Operations and Project Management (OPM) Assignment

OPERATIONS AND
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
Organisational Overview............................................................................................................1
Explanation of Operations vs Operations Management..............................................................1
Review and Critique of Implementation of Operations Management Principles.......................1
Extent to which Operations Management in the case study meets requirement of Dyson.........3
Continuous Improvement and Lean Principles...........................................................................3
Continuous Improvement Plan....................................................................................................4
Recommendations.......................................................................................................................5
PART 2............................................................................................................................................6
Overview of Case Study..............................................................................................................6
Description and Application of Project Life Cycle.....................................................................6
Critique of PLC.........................................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Project Management refers to amalgamation of all the stages that are included in
implementation and execution of a certain project within an organisation. It is a highly essential
aspect which allows an organisation to conduct and manage their projects in an effective and
sustainable manner (Heizer, Render and Munson, 2017). The report below is based on Dyson
and New Imperial Motors, which are two of the most effective manufacturing organisations in
the UK. It is divided into two parts, wherein the first part is associated with review and critique
of the effectiveness of operations management principles and application of concept of
continuous improvement. The second part of this project is associated with a detailed application
and critique of Project Life Cycle for a specific in-house project.
PART 1
Organisational Overview
Dyson Ltd., is one of the most effective and recognised technological manufacturing
organisations operating within the UK. It develops and deals in several household appliances like
vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, blade-less fans, etc. Founded in 1991, the firm focuses on adopting
several principles of operations management and emphasises on implementation of same
throughout its manufacturing and distribution process.
Explanation of Operations vs Operations Management
Operations mean each and every procedure and activity that has been adopted by
companies to attain their organisational goals and objectives. On the other hand, Operations
Management is the overall planning, appropriate management as well as execution of specific
actions which are associated with manufacturing, delivery, etc.
Review and Critique of Implementation of Operations Management Principles
There are several kinds of Operations Management Principles that are necessary for an
organisation to adapt and implement in order to ensure effective conduction and management of
al the operations within the organisation. In context with Dyson, manufacturing and delivery are
the most important operations that are performed by the firm as seen within the case study (A
Case Study On Dyson, 2019). Some of the principles that are associated with the same are as
follows:
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 Principle of Organisation: One of the most effective principles of operations
management is Organisation. This principles weighs on the connectivity of all the
processes within manufacturing of offerings within an organisation. It works on the
principle that each element within the processes must be consistent as well as predictable
in case the firm wishes to experience similar outcomes in context with the revenue and
profitability (Kerzner, 2017). In relation with Dyson, the company is planning to shift its
operations to robotics when it comes to manufacturing. However, there is a lack in
connectivity in activities associated with developing of new offerings, which reflects the
inconsistency of the firm in adopting this principle appropriately. Principle of Variance: Another crucial principle of operations management works upon
the philosophy that variances are inherent in each and every procedure performed by the
company. In case a firm visions to cut up costs, then it requires the company to measure
and control the variance. However, if the company wishes to enhance diversification,
variance is then encouraged. In case with Dyson, the firm themselves manage their
distribution operations, which might add to the cost of supplying their offerings to the
customers. Thus, a rather stronger implementation of this principle is required by the
company. Principle of Change: This principle is associated with adopting new solutions and
theories in order to perform the operations more effectively. Dyson, in order to
appropriately enhance the scope of improvement, has worked towards a repeated
introduction of innovation in their work. In addition to this, they tend to implement
innovation in their designs and manufacturing process effectively which helps them in
coping up within such a dynamic business environment.
 Principle of Reality: This principle is quite essential to be followed by organisations of
current business environment. The concept which is followed by the same is that
organisations must emphasise on the issue rather than the technique, as there is no
universal solution to each organisational context and hence, it is required by the company
to develop solutions related to the issues (Harrison and Lock, 2017). However, Dyson
focuses primarily on innovation as a key to every issue of the company and hence, this
principle is not appropriately followed within its structure.
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Extent to which Operations Management in the case study meets requirement of Dyson
Thee are several requirements within Dyson, which requires the company to adopt these
operations management principles in order to appropriately perform their activities in a smooth
and consistent manner (Binder, 2016). Below is an analysis highlighting the extent up to which
the operations management meet the organisational requirement:
 The very first and perhaps the most essential requirement for the organisation is reduction
in their cost. The principle of variance is adopted within the company in order to enhance
their diverse offering as reflected in the case study. However, they fail to implement this
principle on the cost of their manufacturing activity, which fails this principle in meeting
its prime requirement.
