Review and Critique of Operations Management Principles in TESCO

This report conducts a review and critique of the execution of operations management principles in TESCO, including the application of lean management and six sigma principles.

Operations and
Project Management

Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
TASK 1......................................................................................................................................3
P1. Conduct a review as well as critique of the execution of operations management
principles in reference to an organization..............................................................................3
TASK 2......................................................................................................................................5
P2. Continuous improvement plan.........................................................................................5
PART 2.......................................................................................................................................7
TASK 3......................................................................................................................................7
P3. Application of stage of Project life cycle, supporting documentation for the completion
of project................................................................................................................................7
TASK 4....................................................................................................................................12
P4. Review and Critique effectiveness of Project life cycle................................................12
Conclusion................................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................15
Books and Journals..............................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Operations as well as project management refers to a procedure where it is essential
to manage issues associated with strategic business in a well defined manner. It is the process
deals with formulating effective plans, conducting, motivating, controlling and managing the
available resources in order to attain organizational objective and goals within a given time
frame. The present report is developed on the organization named as TESCO. Company was
founded in the year 1919 which is an international supermarket chain located at the
marketplace of UK and established by Jack Cohen. TESCO mainly deals in variety of goods
and services at affordable price which satisfy their requirements. This assignment help in
understanding that implementation of operation management principles within a business
entity is quite essential. Along with this, discussion about lean management and six sigma
principles are going to be discussed in this report. Furthermore, various theories as well as
models are included in this report along with continuous improvement plan.
TASK 1
P1. Conduct a review as well as critique of the execution of operations management
principles in reference to an organization.
Analysis of operation vs operations management
Operations define as the procedure where different functions are undertaken which
are finance, marketing, human resources and many more. Managers of the company TESCO
emphasize on dealing with different organizational function in an appropriate and effective
manner. On the other hand, in reference to operations management it is said that it define as
the process where organization need to emphasize on controlling and designing the
production procedure. In addition to this, they also need to work on redesigning various
operations of the business entity in an effective, efficient and appropriate way. Therefore,
manager need to focus on managing and controlling various operations associated with the
production procedure.
Conduct a review as well as critique of the execution of operations management
principles. Also relate this to Six Sigma & Lean principles.

It is said that there are ample number of operation management principles mainly
adopted by the managers and higher authorities of TESCO so that they can implement all the
business activities in an effective manner.
Reality: It has been identified that managers of operations emphasize on the problems
rather than techniques so that they can get favorable results. In reference to TESCO,
managers of the company emphasizes on resolving issues and problem in order to attain
positive outcomes. In order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency along with reducing
wastage, managers of the company adopt sig sigma as well as lean principles. Thus, it will
aid in reducing scrap so that the productivity and performance of the business entity will be
improved.
Variance: It refers to the procedure which is maintained and handled by the managers
in an effective manner. With the assistance of adopting lean principles and six sigma,
managers of TESCO optimum utilize all the available resources and reduce scrap and
wastage. This will help in getting success at the competitive environment as performance and
efficiency of the business organization will be improved.
Examine the extent where the operations management meets all the requirements of
organization with the assistance of appropriate theories, concepts and models
TESCO is a business entity operating at international level therefore it is essential for
the company that they must manage their operations in appropriate and effective way. This
will leads towards the attainment of organizational goals by increasing productivity of the
company. It has been identified that there are ample number of concepts, theories and
principles which might be adopted by managers of TESCO. Some of the operation
management principles given by Randall Schaeffer are going to be discussed as follows.
Reality: It refers to the principle according to which business organization need to
emphasize on reality in which operation management must examine the issues and problems
rather then gleaming tools and techniques.
Organization: As per this principle, managers must create a procedure in
manufacturing which assist them in order to eliminate those resources or activities which will
produce similar results of profit as well as loss to the business entities.
Fundamentals: As per this principle, it is said that managers must adopt some rules
and regulations as well as implement them within the organization so that the efficiency will

