Operations and Project Management

This document provides an overview of operations and project management principles within an organizational context. It discusses the implementation of operations management principles and prepares a continuous improvement plan. It also explores the stages of the project life cycle and their application in a given project. The document includes supporting documentation for each stage.

OPERATION AND
PROJECT MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PROJECT 1.....................................................................................................................................1
Operations management principles within an organisational context.........................................1
Prepare a continuous improvement plan based on the review and critique of operations
management principles within an organisational context............................................................2
PROJECT 2.....................................................................................................................................3
Overview of the case study..........................................................................................................3
Description of PLC and explanation of each stage......................................................................3
The way each stage of PLC is applied to given project including supporting documentation of
each stages...................................................................................................................................5
Cost-benefit analysis....................................................................................................................7
Rationale for project methodologies, tools and leadership method that has been implemented
within PLC in project.................................................................................................................12
Critical evaluation of effectiveness of PLC in application of project through making use of
concepts, model.........................................................................................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is being taken in the area of management where the designing
and controlling of production and redesigning of the operations related to business is been done.
Project management is the process which includes leading related to work so that goals and
objectives can be achieved and also business can be able to grow. Present report will lay focus on
BSA motorcycles. The company manufactures motorcycles, cars, buses and bodies
headquartered in Midlands. Present report will lay emphasis on a review and critique of the
implementation of operations management principles within an organisational context. It will
also prepare a continuous improvement plan based on the review and critique of operations
management principles within an organisational context
PROJECT 1
Operations management principles within an organisational context.
There are various operation management principles such as Six sigma, lean manufacturing
which was assisted in improvising the quality of services and also it has assisted BSA
motorcycles in enhancing the quality of services and products which has been provided by them.
The critique and review of the operations management principle includes the following:
Six sigma: Six sigma is the process which is been used by organisation so that the capability of
the business improves. It has been analysed that by making use of this tool has assisted the BSA
motorcycles in reducing down the defects in their production. It has led to improvement in
profits, employee morale and also the quality of products as well as services. The six sigma has
assisted in reducing the variation in process. This has assisted in enhancing process control and
also because of this there has been work standardization (Konyukhov and et.al., 2019). The flow
has remained proper. The evidence has provided the details that six sigma has assisted in
providing consumers with high quality of services. The BSA motorcycles has been able to lower
down the cost of their production, delivery cost and also because of making use of this
principles, they have been able to achieve set target as well objectives. There has been huge
benefit of making use of this approach. It has been analysed that this approach is applicable on
every process of manufacturing which has been used by BSA motorcycles. They have literally
been benefited by this approach. Six sigma has assisted in enhancing performance level of
manufacturing organisation and has decreased variations. This has also assisted in lowering
down the cost of services which has been produced (Rasmussen and et.al., 2020). It is beneficial
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as in this the first step is to analyse project goals. This means that no miss-understanding existed
and also this has assisted in achieving the set target. It has also been analysed that the six sigma
in BSA motorcycles has supported in collecting the designing and making various process
related to same. This has also helped in making sure that no deviations existed while making use
of this approach. It has assisted firm in improvising productivity as operational efficiency. It has
been analysed that six sigma is been applied to all aspects of planning process in BSA
motorcycles (Rasmussen, Jensen and Gregg, 2017). However, this can often create rigidity and
bureaucracy. It has also assisted in making the process of planning and designing more rigid
which has led to ineffective working patterns. Huge amount of training is needed so that the
employee is been able to learn about this tool. It has also assisted in reduction and sustained the
control of variations. It has also been analysed that this tool can increase length and process of
working so many organizations are not been involved in making use of it.
Lean manufacturing: This is type of operation management which focus on reducing waste
within overall operation process. Besides, it also emphasis on enhancing productivity by
eliminating defects and errors. It can be applied in all aspects of operations that is from product
design to manufacture to distribution. The manager by following the rules and principles of this
approach work efficiently and identify waste things that consume time and cost. It also
concentrates on the processes and activities that add value in various other aspects and when all
the wastes are minimized then system becomes optimum and lean (Hwang, Zhu and Tan,
2017). Along with it, there are some principles on basis of which this technique work that is
Kaizen and continuous improvement. Thus, it enables in creating value from customer
perspective. Besides, it improve lead time which ensure smooth flow of business functions.
