Operations & Project Management

Operations and project
management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
Introduction to the selected organisation....................................................................................1
Explanation for operation versus operational management........................................................1
Critique and review by implementing principles for operation management in case of
organisation.................................................................................................................................2
Define the extent by which operation management of firm accomplishes their requirements...3
Define continuous improvement aspect in terms of philosophy and mention about lean
principles.....................................................................................................................................4
Formulate continuous improvement plan after reviewing principles of operational
management................................................................................................................................5
Use continuous improvement principle, justify recommendations to improve organisational
functions......................................................................................................................................6
PART 2............................................................................................................................................6
Overview of case study mentioned in brief.................................................................................6
Description regarding PLC and discussion of each stage...........................................................7
After apply each stage of PLC for project involve business case, project plan and WBS..........8
Critique and review effectiveness of PLC in project application by using appropriate concepts
and models..................................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Operations and project management is the strategic approach that is used by the company
in order to achieve systematic success and development. Project management is based on the
balanced dealing in between planning, organising, motivating, controlling of various resources
that aid to implement the work with better understanding and also helps to accomplish the goals
and objectives within the stipulated period of time (Bari, 2018). There is the basic requirement of
implementation of various strategies, plan and actions in appropriate manner by which the
working efficiency and effectiveness is getting enlarged. It helps to generate more revenue and
other benefits with more comfort and flexibility. The following report is based on the MFI and it
is the leading manufacturer and retailer of furniture and situated in Europe with having around
250 stores all across UK. The following report consist of principles of operations and project
management along with continuous improvement plan. In addition to this PLC theory is
inculcated with the better support of different theories as in order to analyse the business
operations.
PART 1
Introduction to the selected organisation
MFI is a manufacturer organisation that make furniture as per the suitability of customers
and having the wider acceptability in the competitive marketplace. The company having more
the 250 number of stores and also covers a portfolio of more than 50 products. MFI is established
in the year 1964 and having the headquartered in UK and as the time passes they have become
the largest producer and supplier of different furnitures as like of bathroom and kitchen. They
have also operates their business in and outside of their town and of retail parks as well
(Chawla, 2018). MFIC also faces certain loss while selling its business to its own management in
2008 and it is to collect some funds. Furthermore, MFI gets new name in 2015 and in this they
have includes the diverse reach of home products.
Explanation for operation versus operational management
Operation management is a procedure which includes plan, process, activities,
equipments and it this particular values are added within the business by which better quality
products and services are developed in timely basis. In this process business have attain better
values in return of its services and along with this it is easy to achieve better objectives in
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appropriate manner. On the other hand, operational management is based on the process in which
company have converted the raw material into the finished goods by which the production cost is
reduces and better earning is earned as compared to its investments.
Critique and review by implementing principles for operation management in case of
organisation
Operation management consist of various principles and that all are managed and
controlled by the business by which they have easily render all the changes and tries to gain all
the possible benefits in adequate format (Daniel, 2018). It is the most efficient process in which
manufacturing is being done with better perfection under which suitable modifications get done
in easiest manner. MFI have uses these principles while producing the logistics and by managing
the supply chain management. It assist to make profitable changes by which productiveness is
getting improvised and that is as briefly explained below as:
 Variance: It is a factor in which the company have induce supportive modifications so as
to manage the working performance. It is the most prior principle that is used by the
company if they wants to reduces the overall cost of production as it is done while
reducing the supply chain management. In this all the different activities that produces
wastage is managed and controlled by which probability of waste generation is reduces. It
is being used to develop better essentialist as with this manufacturing units of MFI have
controlled through which all the expensive production are in controlled. In this MFI uses
new strategies for recruitment under which the skilled and talented workforce are
attracted. It is quire costly for the business but in adverse they are able to get over from
all the complex situations with better suitability.
 Organisation: It is a principles in which company makes a planning to attain higher
goals and success within the timely basis that assist to generate more worth. In this it is
required that all the functions and operations are performed in satisfactory manner. Thus
in this MFI tries to make effective utilisation of all its resources and equipments in
effective and efficient manner (Fahimnia, 2019). As MFI uses the technological
machineries by which the supply chain management is in controlled. In addition MFI
uses hybrid trucks must have utilised by the company by which they have make
organised distribution channel so as to provide more safety control and also assist to
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satisfies the customers. This principles is being used used to reduces the rigidity as from
the production by which capital production is being managed in satisfactory mode.
 Change: It is a principle which is usually used by the company in order to make effective
control on the supply chain management. In addition to this the delivery time of the
business is managed and in this working potential of business is maintained in
appropriate way. It is a process through which business have tries to develop loyal
customer base by which brand image and value is processed positively. MFI induces
effective communication by which the internal and external loopholes are fulfilled and
strong interrelationship in between the employees and customers is developed (Heldman,
2018). It is a principle in which investment is administered which is used while making
new recruitments that aid to achieve all its objectives.
