Operations and Project Management: A Case Study of Jaguar and Marriott Hotel

This study explores the implementation of operations management principles within Jaguar, a leading car manufacturer, and Marriott Hotel, a renowned hospitality chain. It examines the application of Total Quality Management (TQM), Six Sigma methodology, and Lean principles in Jaguar's production process. The study also analyzes the effectiveness of the Project Life Cycle (PLC) in the context of Marriott Hotel's new aerobic center project. By applying appropriate theories, concepts, and models, the study critically analyzes the effectiveness of these management approaches in both large and small-scale projects.

Operations and Project Management
1

Table of contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Task 1.........................................................................................................................................4
Introduction of Jaguar................................................................................................................4
Concept of operations................................................................................................................4
An explanation of operation vs. operations management..........................................................4
Different operations management theories and models.............................................................4
A. Conduct a review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles
within Jaguar..............................................................................................................................6
B. Review and critique the implementation of operations management in relation to Six
Sigma methodology and Lean principles...................................................................................7
C. Prepare a continuous improvement plan based on your review and critique of operations
Management principles within your organization......................................................................9
D. Analyze the effectiveness of a continuous improvement plan using appropriate theories,
concepts and/or models............................................................................................................10
Task 2.......................................................................................................................................11
LO3 Apply the Project Life Cycle (PLC) to a given context...................................................11
Task 2 C. Review and critique the effectiveness of the PLC in application to your project
using the appropriate theories models and concepts................................................................16
Task 2 D. Critically analyse how the use of appropriate theories, concepts and models in the
PLC will differentiate between large and small-scale projects................................................16
Conclusion................................................................................................................................17
2

Introduction
Operating a successful business in today’s competitive era requires a systematic procedure
that can help firms organizing their activities properly for achieving the ultimate goal of the
business. Increased level of market competition and the changing demand patterns of the
customers have made the operating activities in the organizations more critical. Operations
management is a system that aims to organize the operating activities of the business so that
business becomes simpler to the managers and employees.
This study is focused on the importance and implementation of the particular system of
operations management at two different business cases. The first part (Task1) is focused on
the particular business case of Jaguar. On the other hand, the second part (Task 2) of the
study is focused on the business case of Marriot Hotel.
3

Task 1
Introduction of Jaguar
Jaguar is one of the largest car manufacturing companies in the international market. The
company belongs from United Kingdom. In the current scenario, it is at the leading market
position because of its changed production and operations method. Recently, the company
has focused on one of the most efficient operations management systems that are Total
Quality Management, which has brought tremendous success to Jaguar. At present, the
Halewood plant of Jaguar is planning to produce a new type of car that is Jaguar X’ Type,
which will be more advanced and suitable for 21st century (Businesscasestudies.co.uk, 2018).
Concept of operations
The term “operations” can be defined as a group of activities or functions that aim to
transform the organizational data, information and other resources into the expected results
(products or services). Holweg et al., (2018) mentioned that operations at the firms aim to
create and deliver expected value to the people or customers. Operations in a firm can be of
different types like, purchase, production, sale, resource allocation and delivery.
An explanation of operation vs. operations management
If the discussion is made on operations and operations management, it can be stated that
operations are the activities of the organization; whereas, operations management is the
process through which the operations are performed to achieve the goal of the business.
Operations management helps the managers in transforming the organizational resources and
information through different operations (Pilkington and Meredith, 2018). Considering the
particular case of Jaguar, it can be stated that the key operations at the Halewood plant are –
manufacturing, purchasing raw materials, delivery of products and services and storing the
finished products. On the other hand, operations management at the organization helps the
managers of Jaguar developing effective strategies, so that the raw materials that are
purchased at the Halewood Pant can be utilized in the most efficient manner and the company
can produce the most valuable product and deliver the same.
4

