Operations and Project Management for TK Maxx and Sunshine Drinks Limited

This study analyzes the use of operations management principles by TK Maxx and the project life cycle of Sunshine Drinks Limited. It provides recommendations for continuous improvement and lean management.

Operation and project
management

Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
Company Overview.....................................................................................................................3
Comparing operations to operations management......................................................................3
Analyze and reflect on the use of operations managing principles.............................................3
How effectively operating management ideas meet the requirements........................................5
Objectives for continued expansion and lean management.........................................................5
CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................7
PART 2............................................................................................................................................7
Project life cycle..........................................................................................................................7
Enterprise Case............................................................................................................................7
Cost benefit analysis....................................................................................................................8
Performance Assessment and Critique of PLC.........................................................................12
Different Strategies for Large and Smaller Projects..................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Project management pertains to the thorough execution and planning of a specific effort in a
large organisational framework (Akhigbe, Newman and Whyte, 2017). It is a crucial
responsibility that allows a business to carry out its activities precisely, consistently, and
successfully. Furthermore, project management enables firms to accurately assess the scope and
sustainability of their numerous efforts as well as do an exhaustive analysis of the efforts' long-
term dependability. The following study on TK Maxx and Sunshine Drinks Limited is divided
into two parts. In Part 1, the execution of continuous improvement is addressed as well as a study
and assessment of the effectiveness of particular operations management principles. Whereas
Part 2 delves deeply into the project life cycle and assesses it in an undertaking to determine its
level of effectiveness.
PART 1
Company Overview
TK Maxx, which was founded in the UK in 1994, provides its customers with a wide range
of products, including footwear, clothing, household products, bedding, furniture, etc. Since its
inception, the company has offered a huge selection of high-quality products to customers from
all over the country and internationally.
Comparing operations to operations management
Operations refers to all the processes and acts used by businesses to achieve their
overarching objectives. Operations management additionally includes the planning, controlling,
and practical application of particular administrative techniques and processes related to
production, marketing, as well as other corporate responsibilities (Balteș and Minculete, 2016).
Analyze and reflect on the use of operations managing principles
In addition to be wholly comprehended and utilised in an academic environment, it appears
that there are a variety of effective operational managing ideas which need to be carefully
investigated. In the case of TK Maxx, the company places a lot of focus on ensuring that its
transportation and transportation networks are efficient because they are crucial to its
commercial operations. The following details the application of operations management
principles by TK Maxx:

 Variability: This operations management assumption serves as the foundation for each
process the company employs. But in regards to variation, this idea needs to be watched
over and supervised. Several steps, particularly cost-cutting efforts, must be taken to
ensure that this approach is effectively utilised in the provision of system management. In
the instance of TK Maxx, the company entirely controls its suppliers, which may result in
a pricing increase. Because of the self-management, it would be necessary to hire more
employees, which would be costly considering the expenses incurred for their training
and development. The firm's execution of this activity is inefficient as a result (Chiarini
and Vagnoni, 2017).
 Establishment: According to this concept, in addition to optimize efficiency and profit,
processes must be appropriately organised into a single entity. To manage its distribution
system and purchasing, TK Maxx employs a number of strategies, such as composite
wagons and the usage of dual-fuel vehicles. Yet, such methods are difficult to establish
up because it is difficult to begin handling diverse operations with the similar efficiency,
which makes the group's use of such methods extremely unproductive.
 Modifications: As a key operational management concept, alteration is necessary to
deliver better transit and supplier networks management. Additionally, they can use fresh
thoughts and strategies to help them provide their items to customers well and on
schedule. TK Maxx has a traditional strategy which includes sharing resources with other
stores to reduce its carbon impact. Despite the availability of several, better approaches,
firms choose to deliver their products via a standardised approach since operating
differently will raise expenses across the board (Choi, Chan and Yue, 2016).
 Concepts: According to this operations controlling concept, precise norms and concepts
must be properly adhered to in order to attain the greatest performance of the network. To
provide the highest level of environmentally safety and better sustainability growth, TK
Maxx uses the term "ecologically sound" as the cornerstone for the management of its
logistics and provider networks. Implementation of this concept is so effective within the
company.