 Fundamentals: In this principle the certain set of rules and regulations are followed by
the company by which standardised outcomes are achieved in appropriate way. It helps to
achieve long term sustainability and effectiveness that improvises the sense of
achievement of MFI. To attain more profit and sales MFI must have ensure that ethnicity
is maintained that helps to increases the image and value of business.
Define the extent by which operation management of firm accomplishes their requirements
Operation management is the most basic prospect that is required by the company to
followed with the induction of certain principles by which the effectiveness is getting enlarged in
adequate way. As if the company is not able to fulfil the prior requirement of operation
management that it generate negative outcomes that are nit favourable as well. There are certain
principles that are reviewed by MFI and are as described below as:
 In operation management the operation cost of MFI is managed and that is with the
parallel usage of operational procedures. The company uses the different set of principles
by which its ability to develop the production and development of different goods and
services is getting enhanced (Iden, 2018). In this the inappropriate costing is reduces by
which the profit margin of MFI increases. Thus it is concluded that this principle is
inadequate for company as with this the basic demand of business is not fulfilled.
 It is essential for the MFI to manage the uniformity while completing the different
functions and activities of business. The supply chain management of business is affected
as per the mismanagement of all the different task that is performed to complete the
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certain project. Thus to overcome from this situation it is required that complex situations
are overcome with better effectiveness.
 In relation to MFI, they have planned different techniques and practices by which the
supply chain management is managed in suitable form. It is required that business have
maintain clear focus about to enhance the effective relationship with the customers and
that is done by processing transparent communication. In this gradual meeting are done
by MFI and in this all the relative issues that are faced by company or customers are
pertained and better solution is generated on timely basis.
 The vital purpose of operation management is to develop better efficiency in which not
only marginal cost but profit ratio also increases (Kerzner, 2018). Thus business must
have follows the different principles by which certain outcomes are conceived that are
favourable for business growth and success.
Define continuous improvement aspect in terms of philosophy and mention about lean principles
Improvement is a constant process that is regulated by measuring or analysing all the
certain plans under which customers values are always be noticed in effective manner. The
customer satisfaction is most prior by which MFI have track all the needed information which is
required to transmitted with better consistency. Continuous improvement is a plan that is used to
accomplish the targeted standard and also ensure that operation cost also get reduces. It is used to
generate more sufficiency as with lean principles and it as define below as:
Define the value In this principle, business have identifies the values and services that
are shared within the marketplace or with customers. It is used to
develop more revenue and to attain better return on the investments.
Mapping value stream In this MFI has maintained clear focus on the generation of suitable
communication through which they have developed the prior design in
particular manner. In this better efficiency is maintained through which
profit share is getting enlarged.
Creating flow In this MFI maintain constant monitoring in the manufacturing process
by which all the complexities and redundancies are removed with
appropriateness (Kerzner, 2019).
Establishing a pull In this principle the working process of company is getting enhanced
by which the attractiveness of business objectives are attained within
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the certain period of instance. It aid to meet up all the business
requirement with strong effectiveness.
Pursuing perfection In this better level of techniques is being used by the business and that
is to attain the business objectives with cost controlling as by
maintaining the quality as well.
The above lean principle is more helpful for MFI in several ways as like develop
effectiveness in communication, induce better improvement, development of business efficiency
and that all is processed by controlling the supply chain management.
Formulate continuous improvement plan after reviewing principles of operational management
Continuous improvement and development assist the company to develop and induce
better level of modifications within the manufacturing (Lee, 2018). As it helps to intensify the
strong relationship in between the customers and employees and in this all the basic requirements
are getting fulfilled. The following is a plan that is required to prepare the operation management
principles and its evaluation that is as:
BASIS CURRENTLY USED
METHODOLOGIES
PROPOSED METHODOLOGIES
FOR USE
COST
MFI has uses variance principle so as to
recognise the cost of products by which
their ability to make balanced
relationship with customers is getting
enhanced. It is not relevant with
operational cost as it doesn't produces
beneficiary outcome.
It is a principle that is used to reduce the
variable cost by which profit margin is
increases with better effectiveness.
QUALITY
In this the concern is maintained
towards the quality enhancement by
which MFI enhance productivity of its
offered goods and services.
It is used to accomplish the effective
customer relationship by which MFI has
track its quality and ensure that they
have reached the expectations of
potential customers (Maylor, 2018).
