Operations and Project Management

This report focuses on the implementation of operations management principles within the context of TESCO, a global supermarket chain. It discusses the use of Six Sigma and Lean principles, as well as various theories and models. It also includes a continuous improvement plan and the application of the project life cycle to a given project.

Operations and
Project Management

Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
TASK 1......................................................................................................................................3
P1. Conduct a review and critique of the implementation of operations management
principles within an organizational context...........................................................................3
TASK 2......................................................................................................................................6
P2. Continuous improvement plan.........................................................................................6
PART 2.......................................................................................................................................8
TASK 3......................................................................................................................................8
P3. Application of each stage of Project life cycle to a given project, supporting
documentation for completion of project...............................................................................8
TASK 4....................................................................................................................................13
P4. Review as well as Critique of effectiveness of Project life cycle..................................13
Conclusion................................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................16
Books and Journals..............................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Operations and project management is considered as process in which it is necessary
to handle issues related to strategic business in systematic manner. It deal with making
effective plan, conducting, encouraging as well as controlling the resources n order to
accomplish goal in target period of time. This report is carried upon the company which is
named as TESCO. It is the international chain of supermarket which is situated in UK. They
deal with ample of goods and services to its client at reasonably priced in order to satisfy
them. In this assignment, it is necessary to implement operation management principles in an
effective manner. The six sigma methodologies as well as Lean principles are described in
this report. In addition to this, there are various theories and model is explained in descriptive
way. And also make continuous improvement plan for success and growth of organization
(Slack, 2018).
TASK 1
P1. Carry out a appraisal and assessment of the execution of operations management
principles within an managerial context
An explanation of operation versus operations management
Operations are considered as the process in which there are different purpose like
marketing, HR as well as finance in relation with supplies chain. The manager of TESCO
focuses on deal with various function relations to finance, marketing and many more in an
effective manner. Operations managements determined as the procedure in which the
business firm focuses on designing the procedure related to manufacturing the functions of
organization in an appropriate manner. Therefore, the manager emphasized on managing the
different operations related to production process in an effective way.
Carry out a appraisal and assessment of the execution of operations management
principles within your chosen organization. Narrate these to Six Sigma methodologies As
well asLean principles.
There are various kinds of principles of operations management which is adopted by
management team of TESCO in order to execute that is going to be mentioned below:

Reality: The manager of operations focuses on issues and problems not on techniques
in order to achieve favorable outcomes. The manager of TESCO focuses on resolving the
problem for ginning positive results. The sig sigma and lean principles is mainly used by
company for increasing level of efficiency in order to eliminate wastage. Therefore, it helps
company in reducing wastage in order to increase productivity at workplace.
Organizations: The process of production is interlinked. All factors must be
consistent for accomplishing favorable outcomes. Therefore, the manager of TESCO adopts
six sigma and lean principles for achieving positive results (Padalkar and Gopinath, 2016).
Variance: Variance is the process in which the manager handles it properly;
differences can be used for creativity. By using six sigma and lean principle, the manager of
TESCO makes optimum utilization of resources in order to minimize wastage. It helps in
increasing productivity as well as efficiency level within organization. And it also increases
success as well as growth of organization in stipulated period of time.
Examine the degree to which the operations management of the chosen
organization meets the necessities of that organization, appropriate theories, concepts As
well as models
Tesco is operating at global level so it is important for the organization to manage its
operations in an effective manner where it can achieve maximum productivity and increase
product profitability of organization. There are number of principles theories and concepts
which can be used by Tesco for increasing the efficiency of operations and managing them
according to needs. There is some operational management theories which can be used by
Tesco are mentioned below:
This model is given by Randall Schaeffer when they are experiencing the
manufacturing and operation management professionals in reputed organization. It can be
used by the test for increasing the performance of the organization operational management.
Reality: according to this principal organization must focus on reality where
operation management should analyses the problem instead of gleaming the technique or
tools. In context of TESCO, they focus on all those technique which is used for solving
problems in an effective manner. They motivate employees to share their issues and problems
so that they can perform it in better manner.

