Project Management Research and Case Studies

The given assignment is related to project management research and case studies. It involves analyzing various articles and books on project management, covering topics such as project management office knowledge brokering, tackling knowable unknowns in project management, green project management practices for sustainable construction, pluralism in project management, and more. The assignment requires a thorough understanding of project management concepts and their applications in real-world scenarios.

Operation and
Project Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1. Review and critique of the execution of operation management principles ........................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P2 Develop a continuous improvement plan based on the critique and review of principles of
operation management ...............................................................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P3 Discuss each stages of product life cycle producing necessary documentation for project
completion. ................................................................................................................................8
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
P4 Review and critique the effectiveness of PLC ....................................................................11
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is considered as a fundamental function of every business
enterprise that helps in designing and controlling the production process and redesigning
business operations in manufacturing of goods and services (Antonio Martins and Ramos
Martins, 2012). It ensures that all business operations must be efficient enough in context of
using available resources optimally when needed and effective in terms of satisfying customer’s
requirements. It is mainly associated with entire production process that converts raw material,
labour and energy (input) into final goods or services (output). The chosen company for this
assignment is Haier that mainly deals in production of electronic goods like washing machine,
refrigerators, etc. Selected entity wants to expand its business operations and thus, wishes to
enter into new market by offering a large sized television of 58 inches. The report covers critique
and review of operation management principles and application of product life cycle by using
suitable concepts or theory.
TASK 1
P1. Review and critique of the execution of operation management principles
In every organisation, there is an administration department or team that effectively
controls and handles all firm’s activities and operations. The term “Operation Management”
refers to the business practices that develop highest level of efficiency possible within company.
It is primarily concerned with converting input into output that effectively fulfils the customer’s
needs and expectations. It helps in controlling the overall business cost and ensures utilization of
available resources in an optimum manner. Management formulates different strategies so as to
attain the effective outcomes.
Operation Management chiefly deals in controlling and designing the process of
manufacturing and redesigning of business activities. It is one of the important functions in
company along with supply chain, finance, human resources and marketing. For managing firm’s
activities in an appropriate manner, different kinds of decisions are framed by its operational
managers regarding products and process design, inventory control, quality management,
facilities planning, capacity and operation strategy (Beringer, Jonas and Kock, 2013). Each of
these aspects needs to be evaluated as per the current situation prevailing in market and
identifying the best possible solution that leads to improve overall effectiveness and efficiency of
production process. Some of the common principles that Haier Group Corporation follows are

mentioned below which help in execution of management planning for producing and offering
high quality products.
Principles of Operation Management: Discussed below are some of the key principles of
operation management that help in executing plan of action systematically:
 Reality: The concept of operation management mainly lays stress on problem rather than
techniques or because no tool in itself would depict a universal solution. Organisation: The process of production is inter-linked. In order to achieve higher profits,
all factors associated with production process need to be predictable and consistent
(Blomquist and et. al., 2010).
 Fundamentals: Pareto principle is applicable in operation management. According to the
Pareto principle, it has been believed that 20% of the firm's profit and success driven
through application of new process and methods and 80% from strict adherence to
exactly keeping disciplines and records. Variance: Variance of any business needs to be managed well. If it is properly managed
then it can be considered as a great source of creativity which can be beneficial for
company. Accountability: The primary duty of any manager is to set and define roles and
responsibilities of their co-workers or subordinates. Also, they are required to check
regularly whether their sub-ordinates are effectively accomplishing pre-defined goals or
not. And also they ensure whether are putting efforts or not. Causality: Problems are the symptoms and effects of underlying causes. Therefore,
management needs to pay attention towards them so as to eliminate them from the root
cause and it never appears again in company. Managed Passion: Passion of employees can be considered as the main driver of
company's growth and it is essential for managers to introduce. Humility: Instead of using trial & error method that is very costly, managers of Haier
need to acknowledge the limitations and the way to get assistance and move on (Brauers
and Zavadskas, 2010). Success: Success of any firm depends upon how effectively they fulfil client's
requirements and needs. The main objective of any company is to offer such goods and