DELIVERY MFI doesn't uses the effective procedure
of delivery as they have sold its goods to
MFI must maintain focus on to manage
the delivery time as with this all the
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its management rather than to
customers.
grievances of customers are fulfilled in
satisfactory mode.
Use continuous improvement principle, justify recommendations to improve organisational
functions
There are few recommendations that helped MFI in order to make improvements in its
organisational functions and are as described below as:
 The company has maintain huge focus on the development of appropriate communication
and for this have uses different channels as well. In this better evaluation of various
modes is processed on repetitive way (Papachristos, 2020).
 MFI must have performed market research through which various informations and
feedbacks are collected and with this all the need and requirement of market is fulfilled. It
helps to cover all the demand of customers so as to attain competitive advantage.
PART 2
Overview of case study mentioned in brief
MFI is a British retailer and manufacturer of furniture and it is one of the most leading
organisation that was established in 1964 and has based on London, UK. The company is
operating it business mainly in Europe and have 250 stores as with this covers the overall UK.
MFI having the certain portfolio under which dealt with 50 products thus with this they have
retain its market position in top 3 brands on UK and secured this place from the vast period of
time. The case study has maintained concern about the different methods and approach that is
selected by the business in order to consider effective relationship with customers and to
emphasis its market reach as well.
Project: The undertaken project is based on the defined concern on about the objectives
which is based on customer satisfaction (Reid, 2019). The company has planned to develop
suitable relation by which all the grievances has solved in timely basis and along with this
revenue generation also increases on constant basis.
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Description regarding PLC and discussion of each stage
All the projects of business having its own objectives and goals and to achieve it business
needs to manage the project as on timely basis and by following the PLC framework of time. The
project life cycle includes some stages under which MFI takes certain initiative as by satisfying
the customers, problems etc. in efficient manner. The PLC framework of MFI and its stages are
as explained below as:
Project Initiation: - It is an initial phase in which project work is started with the parallel
development of strategies, targets, objectives and goals which is developed in a framed manner
through which customers experience is enhanced, solution of grievances is pertained by which
quality services are generated, better customer and market satisfaction (Rendon, 2019). MFI also
develop several strategies that helped to achieve its objectives and goals in trenchant mode.
Project Planning: - It is the forthcoming stage that is induces as per the passage of
initiation as in this company develops appropriate planning that helps to complete the particular
objectives and goals. It is usually a continuous process that keep in processing and needed to be
regular update as per to fulfil the basic requirement of business. MFI make certain plan by which
its relationship with the clients and in this customer need is always be taking up in consideration.
To address the grievances and issues of customers are more needed as it aid to develop
transparency within the working process. In this the different roles and responsibilities are
assigned to all the individuals that are taking participative in team work.
Project Execution: - It is the another framework in which the execution of various
developed strategies is processed as with the parallel specification of target and standardised
outcomes that are required to attained within the stipulated period of time. In this all the plans are
managed and controlled with the fragmentation of different strategies. The execution of different
plans is directly based on to attract and to retain the potential customers. The MFI have develop
the different plan so as to satisfies the large range of customers as by developing the
interpersonal and communication skills.
Project Closure: - It is the final stage of project life cycle and in this MFI has analyse
that either they have achieved the appropriate success and development while attaining certain
goals (Rowe, 2020). In addition to this company has tries to collect the feedback from customers
and employee's and put all its efforts to reduces its impact by which all the complexities from the
project is getting diminished.
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After apply each stage of PLC for project involve business case, project plan and WBS
Business Case: It is a case that is represented in the form of documentation and includes
the adequate project life cycle in specified format. It is used to generate the basic framework that
is more helpful as provide the certain pathway to workers by which attainment of objectives
become more easy. Business case of MFI is as defined below as:
Company overview MFI is the UK's brand and one of the most leading and largest
manufacturer of furniture and was founded in 1964 and continuous as
MFI group. The company having the 250 stores with 50 other portfolio's
as well. MFI is situated in UK and produces the furniture for bedroom and
kitchen (Sirisomboonsuk, 2018). The working operations of MFI is
managed in the retail parks while giving competition to Argos, Ikea etc.
Vision and mission It is a project that is based on the specified vision and mission of
modification in customers satisfaction as with the parallel enhancement of
working experiences.
Objective The prior objectives of MFI us to develop effective and efficient
communication in between the customers and company and in this all the
grievances has been addressed in particular manner.
Strategy MFI uses the different strategies under which customer satisfaction is
prior aspect and in this company maintain certain focus on the
development of interpersonal and communication skill in constructive
format.
Follow up It is a aspect in which particular monitoring and supervising of different
activities through which customer relationship are getting enhanced.
Project plan: -
Cost MFI assigned the estimated cost so as to develop the customer relationship
and that is of around £25,000- £ 30,000.