 Another appropriate requirement of the company is achieving effective quality as well as
consistency in the procedures adopted by the company in context with the manufacturing
processes been implemented by the company. In relation with the principle of
organisation, the connectivity within the processes by the company in manufacturing is
inconsistent. The human resources of the firm are still very much incompetent which is
encouraging the company in adopting Robotics in their processes. Thus, this principle is
somehow failing to meet the requirement of the firm.
 Delivering the final offerings to customers appropriately is another requirement for
Dyson. The emphasis of innovation as a method to ensure effective delivery is proving to
be a bit time consuming and inconsistent performance is another inappropriate issue
which the firm is currently facing (Sears and et. al., 2015). Hence, principle of reality is
not meeting the requirement of delivery for the company.
 Safety is another prime requirement for Dyson, for which the firm has been implementing
principle of change. The focus on innovating the products provided by this company to
its customers is quite appropriate, seeing that the focus of doing such an activity is to
safeguard the users of their home appliances and hence, this requirement of the company
is quite effectively fulfilled by using the principle of change.
Continuous Improvement and Lean Principles
For an organisation like Dyson, it becomes absolutely necessary to ensure a consistent
performance in terms of their manufacturing and delivery activities. Thus, it is essential for the
organisation to ensure continuous improvement in its system. It refers to the process of a
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repetitive analysis and induced improvements in context with enhancing the performance
standards of an organisation. It is a highly crucial aspect that must be implemented by Dyson in
order to attain better results.
Another aspect which is essential to be followed by the organisation is Lean Principles. It
is a framework which is implemented by the organisation to appropriately manufacture their
offerings by minimisation of waste. There are five key principles of lean which are described
below:
 The first principle is identification of value which refers to analysis of aspects that
customers hold important (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016). Another principle is mapping the value stream, which is a process to ensure appropriate
dispersing of value throughout the company.
 Creation of Flow is yet another effective principle of lean which ensures maximisation of
efficiency in processes adopted by an organisation along with minimisation of waste in
each step.
 Thus, another lean principle after creation of value is establishing pull, where Dyson is
required to analyse the needs of customers and modify their operations accordingly.
 Lastly, areas of improvement are identified and the firm indulges in seeking perfection in
their actions which requires them to minimise the waste and provide maximum utility in
their products.
Continuous Improvement Plan
Based on review and critique of the principles of operations management above, it is
highly necessary for Dyson to prepare a Continuous Improvement Plan in order to ensure a
proper application of the principles and better accomplishment of the company's requirements:
BASIS CURRENT
METHODOLOGIES
PROPOSED
METHODOLOGIES
COST The firm has been applying
principle of variance which is
used to cut up costs (Sterman and
et. al., 2015). However, this
This principle must also be applied
by the firm to implement
techniques that help them in cutting
up the cost of manufacturing.
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principle is currently being
applied by the firm to enhance
their diversity rather than
decreasing costs.
Moreover, the firm must use
technological advancements like
Automation to cut up the cost of
the monitoring processes and
training of employees.
QUALITY
Principle of Organisation is not
being effectively implemented by
the company, which is affecting
the interconnectivity of the
activities, hence, failing to
enhance the quality.
The company must ensure that
each activity is consistent and
connected to one another to
produce desired results (Maylor,
Turner and Murray-Webster,
2015). For the same, the company
must utilise modifications in their
design process, and must use
methods like Total Quality
Management to ensure a proper
connectivity of processes and
better quality in their offerings.
DELIVERY
Principle of reliability have been
ineffectively been applied by use
of innovation repeatedly in the
delivery processes (Turkulainen
and et. al., 2015).
This principle must be applied by
he firm in order to ensure
appropriate solution to the issue of
timely delivery. For the same, the
company must use techniques like
Just-In-Time Inventory methods
that would help the firm in storing
and delivering their products with
ease and without adding up to the
cost.
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Recommendations
As per the assessment above is considered, there are several recommendations that must
be implemented by Dyson in context with appropriately enhancing its operations management
and ensure a better performance in terms of manufacturing and delivery. Below are several
recommendations for the company:
 The firm must implement innovation throughout the organisational structure, however, it
must be adopted in a way which could be transformed appropriately as per the changing
requirements of the company.
 In order to ensure appropriate and effective delivery and storage, the firm must utilise
methods like Just-In-Time Manufacturing and storing options, which would allow the
company to reduce waste and increase their efficiency (Todorović and et. al., 2015).
