Operations and Project Management - Assignment

Operations
and
Project Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
P1 : Implementation of operations management principle.....................................................4
M1 : Critical review of implementation of operation management.......................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P2 : Continuous improvement plan on the basis of operation management principle in the
context of the organisation.....................................................................................................6
M2 : Analysis of effectiveness of continuous improvement plan..........................................8
D1 : Theories, models and concepts to justify strategies of Continuous Improvement Plan. 8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
1). Overview of the case.........................................................................................................9
2). Business case for the project ............................................................................................9
3). Project life cycle................................................................................................................9
4). Work Breakdown Structure for the Portakabin...............................................................10
5). Gantt Chart for the Portakabin........................................................................................11
6). Project methodologies, tools and leadership ..................................................................13
TASK 4 .........................................................................................................................................14
a) Review and critique of effectiveness of PLC ..................................................................14
b) Importance of designing and implementing PLC ...........................................................15
c) Incorporation of cost saving techniques in PLC..............................................................15
d) Different techniques used to ensure quality, scope and tenure........................................15
e) Critical analysis of different theories, models and concepts for large and small scale
projects.................................................................................................................................15
f) Critical evaluation of PLC with practical and theoretical framework..............................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is a major function which is concerned with planning,
organising, supervising the processes of the organisation to improve the profitability. It includes
the management of both the strategic production and day-to-day production. Operations
management focusses on issues related to the production process rather than the techniques to be
used. To make the process efficient various principles are used by the organisation along with
some techniques which improves the process of the organisation. In this report the company
taken for the study is Associated British Foods Plc, which is a UK based retailer of grocery,
sugar etc. for which analysis of various principles of operation management is done and
continuous improvement plan is formulated on the basis of which various techniques will be
identified. Also in this report project life cycle is applied on Portakabin which is a UK's market
leading modular building innovator which the aim to achieve the objectives which are specified
in the case.
TASK 1
P1 : Implementation of operations management principle
Overview of the company : Associated British Foods Plc is a multinational retailing and
food processing company. Their business is grouped into five business segments : Sugar,
Ingredients, Agriculture, Grocery, Retail. The focus of the organisation is to be a brand leader by
increasing efficiency and reducing costs(Operations and Project Management. 2019). AB Foods
provides a wide variety of affordable, nutritious and good quality products to the consumers. The
company has been operating into 50 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, America.
To bring efficiency in their operations they invest in latest technology, cost efficient techniques
etc.
Operations and Operations Management : Operations is the procedure that is used by
the company to create goods and services. It includes all the activities from purchasing of raw
material to turning them into finished goods. While operation management is that area of
management which is concerned with designing and controlling the production process. It also
ensures the efficiency in the process of production so that goods are readily available to the
marketing teams to make them available at all the stores (Artto and Vartiainen, 2016).

Principles of operation Management : These principles help an organisation to meet
strategic goals. Various principle that are applicable in AB Foods are given below :
 Accountability : This principle state that the mangers should establish rules, metrics and
make people accountable so that controlling is possible at all level. It is applicable in AB
Foods as they operates in different countries so they have to make those managers
accountable to conduct the business as per the requirement of the local market in which
they are operating.
 Change : According to this principle, the change that are taking place in the technologies
in manufacturing should be accepted by the organisation as it enable them to operate with
stability in long run. AB Foods will has to accept all such changes in the manufacturing
industry globally to meet up the international requirement and be competitive. But also to
meet their ultimate objective of cost reduction and provide affordable goods to the
consumers (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016).
 Quality Control : This is a important principle for those organisation who are into
manufacturing as the quality of the goods and services they provide is important concern.
Associated British Foods is retailing company so the quality of the eatable they offers as
it will determine their profitability. Also various quality standard have already been
established by the governments in different countries so their compliance is also
important which makes this principle more important for the organisation(Nenonen and
Vasara, 2013).
 Reality : This principle suggest that the focus should be on the issues that are faced rather
than on the techniques and the methodology they have been using. Principle of reality is
followed by AB Foods as they provides a wide variety of goods which is why it is more
important for them to identify the issue as problem in one product may affect the demand
for others, otherwise also they already invest a lot in technology so they need not to focus
much on technique but more on problems and issues.
The operations management is important for every manufacturing concern as it helps to meet
various requirements of the organisation. Various advantages of operation management to
Associated British Foods are :
 It helps them to manage their day-to-day activities which reduces the wastage of raw
material and ensures optimum utilisation of resources.