be increased. Manager need to adopt effective measures and techniques along with rules and
regulations so that there wastage and overlapping can be reduced in an effective manner.
Change: According to this principle, there are some new theories and concepts which
support the business entity in the growth as well as in order to maintain the significance of
operational management. This as a result bring positive and favorable changes by adopting
modifying techniques and tools related to operation management.
Six sigma: It refers to a statistical, disciplined, data-driven approach which aims as
continuous development as it assist in reducing or eliminating errors and defects. In the
present context of TESCO, managers of the company adopt this approach for reducing errors
and improving the quality and efficiency of the company. This is the approach which
includes various stages such as identification of problems, measuring and examining the
current procedures, identify causes of such issues, improving the procedure and controlling.
All these stages implemented in an effective manner so that the managers can effectively
perform their business functions and reducing the errors and defects from the process.
TASK 2
P2. Continuous improvement plan
It is an ongoing process conducted by a business entity so that they can improve the
quality and services in an effective manner. For every business organization it is necessary to
offer high quality service so that they can attract large number of people towards them. A
most common model named as PDCA are used by every organization so that they can
improve the quality of offerings. This model is going to be discussed as follows:
Plan: First and the foremost step of this plan is to examine the issues and problems as
well as plan an effective approach to solve particular issues in an effective manner. Along
with this, team needs to formulate timelines for the execution of plans in an appropriate way.
In reference to TESCO, when they want to offer organic food items it is necessary to conduct
research in the market related to the offerings. Therefore, it is necessary to plan everything
which leads towards the enhancement of the company.
DO: According to this, organizations execute all the functions and activities on the
basis if plans. It is necessary for business to consider time as well as cost which is needed
while executing all the activities. In relation to TESCO, managers of the company implement

all strategies related to the new organic food products. Along with this, for taking positive
outcomes managers can take feedback and reviews.
Check: In this, organizations make comparison between expected and actual
performance. Along with this, they need to examine the effectiveness of their new offerings
at the competitive marketplace. In the present context of TESCO, managers need to evaluate
the overall performance of staff members. This will assist business organization in order to
conduct improvement in the quality and leads towards the attainment of organizational goals
and objectives in an effective manner.
Act: The last stage of this model is act where analysis of final outcome takes place
and identify that if any sort of changes are required or not. It is essential for the higher
authorities of TESCO, that they take feedback and reviews from customers related to their
offerings. This will help them in conducting modifications if required to influence large
number of customers towards them. In addition to this, it is also very necessary for the
management team to pass all the stages in an appropriate manner so that they can improve the
overall quality of their offerings.
Recommendations in order to improve the operational function
There are some recommendations given to the management team so that they can
improve the operational functions in an effective manner. These are recommendations are as
follows:
 First and the foremost recommendation given to the higher authorities of TESCO is
that they must use some of the operation management techniques. These techniques
are Six sigma, Total Quality management, lean manufacturing and many more. This
will help in enhancing the quality by reducing errors from manufacturing process.
Along with this, it will help in eliminating wastage and use all the available resources
maximum so they can attain organizational objective.
 It has also been suggested to the organization that they must examine the risk
involved in the development of new products. For this, risk analysis tools need to be
adopted by the management team so that they can handle risk as well as uncertainties
in an effective manner.
 Along with this for making improvements, it is required by the top management team
of TESCO that they must provide training and development session to their staff

members. This as a result assist them improving the skills, knowledge and capabilities
which as a result produce positive outcomes. Furthermore, this will assist them in
improving the overall quality of services offered by company to their customers at the
competitive marketplace.
PART 2
TASK 3
P3. Application of stage of Project life cycle, supporting documentation for the completion of
project
Overview of MFI
MFI is one of the fastest leading furniture manufacturing and retailer organization in
Europe established in 1964. Company has almost 250 retail outlets at the marketplace of UK
and Europe. MFI offer various design as well as quality of products in market, which refers
to the biggest reason behind their growth and success. Sales department of the company, in
year 1993 established effective strategies so that they gain growth and success at the
marketplace in long term. This is the strategy which was formulated by the management team
so that they can emphasize as well as provide guidance by clearly communicating and taking
effective measures. Main motive is to provide high level of customer satisfaction which leads
towards the enhancement of organizational goals.
Project Life Cycle
It refers to a sequence of stages which consider every activity from starting phase to
end phase of the whole project. Along with this, PLC assist a business organization in gaining
an understanding related to the estimation time frame required to complete the whole project
in effective way. This is a method which will help a business entity in performing their task
in a proper manner which leads towards the attainment of organizational goals within
specified time period. The top management team of MFI use project life cycle so that they
gain success and growth of the company. Four stages of project life cycle are going to be
discussed as follows:
Stage 1

