Project Management and Its Applications

This assignment covers project management theories and concepts, including the behavior of internal stakeholders and its impact on success. It also discusses the application of project management in various fields such as construction, operations, and sustainability. The assignment includes references to several research papers and articles that provide insights into project management practices and their importance in achieving project success.

Operation and
Project Management

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................2
P1 Review and critique of execution of operation management principles...........................2
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................5
P2 Preparation of continuous improvement plan based on operation management principles5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P3 Application of product life cycle stages............................................................................8
TASK 4 .........................................................................................................................................11
P4 Effectiveness of product life cycle..................................................................................11
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
1

INTRODUCTION
Operation management can be termed as a very important function which is required to be
conducted in every business. It is very effective in designing and controlling the process which is
being conducted while producing goods and services and along with this, activities related to
redesigning of products is also take place. If this function will be performed by company in an
effective manner then they will be able to satisfy the needs and demands of the customer in a
proper manner. Basically, here activities are being conducted where the inputs can be converted
into outputs (Antonio Martins and Ramos Martins, 2012). The company which will be covered in
this report is Hotpoint which is an American and European brand of domestic appliances. They
are manufacturing various items like Washing machine, refrigerators, dishwashers etc. This
report will discuss about various operation management principles which can be applied in the
organisation. Also, the application of product life cycle for producing necessary products and
critical review of effectiveness of PLC by using suitable theories and concepts is included in this
project.
TASK 1
P1 Review and critique of execution of operation management principles
The operation and project management process is being implemented in each and every
organisation for designing the activities which is being conducted in the company. On the other
hand they are also giving their full attention to create and restructure the processes as well. This
department required the support of all other sections in order to conduct their procedures
including marketing, human resource, finance, supply chain and many more. Here, the
operational director is required to make correct decisions in respect of conducting different
activities such as item & process outline, offices arranging, quality administration, stock control,
limit and activities methodology (Beringer, Jonas and Kock, 2013). The administrators are
likewise required to handle the circumstances as of now which are prevailing in the organization
and afterwards attempt to give compelling answer for it with the goal that advancement can be
occurred. Here, basically Hotpoint is planning to launch a 58 inch television in the market and
thus a proper research is required to be conducted by the company before launching their product
in market. The principles associated with operation management which are required to be
followed by the company are as follows:
Operation management principles: The diverse principles are explained further –
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Reality: This involves the operational supervisors which are required to put their
emphasis on issues as opposed to instruments and strategies as they won't have the capacity to
give proper answers for every last issue.
Organisation: It is required that each of the components are ought to be accommodated
and predictable with the goal that working can be prepared in a simple way. They are required to
be interconnected also (Blomquist and et. al., 2010).
Fundamentals: While doing the activities, organizations are executing pareto rule in
which 20% of accomplishment originates from utilising new techniques in order to form and
80% from stern cling to hold disciplines along with records in correct manner.
Accountability: In this, the supervisors are required to characterize obligations to its
workers and set guidelines for them with a goal that every one of the exercises are being led in a
powerful way. The directors should check that set objectives or targets are fulfilled by
performance of people or not as it impacts on outcomes of overall project of company.
Variance: This factor can be utilized to create imagination at the work environment and
ensures that the procedure is overseen well.
Causality: These are considered as the indications of the central reason. It is extremely
basic for administration to focus on them with the goal that its primary driver can be discovered
and cured.
Managed passion: These are the primary variables which is required to be available in an
association as then just they will have the capacity to make the representatives of association
more talented and committed towards their work.
Humility: Instead of trial and mistake process which is extremely costly, executive needs
to recognize their constraints & get help and proceed onward.
Change: In this, it will be examined that there are such a large number of instruments and
methods that can be actualized by the organization's directors with a specific end goal to enhance
its working exercises. In this way, it is recommended to the directors that they ought not stick to
one system and should continue changing as it will ring effectiveness (Brauers and Zavadskas,
2010).
Success: This is an essential rule as it is that factor as a result of which the association is
working. Consequently, it is exceptionally fundamental that organization should deal with their
clients
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Six Sigma:
This can be described as a structure which utilized by organizations for remembering the
true objective & upgrade nature of exercises and expelling blunders also. It will help in
diminishing cost and in sparing their chance too. To build up the nature of merchandise, it is
basic to use most recent innovation and creation forms as well. Six Sigma is an instrument that
assists to deal with issues concerning exercises and quality management in an organization
(Fernández-Sánchez and Rodríguez-López, 2010.). It is a five phase process that fuses:
Define: Here, essentially the objectives, framework and the requirements of the clients
are being incorporated.
Measure: At this stage, all the fundamental components of current process are
incorporated and estimated in respect of ensuring that administration is gathering applicable
information in order to know the capacity of the procedure.
