Project Management and Operations Research

This assignment delves into the realm of project management and operations research. It provides a comprehensive overview of various theories, concepts, and studies related to project management, including the importance of flexibility and novelty in project management, the value of project management, and the future of operations management. The assignment also touches upon sustainability indicators in construction projects and the use of Analytic Hierarchy Process in operations management. With a focus on both theory and application, this assignment offers valuable insights into the field of project management and operations research.

Operation and project
management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Implementation of operations management principles in organisation............................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P2 Continuity in improvement plan based on review and analysis........................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P3 Application of Product Life Cycle ...................................................................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P4 Effectiveness of PLC in application of project.................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is important for organisation mainly for large scale companies.
Work of the same is for designing and framing product for production purpose. For this it is
important to investigate or monitor employees who is following organisation in better manner. In
this there are several activities which help in production process by minimising over utilisation
of resources, in reduction time also (Antonio Martins and Ramos Martins, 2012). This
assignment is based on ZYZ company which is having good market reputation and goodwill.
Instead of this they are enjoying excellent customer confidence in its goods. Products serving by
them are Fridges and freezers, gas and electric cookers, washing machine and electric friars. In
this report operation management principles are explained and their applications in enterprise is
also given. For this improvement plan is prepared which rely on management operation. Apart
from this main objective of this is to understand work breakdown structure utilised in product
life cycle and theories which demonstrate effectuates of applying of PLC.
TASK 1
P1 Implementation of operations management principles in organisation
Every company have various team which manage overall working of enterprise to
perform particular task. It is focused on the converting raw material into finishes good which is
required by customers as well it must be according to need and demand of end user. It rise up the
profit generating level of an company. department of operation management assist in creating
balance in between costs and revenue to attain the highest level of operation profit.
Operation management use staff, labour, tool, material, technology and equipment.
Manager use all these thing for converting raw material into finish goods. This entire process is
done as per the need, want and demand of customers or current market but this can be done as
per the capabilities of company (Beringer, Jonas and Kock, 2013). Beside of this it is see able
that operation management is has several type of strategical issues that involves crucial the sized
of manufacturing plant and method of project management, impressive the information
technology network's structure. Various issues are stock management like work in progress, raw
material handling, quality control and managing policies.
XYZ organisation follow some principles of operation management. Which aids in
applying management planning for production of goods and services.
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Operation management Principles:
Principles of operation management that help in implementing strategy which is given
below:
Reality- operation management think about problem because such problems don't have
universal solution (Blomquist and et. al., 2010). It require thinking over it that which tool is
useful for coming out from issues.
Organisation- process of overall organisation can be organise in logical manner, so they
can do production. All part of work can be done in parallel manner because manufacturing is
important as well essential process.
Fundamentals- Effectual manufacture is settled upon fundamental bonding. This support
in foundation of production. Because it hold out actual records, documents and disciplines. It
render foremost chance to survive, because it have all info about resources which are utilised to
build goods.
Accountability- manager of given organisation identify several rules and matrices which
define duties of other person in enterprise. They continuous examine performance of personnel
that they are meeting objective or not. Through this way employees will give their best.
Variance- it process is to encourage reason if everything is managed in well manner or
appropriately. All these are source which help in encouraging and motivating.
Causality- Evidence like imperative shipments, late quotas, expenditure etc. which are
featured by mangers are needed for attention (Brauers and Zavadskas, 2010). Managers struggle
through these issues to resolve this again and again. Discovery root origin to get free from
problems or issues.
Managed passion – personnel are first operator of a enterprise as in XYZ, if employees
are not too much serious about their job,organisation will fall downward. Because they help in
growth of the company,its their hard work which matters to inclination of a firm.
Humility– Managers should not see at their boundary, they often come to fortune with
which they are well-known. Thus, ignore the limitations and get aids to learn and move. Because
good managers do not hesitate to learn from others. It is great unless it will not paid from
enterprise, if not getting assist is hazardous for business.
Success - Success ever rely on customer. Market alteration so looking at the past record
try to set up new market region (Fernández-Sánchez and Rodríguez-López, 2010). Definition of
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prosperity must be altered. Because choices modification over time so success must not stay at
one stage.
