Project Management Literature Review Assignment

The provided assignment is a literature review on project management, which includes a list of required readings from academic journals and books. The students are asked to read and analyze the selected articles and chapters, identifying key concepts, theories, and practices in project management. The assignment also requires students to critically evaluate the importance of project management in different industries and sectors, including construction, IT, and sustainable development.

Operations and Project
management

CONTENTS
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
Section 1...........................................................................................................................................4
P1: Critical review about implementation of operation principles.........................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
P2: Regularity in improving plan based on the basis of reviews and analysis.......................8
Section 2.........................................................................................................................................10
P3 Apply each stage of project life cycle (PLC) to a given project producing necessary
supporting document for completing the project..................................................................10
P4 Review the effectiveness of the project life cycle in application to the chosen project using
appropriate theories, concepts and models...........................................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Operations are a core part of business which need to understand by managers of a company
in better and definite frame. Operational management is associated with shop floor employees of
a company where they need to produce high standard quality products by making continuous
improvement into it (Gunasekaran and Ngai, 2012). Although, many times an association used
to start a project in better and definite manner of course which facilitate them to gain better and
effective outcome so that an execution of successful business project could be done. Hence,
operations and project management is important for a firm so that profitability could be enhance
in better frame. This project will depicts and describe about the case study of Leylands
whom used to produce trucks and started by two friends whom never thought that business could
become successful at such extent. This project will going to describe about the operational and
project management case study which clearly used to reflect about effectiveness of operational
management principles. It will also define about the concept of continuous improvement in
business context for deriving better and suitable gain. Moreover, management will used to
implement and link up this continuous framework with business and its working properly.
Section 1
P1: Critical review about implementation of operation principles
Operations management is an effective aspects which consist of planning, organising and
supervising processes in order to make vital improvement for the purpose of getting maximum
profitability. All the related daily operations those are being done by the company in support of
every strategies planning of an organisation. In manufacturing business, it is essential to make
functional operational management to make appropriate plan in production which assist in
increasing total sales and profit for “ Leyland Trucks”. According to the mentioned case study, it
has been found, every organisation is having appropriate department that are operating with
connecting each other whose primary aims is to make maximum production and product services
more effective.
In case of increasing productivity of an organisation, it is necessary to make increment of
workers and their team members those are operating for the purpose of increasing future aims
and objectives of an organisation (Robichaud and Anantatmula, 2010). In order to do so,
production managers needs to execute plan in more effective manner. Apart from this, they
require to implement strategies and program in precise manner which work efficiency by proper

utilisation of resources and workforce. All these planning would be followed by all departments
which assists in order to generate more effective outcomes in near future.
For effective production, operational managers can use to reframe organisational culture
as well as to make new plan that can be analyse the overall market trends in order to measure
current procedures. By this assistance, Leyland Trucks follow specific principles to make new
products. The primary objective of present business operations is to increase the market share to
20%. In case they wants to make plan to get more appropriate outcomes during the time.
Operation management principles:
In order to make planning for new products certain principles would needed to be
followed by operational management (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). Those are mentioned
underneath:
Reality: It is known as an effective principles which include specific tools, management
and operations that are concern on particular situation at initial stage. Some of them are related
with crucial sectors issues in persisting much and where it would be apply in any modification.
In case of back out from various issues a managers uses to determine positive solution for
resolving issues that are being faced by “Leyland Trucks”.
Organisation: Another important principles which is applicable in operation
management are mostly depend on each other. However, superiors of all department can need to
organise all process in more logical manner (Lenfle and Loch, 2010). Thus, they can require to
carry out particular operational in parallel manner. Basically, the mentioned company process are
interdependent on each other.
Fundamentals: Manufacturing of a company would be effective, in case it relies on
fundamental bonding. It assist in maintaining proper record, documentation and disciplines in
more reliable and accurate manner. Apart from this, fundamental of production should have
plenty of opportunities for survive business at any marketplace. In assist in construction of
products or services through providing proper detail information to the project manager.
Accountability: In finance department, managers set certain rule and obligation through
comparing crucial metrics for analysing actual output against expected results. This process
provide vital information about present accounting status that can provide more effective
outcomes in near future.