How effectively operating management ideas meet the requirements
TK Maxx should thoroughly assess how it is carrying out the requirements in order to
ascertain the degree to which operationally management principles are being utilised within the
business. The evaluation of the aforementioned is discussed below:
 TK Maxx's primary goal is to reduce expenses in addition to run more affordably.
Concerning the idea of variability, the business is using a comparable strategy to broaden
the variety of things they offer, including a large variety of clothing, furniture, etc.
However, this method will not really assist the organisation reduce expenses since it is
utilised to increase variation rather than to reduce expenses. Therefore, this idea will not
really actually meet the requirements of the company.
 Safety is an additional essential for TK Maxx, thus the business successfully uses the
fundamentals method to ensure it. Regarding their individual safety and the protection of
the company, all employees are subject to the same safety requirements. Therefore, this
idea successfully satisfies this need (Commerford, Hatfield and Houston, 2018).
 The businesses additionally require operating consistency. It is difficult for the company
to effectively implement this idea because the company is involved in a number of
activities connected to distributor chain management and logistics. This is owing to the
fact that each work possesses a distinct set of requirements, which renders it challenging
to implement the organizational approach.
 Another crucial step is to guarantee that the best methods and techniques are used to
manage the firm's supply chain. The company, on the other hand, supports innovative
operational techniques and supports the concept of transition. Yet, the company needs to
use this concept to its distributor chain management more frequently due to ongoing
market improvements. As a result, such requirements are met to a significant extent.
Objectives for continued expansion and lean management
TK Maxx should have a continuous improvement plan in order to ensure continuous
improvement in all of its distribution chain-linked processes. A perpetual improvement plan is a
thorough listing of all the actions needed to achieve a continuous and higher productivity. This is
yet another crucial tactic the business should use to ensure effective and sustained development.
One strategy which could be utilised to do this is lean thinking. This strategy was centred on
conducting out operations and procedures in a way which reduces unnecessary spending and

raises productivity. It is made up of five ideas: excellence, flowing, pulling, value generation,
and valuation. Every one of these ideas has something to do with reducing waste and increasing
output (Dogru and Keskin, 2020). However, TK Maxx needs to develop a plan for ongoing
improvement if it wants to dramatically boost the effectiveness of its supply networks
management and logistics management. Following is a description of this tactic:
Basis Current methodologies Proposed methodologies
Costing Rather than relying on price
and efficient activity
managing, the item line's
diversity is employed to
implement the idea of
variation.
Automation must have been
used to perform the processes
which may reduce labour
expenses, and the company
can have used variety to
reduce expenses.
Attributes Since the administrative idea
is not properly implemented,
solutions such dual-fuel and
hybridized vehicles are used to
achieve perfection in transit
and supply chain management.
Planning out each stage of the
supply chain networks
management procedure and
ensuring quality are essential
for TK Maxx. Instead of using
other techniques, the company
could use the Just-In-Time
strategy to reach the maximum
degree of efficiency in
logistics (Ehrlich and
Guilbault, 2017).
Delivery Other retailers provided skills
necessary for effective
deployment, and transforming
as a notion was just not truly
implemented appropriately.
The business has to modify its
administrative structure, and
instead of sharing resources
with other stores, they could
provide their goods using
different modes of transit
including cargo trains,
aeroplanes, and ships.

CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATIONS
The examination of TK Maxx's operations managing ideas and continuous growth approach
yielded a variety of recommendations that the business may put into practise to promote
sustainable growth in operating tasks. Such recommendations are as follows:
 The company could help ensure uniformity in company operations by using just-in-time
inventory. This denotes that inventory would never be retained after the ordering for
longer than 3 days. Furthermore, this would lower administrative costs, which might
improve logistics and supply chain networks management.
 Since of advancements in technology, TK Maxx is compelled to use cutting-edge
strategies including automation and web - based training to keep an effective and high-
quality administrative structure.
PART 2
Project life cycle
The Sunshine Drinks Limited hopes to effectively expand its line of energising liquids for
its customers by fusing their extensive drinking choices with the current brand of purest spring
water. This new product would be called Sunshine Energy (Eyers and Naim, 2019). As members
of the company's effort, they must function effectively during every stage of the project life
cycle, which includes all the stages related to a project's timeline from its conception to its
completion. The new product or service from Sunshine Drinks Limited has the following
business example and project life cycle:
Importance Sunshine Energy is made by mixing a range of
drinks with pure spring water, both of that
provide several health benefits, notably
enhanced intellectual function. The natural
flavour offered by fruits also avoids the health
dangers connected with natural and caffeine
sweets.
Enterprise Case
Network of customers The key market for the new item would be the
large populace in the Great Britain among the

