Operations and Project Management Sample Assignment

Operations
and
Project Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles..........3
M1 Review and critique implementation of operations management in relation to Six Sigma
methodology and Lean principles..........................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P2 Prepare a continuous improvement plan based.................................................................6
M2 Analyse the effectiveness of a continuous improvement plan using appropriate theories,
concepts and/or models........................................................................................................11
D1 Apply appropriate theories, concepts and/or models to justify strategies of a continuous
improvement plan for achieving improved efficiency.........................................................12
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................12
P3 Design Product Life Cycle, business case, project plan and work breakdown structure.12
M3 Analyse the rationale for the project methodologies, tools and leadership within the PLC
for the given project..............................................................................................................19
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................19
P4 Review and critique the effectiveness of the PLC with help of appropriate to operation and
project management theory or model...................................................................................19
M4 Critically analyse how the use of appropriate theories, concepts and models in the PLC
will differentiate between large and small-scale projects.....................................................21
D2 Critically evaluate the PLC through a practical and theoretical exploration of its
effectiveness.........................................................................................................................21
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................22
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................22

INTRODUCTION
Operational and project management are the two main ongoing processes in which
activities to produce and supply products are performed (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016). There
are various features of operational management such as planning, organizing, staffing, leading,
control, time management, motivation and many more. Organization taken for this assignment is
XYZ which is an American and European brand of domestic appliances. It was founded in year
1911 by Earl Richardson. The company is planning to launch a new large screen TV in the
market with a minimum size of 58 inches. It has also planned to include stadium screens in the
production. Topics covered in this assignment are principles of operations management
principles, continuous improvement plan. Along with this, it includes project life cycle and
analysis of PLC by using various methods and approaches.
TASK 1
P1 Review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles
Operations managements is considered as combination of various concept of leadership
within an organisation. By this, a company is able to use their resources in effective and
appropriate manner along with this they also insure that their operations and functions are
conduct in proper ways. There are several type of activities included in operation management
such as planning, organising, motivating, controlling, supervising and many more (Gunasekaran
and Ngai, 2012). For this an organisation can use various approaches and methods so that they
conduct work in an appropriate manner. XYZ use two principles to conduct effective and
efficient operation management that is six sigma and lean principles. Which help them in
launching new large screen Television in marketplace whose minimum size is 58 inches.
Six Sigma
An approach which helps in finding or eliminating defects or issues in offering product,
process or any service by collecting data and framing it on statistical basis. To solve any defects
or issue, a manager should focus on five phases or sub principles that is known as DMAIC.
Define (Finding a problem), Measure (Measurement of existing system), Analyse (Finding root
cause of issue), Improve (Corrective action) and Control (finding support and maintain gains).
By using six sigma XYZ able to collect appropriate information and data which help them in
conducting production process in effective manner. This will also help them in launching 58

inches Television in proper manner at their target market place. Explanation of six sigma in
respect of respective company is given below:
Define- At this stage, manager of XYZ company able to identify problems, issues or
objective which they are currently going through and they need to address it (Harrison and Lock,
2017). By this manager and leader of respective company able to make strategies and plans to
launch large screen TV range in effective manner. If problems are not appropriately recognised,
then it may result in rigidity and bureaucracy that can create delays and stifle creativity.
Measure- In this, company measure issues and problems which they are facing and
identify its root cause. In this manager and leader of XYZ measure different issues and identify
which is more prior to be solve so that they able to conduct their operations and functions in
appropriate manner. In measuring process trained staff is required to monitor the issues and for
small businesses it is not possible to spend money on training.
Analysis- At this manager and leader of XYZ company analysis and identify that on
issues or strategies which they are working is worth full or not. If they find that idea or strategies
is not relevant they will drop out particular idea and design new one which is relevant and
effective. According to this principle the company is not technically allow for the introduction of
new tools or methods whether they are beneficial or not.
Improve- At this stage, manager and leader of respective company conduct analysis and
identify whether any improvement is required or not in respective strategy which they design. If
there is any need of improvement and modification manager and leader make strategies
accordingly. That will help them in attaining goal and objective in effective manner. Six sigma
approach requires long period to respond positively so the higher authority is required to invest
more time and they cannot expect overnight improvements.
Control- In this stage XYZ company apply solution which they design to get over issues
and grab opportunities (Jacobs, Chase and Lummus,2014). In this manager and leader control
and monitor work of their staff and guide them how to accomplish work in effective manner. If
the proposed solutions or improvements are not followed up properly then it may result
negatively and also create worst situation than ever before.
Six Sigma approach helps in identifying or eliminating defects in product, process or any
kind of service by assembling data and analysing it on statistical basis. Five principles are
included in six sigma which are known as DMAIC. Implementation of these principles in TV

manufacturing project helps manager of XYZ in eliminating defects from the product. This
assists company in offering high quality product to customers and satisfy them. Lean principles
gives a framework for developing effective and efficient organisation. Application of these
principles helps manager in finding out inefficiencies within firm and deliver better value to
customers. In operations management, lean principles creates better work process flow and
develop a culture of continuous improvement. This helps XYZ in terms of decreasing cost,
increase profitability, enhance value for customers and gaining competitive advantage in market.
Lean Principles
Lean works for the business to promote or to flow the perceived value to their customers
by giving the perfect guidance in respect of the continuous improvement in management and for
the respect of people (Larson and Gray, 2015). To explain or illustrate in further ways, it is
divided into five stages or its sub principles which works accordingly. Explanation of lean
principles in context of XYZ company is given below:
Determine value- Manager of Hot Point company decide appropriate value for their
products and services which attract and encourage customers in appropriate manner. Along with
this they able to enhance their profitability ratio and numbers of customers. If value is not
properly determined, then it can decrease the market share which was retained by the
organisation sine a long period.
Mapping of value stream- At this stage, manager and leader of XYZ company will
design framework and guideline which help them in conducting work and process in effective
and efficient manner. In this manager able to identify steps which is not appropriate and then
they remove it from process. Mapping is a time taking process and when quick solutions are
required then it cannot help to resolve issues.
Create flow- In this step work or task is able to conduct in appropriate manner because all
hurdles and barriers get remove from process. By which company able to complete work in
appropriate time and in effective manner (Morris, 2013). When there is no delay in work or
production company able to fulfil need and demand of customers in more effective manner.
There is a great challenge involved in this principle as it may require breaking down silo thinking
sometimes. If manager is not able to do the same at the right time, then it is not possible to create
appropriate flow to operate all the activities smoothly.