Organization: theatres to have to establish of process in manufacturing and
interconnection which will help company in eliminating the predictable and consistence
courses which are giving the similar outcomes of profit and loss to the company. In reference
of TESCO, they emphasize on process of production and assess demand and supply in order
to assess income and losses occurs in future period of time.
Fundamentals: theatre state that company must use the rules and apply them for
increasing the operational effectiveness within the organization. According to him test you
can use this share, it can decrease the 80% of the wastage in the organization because of strict
prescriptions and maintaining the record of discipline within the organization. In reference of
TESCO, they must follow rules of Six sigma because their main focus is to increase
productivity level and minimize wastage at marketplace
Accountability: accountability means that the manager to execute the operation
management task must have accountable for their doings. This will help them in maintaining
a proper accountable system and identifying that what are the problems which are going
within. It helps TESCO to implement task and activities in an effective manner.
Variance: variance within the process of operation management is also important part
according to the author. This can be used by Tesco where it can minimize the variance
between the actual performance and targeted performance increasing motivation within
operational management of the organization. They find discrepancies in actual as well as
desired performance and taking effective decision for success of organization.
Causality: according to Randall problems are the symptoms in the organization this
means that effect of underlining the causes will help company in attacking these causes. This
will help in reducing the problems which are occurring in regular nature. In context of
TESCO, they always prepare for problems which will be occur in future period of time in
order to resolve them for increasing productivity at workplace.
Managed passion: managing fashion within the organization will also help company
in driving the growth of individual as well as whole team of operation management, as it will
help them in motivating themselves in a natural way. It is necessary for TESCO to assess
marketing trends and fashion in order to satisfy changing need of customer at marketplace.
Success: success is also an important factor within this framework and theory this is
because or organization always seeks to get more success. Which shows the desire of

organization never ends it is important for organization to measure the success and adopt the
changes over the time. in order to keep organization on regular track it is important to revise
all the principals occasionally.
Change: this is the last principal in the story that states that there will always be the
new theories and solutions for supporting the organization growth and maintaining the
importance of operational management within the organization.This will bring positive
changes within the organization according to the changes in tools and techniques of operation
management.
TASK 2
P2. Continuous improvement plan
It is basically an ongoing efforts made by an organization with an aim to make
improvement in its quality as well as services. It is essential for an entity to offer quality in
order to attract large number of audience and engage them for longer time. In addition to this,
it is defined as a program. Which is designed in order to review particular situations and to
develop strategies for improving and enhancing all the associated factors. By the assistance of
this, an organization can increase its efficiency as well as productivity in an effective manner.
One of the most commonly model used by companies is PDCA model that is plan, Do, Check
and Act. It is determine that passing through with all these stages help in bringing
improvements in the processes as well as productivity of the companies. The model is
discussed below in relation to the chosen company:
Plan: It is the first step of the continuous improvement plan, herein the main focus of
higher authorities and operation manager is to defined the problem in an effective manner and
plan for an effective approach in order to solve the specific problem appropriately. This step
involve the scope, target and identification of the outcome received after using the best
approach. In addition to this, a team is developed and timeline is set for implementing out
activities as per the plan. In relation to TESCO, if the company want to offer organic food in
market then it is required to conduct market research in order to again knowledge about the
strength, weaknesses and threats associated with the new offering. It is important for the
organization to perform planning in such a manner that leads to improvement and increase in
efficiency of company.

DO: In this step, the companies are implement all the activities as per the plan in an
effective and effective manner. It is essential for an entity to consider cost and time taken to
implement activities so that objectives is achieved within stipulated time frame. With
reference to TESCO, its managers implement all the strategies associated with the new
offering of organic food. In addition to this, TESCO can take review and feedback at this
stage in order to gain positive results effectively.
Check: Herein, companies make comparison with the expected performance and the
actual performance in an effective manner. Along with this, they analyze the effectiveness of
new offering in market and on what factors they lack in order to make appropriate
improvements. In context to TESCO, its managers should evaluate the performance of
employees with the expected performance with the actual performance. This will help
company to make improvements and attain their objectives within stipulated time frame. For
example, the managers of TESCO is using 360 degree feedback method that help in gaining
knowledge pf performance of an employee by others.
Act: It is consider as the last stage of PDCA model and continuous improvement plan.
Herein, an evaluation take place with the final results whether any changes are needed or not.
It is important for an organization to take effective measures, if the cages is required. With
reference to TESCO, its higher authorities can take feedback that help in gaining knowledge
about customer acceptance and their perception also towards the product. In addition to this,
the company also get to know about modification required in order to attract more number of
people and offer quality to them in an effective manner. It is important for project managers
of TESCO to properly pas through will all the stages in order to make improvements and
attain objectives within stipulated time frame.
Recommendations to improve operational function
In order to improve operational function of company, some of the recommendations
are given below:
 It is recommended to the managers of TESCO to use operation management
techniques such as Total Quality management and Six Sigma. It help in improving the
quality of production and decline the level of errors from the production process in an
effective manner. In addition to this, it also assist in offering quality to customer that
leads to increase in market position as well as profit of TESCO in an effective