Variance: It indicate various comparison among actual outcomes in accordance with
expected ones. Henceforth, if variance provide less variation then it use to promote effective
creativity to the departments.
Causality: It has been seen that companies are facing plenty of issues such as urgent
shipment of truck delivery and expenses those are related with operational management of
Leyland Trucks. Thus, in order to get rid of all these issues, managers need to make appropriate
decision in coming time.
Managed passion: Human resources are foremost important driver of an organisation
that is having valuable possess which is needed by keeping certain skills and knowledge as well
as passion for their particular job (Lindström and et. al. ,2012). In case of providing better quality
in manufacturing truck can introduce by using best talented workforce so that they can assist in
attainment of desire growth for the company.
Humility: Managers is needed to manage and control positive environment in a firm
which assist individual to work in proper manner. They need to look at weak point or limitation
of company, but they are tried to get more familiar with circumstances which take huge risk to
encourage workers to move in right directions.
Success: It is said to be an essential aspect for Leyland Trucks which depend on
customers who avail their products to retain for longer period of time. Henceforth, this particular
trend of market changes constant rate. Apart from this, they need to acquire business aims in
more successfully managers of “Leyland Trucks” that need to introduce latest technologies in
production and operation management.
SIX-SIGMA:
According to this particular process which is used to determine all those errors found in
production process of Leyland Trucks in improving its quality through reducing the same. This
specific process assist in making product free from any kind of defect and issues which aid in
lower down costs as well as saves time. Henceforth, in case of high-end engineering and
production services it is necessary to make proper planning. It consists of six major tools which
define various important measures. By the help of these particular techniques, Leyland Trucks
would be able to make analysis of their products which is free from any kind of issues in making
appropriate quality of products.

Define: It would said to be specific demand of people at marketplace to deliver appropriate
direction as per the requirement in order to attain task in more effective manner.
Measure: This particular process use to evaluate current state of production as well as
modification from starting to end of a project plan. Apart from this, it use to measure essential
need of all resources which will be help in achieving set target of an organisation.
Analyse: This will be analyse various issues in production which assist in evaluating basic
requirement of customers so that Leyland Tucks should be able to meet in set period of time.
Improve: In order to attain specific target, it happens to determine best possible aspects of
variations that are benefits in coming time for the company (Mir and Pinnington, 2014).
Control: It is one of the primary aspect that a company all keep in mind while making any
critical decision to manage their orders to attain desire outcomes.
Lean principle: According to this particular operation management principle Leyland Tuck
company would be able to incur new innovative ideas during the production of trucks. It
included main five principles that are define value, mapping value stream, formulating cash flow,
determine pull and perfection at the same time. As currently this organisation wants to expand
their business in large scale by their latest product feature. If they do so they need to implement
below mentioned aspects.
Define value: According to this process, they can easily be able to identify customer demand as
well as buying power which would provide valuable amount of idea that what amount of people
can pay for their products and services. However, before making any new products, it is essential
for Leyland Tuck Company to determine cost of production through minimising wastage and
addition expenses which can make impact profitability of the company.
Mapping value stream: according to this, an idea which will draw about process flow that assists
in attaining overall aims an organisation. It delivers effective process for every private limited
company to start allocating resources in right manner during production of specific product. By
the use of this, owner of the company easily be able to review all necessary process that consists
of designing, production, labour forces and customer services options.
Generate flow: Under this step, company need to make all physical process to operate business in
more perfect manner through reducing any kind of delay. It assists management to organise
operations in more effective manner with minimum cost and make delivery of production to
customer on time.