Hence, there is an integrated set of process followed that create efficient flow of operations. This
process is continuous as lean management focus on determining errors and making continuous
improvement (Pace, 2019). Thus, with that quality of products is improved as well. In this way,
productivity of entire organization increases and it led to attaining outcomes in effective way.
But it can be critiqued that six sigma focus on enhancing customer satisfaction and cost
reduction. It results in growth of revenue and profits. Whereas lean manufacturing reduced waste
and increase product quality. It does focus on cost reduction. Huge amount of training is needed
so that the employee is been able to learn about this tool. It has also assisted in reduction and
sustained the control of variations. It also concentrates on the processes and activities that add
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value in various other aspects and when all the wastes are minimized then system becomes
optimum and lean. Also, it is critiqued that BSA motorcycles has been able to lower down the
cost of their production, delivery cost and also because of making use of this principles, they
have been able to achieve set target as well objectives
Prepare a continuous improvement plan based on the review and critique of operations
management principles within an organisational context.
Continuous improvement philosophy is really necessary in organization, so that the goals
and objectives can be achieved. It has been analysed that the continuous improvement concept
assists in improvising the growth of organization. It has assisted in increasing their performance
level and also because of this the brand value of firm has been improved. It has also been
analysed that this as a management principles can help in improvising the operational efficiency.
It has also assisted in gaining competitive advantage (Hysa and Spalek, 2019). In this the
company will be involved in planning for the change, and then they will make sure that the
decision which has been taken by them is adequate or not. The management principles such as
lean and six sigma manufacturing assists in supporting firm for continuous improvement. It is
really important for growth of organization.
Plan: In this BSA motorcycles will be involved in planning for the type of management
principles which needs to be used. They will be involved in making use of the six sigma and lean
manufacturing approach, so that the quality of work improvises. It has also been analysed that in
this the plan related to how these approaches will be used will be done. In this BSA motorcycles
will also be engaged in making plan for continuous improvement. They will think about changes
which can assist in implementation continuous improvement. This will assist in growth of BSA
motorcycles (Jugdev, Mathur and Cook, 2018). They will also be able to achieve the set target
as well as objectives by doing the proper planning. This will also assist in making sure that no
future errors existed related to planning in future which is necessary.
PROJECT 2
Overview of the case study
The case study is about the large manufacturing company which have around 1250
employees and operating its function in Midlands. Enterprise has effectively organized its range
of individual or delegate roles and responsibilities that will be performed by each staff member.
Thus, it has contributed in smooth operation of business by reducing confusion and conflict
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regarding the task need to be completed by specific person in the firm. Moreover, the company
does not have on site catering that resulted in going several individuals out of the premises. So,
the organisation has decided to start a new project so that staff member have a place to eat rather
than going out in lunch break (Galli, 2018). At the same time through project the company is
planning to undertake CSR activities such as developing healthy lifestyles of people that will
results in reducing staff absenteeism.
Description of PLC and explanation of each stage
Project life cycle specify about the sequence or phases of project or the way it goes from
initiation to closure so that end objectives can be achieved. So there are various activities
performed in the project by different staff member that contribute in getting maximum outcome.
The project manager of company has divided task into various stages such as initiation, planning,
execution, monitoring and control and closure. The numerous phases or stages of project
management can be illustrated as follows:
Initiation: It is the stage at which project manager visualise about what need to be accomplished
so various steps has been undertaken by manager such as definition of scope, formal approval
and identification of stakeholders (Portny, 2017). So, it is stage at which project is initialized but
goals needs to be set. Thus, this stage begin by initiating site catering
Planning: This is second stage of Project life cycle in which project manager plan various
activities that need to be undertake so that end objectives can be attained. The manager has
decided about goals, schedule task and activities need to be performed by specific individual for
better outcome. In this overall planning of site catering will be done.