manner. Moreover , lean management principle can be decline that aid in declining
the level of waste and maximum utilization of available resources properly.
 It is suggested to company to analyze the level of risk associated with the new product
so that strategies is developed in order to decline risk and threats. The managers of
TESCO use risk analysis tool that help in identification of risk associated with new
offering in order to develop plan to deal with the risk and uncertainties take place in
future.
 In order to make improvements, it is essential for managers of TESCO to provide
training session to employees as it help in increasing skills and competencies of
employees. Which has positive influence on the overall productivity of the company.
Along with this, it help company to offer quality and on time service to its customer,
which has positive influence on the sales and profit margin of oragnisation.
 It is recommended to project managers of TESCO to check and evaluate the
performance of employees with the expected performance so that feedback is given to
them that leads to improvement and raise productivity of the organization. Along with
this, it help company to make full utilization of resources and bring out positive
results in an effective manner.
PART 2
TASK 3
P3. Application of stages of PLC to a given project, supporting documentation for
completion of project
Overview of MFI group limited
MFI is a leading furniture retailer and manufacturer in Europe and was established in
the year 1964. It has around 250 retail outlets within the United Kingdom and Europe. It offer
different design and quality in market, which is the main reason of coming in top brands
within the market place. In the year 1993, its sales department launched an effective strategy
in order to gain success for long-term. The strategy was to developed in order to provide a
focused and shared direction by communicating clearly and taking measurable initiatives.
One of the main motive is to offer high customer experience to customers and enhance the
overall productivity of the organization.

Project Life Cycle
It is termed as a sequence of steps that consider all the activities from starting to
completion of project.. In addition to this, PLC help an entity to gain an understanding about
the estimation time needed for completion of project in a proper manner. This cycle assist an
organization to carry out all the activities properly that directly leads to attainment of
objectives within given time period. The higher authorities of MFI adopt project life cycle
and follow all the stages in order to attain success for long-term. The project life cycle mainly
include four stages which is given below:
Stage 1
Project Initiation: It is consider as one of the important stage of project life cycle,
wherein managers of MFI identify the customer requirements market trends of UK. After
this, the company is planning to develop a customer focused sales strategy in an effective
manner. It is important for the higher authorities of MFI to provide quality service to
customers in order to meet with their expectations. For this, the company is required to
develop an effective teams and communicate the vision clearly so that they can implement
out activities in an effective manner. One of the strategy adopted by company is to take
feedback from customers as it help them to make improvements and also aid in developing
effective strategy for increment of sales of the company.
Business case
 Executive summary: MFI is a leading manufacturer and retailer of furniture that is
planning to develop an effective sales strategy with an aim to meet with the
expectations of customers and provide them quality service. It is important for higher
authorities of MFI to identify the customer requirements and their preferences in order
to attain success in market for longer time period.
 Goal: The motive of the company is to increase the level of sales and enhance their
profit level.
 Solution: In order to increase sales, one of the solution is to give quality service to
customers and identify their requirements in a proper manner.
 Requirements: In order to achieve objective, the major requirements are training to
staff members, use of appropriate techniques and many more.
Stage 2

Planning stage: This step took place once the first stage get completed. In this stage,
the higher authorities develop policies in order to attain positive outcome and achieve their
objectives within stipulated time frame. Moreover, the managers make use of business case in
order to clear the mission and goals to each and every member of the organization. In relation
to MFI, its managers divide the whole project into small and easier task and then assigned it
to employees as per their skills and competencies.
Project plan:
The project includes all the factors that is required to consider for the completion of
project in a proper manner. These are as follows:
Risk: It is essential for managers of MFI to identify the risk and make use of risk
analysis tool. This will help company to decline the level of risk in an effective manner.
Cost: One of the major factor is cost and it is essential to consider before initial the
activities of project. The overall budget should be prepare by MFI in order to ensure
availability of resources.
Resources: The resources which is required to imitate the project are effective
employees, technology and many more.
Gantt chart: It is a bar chart that explains scheduled of the project. The chart explain
relationship between project activities and schedule associated with the time period. The
Gantt chart of the present project is given below:

Work break down structure: It is adopt by the organization in order to divide the
overall project into smaller parts. This assist managers to easily carry out the whole task
within in a given time period. The higher authorities of MFI can make use of this method in
order to divide the project activities and achieve objectives within stipulated time frame.