Determine pull: As per this particular process, proper follow of rule and regulation for just in
time method which aid to provide better services in accordance to customer demand. This will
overcome timely delivery of product to customers.
Follow perfection: Although, it is not possible that every product of Leyland Tuck Company has
similar quality and feature so it is essential to make alternation which assists in modification in
activities on regular basis.
TASK 2
P2: Regularity in improving plan based on the basis of reviews and analysis
It has been seen in the mentioned case of Leyland Tuck that they are having appropriate
continuity in their daily business production. It is utmost important part for them to make
products more economical for the customers so that future targets can be attain in more quick
time. As continuous changes is said to be significant aspect for a company that consists of
various alteration in overall business structure through evaluating different feedbacks and
reviews collected from the customers and other important parties. Basically, specific changes of
state will assists in gaining competitive advantage over companies as well as customer
satisfaction at the same point of time. In order to increase the profitability, an organisation
require to make regular modification plan that will be provide right direction to attain their plan
objectives in more faster rate. By the help of this particular process company can be able to attain
their future aims in easier manner.
Continuous improvement plan structure:
Provide Name:
Date:
Sources Anticipated results Current performance
position
Improvement in
planning
Promotional
activities
It has been found that
Leyland company
wants to increase their
market stake by making
investment with 20%.
For this purpose they
are planning to
In case company does
not marketing its new
products in right
manner, then it is hard
to attain maximum
opportunity to grab
more customers. In
In order to introduce
new products in the
market, they need to
promote the same
through using
effective marketing
tools and techniques.

implement KPI in order
to attain their overall
objectives.
case of buying new
position in the market
they need to make
certain modification in
their production
technology.
By the help of
innovative mode of
promotion techniques
they can be able to do
so.
After sales
services
Company do have
plenty of options
through which they can
eliminate errors and
mistakes those are arise
during production
process. Involving
everyone from higher to
bottom in decision
making can be better
option for the company.
The current position
of the company
indicates that they are
produce a record of
56700 trucks of
between 7.5 and 44
tomes during the time.
In current time they
are having total stake
of 15% with DAF in
European market.
In respect to
complete total
demand of people,
company is increase
the number of orders
as per there requested
modification. They
are also started new
customers centre
outlets in gaining
maximum customers
satisfaction.
Implication related during continuous improvement:
Planning is always said to be tough task for every company. They need to carry business
according to the demand of customers and resources available with them. Due to this particular
analysis, it has been seen that management can easily be able to analyse new innovative ideas in
their products for the future betterment of their growth and stability.
Effective planning for implementation of continuous improvement plan is discussed underneath:
In this process, operational manager of Leyland Tuck Company can take continuous
reviews of customers in order to avails its new products in more effective manner. Data collected
from people would be more effectively helpful in analysis the qualities and quantitative value of
their business in respects to other companies. Through this, it can easy for them to maintain their
goodwill in the market for longer period of time. Few activities are also needed to be taken into
consideration during making improvement:
 Maintain better quality of relationship with the employees.

 Proper coordination of channel that can easily be helpful to manager results in more
quick time.
 Importance must be provided to product quality so that maximum opportunities in the
market can create in front of other competitors those are dealing in same business line.
 Proper guidance and motivation plans to staffs.
Organisation theories model and approaches:
In any business organisation, project managers always look to use specific kind of theories
those are related with the production of products in more effective manner. This seems to be
primary role of operational managers to develop various strategies in business organisation and
by applying them in best and suitable manner they can easily be able to attain their target in
faster ways. There are various types of model which has different concepts those are being
followed by the company owner. Some crucial theories are:
Scientific theory: This particular method is use as universal thought those are already
been applied by the researcher while making various experiments and analysis.
Bureaucratic theory: According to this theory, management always looks for those two
elements, such as structuring an organisation into a systematic hierarchy, while another one is
related with defining rational legal decision making regulation.
Classical theory: As per this particular classical theory which is related with economy self-
regulation. It is used to maintain balance among company operations to attain the nature level of
real outcomes through proper utilisation of resources.
Thus, Leyland Truck Company is plenty of staffs to organise their operations in more
effective manner. By following this theory they can able to attain their target in more effective
manner. These theories would assist in managing the same through regulating and controlling
activities in more effective manner.
Section 2
P3 Apply each stage of project life cycle (PLC) to a given project producing necessary
supporting document for completing the project
Project life cycle is a design which define and signify about the all major phases of project
which need to understand by managers of a company so that they could maintain effective and
efficient working (Ogunlana, 2010). Every project have their own definite life cycle which need
to understand in better and signified manner so that effective and efficient gains could be sustain.