Change – changes is necessary for survival and organisation should not have to stay on
single thing. They must have to do modification in their rules and regulation because these
contribute a lot in increasing life of business (Robichaud and Anantatmula, 2010).
SIX SIGMA:
It is used for improving quality of products and services they are offering by removing
defects and errors. Same also reduce cost as well save time also. It is essential to high – end
engineering and manufacturing for quality function. SIX SIGMA toolkit is packed with toolkit,
that can resolve management, operations, and quality problems. When XYY implement SIX
SIGMA in their working then they can produce goods in more better manner by maintaining
quality. Because fine quality products can easily build image in market and increase satisfaction
of customers.
SIX SIGMA has major tools like DMAIC stands for define, measure, analyse, improve
and control. Explanation of same is given below:-
Illustration 1: DMAIC, 2017
(Source: DMAIC, 2017)
Define- it states that demand of customer must be accomplished and direction which
must be accomplished for particular task.
Measure- this measures present process, alteration from starting and existing state, also
analyse future requirement to accomplish gaols and objectives (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016).
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Analyse- basic problem through which organisation is going on must be analysed. Thus,
it can be identified that what changes can be made by organisation for achieving pre determined
goals and objectives.
Improve- improvement which is required for achieving objective must be attain. As well
it see at every possibilities which require changes.
Control- control it is important in organisation for achieving their final result which is
required. So that every step must be taken for controlling (Gunasekaran and Ngai, 2012).
Lean Principle:
lean principle is followed by XYZ enterprise which generate ideas within company. Their
are five key in the same which is named as define value, map value stream, create flow, establish
pull, pursuit perfection. When the same organisation is implementing this they can reduce
chances of mistakes in their working. These are stated below:-
Illustration 2: Lean Principle, 2018
(Source: Lean Principle, 2018)
Define Value- value define customers, it identify that how much customers want to give
amount against goods and services. Same goes through top- down expenditure which is followed
by company (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016). Mainly they focus on cost so they can achieve
target cost. This can be possible by reducing waste and controlling price so customers get
product at lost cost.
Map Value Stream- Value stream determine path for every product life cycle, from
rendering raw materials to serving finished goods to end user. This acknowledge all activities
through out process, that can be designing, manufacturing, production, HR, administration,
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delivery, or customer service. As its called as depicts, an thought which figured on map, flow of
procedure, that assist to fulfil purpose by analyse not required path that are not relevant. It is a
rule of re- engineering.
Create Flow- flow of work is important without delays, hurdle and interruption. Several
steps must be taken so that goods and services must be deliver to customers in proper manner at
time (Gunasekaran and Ngai, 2012).
Establish Pull- Pull precede that just -in -time approach, it do product as per customer
requirement or demand. It help in easy deliver of goods whenever required. It is not required to
stock materials. It create costly merchandise that necessarily to be managed, which saves funds
for both producer and user.
Pursue Perfection- This says that there is ever range of betterment. This steps emphasis
on day-to-day appraisal on transaction and precede foremost among them.
TASK 2
P2 Continuity in improvement plan based on review and analysis
Continuous improvement and Its Meaning:
continuous improvement is life long process for working on this there is requirement of
understanding shortcoming as well taken feedbacks after that according to these modification
must be done in existing business structure (Lenfle and Loch, 2010). It help in providing
customer satisfaction which is important for sustain in competitive market. Continuous
improvement assist them in giving good planning for enhancing profitability for company. Same
is continuous procedure which help in understanding relation between enterprise and their
customers.
Continuous Improvement Plan:
Provider
Date
Source Anticipated Outcome Recent performance
level
Improvement in
strategies
Promotional events Due to deficiency of
encouragement
Due to deficiency in
selling pattern
For marketing their
goods and services in
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activities it is difficult
to enhance their reach
to customers.
customers are
indubitable in buying
television. As the info
of goods has not
reached to customers
properly.
business market an
company must make
confident that they are
using correct
promotional activity
for finer knowing of
their goods.
After sales services People have several
perception, thoughts
and ideas that
company will not
revert after selling
their goods (Beringer,
Jonas and Kock,
2013).
Customer have
thought that guarantee
period should be
increased for
enterprise.