Different operations management theories and models
Taylor’s theory of Scientific Management –
Scientific management that F. W. Taylor has proposed is the style of management that
synthesizes and analyzes the flow of work at the workplace. The development of this
particular theory started during 1880s (Swink et al., 2017). In the theory of scientific
management, Taylor mentioned about some principles that are important for scientific
management of operations at the firms. These principles are as follows:
 Maximization of output
 Scientific selection of the workers and providing training to them
 Replacing the old method of management
 Cooperation and coordination between management and workers
 Equal work division (Subramanian et al., 2017)
Lean Production model –
Lean production model was first developed by Toyota Motors. This is an assembly-line
technique. This particular operations management model follows some specific principles,
which are as follows:
 Maximization of workflow
 Elimination of waste
 Minimization of inventory
 Enhance production by analyzing the customers’ demand
 Meeting the customers’ requirements to the higher extent
 Doing every time as the first time
 Empowering the workers
 Designing for the quick changeover
 Establishing partnership with the suppliers
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 Create and follow the culture of continuous improvement (Matthias et al., 2017)
Flexible Specialization –
This is another operations management model in which the firm aims to improve its
competitive position by equipping itself with multi-skilled workers, multi-use equipments
and innovative strategies and personnel (Mobley et al., 2018). This particular operations
management model provides the scope for adjusting with the fast changing business
scenarios.
Mass Customization –
This is a mixture of marketing and operations management model that aims to enhance the
flexibility of the business and introduce personalization in the business process. This
operations management model helps the management producing products and services by
maintaining lower level of cost that is associated with the mass production system
(Subramanian et al., 2017).
Agile Manufacturing –
This is an unique operations management model under which the management needs to build
up a team that can develop effective processes, techniques and tools and proper training can
make this team efficient enough to respond quickly to any kind of organizational change
(Mobley et al., 2018). This model is very effective when the organization is operating
business in a market that changes continuously.
A. Conduct a review and critique of the implementation of operations management
principles within Jaguar
Considering the particular case scenario of Jaguar, it can be stated that the management at
this particular organization has implemented the principles of operations management
efficiently at the Helewood Plant of the company. One of the key principles of operations
management is implementing change for long-term sustainability. The plan of Jaguar to
launch the new car with the new production management technique is clearly showing the
change that Jaguar is aiming to implement (Businesscasestudies.co.uk, 2018). Hence, it can
be stated that the change principle of operations management has been followed by Jaguar.
6

On the other hand, the case study also shows that the company is planning to manufacture the
Jaguar X’s Type car at Halewood Plant, which has sufficient capacity of manufacturing
advanced car (Businesscasestudies.co.uk, 2018). This is indicating that the company has
considered the reality which developing the operations management strategies. The
management knew that operating manufacturing activities for the new Jaguar X’s Type car
will not be possible at the existing plants and due to that they decided to shift to the new plant
(Businesscasestudies.co.uk, 2018). It is clearly showing that the management has considered
the reality principle. At the same time, this strategy or decision of the higher authority is also
indicating that the operations management at Jaguar follows the principle of success. In order
to manage the operations successfully, the management decided to shift the plant.
Management of Jaguar has also followed the principle of variance. Shifting the
manufacturing unit and changing the production and operations process is clearly showing
that the management has tried to bring success through variations and creativity in operations
management (Businesscasestudies.co.uk, 2018).
Therefore, considering the overall discussion, it can be stated that the operations management
principles have been implemented by Jaguar properly.
B. Review and critique the implementation of operations management in relation to Six
Sigma methodology and Lean principles
In the particular case scenario of Jaguar, it can be identified that the Halewood Plant of the
company is planning to produce a new car that will be more advanced and suitable to the
current market demand. At the same time, it can also be identified in the case study that the
management of the company is planning to implement the lean production system at the
plant. There are several methods that the company may apply to work with the lean
production model. However, among all the lean production methods, the six sigma method
will be most suitable for the company because this model is the best quality control and
management method among all the available lean production methods (Rappel et al., 2017).
The principles that the company will require maintaining while following the six sigma
model are as follows:
 Focusing on the customers or end users of the company
 Focusing on the value stream of the business
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 Managing and improving the process flow at the workplace
 Eliminating the steps that are non-value adding
 Considering the fact while managing operations and reducing the level of variation
 Equip and involve with the workers associated with the process
 Following the improvement activities at the workplace (Mobley et al., 2018)
In order to implement the principles of the six sigma model at Jaguar, the management of the
company needs to follow some activities. These are mentioned below:
Providing executive’s support to the employees – For implementing the principle of six
sigma, the management at Jaguar must ensure that the lower level employees are getting
support from executives’ end. This is important for focusing on the value stream and
eliminating the non-value adding steps from the production and operational processes
(Subramanian et al., 2017).
Resource allocation – The management at jaguar needs to take care of the resource allocation
within the plant. This step is required for implementing the principles like, focusing on
customers’ demand managing the process flow and equipping with the workers and other
processes.
Training – Employees’ training is very important for implementing six sigma at the
workplace. This is important for improving the performance standard of the employees, so
that they can meet customers’ demand in a better way (Holweg et al., 2018). At the same
time, it is important for managing the overall operations in a better way.
Generating necessary data and information – This is also very important managing whole
activities at the plant in the right manner. Proper information helps in better communication
and co-ordination (Matthias et al., 2017).
If the above activities under six sigma models are considered, it can be stated that the model
will help to improve the operations management in the following way:
 Six sigma model, will encourage the managers eliminating unnecessary costs, which
improve the operations management at the workplace
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 The six sigma model, will improve the performance standard of the employees, which
will positively influence the operations management at the workplace (Holweg et al.,
2018)
 Six sigma model creates better co-ordination among different operations of the
business, which makes operations management easier for the managers.
C. Prepare a continuous improvement plan based on your review and critique of
operations Management principles within your organization
In order to improve the operations management at jaguar, it will be better if the management
considers the following continuous improvement plan:
Though, the management of Jaguar is efficient in operations management, the company needs
to control the overall cost of the business while maintaining the level quality. Quality is the
standard that the organization needs to maintain while producing products and services to
meet customers’ demand properly. Though the company is following the lean production
system, it requires continuous improvements to reduce the cost and eliminate waste.
Continuous improvement plan:
Issue Improvement
action
Risk in
plan
Responsible person Outcome Review
date
The main
issue that
Jaguar is
facing is
associated
with its
existing
engine
model
which
involves
higher
rate of
emission.
The
management
may include
the
hydroelectric
power
technology for
manufacturing
new engine for
the new Jaguar
X’s Type car
The major
risk will be
the speed of
the car
which will
be lower
than the
electric car.
Hence,
competition
will be a
major risk
 CEO
 Technical
department
 Senior
engineer
Implementation
of hydroelectric
power car
technology will
help the
company
reducing the
carbon emission
rate, which will
help to reduce
the cost level
through tax
saving
07/12/2018
9

