Operations and Project Management - Next Plc Assignment

Operations
and
Project
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................2
1. An introduction to chosen organisation..................................................................................2
2. Operation vs Operations management....................................................................................2
3. Critique and review of implementation of operation management principles.......................3
4. Analyse extent to which operations management of an organisation meets the requirement.
.....................................................................................................................................................4
5. Continuous improvement as a philosophy by describing lean principles...............................4
6. Build a continuous improvement plan after reviewing and critique of operation
management principles................................................................................................................5
7. By using continuous improvement principles and recommend to improve the operations
functions......................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
1. An overview of the case study................................................................................................3
2. A description of PLC and explanation of each stage..............................................................3
3. How each stage of PLC applies to project by supporting documents.....................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFRENCES...................................................................................................................................8
1

INTRODUCTION
Operations management refers to an area which is related to planning as well as
controlling function that help in developing products and services in effective manner. Through
this company able to enhance their profitability ratio as well as market shares. On the other hand
project management refers to functions which help in attaining objective such as planning,
initiating, controlling, executing and many more (Alias and et. al., 2014). Organisation taken for
this assignment is Next Plc which is founded by Joseph Hepworth in year 1869. It's headquarter
is situated in England, United Kingdom. It is a retail company of clothing, footwear and home
products which work at world wide level. Topic included in this report are information related to
taken company, various operations and management principles and management operations
which are required to meet target. Along with this it will include evaluation of lean principle as
well as it will also include continuous improvement plan in order to achieve target properly.
MAIN BODY
1. An introduction to chosen organisation
Company selected for respective report is NEXT Plc that is founded in year 1869 by
Joseph Hepworth. It is a private company that is conducting its business in retail industry. The
respective company is British retail firm which offer clothing, home products and footwear at
world wide level. It is considered as largest clothing retail store in United Kingdom that overtake
Marks and Spencer in year 2012. NEXT Plc is also listed in London Stock Exchange as well as
in FTSE 100 index. Various country in which respective company is operating are Libya, Saudi
Arabia, united Kingdom, New Zealand, Ireland, Russia, Japan, Egypt, Morocco, Kuwait, Cyprus,
and many more.
2. Operation vs Operations management
Operation and operations management both are necessary for a firm because by it all
staffs at workplace able to accomplish its work in effective manner that leads to attainment of
goal for a company. Through this company able to earn more and more profitability ratio and
market shares (Bahn, 2013). Here, operation means activities that is used by a firm in order to
convert information and resources into proper result related to products and services. It include
four aspects i.e. transport, inspection, processing and storage. Along with this operation
management refers to management area that mainly focuses on creating and controlling of
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procedures related to production for manufacturing goods as well as services. Through operation
company able to plan every things in effective way but through operation management they able
to execute as well as monitor things.
3. Critique and review of implementation of operation management principles
Case Study: Management of NEXT Plc is planning to enhance its business operation in
Tanzania by their existing products. So in order to conduct this in effective manner they plan
proper marketing and promotional activities so that potential customers know about their
offerings (Bahn, 2013). By this they able to enhance their customer's base as well as profitability
ratio. In order to develop proper plan they conduct proper market analysis which help them in
knowing customers requirement and demand.
Operation management principles refers to a guideline or rules which is necessary for
employees to follow it because by it they able conduct its work effectively. There are basically
ten types of management principles i.e. organisation, reality, humility, success, accountability,
fundamentals, causality, variances, managed passion, changes and success. Form which some are
very effective for NEXT Plc, that are mentioned below:-
 Organisation: According to this principle it is necessary for a firm to develop and
maintain effective interrelation among all departments because through it they able to
conduct their work properly which help in attaining goal or target. In context of NEXT
Plc they develop effective and positive working environment by maintaining relationship
among departments. Through this they able to enhance their profitability ratio and
employees satisfaction. In respect of case study respective company conduct proper
planning by concerning with all department so that they can find out most appropriate
way of marketing and promotion at Tanzania.