Execution: It is third stage of PLC is which the plan design is finally implemented by effective
actions taken by project manager of company. It is the longest phase of project management in
which resources are effective use in the project so that last objectives can be attained. So, in this
stage all steps has been taken by team member of project so that catering services can be render
to employees thereby they need not have to go outside in order to have lunch (McKevitt,
Carbery and Lyons, 2017). The site catering services is launched in this stage.
Monitoring and evaluation: Project manager has undertaken all crucial measure in order to
monitor and evaluates the each task performed by specific individual. So that the project can be
accomplished in limited time, scope and budget as well as in minimum risk. Therefore it is stage
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at which project manager compared actual performance with planned one in order to take
corrective actions. Here, monitoring of site catering services is done and goals are measured.
Controlling: This is last stage of project life cycle in which manager incorporates all necessary
steps for formally closure of the project and provide final report to project sponsor. In this stage
project manager has handled all document to company, inform staff and stakeholders about the
completion. Here, controlling of site catering is done to ensure quality of food is maintained.
The way each stage of PLC is applied to given project including supporting
documentation of each stages
In order to evidences the each stage of project life cycle related to project various
documentation are attached such as business case, project plan, Gantt chart, work break down
structure and cost-benefit analysis (Nusari and et.al., 2018). Such as
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BUSINESS CASE
Reason: The first reason behind start a project of on-site catering is that staff member of
organisation are going outside in order to have their lunch break. Moreover, company wants to
reduce employee’s absenteeism so that there are various individuals that complete their
respective task dedicatedly and determined. Thus, both above are main reason that has
motivated company to undertake project in order to retain maximum employee’s in the
organisation.
Options
 The best solution of problem faced by the company is that it develop on site catering so
that staff member have areas or canteen or place to eat food and have fun in their lunch
time.
 Second options is that company by arranging food for staff member can satisfied their
food requirements there they need not have to go outside in lunch time.
 Thirdly organization has options to add more healthy and tasty food so that lifestyles of
staff member can be improved and company can be part of CSR activities (Bierwolf,
2017).
Benefits
There are several benefits of undertaking project of on-site catering and ensuring healthy
lifestyles of people such as
 Contribute in building strong brand image: The first benefits of project is that
company is able to develop strong brand image by motivating employee’s by providing
them with food. Moreover, CSR activities also helps in making employee’s as well as
customers happy and motivated thereby leading maximum benefits to organization.
 Reduce in employee’s absenteeism: Another key benefits of the project is that it will
contribute in reducing employee’s absenteeism or more and more individuals will like to
work for growth and success of firm. Thus, company will have large number of
employee’s or staff member to complete the task.
COST
It has been estimated that around £15000 will be required to complete the project in order to
arrange necessary resources so that last objectives of project can be attained.
Timescale: Around 6 months will be required to complete the project.
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Risk: There are various types of risk associated with the project like financial or ineffective
budgeting planning, change in external environment, legal and many more. Project manager
needs to remove all such risk so that maximum outcome can be enjoyed by company.