However,
as per the
new law in
UK, the
company
requires
to pay
extra tax
for higher
level of
emission
Table 1: Continuous improvement plan
(Source: Cratered by author)
D. Analyze the effectiveness of a continuous improvement plan using appropriate
theories, concepts and/or models
Jaguar is already following the operations management techniques like, TQM and Six Sigma,
which are very effective improving the operations at the workplace. However, the major issue
of the business is associated with its existing engine technology, which causes high carbon
emission and due to that the company is paying higher amount of tax to the government.
However, it has been suggested that if the management follows the hydroelectric power
technology, the problem will be solved. If the management implements the above mentioned
continuous improvement plan, the company will require following the six sigma process.
Along with that, implementing the BPR model the company can reduce the gap between the
two technologies. However, as the suggested technology is incapable of developing high-
speed engines like electric cars, this can be a great risk for the business. Therefore, in order to
reduce the risk, the management will require maintaining the speed of the engine at a
standard level. However, for this, the engineers of the organization must acquire proper
knowledge and skills to develop high speed car with hydroelectric power technology.
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Task 2
LO3 Apply the Project Life Cycle (PLC) to a given context
Task 2 [A] Apply the PLC [Project Life Cycle] to the Hotel project
2A : Application of Project life cycle.
Stage 1: Project definition
1. Business case: Project life cycle is the definite part of the operation management but it is
not similar at all level. Managers are responsible for taking sincere action on project life
cycle. This phase includes execution phase, conceptualisation phase, planning phase,
execution phase as well as termination phase. This task is based on the case scenario of
Marriott Hotel.
Project Background: The organisation has planned to open a new aerobic centre for the
customers. In the current period, customers are health conscious and often they are asking for
the gym facilities, while they are ordering. Aerobic centre in the hotel premises will be
helpful the customers to maintain their daily life activity such as morning exercise.
Therefore, project management principles are required here for understanding the different
stage of project life cycle. In the branch at Los Angeles Convention centre, organisation will
introduce their first aerobic facilities for the travellers.
Purpose and rationale:
In this branch, currently organisation is capable to afford 218 rooms. Therefore, aerobic
centre need to be constructed with maximum capacity. In various branches of the Hotel,
foreign travellers often asked for the fitness programs during their stay. Therefore,
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organisation will now provide complimentary facilities of gym, personal aerobic training.
The Jacuzzi, steam and sauna will be also available with gym cum aerobic centre in the hotel
courtyards. Based on this case scenario, following project plan will be processed. As per the
scenario, aerobic centre has to be constructed in the hotel premises at Los angles. The
organisation has planned to get a space of 4000 square feet for providing such services. As
per the draft plan, gym facilities, total body workout equipments and hitting room are
required in the space. In Sunday, yoga program will also be conducted in the selected hotel
place. Therefore, project plan is related to construct new building and equipment purchasing.
Proficient staffs need to be hired for facilitating the planed program on aerobic and gym
facilities.
Stage 2: Project planning
Problem statement Project timeline
Plan is required to introduce gym and aerobic
facilities in the Marriott Hotel courtyard, Los
Angles.
06/09/2018-03/02/2019
Table 2: Project statement
(Source: Created by the learner)
In this case, risks can be emerged as cost overrun and the issue of deadline. In the current
case study, planning is required for introducing several facilities in the aerobic studio. As per
the case scenario, organisations have large base of travellers, who are spending their holiday
in various regions. 4000 sq feet room will be appropriate for these facilities. Purchase of
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equipment is also required for providing additional facilities such cardiovascular exercise,
gym and other yoga program. This entire project will be accomplished within 7 months.
Planning process is related here with resource allocation, quality management, stakeholder
meeting and other available scopes. In this scale, budgetary analysis is required to conduct
each skeleton of the presented project plan (Joslin and Müller, 2015). Closure of the project
planning will be conducted through final meeting with the project stakeholders. Within the
proposed timeline the entire tasks will be delivered.
Stage 3: Project Execution
In this stage of project cycle, manager will finalise the complete project team and
stakeholders through acquiring all the required resources. As outlined in the project plan,
manager will perform and supervise all required activities, which are required for creating
tangible services. This the longest phase in this project plan, where manager will utilise most
of the resources. Monitoring and control is required for understanding the resource
expenditure, time tracking, and issue of project delay. This assessment is required for
ensuring the entire project team will forefeet quality. In the case study of Marriott hotel, the
following activities will be processed in the execution process:-
 Building the deliverables
 Monitor and control
 Performance communication
Figure 1: Gantt chart
(Source: Created by the learner)
13