Although, a project not get started without an idea whose identification is must and need to align
properly so that efficient gains supposed to be articulated. This report is based on leylands whom
are major dealers in truck or automotive industry for heavy transportation material. Thus,
management of a business wants to expand them at more effective frame which need a suitable
and appropriate project plan but before that there is a need of business case.
Leylands want to launch their small vehicles as well so that they could define a better and
efficient competition to all major rivalries. For this context, they have determine that major
competitors of a company are Toyota, Ford etc. Although, they already perform well in the
streamline of such heavy transportation facilities. Moreover, there market share is also high due
to more interference towards better product and services.
Thus, for this aspect, management need to follow a definite structure of project life cycle
which constitute about the four phases. Such all phases which includes and define about project
life cycle are (Five Phases of the Project Management Lifecycle, 2018.):
 Project Initiation: the first step of the projects is to start it or to initiate it in better and
appropriate manner. It is really important for understanding the project and need to
determine the all major associated aspects of it in a signified manner. This phase enable
and support in determine the feasibility of project with its value so that better and
effective outcome supposed to be derive (Pemsel and Wiewiora, 2013). Although to
perform this aspect, they mainly and majorly define the project on two aspects one is
business case which includes and simplify about the need of project. Not only this, it will
also going to simplify the financial viability of project which enable and facilitate to
define the things in better and suitable manner. The next stage is feasibility study where
goals, cost, financial viability all such consideration used to evaluated in better manner.
LeyLands need to understand this project when they used to expand their working at the
time of manufacturing of small vehicles.
 Project planning: Once the project gain the green signal from all kinds of things then it
requires a solid plan to manage things properly and guide all individuals whom working
for it. Not only guidance is required it also constitute the estimation of budget and cost.
A project plan needs and required obtaining resources, acquiring financing etc. It is
really essential to plan each and every thing properly and in better frame so that
beneficial gains could be estimated. This will assist team to manage and handling the

things properly where they need to determine the risk properly and handling the quality
as well. Project plan enable to deal with various kinds of obstacles so that an appropriate
standard could be maintain. Leylands need to maintain and formulate such plans for their
project so that better and efficient gain could be determine as well as all kind of
obstacles could deal out in better manner. Project execution: On this phase, project need to execute properly where projects have
to start their deliverables in better and definite manner (Gunasekaran and Ngai, 2012).
Team leaders need to look upon on all the activities in better and suitable manner so that
chances of obstacles and negative causes could be reduce. Leylands have to execute such
project in better and signified manner where team leaders need to understand such
considerations properly and execute the operations in better and signified manner. Project monitoring and controlling: Once the project used to get execute at market area
then it need to monitor and control out in better and effective manner. This phase is
especially for analysing the deviations and determine appropriate and suitable steps to
deal with such considerations properly. Project monitoring and controlling is not easy for
leaders as they have to maintain and manage a keen focus on each and every single
activity and operations. This is an important aspect for operation and project
management where chances of deriving better and suitable gain become possible and its
advantage could be reflected for long term (Garel, 2013). Leylands team leaders need to
keep an appropriate focus on project activities so that beneficial gain could be estimated
for long term consideration. Project closure: This is the last phase where projects used to deliver to target
individuals. This enable them to maintain and work of team by analysing deviations of
previous project and fulfil them over at such aspect and used to utilise all resources in
their new project. Thus, team mates and members need to evaluate the success of project
and then enjoy success of such projects. Leylands have to deliver their products to their
ultimate customers once it get monitor out its success and suitability as per market
world. This will assist them in deriving better and suitable gain for long term purpose.
Gantt chart: As per this, management need to divide their work with appropriate time schedule
so that team members and leaders used to complete the project on definite time frame. This will
used to enhance the chances of success and suitability of project for long period of time.