 It helps to ensure the quality of the products which is must for the organisation as they
offers food products, for which they have to meet all the standards that has been establish
by various governments worldwide.
 This management system handles all the issues regarding designs, operations,
maintenance of system that has been used by the company for production(Gilbert and et.
al., 2015).
M1 : Critical review of implementation of operation management
Operations management manages various activities of the production process and designs
the product as per the requirements of the customers. Six sigma methodology is been used in the
operations system which help the organisation to detect and remove the defects in the process
and services offered. This helps the department to continuously improve the production process
and maintain the quality of the products. Also lean principles are used which promotes the
movement of benefits to the customers by following a set principles provided.
TASK 2
P2 : Continuous improvement plan on the basis of operation management principle in the context
of the organisation
Continuous improvement plan is an ongoing process to improve the processes,
products and services. This helps an organisation to modify their actions and implement change
which is require to keep their business competitive. CIP improves the efficiency, profitability,
customer satisfaction and productivity by making business focusses towards quality, cost, safety
and delivery (Harrison and Lock, 2017). By continuous improvement time to time identification
of change in customer behaviour and taste is possible, which will make their customers feel
delighted. It also ensures optimum utilisation of resources, better performance due to continuous
monitoring. AB Foods need to formulate the CIP so that they can improve their cost, safety,
quality and delivery.
Lean Manufacturing Principles : This is a method which is generally used to
minimising or eliminating the waste in the production process without forfeiting the productivity
of the organisation. This methodology was first used by the Japanese manufacturing industry.
The lean principles are explained in context of AB Foods :

 Value : Value is concerned with the needs of the customers against which the benefits
are provided to satisfy them. It includes various aspects such as timely delivery,
features of the goods as per the needs, price that customer is willing to pay(Lam and
Lai, 2015). All these will help AB Foods to improve the level of satisfaction of the
customer by identifying their needs well in advance and providing goods accordingly
which will make them feel delighted.
 Map the value stream : After identifying the value, those activities need to be identifies
which will help in increasing the value for the customers. There can be two types of
such activity, one is of non-value added but necessary while the other is non-value
added and unnecessary. AB Foods need to identify the relevance of non-value but
necessary activities which can save cost and minimise wastage by avoiding unnecessary
activities (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017).
 Create flow : This principles suggest that all the activities which are identified crucial
in the above principles should followed smoothly so that there is no delay in the
process. AB foods can use this principle to avoid delays.
 Establish pull : Once the flow is established the time taken to deliver service the market
or the customer will reduce. Associated British Foods when uses this principle, it will
reduce the delivery time and manufacturing time for them. As they provide a wide
variety of goods, it will save a lot of money and efforts.
 Pursue perfection : This principle offers that only planning is not good its
implementation is crucial. The changes so suggested should be made part of
organisational culture. It will help to improve the quality of the process and the product
of AB foods, also the delivery will also improve(Joslin and Müller, 2015).
Continuous Improvement Plan For Associated British Foods Plc
BASIS EXISTING METHODOLOGY PROPOSED METHODOLOGY
Cost AB Foods adapts changes in technology
and techniques so very frequently this
increases their cost of production which
give them competitive advantage and
increased customer satisfaction.
The strategy that they can follow is lean
manufacturing which will help them to
eliminate wastages. Here they can save
cost which they can use in updating
their technology.

Quality The AB Foods has given responsibilities
to the local managers to take decisions
as per the requirements of the particular
area but this leads to reduction in
quality of the products.
They should follow TQM approach
which will set common standards of
quality along with some standards
which can either be compromised or
added on as per the requirements.
Safety They focusses on the issues which arises
due to prevailing changes. This may
increase or decrease the demand which
creates the issue of safety of the
inventory.
Such issues can be meet by the
organisation by adopting the
methodology of Just-in-time which will
not only ensure the delivery on time but
also it will save the storage cost for the
company.
Delivery As AB Foods is into retailing business
this makes delivery a crucial factor for
them whether it is from suppliers to
them or from their stores to the
customers.
The delivery process can be improved
by Six Sigma approach as it will help
them to improve the process by
identifying various stages of it. This will
also make their production process
efficient as the inventory will be
available to them on time.
Recommendation : On the basis of CIP so prepared it is recommended to AB Foods to
follow various methodologies such as six sigma, TQM, Just-in-time etc. which will help them to
achieve their targets of cost, time, safety and delivery.
M2 : Analysis of effectiveness of continuous improvement plan
Continuous improvement plan helps an organisation to achieve their goals by analysis
their routine activities and making changes in them on regular basis. The concept they can use is
Lean manufacturing. These principles will helps them to identifying the inefficiencies present in
their processes and improvement in such will enhance the performance of the organisation as a
whole. Also it help them to focus on the quality of the product which is so important for them as
they offer eatables.