In order to complete the entire project in the structured deadline and standard quality,
monitoring is required. In the monitoring and the control process, manger will perform the
risk management, cost management, issue management, and procure management as well as
quality management. Therefore, after proper risk assessment, managers can resolve the
barriers, which can create adverse impact on operational process. Employee support is also
required to introduce such facilities in hotel services. Therefore, within presented timeline,
training will be provided to the team for facilitating such new services.
Stage 4: Project closure
This is the last phase of project life cycle, where the report will be produced ultimately
through assessing the overall success. In this scale, the project plan will include following
factors
 Passing the documents to the senior authorities
 Inform stakeholder about closure of project
 Cancel the supplier contracts
In the case study of Marriott hotel, the project closure will be processed through proper
review of implemented plan of aerobic facilities.
Task 2 [B] Analyse the rationale for the project
1] Methodology: explain & analyse WBS
Over the last years, JW Marriott Hotel has experienced maximum success in the consumer
centric business approach. Through Agile software development, methodology will be
processed. A project manger spends, spends maximum time on resource allocation and
project milestone will be followed. Therefore, proper scheduling, project objectives can be
processed in a tactical way. In the purpose of stakeholder communication, Agile methodology
can be effective for accommodate immediate changes (Paquin et al., 2016). In addition,
teamwork is effective for the duty mangers. In the scale of time management, scope
management, risk management this methodology will be followed to conduct each
procedures in a structured way.
2] Tools: explain & analyse Gantt Chart, Network Diagram, Critical Path Analysis
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Gantt chart and network diagram will be utilised for concluding this methodology. In the
Gantt chart, each task is structured as per the proposed date. In the Gantt chart, tasks are
presented in a sequential manner. It will be followed for monitoring the each task in a
standard way. On the other hand, network diagram is also effective for understanding the
internal link with each task (Gardiner, 2014). Through proper assessment of this, each task
can be monitored for resolving issues on project.
Figure 2: Network Diagram
(Source: Created by the learner)
3] Leadership - explain & analyse
Successful project managers have to practice both strong as well as effective leadership skills.
In this context, project managers have to select positive leadership tactics to get
determination on faced challenges, innovative performances, changed competencies, long-
term positivity as well as team motivation. If the project team is not clear about the structured
objectives of Mario Hotel, then they cannot show maximum effort on the current project. In
this scale, managers have to structure the leadership strategy for motivating the entire team
(Chen et al., 2016). Leadership tactics is required for clearing the purpose of the project
within the entire team. Through proper meeting with the stakeholders, leaders will address
15

the required project tactics. Through proper leadership, team can conduct the entire project
within the deadline. Therefore, leadership tactics need to be utilised.
16