 Accountability: It refer to principles in which company conduct delegation of authority
as well as role in effective manner to employees according to their skills, ability and
knowledge. Through this staffs get responsible for their work and its effectiveness
(Binder, 2016). Along with this it is necessary for a firm to develop effective rules and
regulation so that employees conduct their work accordingly in appropriate way which
help company in attaining goal as well as objective. In respect of NEXT Plc in order to
expand business in respective country they will allocate work to all departments so that
they conduct it effectively for attaining goal as well as target.
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 Change: It is necessary for a firm to adopt changes in effective manner because through
it they able to motivate employees as well as attract customers (Burke, 2013). Along with
this it will also provide manager new ways in order to resolve problems and issues which
occur in a company. In respect of respective company they can adopt new technology and
techniques in order to understand need and requirement of Tanzania peoples. This will
also help them in adopting new ways of conducting work which help in attracting
customers.
4. Analyse extent to which operations management of an organisation meets the requirement.
By adopting organisation management principles NEXT Plc develop standard through
which they able to attain their goal as well as objective of expending business operations at
Tanzania. For which they adopt three principles which is more appropriate for them i.e.
Organisation, Accountability and Change. After this respective company conduct market
analysis in order to know about their capabilities and power for achieving target properly. The
respective company have various capabilities which help them in attaining goal such as their
research and development team are very effective which help in promoting business properly in
respective location. Moreover this company also have strong brand image and name which
attract customers and convince to visit store for purchasing products. This company is also
financially very strong which help in adopting change, technology and resources in effective
manner.
5. Continuous improvement as a philosophy by describing lean principles
Lean principle is generally adopted by a firm in order to enhance its products values by
using techniques which help in reducing wastage during manufacturing of products as well as
services. Through it company able to develop more effective product according to need as well
as requirement of customers with less availability of resources at workplace (Fang and Marle,
2012). By this principles company able to eliminate stage or step which generate waste material,
by this a firm able to generate products and services which are more effective. In respect NEXT
Plc they adopt respective principles in order to reduce production cost which they offer at
respective location. This will help company in expanding their business at Tanzania in effective
manner. There are mainly five principles which help respective company in improving their
procedure, which are explain below:-
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 Define Value: Value refers to customer's need as well as expectation on a specific
products and service. That is a final product which is purchased by a service user in order
to fulfil their need and requirement. For knowing this company conduct market analysis
through taking interview, conduct survey and many more so that they know about their
service users need and requirement. In respect of NEXT Plc they conduct survey in
Tanzania market in order to know about their requirement and need of peoples at
respective place.
 Map Value Stream: According to this principle through this company able to develop
value stream for products and services which is offer by a company. In order to NEXT
Plc they must adopt changes which add values to company products which they will offer
at Tanzania (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016). Along with this through it respective
company able to deduct stages which is unnecessary in production process as well as by
this firm able to fulfil customers requirement in effective and successful way which is
useful for expanding business at Tanzania.
 Create Flow: Through above stage respective company able to eliminate stage which
produce wastage after which they able to conduct whole procedure in smooth manner.
Through this respective company able to serve their customers in effective manner and
also able to satisfy them at Tanzania.
 Establish Pull: According to this principle a company able to develop and deliver
products and services to customers in effective time which help in attracting customers
with services. In respect of NEXT Plc through this principle they able to offer effective
products and services to customers in appropriate time.
 Pursuit Perfection: It refers to process through which company able to successful
conduct their work (Jeong and et. al., 2018). In respect of NEXT Plc through this they
able establish their business in effective manner at respective place. They also able to
attract customers properly which enhance their sales as well as profit margin.
6. Build a continuous improvement plan after reviewing and critique of operation management
principles.
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Continuous Improvement Plan:
Continuous improvement plan or continuous improvement process states the consistent
improvement in products and services and through reviews from customers. Continuous
improvement plan is as physical process for quality management, project management and
program management (Leach, 2014). It is broader concept which improves the effectiveness and
efficiency of an organisation to achieve its goals and objectives. It helps in improving business
strategy, results and relationship between superior and subordinates. Its main focus is in
improving the existing process of the organisation. It helps in increasing productivity and lower
costs and provide better quality of goods and services. In context of NEXT Plc they develop
continuous improvement plan in order to expand its business at Tanzania, which is mentioned
below:-
Plan Do Check Act
Conduct market
analysis
Through this
respective company
able to know about
their customers
requirement and need
which help in
developing products
and service
accordingly. By this
they also know about
requirement of
Tanzania peoples. For
this respective
company adopt change
principles.
