are having different role, responsibilities and
characteristic in order to perform day to day function (Stewart and Shamdasani, 2014). The
situational leadership approach is the best concept because its work in manner to give support
to company to cope up with changes and modify its operation as per the need and requirement
of external environment.
The difference between leader and manager can be understood in following manner are as-
Management theories- with the help of this kind of theory mangers and leader can have way
in which manner supervisor and leader can do their activities in efficient manner. This is very
helpful in term of achieving objectives of firm.
 Scientific theory- It is the part of management theory. The main role of manager is to
identify working process and create environment in which business operational can be
perform in well effective manner (Hoffmanand et.al., 2013.). The main aim is to take
effective order in way to improve economic efficiency of Matcafle food company. The
manager need to proper tracking of function of company so that working efficiency of
business can be improved in a manner which can enhance the firm productivity and
profitability.
 Administrative theory- with the help of this kind of approach the designing of
framework of company can be structured in well proper manner through finding of
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rational way (Nowicka and Vertovec, 2014). They work in relation to follow the
hierarchical approach so there can be proper following of rules and regulation of
organisation.
 Bureaucratic approach- This is the approach in which manager have to communicate
with lower employees. Then strategic level of workers reply to top management
person. In this manner flow of communication can be effective and each worker can
work in effective manner.
 Human relation- in a firm it is very essential in relation to improve relation between
employees. Unsystematic relation brings barriers to effective communication. To
maintain relation managers should play role of motivator so employee can work in well
and proper manner.
 X and Y theory- This two are crucial part of management theory. This both term
generally used by manager to motivate their workers (Roueche. and et.al., 2014).
Theory 'x' refer as employees of Metcalfe are not comforting with workforce in this
manner they used to avoid their responsibilities in relation to work. In this kind of
situation manager used to play a role of motivator, so they can have idea about issue of
workers and with the help this they can take step in order to motivates them (Six
sigma, 2017). The Theory 'y' reflects as now the worker of organisation are Keighley
satisfied, their issues in relation to working structure are sorted and they are able to
perform without any proper guidelines.
 Chaos theory- The current market is unpredictable, there can be changes at any time or
at any place it is essential to make modification in relation to business activities. So
that Metcalfe can able to deal with changes and organisation can grow it productivity
and profitability (Kalra and Kopargaonkar, 2016). The firm should use upgraded
technology so that they know how to cope up with current situation of market.
Leadership theories- this kind of theories id very helpful in relation to influence the
behaviours of person with the proper guideline they can improve the performance of worker so
they work in manner to achieve organisation objectives.
 Trait leadership model- In this there are various kinds of employees and each one of
them have different style of working. In this manner it became tough to deal with
everyone. The leader of Metcalfe company should take effective steps so that can guide
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and lead them in effective manner (Roueche. and et.al., 2014). With the help of these
workers can feel confident and can work in expertise way.
 Behaviour theory- this is very crucial aspect in this behaviour of leader should be
different in relation to handle varies of situation (McGivern and et.al., 2015). With the
help of this the leader can resolve the problem of each individual and they can work in
proper coordinated manner.
M2 Weakness and strength in relation to different approaches.
It can be understood in following manner are as-
Autocratic-
Strength-
1. The time can be managed because in this some essential decision can be taken by top
level management.
2. There is proper following of all laws and legislation so firm is able to achieve heigh
profitability (Nowickaand Vertovec,2014).
Weakness-
1. In this all kind of decision are taken by top level managers the other employees are fell
demotivated as they are not take part in decision making activity.
2. The innovative programme are not sound.
Democratic-
strength-
1. In this all decision n relation to business activities taken by workers and top level
managers.
2. In this manner they can enhance the boost up their morale so the can work in organised
way.
Weakness-
1. The decision making power is very time consuming so they make delay in other
activities of organisation.
2. In this kind of situation it is very tough to give priority to all worker t a time,
sometimes it creates complex situation in firm (Hatch and Cunliffe, 2013).
D1 Evaluation of theories and approaches.
Situational leadership theory-
8

Strength-
 It is a grate concept it mainly emphasizes on task and behaviour of human so they can
work in well effective manner.
Weakness-
 There is no proper guidelines for how such theory is to implemented and how it gives
success to the firm (Hatch and Cunliffe, 2013).
 They highly give focus to behaviour of employees which is time consuming process
and it is very difficult to give focus to situation regularly.
System leadership theory-
Strength-
 It is very helpful in manner to have new kind of modification in organisation.
 In his manner they are very essential to enhance the productivity and profitability of
organisation.
Weakness-
 The major drawback in relation to this approach is the leader of the firm have to follow
tall structure due to this issue the communication and coordination between workers
become so weak it is major cause due to which organisation has to deal with many
complex situation (Hatch and Cunliffe, 2013). The thinking of leader also depends on
different situation and requirement of external environment.
Contingency theory-
Strength-
 The main benefit of adopting this kind of approach is to have positive result in pre
define condition of firm.
Weakness-
The main problem with this is leader cannot make himself understand in different situation so
it became difficult to deal with it (Kalra and Kopargaonkar, 2016.). To cope up with this kind
of issue it should be flexible so all of workers can work in proper and effective manner.
9