PART 2
Overview of Case Study
New Imperial Motors is quite a renowned name in Midlands and is one of the biggest
manufacturing organisations within its locality. The firm has almost 1,250 employees working
appropriately to help in accomplishing the organisational objectives. However, as per the case
reflects, there is a need for a change programme within the organisation. Reason for the same is
that there are several objectives which are needed to be accomplished by the company regarding
their human resources. For instance, the firm wishes to reduce the movement of staff from prices
during lunch break to avoid congestion issues and helping the employees in developing a healthy
lifestyle to reduce absenteeism. For this, a project is required to be headed by the Project and
Programme Office.
Description and Application of Project Life Cycle
Project Life Cycle (PLC) includes several stages which are associated with a detailed and
effective planning as well as implementation of a project within an organisation. For New
Imperial Motors, the project of enhancing the health and well-being standards of employees
requires the firm to implement food facilities within the headquarters to ensure that the
objectives are achieved effectively (Takey and de Carvalho, M.M., 2015). The project would be
named as “Homecoming Health”. However, before the stages of the life cycle, it is essential that
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the organisation develops a business case, along with cost benefit analysis to ensure an
appropriate and effective outlay of the project.
Business Case:
BASIS DESCRIPTION
Importance
The Homecoming Health project of the organisation is quite
essential as it requires in house food facilities for workers of the
company. Moreover, the agenda of this initiative is to improve
health conditions of the employees, which is essential to reduce
absenteeism within the company.
Target Market
The target market for this new facility would be workers of the
company, belonging to age group 21-45, requiring better health
standards and are habitual of going out of the premises for lunch.
Cost Benefit Analysis:
Particulars Situation 1 Situation 2
Costs 100000 120000
Benefit 0 20000
(Break Even Point)
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Costs Benefit
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
140000
Chart Title
Column C Column D
Illustration 1: Cost Benefit Analysis
Below is a description and application of each stage of the Project Life Cycle for the
project undertaken by New Imperial Motors:
Project Initiation:
The first and foremost stage of the PLC is initiation stage. Within this step, all the
objectives associated with the organisation's new change programme are required to be
identified. Moreover, all the prevailing opportunities as well as threats are also identified within
this stage. In addition to this, the overall project is required to be assessed on the basis of its
feasibility (McArthur, 2015). To attain the same, project team at New Imperial Motors are
required to indulge into brainstorming to analyse the opportunities associated with this new
programme.
Objectives
 From this new project, the firm aims at reduction in movement of
staff by almost 70% by the end of 6 months of implementation of
Homecoming Health initiative.
 New Imperial Motors is also planning to reduce absenteeism of staff
by at least 50% by 12 months of provision of food within the
company facility.
Strategies The strategy which would be used by the firm in order to engage staff in
their project is diversification. The company would be working in providing
a range of quality food items to the staff members to ensure appropriate
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health standards within the desired time frame.
However, one essential aspect associated with this stage is getting approval of the higher
management. The tools which could be used within this stage could be Microsoft Project 2019
Professional. In addition, stages of Six Sigma like Define, Measure, Analyse, Develop and
Validate could be used by the project manager to ensure appropriate initiation of this project. In
context with Leadership, transformational leadership could be used by the management to ensure
creation of a vision within the firm regarding health of employees.
Project Planning:
After accessing the approval, the next stage within the PLC calls out for an effective
planning of all the activities required to be carried out by the company in context with the new
project. All the resource gaps in this stage must be assessed along with development of a project
plan. One effective project plan for Homecoming Health project is described below:
Cost
It is inclusive of all the cost which would be incurred by the firm for
new construction, equipments and resources. For the new project, the
estimated amount would be £1,75,000 to £2,00,000
Communication
All the known forms of communication like linear, vertical, external as
well as internal communication would be used by the company to
ensure exchange of information appropriately (Artto, Ahola and
Vartiainen, 2016).
Quality
Monitoring tools like Automation would be used by the company to
ensure that the quality standards of the food items are being met
effectively.
Scope
A wide scope is shared by the project, as this would affect each and
every employee working within the company and for which, the firm
would be hiring experts in construction, cooking and other managerial
positions.
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In context with methods, the firm would be implementing Lean principles in this stage of
PLC to ensure reduction in waste and quality development of their new offering. Moreover,
Autocratic Leadership could be used by New Imperial Motors, that would ensure effective
performance of employees at the planning stage. However, in this stage, there are two types of
tools which could be used by the firm which are described below:
 Gantt Chart:
Illustration 2: Gantt Chart
Illustration 3: Gantt Chart
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Illustration 4: Network Diagram
 Work Breakdown Structure:
Illustration 5: Work Breakdown Structure
Project Execution:
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In this step, a proper execution of the project would be performed by the company. There
are several activities such as finishing the infrastructure, cooking and testing of food items,
health inspections, etc., would be undertaken at this stage. For this, the employees of New
Imperial Motors are required to be given Process-based training. Zoho Projects could be used as
a tool to ensure execution without any flaw. As for leadership, democratic leadership could be
adopted by the company to ensure effective execution of the project. Lastly, at this stage, Total
Quality Management must be implemented by the firm which would overlook the quality of food
and infrastructure of the project appropriately.