For this respective
company will develop
team of experts so that
they can conduct
analysis at Tanzania
in order to know
customer's need and
requirement. Through
this they able to offer
products according to
potential customers
(Lee and et. al., 2014).
By this NEXT Plc able
to develop products
according to
customers which help
in attracting them and
retaining them for a
long time duration.
After sales services Through this
respective company
will use principles of
In this respect NEXT
Plc will provide proper
training to this
Through this company
able to solve issues of
potential customers

accountability. In this
company provide after
sales services to
customers at which
they can solve their
inquiries and issues
related to products and
policies. This help in
attracting customers
and retaining them for
long time.
employees so that
effectively handle
customer and solve
their quarries in
effective manner.
properly which help
them in attracting as
well as retain them for
a long time duration
(Lindström and et. al.,
2012).
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7. By using continuous improvement principles and recommend to improve the operations
functions
By analysis above situation it can be recommended to NEXT Plc that they must conduct
proper analysis of Tanzania market so that they can know about customer's requirement and
need. Along with this they also must develop proper standard so that all employees conduct work
properly in order to attain their goal as well as target. They must also develop products according
to potential customer's requirement. Along with this they must also develop proper promotion
services in order to attract customers at huge ratio.
3

INTRODUCTION
Operations and project management is necessary for a company because through it they
able to conduct their work in effective manner. It will also help them in expanding business as
well as earning more and more profit (Luo and et. al., 2016). Organization taken for this report is
Thermotec Plastics Ltd that is founded in year 1968. It is generally a manufacturing company
which produce polypropylene, polycarbonate, HDPE and many others. It will include topics
related to product life cycle and other documents which is required to support it.
MAIN BODY
1. An overview of the case study
Case Study: Thermotec Plastics Ltd. Management conduct analysis and develop an
objective which they are planning to attain coming year. The objective they want to attain is that
they want to minimise movement of staffs at lunch time form premises of office because it is
creating disturbance to other local peoples of respective place. Moreover they also want to
develop as well as promote healthy life style at their workplace and they also want to reduce
absenteeism among employees. For which they adopt project life cycle which help them in
developing effective plan in order to attain their objective. This will also help them in attaining
their goal as well as target properly.
2. A description of PLC and explanation of each stage
Project Life Cycle basically refers to a four stage process which usually followed by all
project managers while a project is in process. This is standard method by which teams achieve
success of project. Moreover this management cycle provides a framework for managing of type
of projects. In respect of Thermotec Plastics Ltd. They adopt project life cycle in order to attain
their objective and for it developing plan, explanation of which is given below:-
 Initiation: This is initial phase of a project that defines requirement to start a new
project. This phase is composed of project charter who authorizes documents and initial
requirements (Ming and et. al., 2013). Moreover it includes purpose, vision and mission.
In respect of Thermotec Plastics Ltd. Their management conduct evaluation of
workplace which help them in finding out need and requirement of employees. Which
help them in developing strategies as well as procedures accordingly.
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 Planning: Purpose of this stage is to determine and define how the project will be done.
It includes strategic planning and implementation. Furthermore under this phase smaller
goals within larger projects are used to make sure that they are achieved within time
frame. In respect of respective company they will conduct analysis so that can able to
develop proper plan for attaining their objective in effective way.
 Execution: This stage usually initiates execution of project activities. Moreover it a
phase in which most of the time, people and money are used for project. Under this
phase turns plan into action (Muller, 2017). At this stage manager of Thermotec Plastics
Ltd. Will develop budget by analysing all requirement and need of employees.
 Closure: It usually involves closure of project once work is completed. During project
closure stage various key activities are required to be followed. Many projects skip this
phase. Moreover project closure stage benefit the company. At last stage manger of
Thermotec Plastics Ltd. Will develop work break down structure so that all the activities
will conduct in effective manner.
3. How each stage of PLC applies to project by supporting documents.
For conducting project management plan respective company required various
documents which support it. Some major of them which is develop by Thermotec Plastics Ltd.