services to customers that create value for them or for which the customer is willing to
pay.
 Change: In today's competitive world, organisation has to apply more than one theory or
solution in their business which makes their workflow or process more effective and
efficient. In addition to this, they need to embed change and efficiently manage it to
achieve sustainability that gives long term benefits to the company (Fernández-Sánchez
and Rodríguez-López, 2010).
Lean Principle:
It normally compromises of five steps through process that is mainly taken into account to guide
the implementation of lean techniques. It is difficult to attain but easy to acknowledge. This has
been used by Haier's manager which is discussed as below:
 Identify value: At this step, value is specified from the customer perspective by product
family.
 Map value stream: At this stage, all steps included in value stream are identified for every
product family and all those steps are removed that doesn't create any value.
 Create flow: At this stage, steps that create value are taken into account that occurs in
tight sequence so that products can smoothly flow from on place to another without any
disruption.
 Establish pull: In this, when company introduced the flow, let consumers pull value from
upcoming upstream activity.
 Seek Perfection: Once the value stream is identified, unnecessary steps are removed and
pull and flow concept is introduced. Their managers needs to initiate the process again
and continue it till they reach to perfection state.
Six Sigma:
It is quality control system that mainly focuses on improving cycle-time and minimizing
the defects related with manufacturing process to a level of no more than 3.4 per million. It is
often viewed as an ideology that laid stress on improving the overall business process. It reduce
the level of variation so that production process can be carried out in an appropriate
manner(Fleming and Koppelman, 2016). In order to improve the quality of product, it is essential
to use advance technology and production process. It encompasses 5 main steps that are
mentioned below:

Define: It deals with defining system, customer voice and their expectation as well as pre-
defined project goals.
Measure: At this stage, essential elements of existing process is computed and relevant
information is collected for the same by the management so as to figure out process capability.
Analyse: At this stage, data is gathered and evaluated by Haier's manager. Also they verify
cause-effect relationship as well. In addition to that, company also ensure that all problem should
be eliminated from the root cause.
Improve: At this step, existing process is optimised based on data analysis by using appropriate
techniques or tools like design of experiments, mistake proofing, standard work to generate new
process etc.
Control: The state of future is control so as to ensure that variation are corrected and solved
before they results in any defect or adverse consequence (Gunasekaran and Ngai, 2012). It is the
primary duty of manager to implement control systems such as statistical process control,
production boards, visual workplaces etc. for continuously observing and monitoring the process.
TASK 2
P2 Develop a continuous improvement plan based on the critique and review of principles of
operation management
Continuous Improvements can be defined as an ongoing efforts required by businesses as to
improve existing product or processes. It refers to the set of activities that are mainly designed so
as to bring continuous improvement in goods and services by constant evaluation, review and
action. This is the process of using information and feedback in order to make company's
operation more consistent and builds brand and quality of products with the passage of time. It
also assist in meeting customer requirement more effectively and efficiently according to their
needs as well (Lenfle and Loch, 2010). It also help manager of Haier in doing better planning
and controlling regarding launching new product in the marketplace.
Provider
Date
Source Existing performance Improvement in Expected Outcome

level strategies
Promotional
events
As the company lack
behind in effective
marketing practice, that
enable buyers to think a
lot before buying their
product. In-fact most of
their target customer are
aware of fact that
company has launched
new product in the
market i.e.58 inches
large television.
At its introductory
stage, the company
needs to undertake
various promotional
strategies that are
effective enough to
inform or aware
customers about the
new product. They
should adopt such
strategies that instantly
seize the attention of
target customers.
With the help of
effective promotional
strategies, market share
and profitability of
firm increases and as a
result customers are
well aware of new
product or services that
they are launching in
the market place.
large screen
television.
After sales services Initially, Haier was not
good at providing after
sales services to their
target customers. In-fact
they are not giving any
warranty to customers.
Moreover their service
station or centres are less
in number because of
which customers are
facing many difficulties.
In order to provide
better services to
consumers, Haier
needs to open or
increase the ratio of its
service centre so that
they can maintain
good relationship with
its customers. They
can also take feedback
from customers as well
so that they can do
modification as per the
client requirement.
By using effective
promotional strategies,
firm is able to
communicate value
and benefits of their
product to customers in
effective way and
customers get more
information of each
customer vary from
one customer to
another. Therefore, it
is primarily important
for the company to
formulate such

strategies that aid in
meeting customer
requirement in an
effective manner.
Strategies for successful implementation of Plan
 Maintaining good employment relationship with its employees.
 Selecting proper communication channel that effectively transfer information
 Using available resources in an optimum manner.
TASK 3
P3 Discuss each stages of product life cycle producing necessary documentation for project
completion.
As per the given case study, the selected company i.e. Haier Group Corporation has decided to
enter into new market by launching 58 inches size television. For successfully executing it, they
need to first conduct research and make proper planning regarding its marketing, production and
investment etc. However, there are various others sources that exist in market related with
introduction of new product. Among those, company needs to select most suitable and
appropriate option that aid in raising their overall revenues and sales (LMir and Pinnington,
2014). Haier wants to launch first 58 inches size television in the market, so they are required to
analyse the market opportunity first. For this, their managers can arrange a market research so as
to figure out what are the current likes and dislikes of target customer and fulfil their demands
accordingly. Before entering into new market segment i.e. large screen television they must
ensure that their new product must contain some unique features that instantly seize the attention
of customers. Product life cycle is a crucial marketing concept that describe various product
stages starting from its development to obsolescence in the given market place. It compromise of
4 series of steps that are discussed below:
Introduction Stage: This is the introductory stage, at which company launch its product in the
market for the very first time. At this stage, Haier Group conduct research regarding their new
product and then after analysing introduce the product in the market. It is considers as the most