D1 : Theories, models and concepts to justify strategies of Continuous Improvement Plan
Various theories, models and concepts that can be used by Associated British Foods are
suggested on the basis of various targets that they want to achieve. The targets they are focusses
on are cost reduction which can be meet up by eliminating waste through Lean Manufacturing, to
ensure delivery by Just-in-time approach, quality can be improved if they follows total quality
management approach. The extend of requirement of all these can be determined by continuous
improvement plan.
TASK 3
1). Overview of the case
Portakabin is a modular building innovators who has been operating in 6 countries for more than
50 years. It is a B2B organisation, who operates in both secondary and tertiary sector i.e.,
manufacturing and hiring other modular buildings. These building can be for modular schools,
hospitals and office complexes. They have launched new product Yorkon Building System
which is competitive to their existing business(Nicholas and Steyn, 2017).
2). Business case for the project
The new product that is launched is Yorkon Building System which provides advance modular
buildings which can be used for schools, hospitals etc.
Vision and Mission The vision and mission is to provide a advanced and comfortable multi-
purpose modular buildings.
Target Market Their target market is all the schools, doctors, builders and corporates
who want to procure buildings with hi-tech features and capacity of
modification.
Objectives As they are into this business since 50 years, so the objective of the
company with the launch of this project is to be the leader in this
segment.
Strategies They will either buy from other builders or will construct the buildings on
their own and then will modify them to make them into advance
modulated building.

3). Project life cycle
It is a process which is generally followed by all the project managers while undertaking their
project. The cycle has been divided into four phases initiation, planning, execution and
closure(Zhou, 2016). Various stages of PLC in context of the new system launched by the
Portakabin is :
 Project initiation : In this stage of PLC the objectives, problems, opportunities of the
project are identified through feasibility study which are all documented in the business
case. Also all the deliverables are listed down so that planning cab be done accordingly.
For Portakabin a business case will be prepared which will be treated as a charter that
includes vision, mission, objectives, target et.
 Project planing : In this phase of PLC, planning will be done in regards to how the
project will be executed, identification of various activities, who will be held responsible
for these activities. Gathering of resources, breaking down the complete project into
small manageable tasks will be done by the project managers of Portakabin with the help
of work breakdown structure, Gantt charts (Rosemann and vom Brocke, 2015). Also the
cost associated with the project will be identified which will be wages of labour, fee of
architect, cost of raw material, purchasing of buildings etc.
 Project execution : In this stage, the planning done in previous stage will be put into
action. All the deliverables will be made ready to deliver in this stage and their
monitoring will be done on the basis of requirements and what is actually developed. All
the activities will be carried out and activities has to be coordinated as some activities
may be undertaken simultaneously. At this stage, Portakabin will either start construction
or will purchase and then will start modification as per their plan.
 Closure : At this stage, the project is put to an end. All the deliverables are delivered to
the clients. For Portakabin they will finalise their building and deliver it to their clients.
They will also close their books and records to analyse the profits and losses(Riis, 2016).
4). Work Breakdown Structure for the Portakabin

5). Gantt Chart for the Portakabin

6). Project methodologies, tools and leadership
At various stages of project life cycle different methodologies, leadership and tools are
used which help the project manager to effectively plan and execute the project.
Stages of PLC Methodologies, Tools Leadership
Initiation Business case is used as
methodologies which will
help them identify all the
aspects such as problems,
opportunities etc. well in
The tool that is used by
them in this stage is
RASCI which is
responsibilities,
accountability, sign-offs,
Visionary style of
leadership is used as they
create and provide vision
which make employees
comfortable to work on

advance . consulted, informed. This
makes analysis easy but
time consuming.
the project.
Planning Project plan is used
which will help them
identify and plan for
various factors that will
save cost and time both.
WBS and Gantt chart will
help to divide the work
into manageable task
which help help them to
complete the project on
time.
Democratic type of
leadership is used which
will help in effective
plans formulation for the
company.
Execution Rapid application
development
methodologies will be
help them to execute
easily and monitor side
by side so that activities
does not go off track.
PERT- CPM will be used
as a tool because it will
help the organisation to
decide the sequence so
that their efforts and time
will not waste.
Coaching style is used to
guide the team members
which will help them to
keep people motivated
and perform their duties.
Closure No specific methodology
is used in this as delver is
to be made.
No tool is required in this
stage.
Strategic leadership is
used which help them to
convince their customers
for deliverables.
TASK 4
a) Review and critique of effectiveness of PLC
For achieving the goals and objectives of the organisation various projects are undertaken
by them. All the project managers uses project life cycle approach for executing the projects by
dividing the projects into four stages. The effectiveness of PLC to Portakabin can be both
positive and negative :
Positive Negative
 It will reduce the delay in the process  As all the roles and responsibilities are