Are given below:-
Business case:
It refers to document which include all important information related to project in order
to attain their goal. By this they also able to provide all important information to employees and
customers.
Executive summary:
Thermotec Plastics Ltd. Develop proper project management plan in order to achieve
their objective effectively (Strande and Brdjanovic, 2014). Their objective is that they want to
reduce movement of staff at lunch duration and they also want to develop healthy life style of
employees.
Goal:
The major goal of Thermotec Plastics Ltd. Is that they want to motivate their employees
so that they conduct their work effectively which help in attaining goal.
Solution:
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In order to resolve the issue management of Thermotec Plastics Ltd can build cafeteria so
that employees do their lunch as well as they can also conduct motivation session in which staff
know about importance of healthy life.
Cost and Execution time:
For executing of whole objective respective company required approx $ 3,800 amount
and near by 1 year of time duration.
Project plan:
By this respective company able to analysis all activities in effective manner which help
in attaining goal as well as objective (Alias and et. al., 2014).
Scope:
Through this employees of Thermotec Plastics Ltd feel motivated that their employer
understand their issues. Through this they able to accomplish their work in effective manner.
Risk:
There are several risk which are associated to with respective project are budget can be
exceed, non coordination of employees, more time require and many more.
Resources:
Resources which are required for attain this objective is skilled labour, experienced
motivators or trainers, finance and many more.
Cost benefit analysis:
It is a continuous activities that assist a company in evaluating each and every situation
so that they develop decision in proper way. Through this company able to attain their goal as
well as target properly.
Work break down structure:
It refers to tree like structure which divides into smaller section by which project of each
person can be delegated easily so that work can be done faster and effectively (Bahn, 2013).
With the help of work breakdown structure large projects can be handles and results are
productive.
Gantt chart:
It is define as a graphical representation of bar chart which depicts start and end date of
project, dependencies of task, status and person responsible for that project. It is the most useful
way to display activities against time.
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CONCLUSION
By analysing above given points it can be summarised that for every company
management of operation and project is necessary because through it they able to conduct their
work in effective manner. There are various operations management principles which can be
adopted by a firm in order to achieve their objective as well as they can also develop continuous
improvement plans which help in improving employees abilities. Along with this a company can
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also adopt PLC in order to develop plan and conduct it effectively for achieving target or
objective.
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REFRENCES
Books and journals
Alias, Z., and et. al., 2014. Determining critical success factors of project management practice:
A conceptual framework. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 153. pp.61-69.
Bahn, S., 2013. Workplace hazard identification and management: The case of an underground
mining operation. Safety science. 57. pp.129-137.
Bahn, S., 2013. Workplace hazard identification and management: The case of an underground
mining operation. Safety science. 57. pp.129-137.
Binder, J., 2016. Global project management: communication, collaboration and management
across borders. Routledge.
Burke, R., 2013. Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA.
Fang, C. and Marle, F., 2012. A simulation-based risk network model for decision support in
project risk management. Decision Support Systems. 52(3). pp.635-644.
Fleming, Q. W. and Koppelman, J. M., 2016, December. Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Jeong, W., and et. al., 2016. BIM-integrated construction operation simulation for just-in-time
production management. Sustainability. 8(11). p.1106.
Leach, L. P., 2014. Critical chain project management. Artech House.
Lee, C. K. H., and et. al., 2014. Application of intelligent data management in resource allocation
for effective operation of manufacturing systems. Journal of Manufacturing
Systems. 33(3). pp.412-422.
Lindström, J.,and et. al., 2012. A development process for Functional Products: hardware,
software, service support system and management of operation. International Journal
of Product Development. 16(3-4). pp.284-303.
Luo, G. L., and et. al., 2016. Wind curtailment of China׳ s wind power operation: Evolution,
causes and solutions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 53. pp.1190-1201.
Ming, Z., and et. al., 2013. Historical review of demand side management in China: Management
content, operation mode, results assessment and relative incentives. Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews. 25. pp.470-482.
Muller, R., 2017. Project governance. Routledge.
Strande, L. and Brdjanovic, D. eds., 2014. Faecal sludge management: systems approach for
implementation and operation. IWA publishing.
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