expensive stage of entire PLC as it requires huge investment to launch properly product in the
market. Since it is a initial stage, the size of market is relatively small. In this stage, consumers
are less aware about the new product and they think a lot before purchasing new product. On the
other hand, cost concerned with various thing like research and development, consumer testing
etc. is specially high. Introduction of new product among target customers is essential at this
phase (Pemsel and Wiewiora, 2013). Therefore, company should opt effective marketing and
promotional strategies so that they can properly convey information related with new product
among them. This stage will take near about 3 to 4 weeks for its completion.
Growth Stage: At this stager, sales of new product is high and company undergo strong profit
and growth in the market. The company is mainly producing products in bulk quantities which
ultimately increases their profit margin and overall profit of the company. At this stage, sales of
Haier's new product is increases as they are producing goods in bulk quantities. This will lead to
raise their profit margin and they start spending more in promotional activities.
Maturity Stage: At this stage, new product is properly established in the market and company
laid stress on increasing its market share of large size television. At this point of time, there are
many competitors prevailing in the market that gives strong competition to the product.
Therefore, they need to start spending or using it wisely so as to gain high competitive edge in
the market. Also they need to taken into account any improvement or modification related with
concerned product or services which assist them in expanding their market share (Ramasesh and
Browning, 2014).
Declining Stage: At this stage, market of new product eventually start declining. This is mainly
because its market started saturated and customer start shifting to other product as well. There is
less possibility of attaining profit and revenues at this particular stage.

TASK 4
P4 Review and critique the effectiveness of PLC
Haier Group wants to expand its business activities and thus have decided to enter into
new market place by introducing new product in the market. The company has decided to
introduce 58 inches television screen. Although the company is having strong brand image in the
market but still their managers needs to put extra efforts for controlling and maintaining it. They
play crucial role in offering high quality product or services among customers. However the
application of product like cycle is not a easy task. It is important to formulate effective policies
and strategies that help managers in taking future actions (Robichaud and Anantatmula, 2010).
With the help of this, it become easier for company to fulfil customer needs and accomplish
objectives in an effective and efficient manner. From the above discussion, it can be figured out
that an organisation needs to adapt with several changes prevailing in the market and as per the
requirement of customer's as well. However, their likes and dislikes are needs to be taken into
account which play crucial role in retaining them for longer period.
The framework of product life cycle help in successful implementation of strategies that
been formulated by company's manager regarding new product. When Haier enters into new
market, it become essential for them to evaluate it initially. There are others competitors that are
available in the market offering similar kind of products and ruling the market. Thus, it is little
difficult for Haier to compete with competitors ruling the market. This can only be possible I
manager provide high quality product or services at cheaper or lesser rate. Managers also needs
to do proper planning which leads to reduces the chances of project failure. Further sales services
is also considered as an important aspect on which management of company needs to laid stress.
This help in satisfying customers more effectively and efficiently. In addition to that, firm needs
to taken into consideration policies concerned with competitors so that they can provide better
and quality products to customers that creates high value for them and assist them gaining high
competitive edge in the market as well.
Managers are also required to frame policies or strategies that help in seizing the
attention of consumers instantly such as they can offer discounts to first 100 customers that
improve Haier's brand image and profitability ratios (Söderlund, 2011). Product Life Cycle is

important for proper execution and formulation of plans and policies that help in smooth running
of business operation and activities. Leaders of Haier needs to provide right guidance and
direction to their followers which help them in performing their work in a structured and through
manner. By administering right guidance, leaders can effectively motivate their followers as well
which ultimately improves their overall performance and productivity (Frank and Lee, 2014).
Operation of business entity will improve and as a result they become enable to produce and
deliver high quality product or services in the market place that meets customer requirement
effectively. Also they are require to taken into account high end technologies that assist in
manufacturing of products or services in a cost-effective and timely manner.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report, it can be concluded that operation management plays
key role in designing and controlling overall production process of company. It mainly deals
with converting raw material into finished goods and services. In order to enter into new market,
company needs to taken into account various aspects related with business expansion. With the
help of effective techniques and strategies company can easily determine prevailing market
trend which ultimately assist in production and launching of new product in the marketplace.
Also they can use various promotional strategies or tools so that they can communicate
information in a proper manner.

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
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