Analyse: Here, the gathered information is being examined by the overseers in order to
know the circumstances and end results connections. Additionally, it is ensured that every
component can be considered at the time understanding the primary issue.
Improve: In this, the present procedure which is going on should be checked through the
examining information which is being directed by utilizing several strategies. However, it
includes mix-up sealing, outline of analyses and standard work which help in growing new
procedures.
Control: In this stage, it is ensured that directors should control the issues before that
they take tremendous frame. Thus, this administration is required to impart some controlled
frameworks like creation sheets, factual process control, visual work environments and so on. It
will provide support to them a considerable measure (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016).
Lean principle:
This involves lean standard consisting five phase process which is used to deal with the
execution of lean strategies. These can be anything but difficult to be perceived because they are
extremely hard to hold. Moreover, these are the standards which are being trailed by
administration of Hotpoint. It involves certain steps which are ass under –
Identify value: : In this progression, esteem is demonstrated from point of view of end
buyer by item family.
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Map value stream: In this part, it means to being perceived in esteem stream in every last item
family and these means which are not being given any esteem ought to be dispensed with
(Gunasekaran and Ngai, 2012).
Create flow: Value making steps are characterized under strict game plan with the goal
that products can achieve the clients in an easily way.
Establish pull: In this, as the stream is introduced, the clients ought to be permitted to
pull an incentive from next upstream action.
Seek perfection: Once the esteem if being known, it is important to decide esteem stream
and superfluous advances ought to be resolved & force and stream is presented. After this, the
procedure is started again and done until the point when flawlessness is accomplished.
TASK 2
P2 Preparation of continuous improvement plan based on operation management principles
Continuous improvement can be referred as efforts through which products and services
can be improved. In this, various kinds of activities are carried out in respect of gaining positive
changes in the products and services which facilitate to fulfil actual needs and and demands of
customers in proper manner. This is possible only when the company will recheck problems on
products and analyse desired need of improvements which are required for undertaking the
desired changes. Through this, the goods and services which will be produced should consists
good quality and also have the capability to satisfy needs and wants of customers. Hotpoint
Company is also working in UK market since many years and they are also having an aim to
make themselves more better in the upcoming years (Lenfle and Loch, 2010). By launching
themselves in the television sector, they are putting efforts to make themselves more effective
and achieve better market share as well. Continuous improvement is an effective process which
is conducted for attracting the customers towards their products and services of company.
Continuous Improvement Plan:
Provider
Date
Source Existing performance
level
Improvement in
strategies
Expected Outcome
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Promotional
events
Because of the
diminishing marketing
practices, the buyers
who came to shop were
not able to purchase the
new product as they
were not given
appropriate information
relation to the product.
Hotpoint is advised to
use appropriate
strategies of promotion
so that they can
produce their goods
and activities in a
proper way. It is
necessary that these
strategies should be
implemented in an
effective manner as
through this, the
company will be able
to increase their sales
in the market.
With the help of
effective
communication
strategy, the
management of
Hotpoint will be able
to provide all the
necessary information
to the customers which
they can make use of
while producing goods
and services of the
company.
After sales services Hotpoint is giving after
sale services since they
are dealing in electronic
items and if the
customers wants any
kind of help in
understanding its
functions or are facing
issues in its functioning
then they the staff of the
company is required to
be available for the
clients all the time
otherwise, it will bring a
sense of dissatisfaction
in the minds of the
It has been suggested
here that Hotpoint
company is required to
put their focus on
improving the services
which they are already
giving to their
customers. Through
this, they will be able
to make connection
with them in more
proper manner and
achieve the goals and
objectives of the
company as well.
Here, feedbacks are
It is required to be
known to each and
every company that
each customer thinks in
a different manner and
thus they will have
different viewpoints on
the activities which are
conducted by the
company. It is required
to be made sure that if
Hotpoint will enter into
TV segment then it
will be very good for
the customers as also
because they will get
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customers. also taken from them
which can be used by
the company to
provide satisfaction to
their customers.
all the types of
appliances at one place
itself.
Improvement plan and its effect:
From the above mentioned plan, it can be advised that each and every company should
implement the process of continuous development because it is an effective tool through which
Hotpoint Company can improve the plans that they have for the betterment of business. Once the
plan will be analysed then it will be confirmed that whether the management of Hotpoint
requires to do continuous improvement in their goods and services. If yes, then it should be done
as fast as possible because then only, they will be able to increase the profitability of the
company in market (Mir and Pinnington, 2014). It is also prescribed that the management of
Hotpoint should come up with new and innovative ideas because it will help them in reducing all
the issues which are prevailing in organisation and thus achieving goals and objectives of
company. In this, it is also prescribed that the company should keep their focus on providing
after sale services as well as this will make the customers more satisfied.