ranges of 18 and 50 years that earns and over
£1000 a year, are in good health, and routinely
use drinks (Fan and Chatterjee, 2019).
Cost benefit analysis
Particulars Situation 1 Situation 2
Costs 100000 120000
Benefit 0 20000
(BEP point)
Project initiation: The project life cycle's initial phase. Sunshine Drinks Limited
should now determine the project's objectives and assess the project's potential and
dangers. A business is necessary to assess the overall concept's merit and feasibility.
Appropriate reasoning is required for the company to fulfil client demands and develop
factors which help to potential evaluation.
Strategies This company would produce a quality drink
and actively promote its brand through internet
networks in attempt to accomplish the same
objective. Additionally, the company would
sell this product employing a competitive
marketing strategy (Ferro, Ordóñez and
Anholon, 2017).
Objectives Sunshine Drinks Limited expects its novel
product to boost its market position by at least
4% during the upcoming 3 months after its
debut. The company also hopes to increase its
customer base by 15% after a year of
producing and marketing its drinks.
The paper should be presented by the project manager to senior management for
approval. The company has access to several technology, like Microsoft Works 2019 Experts.
The Six Sigma Method may also be applied at this time, allowing the business to do a more
thorough initial layout. This strategy has been employed since it would help the business define
goals and identify opportunities to reduce operational expenses, increasing the venture's

sustainability. The business might gain from transformative administration in terms of
governance. This is because it would aid in the creation of a comprehensive programme idea
(Guironnet, Attuyer and Halbert, 2016).
Project Management: The next stage of the programme would concentrate on the
overall plan for Sunshine Drinks Limited's development of novel products. After executive
authorization, a comprehensive plan should be developed by the programme manager and
developmental team. They would need to assess the resource constraints in addition to decide
what resources would be needed for the project. Along with budgeting projections and flow
diagrams, this stage would likewise see the creation of programme designs. The Sunshine
Energy project's visual is displayed beneath:
Costing Investing cash on the tools, personnel, and
technology required to produce Sunshine
Energy is involved. A specific product would
cost around £90,000 and £110,000 to create in
complete.
Communications Throughout Sunshine Energy's growth, the
organisation would be using internal, external,
vertical, and longitudinally connectivity to
keep a constant and effective circulation of
information (Kerzner, 2019).
Excellence To ensure the best output sans sacrificing the
quality of the development of creative items,
the business would engage in new
technologies, particularly automation.
Region The company is willing to employ smart
individuals in addition to cutting-edge
equipment and methods to ensure a high-
calibre and long-lasting range of items, so the
venture's overall range is extensive.
Sunshine Drinks Limited could now implement lean principles. The fact because these ideas are
related to decreasing wastage, which is crucial during the planning stage and therefore could just

help businesses create creative products, may be proof of their effectiveness. Sunshine Drinks
Limited may use an autocratic managerial approach, which would allow for the appropriate
delegation of tasks and responsibilities to employees in order to ensure that they are performed
out as efficiently as feasible. Regarding technology, the Gantt chart and Work Breakdown
Structure could help the business develop a reliable method and schedule.

Project execution: This is one of the most crucial phases of the project life cycle because
it is when all theories and ideas are effectively put into action. The programme manager at
Sunshine Drinks Limited should give tasks to the right divisions in need to manage operations.
For instance, one team can be engaged to gathering the necessary ingredients, while another
could be focused on developing the product by fusing preferences with the natural qualities of
well freshwater. They should also engage current group members and offer the necessary
process-based training (Marin-García and Alfalla-Luque, 2019). At this stage, the company
should additionally carefully assess how the programme is performing overall in terms of time,
price, and effectiveness in attempt to identify any irregularities and adjust the strategy as
necessary. The company may employ tools like ProofHub and Zoho Projects since they would
help guide it throughout the entire deployment process. Both of these applications allow users to
explicitly report any differences and maintain track of overall efficiency, both of that are crucial