Stage 3
Implementation stage: In this stage, all the planned activities is taken into action and
it is essential for an entity to ensure that all operations and activities is implemented properly
and effectively. In relation to MFI, it is the responsibility of managers to assigned the
activities to staff members, who has the ability to implement activities in a smooth and proper
manner.
 Plan for monitoring: It is essential for managers to develop standards that will help in
gaining understanding about the actual performance and the expected performance. In
addition to this, it aid company to make improvements and attain their objectives
within stipulated time frame.
Stage 4
Closure stage: It is the last stage of project life cycle and herein the performance is
evaluated and checked by the managers of the organization. It is essential to check
performance with the expected performance that help in attaining objectives associate with
the new strategy.
 Post project analysis:As per this, the managers of MFI required to take reviews from
the customers on the regular basis as it help them to understand their perception
towards the brand. In addition to this, it also assist in engaging customers for longer
time period. Moreover, it leads to the increase in sales as well as profitability of the
organization.

(Source:Project Life Cycle stages, 2020)
TASK 4
P4. Review as well as Critique of effectiveness of Project life cycle
With the help of project life cycle, it is evaluated that it help in proper planning and
implementation of activities related to the project. There are various methods, which can be
adopted by the higher authorities of MFU to evaluate the effectiveness of PLC. The various
methods is define below:
Milestone: It is a tool that is used by project managers in order to mark particular
points associated with the project timelines. It mainly includes start date, budget , end date
and many more. The higher authorities of MFI can make use of milestone strategy as it help
in gaining knowledge about priority task needed to perform, which leads to raise in
performance as well as efficiency of an organization.
Target: The managers of MFI can set targets and then compare it with actual
performance of project. This will help company to easily evaluate the performance of project
life cycle.

Benchmarking:The managers set some benchmarks associated with the cost and time
require for the project. Benchmarking help in observing the overall effectiveness of PLC as
the company evaluate performance with the set benchmarks that leads improvements in the
overall processes.
PLC plays a vital role in order to complete the project in an effective and proper
manner. In context to MFI, the project life cycle stages along with its effectives is described
below:
Initial stage: It is determine that this stage is supportive as well as effective in order
to analyze the actual situation of the plan. In addition to this, it also involve overview of the
project and the team members associate with the project.
Planning stage: The effectiveness of planning stage us it clearly communicate the
objectives, strategies, mission associated with the project to the employees or project
members. In addition to this, it help an entity to attain objectives within stipulated time frame.
On contrary, it is analyze that it is time consuming process and might get failed if the project
members did not perform effectively.
Implementation stage:It is determine that effectiveness of implementation stage will
assist in gaining new experience. It is important for project managers to ensure activities is
implemented in a proper and effective manner.
Closure stage: It state that the project is completed and the issue is arise if there is no
improvement take place in the productivity as well as profitability of the organization.
Effectiveness of Project life cycle
With the help of project life cycle, the managers can make clear the roles,
responsilbilties, mission and objective to the project members. In addition to this, it help in
moniotiring the performance with the actual performance so that improvements take place in
a better and proper manner. By the assistance of PLC, MFI can increase its sales as well as
profit level in an effective and appropriate manner.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it is concluded that it is important for managers of an
entity to make use of appropriate operational management techniques with an aim to improve

quality of product and to attain their objectives within stipulated time period. There are
various operational management techniques such as Six sigma, TQM, lean management and
many more. Moreover, continuous improvement plan helps an organization to make
improvement in its product and service which in turn assist in attracting customers and retain
them for longer time period. Furthermore, Project Life Cycle includes stages from initial to
the completion of project that help in achieving desired goals as well as objectives within
stipulated time period.

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