Project Closure:
In this stage, a detailed analysis of the overall project is required to be performed. This
requires assessing performance of the offerings as well as technical and human resource (Kundu
and et. al., 2015). The firm could use Base Camp as its tool to monitor and measure performance
standards. In context with Leadership, New Imperial Motors could utilise strategic leadership in
this step to analyse the overall performance and modify certain elements easily if need be.
Critique of PLC
After the project is implemented, a crucial step calls out for a detailed critical evaluation
of the stages of PLC. In relation with New Imperial Motors, Waterfall Model is being used to
ensure an effective evaluation and assessment of the PLC stages. This model is showcased below
effectively:
 Requirement:
This step coincides with the initiation stage of the PLC. In this aspect, the firm utilised
Six Sigma as its methodology to ensure a proper initiation of the Homecoming Health initiative.
However, the principles of this methodology are known to be quite rigid, which might not be
effective for the company at the forthcoming stages.
 Design:
This step reflects the planning stage of PLC. In this stage, the project was required to be
planned and an appropriate design was required to be given by the company. Lean Principles was
used by the firm to ensure minimum wastage while planning the project, which was quite an
effective decision. However, using autocracy in planning might result in demotivation in staff,
which might not be quite effective for the change programme.
 Development:
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As the name suggests, this stage is related to the execution step of the PLC. Total Quality
Management has been used by the firm to ensure top quality preparation of food items and
effective infrastructure. However, adopting this method might be costly for the firm as it
emphasises on top quality rather than saving up cost for the firm. To manage the same, however,
New Imperial Motors could use inventory management as a technique to save up costs.
 Testing And Maintenance:
This stage of the Waterfall Model is related to the closure stage of PLC, which is
associated with the maintenance as well as testing of the whole project. The firm used strategic
leadership in this process which is quite beneficial for the organisation. However, to gain better
results, the organisation could have used Agile or Scrum methodology, which would help the
firm in better measuring and monitoring their overall project (Love and et. al., 2015).
CONCLUSION
Thus, it could be concluded by the report, that operations and project management is very
essential for an organisation to follow in order to ensure effective operations and management of
projects. It is essential for an organisation to critically evaluate operations management
principles to ensure their effective implementation within the company. Moreover, it is also
important for an organisation to develop a Continuous Improvement Plan to ensure a consistency
in achieving betterment. Lastly, implementation and critical evaluation of Project Life Cycle
stages is a very essential practice that would allow a company to implement a certain project
successfully and could ensure its effective sustainability.
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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.
Binder, J., 2016. Global project management: communication, collaboration and management
across borders. Routledge.
Fleming, Q.W. and Koppelman, J.M., 2016, December. Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Harrison, F. and Lock, D., 2017. Advanced project management: a structured approach.
Routledge.
Heizer, J., Render, B. and Munson, C., 2017. Operations management. Pearson Education
Limited.
Kerzner, H., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Kundu, A., and et. al., 2015. A journey from normative to behavioral operations in supply chain
management: A review using Latent Semantic Analysis. Expert Systems with
Applications. 42(2). pp.796-809.
Love, P.E., and et. al., 2015. BIM in the operations stage: bottlenecks and implications for
owners. Built Environment Project and Asset Management.
Maylor, H., Turner, N. and Murray-Webster, R., 2015. “It worked for manufacturing…!”:
Operations strategy in project-based operations. International Journal of Project
Management. 33(1). pp.103-115.
McArthur, J.J., 2015. A building information management (BIM) framework and supporting
case study for existing building operations, maintenance and sustainability. Procedia
Engineering. 118. pp.1104-1111.
Sears, S.K., and et. al., 2015. Construction project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Sterman, J., and et. al., 2015. System dynamics perspectives and modeling opportunities for
research in operations management. Journal of Operations Management. 39. p.40.
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.
Todorović, M.L., and et. al., 2015. Project success analysis framework: A knowledge-based
approach in project management. International Journal of Project Management. 33(4).
pp.772-783.
Turkulainen, V., and et. al., 2015. Managing project-to-project and project-to-organization
interfaces in programs: Organizational integration in a global operations expansion
program. International Journal of Project Management. 33(4). pp.816-827.
Online
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