Leylands have to create a Gantt chart for their activities related with their working aspects so
that determine outcome could be gain.
Work Breakdown structure: Another aspect which related with work is work breakdown
structure which used to divide the whole work among various individuals. This enable in divide
the operations in groups, then such groups used to further define in more sub groups. This
enable in reducing the workload from an individual so that better and efficient results and
outcome could be drawn. Leylands management used to divide the whole work among various
individuals properly.
P4 Review the effectiveness of the project life cycle in application to the chosen project using
appropriate theories, concepts and models
Project lifecycle enable and support to maximise efficiency of projects and deliverables. It is
really essential to understand the importance and applicability of PLC in operations and work so
that better management could be imposed for long period of time (Fleming and Koppelman,
2016). Thus, there is a need to estimate that such project life cycle is effective in tendency or not.
Leyland used to innovate their trucks in near future course for which management need to
maintain and manage their focus on diverse range of work. Thus, the chosen project completely
influence through innovation which facilitate and enable management to gain better records and
attributes. The theory regarding innovation completely suites with such kind of working of
Leyland so that better and efficient gain could be imposed.
The project effectiveness could be review through monitoring of operations. Thus at the
time of monitoring all essential aspects used to discuss properly which influence and includes
about the previous assessment and related risk factors (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). Although
project life cycle become successful only when all kind of course properly used to monitor and
evaluated in better course of frame. Hence, this is a first thing which define and enable in
identifying that project is feasible or not. Once the deviations could be estimated then better and
relevant judgement could be imposed in definite manner of course. Leyland have to identify the
major and relevant cause with projects with all stories of their previous unsuccessful projects.
This will assist them in crafting blueprint in better and definite manner. Although, chances of
success and sustainability could be enhance through better and efficient working. It will also
support in reducing chances of resource wastage which is a major concern for every new

enterprise. Thus, such kind of understand and evaluation is a major aspect for business which
facilitate success of a project life cycle.
A project evaluation needs to be reliable and valid in frame. Reliability concern with
trustworthy where validity refer for its applicability in long term aspect. Although, with every
project, management used to identify the trustworthy of evaluation. If informations which
supposed to include in the project are not ethical and appropriate in nature then chances of its
failure tend to rises more. Along with this, such evaluation have to be applicable on project as
well. If an evaluation do not refer and concern with effective applicability then a project used to
not make any sense (Cruz and Marques, 2011). Hence, Leyland have to determine the reliability
and applicability of project in better and appropriate frame where they have to estimate that such
projects used to valid for a company or not else they fit in working aspects and activities or not.
If such criteria used to get fulfil then measurement of success and suitability used to rises more
and more which is a major consideration. Leyland want a successful implementation of their
innovation which used to facilitate their success and organisation become one of a most
successful firm in the field of truck manufacturing. Henceforth, chances of deriving profit and
productivity supposed to be rises as well (Chen and et. al. ,2011).
The last aspect of measuring effectiveness is to ensure that performance milestones
accomplish or not. If all milestones at the time of project not accomplish properly then it used to
impact overall work. For this, time management strategies or model is essential to implement.
This will enhance chances of success and suitability of project for long period of course.
Although, project required to execute by formulating some targets which made the work easy
and every individual become more concentrate towards objectives. This is also align as a concept
which related with ensuring regarding effectiveness of project.
If such aspects used to fulfil in better and definite manner then chances of success of
project of Leyland become appropriate, their innovation for truck could become possible which
reflect the positive attribute towards success as well which used to rises profit rate of business
and its working. Thus, management need to understand this concept properly and in better course
as well. This will support in overall growth and development of a business and working
organisation. All these concepts required to understand by managers of a company and required
to implement and enforce them at the time of project.

CONCLUSION
It get concluded from the project that operational management is a major thing on which
business and their managers need to maintain their focus in better frame. Operations need to
manage in better and signified manner so that chances of deriving better gain supposed to
become possible in nature. Projects always enable a firm to become successful in nature but only
when their execution become appropriate and suitable in nature. Operations and project
management is a crucial thing on which managers have to maintain their keen focus. Although,
they need to apply relevant concepts and models on project life cycle scenario by analysing
relevant theories, models and concepts. Although, there is a need of continuous improvement
which used to linked up with project life cycle activities in better and associated frame. There are
various principles used to get define in operational management which need to understand in
better and definite frame and they used to linked up with the principles of project management so
that more effective outcome could be derive.

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Online
Five Phases of the Project Management Lifecycle. 2018. [Online]. Available through :<
https://www.villanovau.com/resources/project-management/5-phases-project-management-
lifecycle/#.WttuAtRua1s>.