Project Initiation: It is one of the important stage of project life cycle, where
managers of MFI examine the requirement and demands of customer and then they need to
formulate strategies. It is very essential for the top management team of MFI in order to
provide high quality services to users so that they can meet the expectations and
requirements. For this, it is necessary to create effective teams in order to communicate the
mission and vision clearly. In addition to this, a strategy which is used by the management
team is to get feedback and reviews from customers so that they can improve the quality as
well as performance of the organization.
Business case
 Executive summary: MFI is manufacturing & retailing company deals in furniture
which is planning to create sales strategies so that they can meet the requirements of
users by providing them high quality products and services. Therefore, it is very
necessary for the higher authorities of MFI to examine needs and wants of consumer
so that they can grow and succeed at the competitive environment.
 Goal: The main aim of the business organization is to enhance the sales as well as
profitability of the company.
 Solution: For increasing the overall sales, main solution is to give high quality service
to their customers.
 Requirements: For attaining the organizational objectives main requirements is to get
trained staff members, adopt appropriate tools and techniques and so on.
Stage 2
Planning stage: It is the stage which took place after completing the first phase. It is
the stage where top management teams of the company formulate effective strategies and
policies so that they can attain positive outcomes. Along with this, top management team of
the company adopt business case so that the mission as well as goals will be clear to each
team mates. In reference to MFI, managers of the company distribute the project into
different small sections and allot them to the staff members according to their skills.
Project plan:
The project consist of all those elements which is required to be considered by
managers in order to complete the whole project in an effective and appropriate manner.
These factors are going to be discussed as follows:

Risk: It is very necessary for the management team of MFI to examine all the risk and
use effective risk analysis tools. This as a result assist business entity in order to eliminate
risk level in proper and effective manner.
Cost: Another most essential element is cost and it is very much important fir the
managers to consider cost before starting the activities and functions of project. It has been
concluded that the whole budget need to be formulated by the finance team of MFI so that
they can ensure the availability of all the required resources.
Gantt chart: It define as the bar chart which help in explaining the overall time
period or schedule of project. Along with this, it is said that this is a graphical representation
which define the relationship among project activities as well as schedule linked with time
frame. Below mentioned is the Gantt Chart of the project:

Work break down structure: It refers to the technique which is mainly adopted by
the management team so that they can distribute whole project into various small sections.
This will help them in order to complete the whole project in an effective and appropriate
manner and within stipulated time frame. Top management team of MFI adopt this method so
that they can divide complex task into different small projects which as a result easily
attained by the team members in a proper way.

Stage 3
Implementation stage: This refers to a phase, where all the planned strategies and
activities take into action. Along with this, it is very essential for the management team of an
organization that they must ensure each and every activity is executed effectively and
properly. In reference to MFI, this is the most important responsibility of higher authorities to
assigned proper duties to their employees who can smoothly execute all the required
activities in an effective, smooth and proper manner.
 Plan for monitoring and examining: It is very necessary for the managers to set
standards which will assist in grabbing and enhancing understanding related to the
actual and expected performance. Along with this, it will assist the organization in
order to make development and accomplish all the objective in an efficient manner
and within given time period.
Stage 4
Closure stage: This is the fourth and final stage of PLC where the performance of
whole project is being examined and identified by the higher authorities of company. It is
necessary for them to check expected performance which will assist in accomplishing
organizational goals in an appropriate manner with the help of new strategies and policies.
 Post project analysis: According to this, managers of the company MFI is needed to
take feedbacks and reviews from consumers on a day to day basis as it assist in
understanding their thoughts, perception and opinions towards the company. This will
help them in retaining and engaging the users for a longer duration of time which
leads towards the increment of profit margin and sales of the business entity.