Numbers of service
centre must be
increase by company
for easy reach of
customers. By
rendering good
customer services and
feedbacks reception
centre an company can
execute improved in
accelerative their
brand value in several
geographical market.
Effective strategies for implementation of continuous improvement plan
This procedure is managed by manager in an company that may conceder customers and
their given feedbacks. It will be advantageous for enterprise if customer feedbacks are taken on
time and appropriate qualitative and quantitative examine is done on them. This will enhance
trueness and faith among customers towards the XYZ administration(Blomquist and et. al.,
2010). Betterment can be practical applied by following various activities in firm those are as
follows:- (Mir and Pinnington, 2014) (Ramasesh and Browning, 2014)
 Good communication channels - It is essential for business organisation to implement
open flow of communication within organisation so as to resolve all queries and issues
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which occurs due to employee conflicts. an effective communication channel helps to
improve interpersonal relationship with employee and employers so as to make better
decisions. it also helps in accomplish business goals and objectives in a certain time
period.
 Good employee employer relationship - In order to establish healthy and positive
working environment at workplace, management should focus on implement strong
employee-employer relationship. It helps to increase employees' performance and
acquiring high market share to firms.
 Priority to employees need- Management should give priority to employees by
providing them higher job satisfaction in terms of giving rewards and apperception. it
increases their performance level.
Business case – It is case which is verbal and written value proposition. Main intension of this is
to educate a decision maker in XYY company who is judgement as well with the assistance of
this for making some decisions. Along with this it is written document which is related to
business case. It gives specific attention to the internal rate of return, cash flow and payback
period. When XYY organisation make business case in proper manner they can take decision in
better manner related to their day to day workings. Business case is the document of organisation
which can be in both the form written and verbal as well it help enterprise in recalling several
information and data of past if required in future.
Philosophies parts - It is that which includes all the data related to graphs and numericals which
shows working of the company. As well market value of goods and services providing by XYY
company. Philosophies are graphical representation of organisation which is reflecting it market
value, satisfaction of customers with their offerings and several other things also.
TASK 3
P3 Application of Project Life Cycle
XYZ company is planning to launch a new range of project related to home appliances, it is
opening for a model of fridge and for this they needed to planning which related to launches and
investment. There are several sources are available for launching of a project in a market,
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company needs to be cautious while choosing a right procedure to increase productivity to stay
in long run (Antonio Martins and Ramos Martins, 2012). The research and development
department analyse demands of customers, that includes feasibility, cost of productivity, features
and expectations. These all factors are major part to concern while analysing marketplace. A
fridge has so many innovative features that are expected by customers, and have advantages to
modify product according to the demand. On other side of analysing, study about the competitors
products and their existing features which will give them a better thought to draw a strategic
implementation in market area.
PLC described as Project Life Cycle, and has a vital role in marketing process, produces
detailed information about development process of the project, as life cycle has specific stages
through out the project, so the project life cycle takes place from Initiation and end at the
execution and closure state, in iterating manner (Pemsel and Wiewiora, 2013).
Project life cycle
Life of the project start from the initiation stage it is the primary step and end at closure
when all the goals and objectives of enterprise are achieved. The project life cycle for XYZ
company has effective procedure to develop a fridge, that is as follows:
 Initiation stage – This is the first phase of Project management life cycle it involves
starting of new project. It can be start by explaining its objective, scope, purpose and
deliverables to produce (Brauers and Zavadskas, 2010). for setting up the project there is
requirement of proper project team. Mainly there are six steps which needed to be taken
properly for starting a new project such as; develop business case, undertake a feasibility
study, establish the project charter, appoint the project team, set up the project office and
perform a phase review.
 Planning stage – This is the second phase of project life cycle it involves creating and
setting goal which should be achieved. It will help employees of XYY for guidance in
relation to the PLC.
 Execution stage – This is the third phase of PLC as well in this physical project
deliverables can be build. It is the longest phase of this entire program thus it includes
most of the resources and consume energy. Along with this it help XYY company in
managing cost, quality, time, risk and issues.
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 Closure stage – This is the last phase of the Project life cycle in this project is closed and
its report is formed. It involves handling passing documentation to the organisation,
cancelling suppliers contract, information providing to stakeholders related to closing of
project and releasing staff and equipments.