TASK 2
P4 Define role of leader and manager and approaches of operational management.
Management operation are that part of the managerial activities which ensure that there
is proper control on design of process in this manner the work in relation to designing of
production of good and services can be effective achieved (Newman and et.al., 2014).
The organisation name Metcalfe is taking various steps in order to make proper identification
of loopholes so leader and manger can try to improve such issue soon. There should be timely
review of all process, with the help of this kind of activity firm can have better quality of food
and service which help in manner to increase profitability of organisation in large manner.
The various key approaches to operation management are as follows.
Dynamic approach- To have long time of sustainability in market it is very important
to make proper improvement in operation of management. As per the present scenario the
Metcalfe is following the traditional approach (Hoffmanand et.al., 2013.). They give three
major focus on the activities like Knowledge, contingencies, learning and solving the problem
in well and identified manner. With the help of this kind of approach Metcalfe is taking
initiative in order to improve the operation management.
Six sigma approach- It is very important approach in relation to have proper
identification and take steps in relation to improve it. The quality management approach is
very helpful in order to measures quality and improve in timely manner (Hoffmanand et.al.,
2013.). With the help of this approach firm can enhance productivity and profitability by
fulfilling customers expectation.
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Role of leader-
The leaders of Metcalfe work in manner to motivates the employees so they can
perform in better approach. They should use innovative methods for completing various
activities in timely manner (Hatchand Cunliffe, 2013). They lead the employees in one
direction to achieve goal of firm. With the help of vision and mission they can coordinate their
activities in well specific manner.
Role of manager-
The employees of the organisation are assets of the firm. They should perform the action in
Manner to satisfy the employees and perform in more effective way. The role of manager in
relation to monitoring the activities of whole firm (Griepand et.al., 2016). They monitor the
individual performance and take step to improve it.
P5 Description on significance and value of operation management.
With the help of operation management tool firm can improve profitability and can
expand activities of business in large extent. Managerial operation is very essential in
organisation without performing function in relation to this firm cannot achieve its target. The
success and growth of firm is totally depend on this factor only.
The employees of the firm feel motivated in relation to perform task. They work in
manner to assign role and responsibilities to worker as per their skills and abilities. They try to
create positive environment in organisation so every one can work in well coordinated manner.
11
Illustration 2: six sigma
(source: Cherrafiand et.al., 2016

They are giving very attention to deliver the good and service to customers (Goodall and
Pogrebna, 2015).
Operation management is very important in order to reduce the cost of Metcalfe organisation.
They take effective approach in manner to make identification of areas of improvement and
take steps in order to overcome it.
P6 factors which effects on decision making of operation management.
It is very essential to keep focus on internal and external factor which can affect the
operation of organisation (Cherrafiand et.al., 2016).
Internal factors are as- These are those factors which affects the internal operation of business.
These are defined in following manner are as-
Value system- It is essential in order to defining the value of an organisation. If people
do not follow in proper manner tan activities of organisation can be chaos.
Financial strength- The Matcalfe is not having proper amount of fund in this manner
it is difficult to provide qualified good and services (Brimhall, Lizano and Barak, 2014). In
this manner, the customers of the company can be dissatisfied.
Suppliers- The raw materials which are to be use for production process should be in
qualified manner. The production function of firm is largely dependent on supply factor.
External factor
Ethical- This term refer as market is unpredictable, therefore there can be change in taste and
preferences of consumer so there is need to take proper research of market activities (Bolton
and Thompson, 2015).
Sustainability- In order to sustain in market for longer period they need to frame proper
strategies.
Corporate social responsibility- The all policies and procedures of CSR are should be actively
followed because it ultimately affects the operation of organisation.
M4 explain factors which affects business environment.
These can be known with the help of PESTLE analysis are as-
Political factor- This related to effectively framework of government rules and regulation,
trade norms and taxation policies which can largely affects the operations of Metcalfe.
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Economic factor- In this some issues like inflation, recession and unemployment rate majorly
affects the operation of business (Blum, 2015). Due to these factors prices of imports can be
raisesd
Social factor- The change in taste and preference of consumer can largely affect the operation
of business (Antony, 2014).
Technology- the current market is upgraded, in order to cope up with innovation the company
is need to adopt technology factors.
Legal factor- The issues in relation to ethical and moral can harm the reputation of firm in
large extent.
Environmental factor- In this are various issues such as pollution which negatively affected
local community. In this manner, the effective steps are to be taken.
D2 Assessment of application of operation management.
Six sigma plays essential role in order to improve the quality of product and services.
Therefore, government law and changes in regulation are main factor which affect the
environment largely (Antony and et.al., 2016).
The economic factor also effects the operation of business in large manner. In other way,
it is helpful in order to increase the competition in market and able to develop strong brand
image in market.
CONCLUSION
From the whole assignment, it has been concluded that the six sigma is an effective
tool which is very helpful in order to improve the quality of goods and services. The whole
report is focused on activities of leader and manager. In market, the companies should take
innovative process so that they can enhance the productivity and profitability. Without
effective function of leader and manager organisation cannot survive for longer period.
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