Communication In this manager of MFI ensures that they have developed the suitable way of
interaction with the employee of customer by which more clarity and
transparency is maintained within the involvement of various strategies
(Slack, 2018). It is the responsibilities of manger to make balanced level of
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communication on regular basis.
Scope MFI must have focused to develop the customers satisfaction and attraction
by which consistent up-gradation is maintained through which all the
grievances is removed in continuous mode. In this strong relations are
attained that helps to resolve all the negative situations with more
appropriateness.
Work break down structure:
WBS is a structure in which all the projects are break down into different slot or
segments by which the dependency of all the different task and activities are recognised in
effective manner. In this goals and objectives are more flourished by which completion of
project become more smoother.
Critique and review effectiveness of PLC in project application by using appropriate concepts
and models
The waterfall model is being used by MFI in order to recognised PLC and that is as
explained below as:
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Requirement: The project life cycle is processed with the effective utilisation of
resources and in which better execution of all the different task and activities is processed in
systematic format. It is a way through which working performance is improved and along with
this planning is being done with the parallel support of objectives and targets. It is managed with
the support of communication by which engagement among the customers and employee is
enhanced in modified way. The need and demand of market is needed to fulfilled and with this
the diverse range of services are pertained with better satisfaction and increases the profit share
as well.
Design: It this stage communication is getting recognised by which company as by making
suitable interpretation with customers interaction. In this company have tries to collect several
feedbacks from customers by which replicative strategies are developed and enhanced in
appropriate form (Gonzalez, 2017). It helps to make effective decision making by which clear
perception is processed and along with this all the emerging trends of marketplace is managed. It
also assists to make clear modifications by which market reach is also getting enlarged.
Development: It is a level in which the set of strategies are implemented within the business
and that all are by identifying the grievances and issues of marketplace and of customers. It us
used to develop suitable relation with the customers and helps to attain successful changes. In
this higher business values and image is circulated by which capabilities and abilities of business
to enlarge the range of business is attained in effective mode. In this the redundancies are getting
reduces and then potential customers are attracted for longer period of time.
Testing and maintenance: It is a final stage in which all the detailing of different briefing is
implemented so as to achieve all the assigned target and objectives of business. In this better
situation is developed and generated by which higher level of communication is processed that
produces more simplicity for MFI while attracting more and potential customers.
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CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above report that operation and project management is the
most basic aspect that is used by the business while developing and enhancing its working
operations and functions. It includes some basic principles as well by which standardised target
are achieved in effective manner. In addition to this PLC is used that assist to make profitable
aspects as by achieving its market objectives and goals. It also helps to enhance the working
capability by which certain lead in marketplace is attained in efficacious mode.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Chawla, V. and et. al., 2018. The sustainable project management: A review and future
possibilities. Journal of Project Management. 3(3). pp.157-170.
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of regulation to a paradigm of emergence in project management. International journal
of project management. 36(1). pp.184-197.
Fahimnia, B. and et. al., 2019. Behavioral operations and supply chain management–a review
and literature mapping. Decision Sciences. 50(6). pp.1127-1183.
Gonzalez and et. al., 2017. Key performance indicators for wind farm operation and
maintenance. Energy Procedia, 137, pp.559-570.
Heldman, K., 2018. PMP: project management professional exam study guide. John Wiley &
Sons.
Iden, J. and Bygstad, B., 2018. The social interaction of developers and IT operations staff in
software development projects. International Journal of Project Management. 36(3).
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Kerzner, H., 2018. Project management best practices: Achieving global excellence. John Wiley
& Sons.
Kerzner, H., 2019. Using the project management maturity model: strategic planning for project
management. John Wiley & Sons.
Lee, C.K.H., 2018. A review of applications of genetic algorithms in operations management.
Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence. 76. pp.1-12.
Maylor, H. and et. al., 2018. Old theories, new contexts: extending operations management
theories to projects. International Journal of Operations & Production Management.
Papachristos, G. and et. al., 2020. Low carbon building performance in the construction industry:
A multi-method approach of project management operations and building energy use
applied in a UK public office building. Energy and buildings. 206. p.109609.
Reid, R.D. and Sanders, N.R., 2019. Operations management: an integrated approach. John
Wiley & Sons.
Rendon, R.G. and Snider, K.F., 2019. Management of defense acquisition projects. American
Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc..
Rowe, S.F., 2020. Project management for small projects. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Sirisomboonsuk, P. and et. al., 2018. Relationships between project governance and information
technology governance and their impact on project performance. International journal
of project management. 36(2). pp.287-300.
Slack, N. and Brandon-Jones, A., 2018. Operations and process management: principles and
practice for strategic impact. Pearson UK.
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