of construction by providing a
structured path in Portakabin.
 Establishes proper communication
which helps in defining goals easily
and efficiently.
clearly defined this will reduce the
creativity of the labour of Portakabin.
 It increases the cost of the project as
various methodologies need to be
implemented at different levels.
b) Importance of designing and implementing PLC
For Portakabin it is important to design and implement PLC as it will help them to
structure the entire project which will help them to eliminate all the wasteful activities thus it will
ultimately save their cost and also efforts. PLC will help them to undertake various
methodologies which facilitate systematic execution of the entire project.
c) Incorporation of cost saving techniques in PLC
As at every stage various tools will be used by Portakabin such as RASCI model, Pert-C
pm this will help them in allocation of roles and responsibilities and identification of wasteful
activities. All these will help Portakabin to save cost. Also delays will be avoided due to which
no extra cost will incur to them.
d) Different techniques used to ensure quality, scope and tenure
At every stage various methodologies, tools and leadership styles are used which will
make the implementation and execution easy. Methodologies such as PERT-CPM will help the
Portakabin to identity various paths out of which they can identify the most suitable one for them
which take least time and provides the sequence to the activities. On the other hand, the
methodologies used such as business case and project plan which guides them and help them to
plan for various factors. All these techniques will ensure quality and timely completion of the
project.
e) Critical analysis of different theories, models and concepts for large and small scale projects
Projects are important for all the organisation whether small-scale or large, so at all the
scales various theories and models is been followed by the managers. At small scale various
leadership style such as coaching is generally used as it does not require any outsider to train
while at large scale combination of leadership styles is been implemented. Application of
techniques of PERT-CPM may not be possible in small scale but is very useful in large project

but it increases cost of the projects. Small scale business focuses on quality by direct analysis
while at large scale they follow approaches such as TQM etc.
f) Critical evaluation of PLC with practical and theoretical framework
PLC helps an organisation to execute their project effectively by dividing it into four
stages. At every stage leadership styles are followed which will help the managers to implement
all the plans as leaders influences the people which is most important for the success of the
project. Tools and methodologies are specific for various activities at different stages which
facilitates the execution of the stage for the managers. (Takey and de Carvalho, 2015).
CONCLUSION
The above report gives a detailed idea about how operational management principles can
help in monitoring, controlling, planning and managing the overall processes that are associated
with manufacturing and production processes. These principles ensure in delivering quality items
to the customers within time. The items so manufactured are according to the needs and
requirements of the customers which will ensure customer satisfaction. Also with the help of a
continuous improvement plan, the quality of products can be improved thereby managing the
cost and waste efficiently that are also produced during production. A project life cycle can be
used to get an overview about the ways in which a project gets started and executed so as to
obtain the desired results. PLC also helps in identifying the non-value adding stages that can be
eliminated so that costs and wastages can be reduced significantly.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Artto, K., Ahola, T. and Vartiainen, V., 2016. From the front end of projects to the back end of
operations: Managing projects for value creation throughout the system lifecycle.
International Journal of Project Management. 34(2). pp.258-270.
Fleming, Q. W. and Koppelman, J. M., 2016, December. Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Gilbert and et. al., 2015. Case management system and method for collaborative project teaming.
U.S. Patent 9,189,756.
Harrison, F. and Lock, D., 2017. Advanced project management: a structured approach.
Routledge.
Joslin, R. and Müller, R., 2015. Relationships between a project management methodology and
project success in different project governance contexts. International Journal of
Project Management. 33(6). pp.1377-1392.
Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H. R., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Lam, J. S. L. and Lai, K. H., 2015. Developing environmental sustainability by ANP-QFD
approach: the case of shipping operations. Journal of Cleaner Production. 105. pp.275-
284.
Nenonen, S. and Vasara, J., 2013. Safety management in multiemployer worksites in the
manufacturing industry: opinions on co-operation and problems encountered.
International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics. 19(2). pp.168-183.
Nicholas, J. M. and Steyn, H., 2017. Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Routledge.
Riis, J. O. ed., 2016. Simulation games and learning in production management. Springer.
Rosemann, M. and vom Brocke, J., 2015. The six core elements of business process
management. In Handbook on business process management 1 (pp. 105-122). Springer,
Berlin, Heidelberg.
Takey, S. M. and de Carvalho, M. M., 2015. Competency mapping in project management: An
action research study in an engineering company. International Journal of Project
Management. 33(4). pp.784-796.
Zhou, B., 2016. Lean principles, practices, and impacts: a study on small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs). Annals of Operations Research. 241(1-2). pp.457-474.
\Online
Operations and Project Management. 2019. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.beds.ac.uk/research-ref/bmri/centres/bisc/opm>.
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