Gantt Chart – It is an horizontal bar which is developed with the motive of production control.
Gantt chart is the schedule which assist to help the plan, coordinate and track specific task in
project. A Gantt chart is constructed with a horizontal axis representing the total time span of the
project, broken down into increments and a vertical axis representing the tasks that make up the
project. For instance, if the project is outfitting your computer with new software, the major tasks
involved might be: conduct research, choose software, install software. Thus, in simple term
Gantt Chart will help XYZ company in tracking each and every task within effective manner as
well as result in their on time completion.
Work Break down structure – it is that which is used for dividing work in small parts between
team and their workers. Main motive of diving work is to reduce burden of single person. If
work is divided in small tasks then it will be beneficial for employees and company both.
Because small goal achievement is motivational and encouraging tool for enterprises. The work
breakdown structure visually defines the scope into manageable chunks that a project team can
understand, as each level of the work breakdown structure provides further definition and detail.
Business Case – It is written and verbal both data which includes important information of
organisation. Along with this Business case help XYY enterprise in their decision making.
Business case includes all the necessary data of the organisation which is important because that
can be required in future of taking important decision.
Project plan – Before starting anything there is requirement of planning same in project also.
Because without proper planning nothing can be done as well it involves duration, cost and
several other things also.
TASK 4
P4 Effectiveness of PLC in application of project
XYY is seeking the expansion opportunities in the large marketplace with new services
and products. XYY has portrayed effective reputation in big market as well as this is complicated
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for managing industry's image (Fernández-Sánchez and Rodríguez-López, 2010). This is very
fundamental for manage that need to encourage their employee for rendering their effective
facilities to the consumer in ideal manner. Also, manager of organisation claim that if company
can develop their prospects in order to making development of worker i.e. possible. PLC is
complicated in regard of application with future business planning in upcoming time period. This
is fundamental that strategies and policies are assist in accomplishing entire major targets and
goals in the organisation. This is coherently claimed that entire discussed statement require to
adopt different alternation as per the requirements and demands of consumer . This is necessary
to undertake preferences and consumer taste into consideration.
Implementation of project life cycle - PLC is required for implementing effective policies
and strategies that are linked to services and products. XYY company need to carry out new
services and products which make it important for them to manage their quality. Mostly
organisation are dealing the services and operations within this sector, XYY is complex work or
task for competing their competitors. This can be attained when organisation render best and
appropriate quality linked with facilities and service at the affordable cost. There is great
requirements of proper effective planning in order to restraint or limit the service and product
failure opportunities. They need to implement proper care after the service sales that can assist
them in providing consumer proper satisfaction and create more dedication with organisation.
Manager of company can entirely manage the rival company's policies and strategies in order to
compete them. Manager of company can accurately implementing their strategies and plan as
well as render more innovative services and discounted products to help them (Lenfle and Loch,
2010). PLC is fundamental for the purpose of plans execution which is linked to new services
and products as well as are necessary for creating effective practices when this is needed. PLC is
not opting theoretical work but this is fundamental for implementing policies and guidelines in
effective manner.
Cost saving techniques and quality management of PLC– There are several cost saving
techniques which is used by XYY organisation when they are implementing Project life cycle.
These are prepare a budget, lean production and form alliances which help in minimising extra
cost. There are distinct sources that are needed in the large trade. Also, organisation's manager
should be undertaking cheap and suitable activity in rate. Major division are working in order to
reaching their desired projects, This consist of purchase administration, control of inventory,
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management of logistic etc. which can help in cost management as well as reduce wastage in
ideal style. Hence, this is required and more effective plan which can assist one in reaching the
desired outcome and proper execution of plan in more significant manner.
Theories and models used for large and small scale project – According to (Lenfle and Loch,
2010) SIX Sigma and Lean are the theories and model which help in management of small and
large size project. Because Six sigma control quality of products and lean minimise wastage and
control cost.
Evaluation of PLC - operation management play vital role in development and growth of
business. But this is more important for dealing in large scale organisation apart from this it
require continuous investigation on employees. Instead of this there is few important roles of
leader in providing measures and evaluation modify their position of effectual goods and
services in vast market area. It is very necessary duty of manager is to boost their workers for
give their best facilities to their customers in finer 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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