The strategies for implementation of plan are as follows:-
The process of continuous development planning will be very helpful for the
organisational managers in performing the process of producing goods and services on regular
basis. Under this, the reviews of the customers are also taken since they are also an integral part
of it. Therefore, after addressing the views of the customers, it will be very easy for the company
to understand their needs and wants and satisfying them as well. If Hotpoint will supply their
products in high quality then it will help the company for gaining trust of employees and thus
launching their new customers in effective and efficient manner (Pemsel and Wiewiora, 2013).
Through compiling the below ascertained practices improvement can be executed through
organisation:
Better Employment Relation: This is a basic component which is required to be followed
by all the companies. It is said that if the employees will perform their activities properly then
the company will be able to sell their goods and services in a proper manner and thus attaining
their goals as well. It is to be noticed that there should be good relationship between the
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employees of the company because then only they will be able to work with each other in a
proper manner.
Proper Channel of Communication: Under this, it is noticed that if the company will
make use of effective channels of communication then chances of misinterpretation of
information will be reduced and thus the organisation will become more effective. This will be
very helpful for them as through this there will be no confusion in between the employees and
therefore all the activities will be conducted on time and developing the performance in the
company as well (Ramasesh and Browning, 2014). Goods and services will be supplied by the
company in an effective and efficient manner then they will be able to satisfy clients
appropriately.
Organisational theories and models: Hotpoint can make use of various kinds of theories
and models in order to make their product famous in the market. The theories which can be
implemented are like classical, bureaucratic and scientific approaches. Through this, work of the
companies will be implemented in effective & efficient manner and the productivity as well as
profitability of the company will be maintained as well.
TASK 3
P3 Application of product life cycle stages
Since Hotpoint is planning to launch the television in 58n inches in the market so to do
this, it is necessary that they conduct the market research in an effective and efficient manner.
Managers of Hotpoint company are applying various kinds of theories and models for improving
the production process of company and making plans as well. There are various kinds of sources
through which the products can be introduced in the market. From that, it is the responsibility of
management to choose best method for them and increase the sales and revenue of the company
(Robichaud and Anantatmula, 2010). Subsequent to investigating market patterns, item is
produced that meet necessity of clients and fulfil their requests. Before entering in large screen
TV market, they should guarantee that it has some remarkable highlights that describe in clients
more. Project life cycle is made to accomplish goals or objectives. In this, included four stages
that Haier Group have to consider for their new product such as; Initiation or conceptualisation of project: Here, the point from where the business is
going to start as per the various kinds of ideas and thoughts of the people are being
considered. It is required to be understood that the concepts should be very much clear so
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as to design effective strategies for the company. So, here Hotpoint will need to recognize
the issues so that appropriate solutions can be suggested. While launching a 58 inch TV,
they have to make sure that there are no problems that may come in their way in future. Planning stage: It is considered as the next step after initiation phase. In this, a plan is
required to be made by the managers so that effective goods and services can be
produced by the company. It is very much important for each and every company to do
planning as in this they will be able to decide the objectives, vision and mission in a
proper manner. The executions phase – Under this, the plan which is prepared by the company is bing
finally implemented in the company. It may also be called as the action phase because
here the plan finally comes into action. With this, new products can be developed by the
company in a proper manner and satisfy the customers in a proper manner as well. This
whole process is being monitored as well so that appropriate changes can be made.
 Closing phase: This can be considered as the last phase of the project life cycle. Under
this, the product which is prepared is being finally delivered to the targetted audience and
maintain all the necessary documentation of the projects as well. After this, it will be
known that whether the product which is being designed by the company is successful in
satisfying the customers or not. In case of Hotpoint, their 58 inch TV will help them in
satisfying their customers in a proper manner.
Work breakdown structure for new product development:
It is necessary to be prepared by each and ever organisation as through this they can
manage each and every activity in an appropriate manner and thus the workload on the
employees will also be decreased. Its structure is required to be related to project management as
well as the system engineering. In this, teams are being formed so that goals and objectives can
be achieved. Thus, it is essential for each and every company to have a proper hierarchy so that
activities can be managed in an effective manner.
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GANTT CHART – This can be defined as the graphical representation of the schedule
which is prepared by the project manager so as to conduct all the activities of the company.
Under this, the time period in which the work will be performed is also mentioned.
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TASK 4
P4 Effectiveness of product life cycle
Hotpoint Corporation is attempting to enter the new market segment which is the
television segment and they are starting production with 58 inch television itself. But before
taking such a strong step, they need to do proper research so as to know that whether their
attempt will be successful or not. It can be determined that the project life cycle is advantageous
in deciding an effective structure in which the goods and services will be provided. It also allows
each and every team member to work on a particular project and give their contribution as well.