(Source:Project Life Cycle stages, 2020)
TASK 4
P4. Review and Critique effectiveness of Project life cycle
With the help of project life cycle, it has been identified as well as evaluated that this
will help in conducting proper planning & implementation of functions associated with the
project in an effective manner. It has also been identified that there are different sort of
methods which can be used by the top management authorities of MFI in order to determine
the effectiveness and efficiency of project life cycle. Some of the most essential methods are
going to be discussed as follows:
Milestone: It refers to a tool adopted by project managers so that they can mark
specific points which are linked with project timelines. Milestones mainly consist of start
date, end date, budget, activities and so on. Top management team of MFI use milestone
strategies with the help of which they can gain sufficient knowledge and guidance about the
most important or priority task which needs to be performed first. This will help in enhancing
the performance and efficiency of the business entity.
Target: It defines as the predetermined targets which is formulated by the higher
authorities needs to be fulfilled by workers within given time frame. In reference to the

present context of MFI, managers of the company set targets which they complete within
limited time period and needs to compare with the actual performance. This as a result aid
management team in order to easily examine the performance of project life cycle.
Benchmarking: Another essential method, is benchmarking where higher authorities
of the organization set some standards related to the cost as well as time needed to complete
the project. This as a result assist in identifying the effectiveness of overall project life cycle.
Project life cycle refers to an essential factor which plays important role in completion
of the project in an appropriate, efficient and effective way. In reference to MFI, stages of
PLC along with the effectiveness are going to be discussed as follows:
Initial phase: This is the first stage which says that this is effective and supportive
phase which help in identifying the current and exact situation. Apart from this, it also
includes project overview as well as team mates which are linked with this project. This is the
stage with the help of which managers and leaders of MFI can easily start a project and
communicate all the information to each and every team members.
Planning phase: According to this, all the strategies, policies, mission related with
the project communicate with each team member linked with the project. Along with this, it
will help business organization in order to accomplish their goals and objectives in an
effective manner. On the other hand, it has been identified that this is time consuming process
and produce negative impact if not performed in an effective manner. In relation to MFI, if
the managers does not implement planning phase is an appropriate manner than it will create
dissatisfactory results.
Implementation phase: It says that effectiveness of execution and implementation
stage help in getting new experience. Therefore, it is very essential for the project managers
that they must ensure each and every activities implemented in effective and appropriate
manner so that it will produce positive outcomes. In the present context of MFI, it is said that
execution phase help in increasing the level of experience of workers in a positive manner.
Closure phase: It define as the whole project is accomplished in an effective and
appropriate manner. This will help in examining if there is any sort of issues faced by them
must be overcome at that point which leads towards the attainment of organizational goals
and objectives in appropriate and timely manner. In reference to MFI, it is said that last stage

of this framework help in overcoming all the issues so that goals and objectives of the
company will be attained in an effective manner.
Effectiveness of Project life cycle (PLC)
It is said that with the assistance of effective project life cycle, higher authority and
managers of the company make all roles, responsibilities, objectives as well as mission clear
to the team mates. Apart from this, it will aid in monitoring the overall or current
performance with actual performance so improvements and development can take place in an
effective manner. With the help of PLC, managers of MFI increase the sales and profitability
of the company in an appropriate and effective way. MFI adopt PLC which creates both
positive as well as negative impact on the performance of business as it increases the
profitability and sales of the company but on the other hand if not implemented in a positive
manner then it will create negative results which reduces the overall efficiency of the
company.
Conclusion
With the assistance of above stated information, it is said that for managers of a
business entity it is necessary to adopt operational management techniques so that they can
enhance the overall quality of a product. This will assist them in order to accomplish pre
determined goals of the company in an effective manner and within given time frame. It has
also been identified that by adopting Six sigma, lean management, TQM and many more
operations management principles help in improving the process and quality of goods and
services. Apart from this, with the help of continuous improvement plan a business entity can
make development and improvement in their products offered by them to their consumers.
This will assist them in attracting and retaining customer for a longer period of time. In
addition to this, Project Life Cycle consist of four main stages which help in attaining desired
goals in an appropriate manner.

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