Operations and Project Management: Review and Critique of Operations Management Principles in Marks & Spencer

ID
Unit Number and Title Unit 187 –
Operations and
Project Management
Title Review and Critique
of Operations
Management (Part
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Table of Content
Part 1: Business Report
1. An introduction to chosen organization p
2. An explanation of operation vs operations management p
3. A review and critique of the implementation of operations
management principles within the chosen organization p
4. An analysis of the extent to which the operations management of
the organisation in the case study meets the requirements of the
organization p
5. Discussion of continuous improvement as a philosophy and
describe the Lean principles p
6. A continuous improvement plan, including your justified
recommendations for improvement, based on your review and
critique of operations management principles within your
organization p
7. Conclusion p
References p
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INTRODUCTION
Operation management refers to administration of business activities and
operations which can create the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness within
the organization. It is mainly concerned with designing and controlling the process of
manufacturing, trading and other activities which are involved in providing products
or services. The project will outline the details regarding operation management of
Marks & Spencer. It will include difference between operations and operation
management. Further, it will discuss the operation management principles in
selected company. The project will highlight the continuous improvement theory and
lean principles. There will be a detailed explanation regarding operational
management and its requirement in M&S.
1. An introduction to chosen organization
Marks & Spencer (M&S) is a public limited British multinational retailer
company which is headquartered in London, UK. The products in which company is
dealing are clothing, beauty and health products, home appliances and food
products. Company was founded by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer (Nyame-
Asiamah and Ghulam, 2019). There are numerous stores worldwide and company is
also offering online services to its customers. The products are sold according to
customer demand and preference which enable it to capture higher market share.
The main competitors of M&S are: Tesco, Aldi, Asda, Centra, etc.
Vision
Vision statement of company is to set a standard for its competitors and
provide excellent customer experience. The company will also take care of
environment, community and employees. Key components of vision statement are:
 Maintain high standards
 Beat the competitors
 Care for customers
 Care for employees
 Sustainable planet and community
Mission
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Mission of company is to provide high quality products and services to which
can be accessible to everyone. Mission statement of M&S outlines that company
wants to sell variety of products with high quality into global market. The objective of
company are quality, globalization and diversification.
Core values
The core values of company includes:
 Integrity
 Innovation
 Trust
 Willingness to change
2. An explanation of operation vs operations management
Operations refers to procedure, activity and process which are developed by
management of a company for effective functioning of business operations and
activities. For instance, in M&S the trading activities are accomplished through
development of some process such as planning, budgeting, etc. On the other hand
operation management is the process through which management manages the
operations of company so that organization can achieve its aim and objectives. This
is an ongoing function which enables management to effectively manage activities or
operations of company.
Operation vs operation management
Operations Operation management
Operations refer to tasks or activities
which are made during production or
manufacturing of products or rendering
of services.
Operation management is the process of
managing such activities which are made
during production of products or services.
In simple terms operation management
refers to effective management of
operations.
The objective of operations is to maintain
quality of products or services which are
produced through various activities such
as planning, directing and supervision.
The objective of operation management
is to focus on satisfaction level of
customers by effective management of
activities and providing right product to
right customers at right time (Reid and
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Sanders, 2019).
It concentrates on formulation of acts
which can form an adequate way in
production of products or services
(Hernández-Callejo, Gallardo-Saavedra
and Alonso-Gómez, 2019).
It focuses on running business effectively
and efficiently.
The requirement of capital in operations
is relatively high as it is required from
beginning to end process.
Operation management requires less
investment since its focus is on effective
management of operation and activities
that are formulated during production of
products.
3. A review and critique of the implementation of
operations management principles within the chosen
organization
The operational department of M&S are mainly responsible for effective
management of manufacturing of products and services and to ensure quality of
products that are being produced. They are also responsible for resolving issues
related to marketing and other day to day operations this can ensure customer
satisfaction and enables company to create a positive image. The products that are
being offered by company are manufactured as well as products of other companies.
Therefore, it becomes essential for company to manage its manufacturing as well as
trading activities (He, Qi and An, 2020). For attracting customers and to capture
higher market share it is necessary for company and its operational department to
adapt new trends in market.
The operation management principles can help company in effective
management of operations and to achieve goals and objectives. Implementation of
these principles will enable M&S to attain more profit by enhancing customer
satisfaction level. The operation management principles are:
Reality
Reality principle of operation management states that organization is required
to concentrate on problems instead of techniques. The management of M&S must
focus on organization and task's which ensure effective management of operations.
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If management doesn't focus on them company will not be able to enhance its profit
margin. Techniques can not give solution for all the problems or issues faced by
company therefore, company is required to focus on problem and find solutions for
the same.
Organization
There are various functions which are involved in effective functioning of
business and all functions are interconnected with each other. It is very essential for
management of M&S to ensure coordination between different functions of company
to ensure smooth running of business. The interlinking of each function is very
important for organization to perform effectively and to accomplish goal and
objective.
Fundamentals
This principle help company to maintain appropriate inventory records and in
reducing cost. The fundamental principle assist organization in appropriate utilization
of resources available with company which can enable it to reduce production cost.
The low production cost will result into increase in profitability and company can
invest that finance in expansion and growth of business.
Accountability
Accountability principle gives an outline that employees and managers who
are working in a company are accountable for the responsibilities that are given to
them. Every employee in M&S are given roles and responsibilities according to their
qualification and skills and all are accountable for outcome of their work. This will
ensure regular checking of their work and help in identifying areas for improvement.
Quality control
This principle aims with quality checking of products or services which are
offered by company to its customers. The effective monitoring of production process
and quality of goods produced will help company in achieving its mission.
Humanity
The employees of company must be given respect so that company can
ensure higher employee commitment. The principle aims with development of
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