Cost-benefit analysis
COST AMOUNT
Raw material £3000
Wages and salaries to employees £4000
Electricity bill £2000
Stationary £3000
Other expenses £3000
Total £15000
BENEFITS AMOUNT
Increase in profit £18000
Higher sales volume £12000
Total £30000
Project plan
Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Initiation stage 16 days Tue 3/16/21 Tue 4/6/21
Market research 9 days Tue 3/16/21 Fri 3/26/21
Finding innovative
ideas 6 days Mon 3/29/21 Mon 4/5/21 2
Final approval from
project planner 1 day Tue 4/6/21 Tue 4/6/21 2,3
Project Planning 25 days Wed 4/7/21 Tue 5/11/21
Setting of objective 1 day Wed 4/7/21 Wed 4/7/21 2,3,4
Deciding steps to
build on site catering 9 days Thu 4/8/21 Tue 4/20/21 6
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Roles and
responsibilities 5 days Wed 4/21/21 Tue 4/27/21 7
Identification of
budget 10 days Wed 4/28/21 Tue 5/11/21 8
Analyzing risk 4 days Wed 4/28/21 Mon 5/3/21 7,8
Execution of project 55 days Wed 5/12/21 Tue 7/27/21
Implementation of
project plan 26 days Wed 5/12/21 Wed 6/16/21 10,9
Making optimum
utilization of resources 12 days Thu 6/17/21 Fri 7/2/21 12
coordinating works of
diverse individuals 17 days Mon 7/5/21 Tue 7/27/21 13
Monitoring and
evaluation 19 days Wed 7/28/21 Mon 8/23/21
Monitoring and
evaluation 8 days Wed 7/28/21 Fri 8/6/21 14
Comparing the
outcome with standard
set
7 days Mon 8/9/21 Tue 8/17/21 16
Closure 4 days Wed 8/18/21 Mon 8/23/21
Accomplishment of
project 3 days Wed 8/18/21 Fri 8/20/21 17
Information send to
stakeholders 1 day Mon 8/23/21 Mon 8/23/21 19
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10

Work breakdown structure
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Rationale for project methodologies, tools and leadership method that has been implemented
within PLC in project
Project methodologies refers to several methods or process that are used by project
manager in order to accomplish the PLC so that desired outcome can be gained. Agile, prince-2
and waterfall are three major project methodologies that could be used in implementation of PLC
in the project. Likewise Agile is one of the most suitable methodologies for project that are
incremental and iterative. In another words, it promotes continuous iteration of testing and
development and testing of the life-cycle of the project. On the other hand, prince -2 is another
methodologies that is widely adopted by number of people as well as organization that is much
more flexible and helps in managing business successful (Martínez-Perales and et.al., 2018).
While, Waterfall is linear project management approach in which requirements of both
customers and stakeholders are gathered in beginning of project for sequential planning.
Therefore in the planning and initialising stage of PLC, project manager has planned to
make use of prince -2 methodologies as it is much more flexible method that is essentials for
managing project regardless of its scope, size and type. It helps in providing seamless project and
effectively delivery of products to customer's. So, due to its flexibility this methodologies has
been used thereby necessary changes can be made in various steps of the project and more
outcome can be achieved.
Leadership is a quality of successful leader to influences other people or motivate staff
members to perform specific task in particular manner so that last objectives of project can be
attained. Leader by effectively communicating and guiding, supporting employees regarding the
way task needs to be completed is able to yield better outcome. Therefore, leadership styles used
by project management in implementation stages is democratic style as it has encouraged team
member to give their view and ideas (Abyad, 2019). In another words, project manager has
motivated employee’s to give their respective suggestion regarding the way project can be
completed and goals can be attained. Democratic leadership styles used by project manager has
various benefits such as it helps in bringing new and innovative ideas, motivating employee’s to
work hard for growth and success of project. Therefore, the above mentioned project
management tools, methodologies and leadership has been used in the implementation of project
life cycle.
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Critical evaluation of effectiveness of PLC in application of project through making use of
concepts, model.
PLC describe the several stages of project that manager needs to undertake in order to
complete the project and achieve specific goals in limited time frame. Effectiveness of PLC
applications related to project of on-site catering can be explained through making use of various
concepts and models such as:
Initialization and planning: It is first stage in which new ideas is identified by the organization
so diffusion innovation theory will be used to understand the way project has been analysed.
Such as
Diffusion innovation theory
Innovators: Likewise the project manager of organisation is first individual that is willing to
take risk associated with the project and is decided to start new project of on-site catering for
betterment of staff member and company.
Early Adopters: The senior team member of the project are aware of the new project that
company is planning to incorporates thus ready to take necessary steps for better outcome
(Kerzner, 2017).