Task 2 C. Review and critique the effectiveness of the PLC in application to your
project using the appropriate theories models and concepts
The PLC model will help the management of Marriott Hotel in implementing the new project
effectively. However, in this context reviewing and criticizing the model is important. The
PLC model can be criticized with the help of program theory, which can criticize a model
like, PLC by focusing on two factors – “if” and “then”. While using the PLC model, the
management can easily identify the risk that is associated with different stages under PLC by
using the “if” factor and the “then” factor will help the management identifying the right
strategy for reducing the level of risk (Stark, 2015). Hence, from this point of view, the PLC
model is effective. Apart from the program theory, the Logic model can also be used for
analyzing the effectiveness of PLC. Based on this particular model, the purpose of a model
can be evaluated. If the purpose of PLC is evaluated, it can be identified that this model has
the specific purpose of initiating and running the Aerobic studio. As the model has specific
purpose, it will be definitely focused on the outcomes. Hence, it can be stated that based on
logic model PLC is very effective for achieving the ultimate aim of the company (Svejvig
and Andersen, 2015).
The Gantt chart and critical path of the project is showing 11 different tasks that the company
will require performing to complete the project successfully. The first task is to recognize the
aim and objectives of the project. This is the first task because without aim and objectives the
project cannot be proceeding. Based on this task the tasks like, time management, scope
management and cost management are dependent. These three are important for achieving
the purpose of the project and maintaining lower level of cost. The budget allocation and staff
training are also important for achieving the same purposes.
Task 2 D. Critically analyse how the use of appropriate theories, concepts and models in
the PLC will differentiate between large and small-scale projects
If the logic model is used the large and small scale projects can be differentiated. The logic
model analyzes the project based on the purposes. Generally, the large scale projects have
wider purposes. Hence, while analyzing a project based on the purpose, the logical model can
easily identify the large scale and small scale projects (Stark, 2015). At the same time, it can
also be stated that the logic model also helps to analyze a project based on the input. As fund
17

is one of the inputs in a project, the logic model can easily differentiate between the small
scale and large scale projects.
18

Conclusion
In this study, it has been identified that Jaguar is going to launch its new Jaguar X’s Type car
and for that it has planned to implement lean production technique for better operations
management. The study has identified that the company has efficiently followed the
principles of operations management and the principles of lean production method. Under the
lean production method, the company has selected the TQM and Six Sigma methods for
better operations management.
On the other hand, the study has also identified that the Marriott Hotel is planning to initiate
the Aerobic studio for providing better facilities to its customers. The study has develop a
PLC for this particular project of the company and based on that the important tasks have
been identified, which will help to complete the task efficiently.
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Appendices
Appendix 1
Business case
Project life cycle is the definite part of the operation management but it is not similar at all
level. Managers are responsible for taking sincere action on project life cycle. This phase
includes execution phase, conceptualisation phase, planning phase, execution phase as well as
termination phase.
The hotel has planned to open a new aerobic centre for the customers. In the current period,
customers are health conscious and often they are asking for the gym facilities, while they are
ordering. Aerobic centre in the hotel premises will be helpful the customers to maintain their
daily life activity such as morning exercise.
22

Appendix 2
Project plan
Problem statement Project timeline
Plan is required to introduce gym and aerobic
facilities in the Marriott Hotel courtyard, Los
Angles.
06/09/2018-03/02/2019
Task
Number
Tasks Start Date End Date
1 Recognizing the aim and objectives 06/09/2018 12/09/201
8
2 Time Management 13/09/2018 16/09/201
8
3 Scope Management 16/09/2018 20/09/201
8
4 Cost Management 22/09/2018 25/09/201
8
5 Communication Management 26/09/2018 28/09/201
8
6 Quality and Resource Management 29/09/2018 03/10/201
8
7 Risk Management 03/10/2018 05/10/201
8
8 Budget allocation 06/10/2018 15/10/201
8
9 Equipment purchase 16/10/2018 02/11/201
8
10 Finalizing the agreements 03/11/2018 05/12/201
8
11 Service development (floor decoration, staff 06/12/2018 03/02/201
23

training,) 9
24

Appendix 3
Work Breakdown structure
25