for a successful adoption. The business could pick for democratic administration, which would
boost employee involvement and inspire people to contribute creatively to the venture's
execution. Comparable reasoning is applicable; effective execution depends on collaboration and
creative impact from supervisors. Total Quality Management might well be chosen as an
effective tactic because it would help the business sustain Sunshine Energy's efficiency. This can
focus on the mixing and purifying operations of the drink to ensure the best quality. Total quality
management would continuously assess every aspect of the production process to ensure that all
standards for performance, value, safety, and hygienic conditions are fulfilled.
Project completion: For the last stage, Sunshine Drinks Limited should assess the
project's genuine performance. The design is similarly important for assessing efficacious
teamwork. In-depth documentation must also be produced for programme closure and budgeting
monitoring. Communications play a significant role in this process because the company would
notify all stakeholders depending on the successful completion of the method, which in this case
is the development of an inventive product. Drop box could be used by the company as a tool to
assess the quality and effectiveness of the overall programme. The organisation could then
evaluate the project's overall needs and the extent to that Sunshine Energy is produced in
compliance with these specifications. In the case of such discrepancies, operating decisions
would be necessary to modify the programme in order to achieve the objectives set forward at
the project's inception. Effective administration may be a suitable model for the business to
assess the effectiveness and properly modify the plan.
Performance Assessment and Critique of PLC
By creating and implementing a project life cycle, a business can reliably and effectively
manage and supervise a programme because it offers a solid basis and well-organized advice.
Sunshine Drinks Limited should effectively examine and appraise the life cycle of their goods in
addition to use the optimal plans, methods, and processes for the situation. In order to properly
accomplish this, the organisation could evaluate the Project Life Cycle utilising the Waterfall
Approach. This concept is put forth as follows:
 In this stage of the plan, the company should assess the funding required to launch the
programme. All through the early stages of the programme, the company employed
Project Life Cycle to pinpoint important requirements. The company was using the Six

Sigma Method to determine goals. But the possibility for adjustments in sophisticated
components is constrained by the rigidity of the concepts employed by this technique.
 Design is important since the development of a flexible and environmentally friendly
design for the overall project is tied to this prototype phase. This shows how the PLC
used lean principles to ensure there was no wastage during the layout stage. This was a
wise move to make throughout the planning stage to ensure minimal wastage. However,
autocratic administration is used at this stage, completely removing employee
involvement in the procedure of inventive product production. It might put the company
at danger by making workers pay less in the term, which would obstruct Sunshine
Energy's expansion.
 This stage reflects the framework's overall design and execution, as well as expansion.
Sunshine Drinks Limited implemented both comprehensive quality administration and
democratic accountability. Even while economical viability is currently more essential
than product quality, Total Quality Management may nevertheless ensure effective
participation and maximum productivity. The business can have used a variety of cost-
effective strategies at this stage to cut costs. Yet, inventory management is such strategy
that would ultimately help the business manage Just-In-Time processes, lowering costs as
the procurement of essential assets would indeed be dependent on the specific needs of
customers. Another strategy which could have ensured both dependability and price
effectiveness was the use of the Systems Expenses Reduction Capability in the
production processes. This technologies would help the company find processes and
equipment that may be improved or removed in addition to expand Sunshine Energy
more successfully (Müller and Birkel, 2020).
 The third step of the waterfall technique, surveillance and administration, deals with
effective supervision and maintenance of the overall plan. It can be used to assess the
programme closure stage as well. This stage involves accurately evaluating the
performance of the complete plan that Sunshine Drinks Limited used plan planning for. It
is a sensible decision which would help the programme manager manage the assessment
precisely and successfully.
Alternately, the organisation may employ a variety of other techniques to assess the
effectiveness, scope, and durability of the overall programme. For instance, implementing an

agile methodology throughout the project life cycle may have enhanced the project's idea
development, layout, and execution. The Scrum Method, which allows for the construction of
smaller, cross-functional, and self-managing units for the development of Sunshine Energy, may
have also been used. It might ensure more effectiveness and better management of Sunshine
Energy's production, packaging, and industry distribution.
Different Strategies for Large and Smaller Projects
Principles Small-scale projects Large-scale projects
Lean theory The basic operation of
labelling containers to reduce
unnecessary practises like
labelling the coverings from
the inside out could be done
using lean techniques.
Similar ideas could be used to
established processes for the
development of novel goods,
so completely eliminating all
needless and ineffective
actions.
Six sigma For small-scale projects
involving product packaging,
Six Sigma can be used very
laxly, and ecological viability
can be achieved by evaluating
and improving assembling
processes.
With regard to a wholly
inventive item, Six Sigma
technique and principles
would be used to the entire
operations, which may include
setting standards, measuring
and assessing resources,
creating and validating a new
treatment, as well as
successfully administering it.
CONCLUSION
Project management and operations are therefore essential for the company to ensure
consistency and quality throughout all of its efforts. Operational management ideas have the
potential to improve operations when implemented properly. A plan for ongoing improvement
also encourages system consistency. Adopting the project life cycle is essential for programme
management since it would act as a guide and framework for a firm's ambitions. To ensure that
each stage is finished and carried out to the maximum possible level, it also has to be carefully

analysed utilising concepts from the Waterfall technique. It is important to examine how
approaches are applied in small- and large-scale efforts to determine the effectiveness of both in
diverse efforts.

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