Early Majority: Project manager in order to motivate staff members has communicate
necessary information related to the project such as its mission, vision and objectives. Thus, it
helps in creating a feeling of happiness and satisfaction among employee’s to be part of project.
Late Majority: Moreover, the project manager in order to promote innovative ideas related to
project to late majority has emphasized on smooth delivery of information.
So, in this way initialisation and planning has been made by project manager with and
aim to get higher outcome.
Execution: In order to understand or evaluate the way the process has been executed team
development or tuckman team theory has been used which can be stated as;
Forming: In execution stage, the team member was high dependent on leader in context of
providing guidance or direction related to the way particular work needs to be completed. So,
project manager will provide support and advices regarding the specific manner to accomplish
specific task.
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Storming: The second actions that will be taken by project manager is clearly defining roles and
responsibilities that needs to be completed by particular member. Thereby, eradicate confusion
related to task needs to be completed by specific staff members.
Norming: It is stage at which strong bonding or commitment has been made by diverse range of
team member to dedicatedly contribute their skills, knowledge and capabilities to complete the
project in limited time and cost.
Performing: This is stage in which all team member are highly aware of the way particular task
can be completed that thus they are able to yield maximum outcome of the project.
Monitoring, evaluation and closure: It can be evaluated that project manager has make use of
information technologies, KPI in order to monitor, evaluating the outcome. Thus find alternative
method the way they can be improved for better results (Bierwolf, 2017).
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from above report that effective management of operations contribute
in making optimum utilisation of resources thereby yielding maximum outcome. Company
through continuous improvement plan is able to make operations better thus able to give more
benefits to organization. Moreover, it can be illustrated that project methodologies, tools and
leadership styles has contributed in better management of project and achievement of standard
outcome.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Abyad, A., 2019. Project management: Science or a craft. Middle East Journal of
Business, 14(1). pp.4-16.
Bierwolf, R., 2017. Towards project management 2030: why is change needed?. IEEE
Engineering Management Review, 45(1). pp.21-26.
Galli, B. J., 2018. Risks related to lean six sigma deployment and sustainment risks: How project
management can help. International Journal of Service Science, Management,
Engineering, and Technology (IJSSMET), 9(3). pp.82-105.
Hwang, B. G., Zhu, L. and Tan, J. S. H., 2017. Green business park project management:
Barriers and solutions for sustainable development. Journal of cleaner
production, 153. pp.209-219.
Hysa, B. and Spalek, S., 2019. Opportunities and threats presented by social media in project
management. Heliyon, 5(4). p.e01488.
Jugdev, K., Mathur, G. and Cook, C., 2018. Linking workplace burnout theories to the project
management discipline. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business.
Kerzner, H., 2017. Project management case studies. John Wiley & Sons.
Konyukhov, V. Y and et.al., 2019, July. Improving the Methods of Real Estate Operation Based
on BIM-Technologies. In " Humanities and Social Sciences: Novations, Problems,
Prospects"(HSSNPP 2019) (pp. 730-733). Atlantis Press.
Martínez-Perales, S and et.al., 2018. Using certification as a tool to develop sustainability in
project management. Sustainability, 10(5). p.1408.
McKevitt, D., Carbery, R. and Lyons, A., 2017. A profession but not a career? Work identity and
career satisfaction in project management. International Journal of Project
Management, 35(8). pp.1673-1682.
Nusari, M and et.al., 2018. The impact of project management assets and organizational culture
on employee performance. International Journal of Management and Human Science
(IJMHS), 2(3). pp.15-26.
Pace, M., 2019. A correlational study on project management methodology and project
success. Journal of Engineering, Project, and Production Management, 9(2). pp.56-
65.
Portny, S. E., 2017. Project management for dummies. John Wiley & Sons.
Rasmussen, H. L., Jensen, P. A. and Gregg, J. S., 2017. Transferring knowledge from building
operation to design–a literature review. WELCOME TO DELEGATES IRC 2017,
p.645.
Rasmussen, J. B and et.al., 2020. Operation and maintenance of product configuration systems in
project-based small and medium-sized enterprises.
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