The project manager can make synergy with progression so that the entire project can be
completed within the time frame. These progressions are also required to be measured so that it
can be known that how long the work will take time to complete.
Thus it can be said that project life cycle is a very effective tool which can be used by the
project managers to complete their project within the specified time period and by making use of
appropriate ways as well. Apart from these, here are defined some important benefits or
advantages of project life cycle (PLC) which are as follows-
 This is an essential because it reduces the chances of making crucial mistakes in future
and the major and minor errors are also removed.
 It helps in providing appropriate guidelines to the team members after which they get to
do their tasks in more effective manner.
 It is also effective in shaping various steps to the management team through which they
can conduct various kinds of activities by making use of necessary facts and figures. It
will eventually help them in attaining the goals and objectives of the company.
Designing and implementing PLC is important because it defines several stages of
successfully executing particular project by conducting desired activities step-by-step
appropriately. The cost saving technique of preparing accurate budget can be considered in PLC
for saving funds of overall project. Moreover, total quality management can be utilised in order
to ensure quality, scope and tenure while implementing specific project properly. Meanwhile,
there are different leadership and management theories which has their own concepts so that
specific model is applicable for particular situation & criteria of specific project.
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CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that dealing with the activities of their
business is vital for each organization since then just organization will have the capacity to
accomplish their objectives and destinations. Be that as it may, it is difficult to deal with all these
and heaps of endeavours are required to be placed in by operational administrators of
organization. Here essentially, the crude materials are being changed over into completed items
by appropriately directing the generation and assembling process. Hence, it is extremely
fundamental for chiefs to do appropriate arranging and furthermore apply different kinds of
methodologies to make their destinations achievable. In the event that these techniques will be
actualized in an appropriate way at that point organization will have the capacity to accomplish
their objectives and impartially soon. Thus, it is the fundamental duties of administration of
delegate great administrators who can do every one of their exercises in a powerful way.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Antonio Martins, V. and Ramos Martins, M., 2012. Outsourcing operations in project
management offices: The reality of Brazilian companies. Project management
journal. 43(2). pp.68-83.
Beringer, C., Jonas, D. and Kock, A., 2013. Behavior of internal stakeholders in project portfolio
management and its impact on success. International Journal of Project
Management. 31(6). pp.830-846.
Blomquist, T. and et. al., 2010. Project‐as‐practice: In search of project management research
that matters. Project Management Journal. 41(1). pp.5-16.
Brauers, W. K. M. and Zavadskas, E. K., 2010. Project management by MULTIMOORA as an
instrument for transition economies. Technological and Economic Development of
Economy. 16(1). pp.5-24.
Fernández-Sánchez, G. and Rodríguez-López, F., 2010. A methodology to identify sustainability
indicators in construction project management—Application to infrastructure projects in
Spain. Ecological Indicators. 10(6). pp.1193-1201.
Fleming, Q. W. and Koppelman, J. M., 2016, December. Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Gunasekaran, A. and Ngai, E. W., 2012. The future of operations management: an outlook and
analysis. International Journal of Production Economics. 135(2). pp.687-701.
Lenfle, S. and Loch, C., 2010. Lost roots: how project management came to emphasize control
over flexibility and novelty. California Management Review. 53(1). pp.32-55.
Mir, F. A. and Pinnington, A. H., 2014. Exploring the value of project management: linking
project management performance and project success. International journal of project
management. 32(2). pp.202-217.
Pemsel, S. and Wiewiora, A., 2013. Project management office a knowledge broker in project-
based organisations. International Journal of Project Management. 31(1). pp.31-42.
Ramasesh, R. V. and Browning, T. R., 2014. A conceptual framework for tackling knowable
unknown unknowns in project management. Journal of Operations Management. 32(4).
pp.190-204.
Robichaud, L. B. and Anantatmula, V. S., 2010. Greening project management practices for
sustainable construction. Journal of Management in Engineering. 27(1). pp.48-57.
Söderlund, J., 2011. Pluralism in project management: navigating the crossroads of
specialization and fragmentation. International Journal of Management Reviews. 13(2).
pp.153-176.
Subramanian, N. and Ramanathan, R., 2012. A review of applications of Analytic Hierarchy
Process in operations management. International Journal of Production
Economics. 138(2). pp.215-241.
Turner, R., 2016. Gower handbook of project management. Routledge.
Online
Management Theories & Concepts at the Workplace. 2018. [Online]. Available
through:<http://smallbusiness.chron.com/management-theories-concepts-workplace-17693.
html>.
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