Operations and Project Management: Review and Critique of Operations Management and Project Life Cycle

This report discusses the implementation of operations management principles and project life cycle in Sainsbury, the second largest supermarket in the UK. It includes an introduction to the organization, explanation of operation vs operations management, review and critique of operations management principles, analysis of the extent to which the operations management meets the requirements of the organization, discussion of continuous improvement as a philosophy and lean principles, and a continuous improvement plan with justified recommendations for improvement. The report also covers six sigma and its effectiveness. The relevance of the continuous improvement plan to the firm is discussed as well. Course code and college/university are not mentioned.

ID
Unit Number and
Title Unit 187 – Operations and Project Management
Title Review and Critique of Operations Management (Part 1)
Project Life Cycle (Part 2)
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Table of Content
Part 1: Business Report
1. An introduction to chosen organization p
2. An explanation of operation vs operations management p
3. A review and critique of the implementation of operations
management principles within the chosen organization p
4. An analysis of the extent to which the operations management of the
organisation in the case study meets the requirements of the
organization p
5. Discussion of continuous improvement as a philosophy and describe
the Lean principles p
6. A continuous improvement plan, including your justified
recommendations for improvement, based on your review and critique of
operations management principles within your organization
p
References p
2

1. An introduction to chosen organization
Operation management can be refer to the business area that implements
practices ensuring the conversion of inputs into product and services with maximum
efficiency. These are also associated with the controlling and designing the process
of production of product which are supply by the organization. The project
management is a process which is associated with the use of particular knowledge
and skills as well as techniques to deliver something of value to people. The report is
based in the Sainsbury which is a second largest supermarket in the UK. This is
deals with the groceries, clothing , electrical as well as financial services. This was
established in 1869 by John James Sainsbury. This report is includes the operation
management principles, lean principles, continuous improvement, project
management as well as project tools and methodologies which are assist in the
specific project (Roohnavazfar and et. al., 2019).
2. An explanation of operation vs operations management
Operation definition:
Operation is a set of action for a specific purpose and a process and way of
functioning. This is assist in the taking suitable actions for the activities or principles
which are used in the organization. This is a general process of working of the task
in the proper manner by using operations methodologies.
Definition if operations management:
Operations management is refer o the control and direction of the process
that transform inputs into services and product. It is useful in the formulation of the
higher level of the efficiency which can be possible in organization. It is obsessed as
well as responsible for change the raw material in the good quality of the product and
services. This is responsible for the complete production of the products which are
offered by the organization (Bressani, 2020). This process is consider inventory as
well as logistic management etc.
Give example how they apply to chosen organization
Operation as well as operations management is used by Sainsbury in the
condition of last delivery of the product and services to the users. These are using
several principle of the operation management such as total quality management
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and time management. These are also follow service of credit card as well as
financial services for increasing the performance of the operation which is associated
with the product of the organization.
3. A review and critique of the implementation of operations
management principles within the chosen organization
Operations management process applied in chosen firm:
There are some stages which are followed by Sainbury in their operational
management within working premises. The first stage of the process is planning
which is associated with the feasibility study. The second stage of this process is
associated with preparation and organization of the resources for execution within
organization. The third stage is supervising as well as execution process for batter
implication of the resources. Fourth stage is associated with the assessing to make
some essential changes for increasing profitability (Pellegrini and et. al., 2020).
Strength:
There are so many strength of the business operation management principles
and it supports the Taylor's theory of Scientific management which is associated with
the increasing the productivity as well as profitability pf the organization. There are
several strengths of the Sainsbury for maintaining its operations. This is includes
flexible specialization, mass customization, lean production as well as agile
manufacturing.
Limitation:
Operation management techniques and its principles have some limitation
which are depends on the production. The principles off the operations management
can only used in the manufacturing and production of the products and services
because of evolution of new products and services are highly required in operation
management. These are not applied on ready made industry in which no and
manufacturing is carried out.
4. An analysis of the extent to which the operations
management of the organization in the case study meets the
requirements of the organization
Objectives of organization:
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The objectives of Sainsbury is includes the increment in the quality of product
at reasonable cost. They ate also avoid the extra cost as well as invest to increasing
the production of the organization which are assisting in the growth of the firm. This
is also aimed on providing best quality with the use of total quality management
methodologies for the positive change in their product in a qualitative way. This is
also focus on the increasing the productivity which are essential for increasing the
profit and decrease the cost (Zhang and et. al., 2021).
Does the operation management meet the requirements if so how? Give examples
Operation management is fit with the needs of the Sainsbury by supplying the
Principles of planning operations management. The employees of the Sainsbury is
highly potential in the management of the operation flow from starting to completion.
Workers are keep track customer purchase and product supplied with the help of
good operating system.
5. Discussion of continuous improvement as a philosophy and
describe the Lean principles
Lean principles:
Lean principle are used to decrease the wastage of the resource at time of
production of the products and services in the working premises. This process is
based on principles which are followed by Sainsbury and these principles are
mentioned as:
Value defining: Sainsbury is aimed on providing high quality of products to the users
which are assist in the increasing value of the product in between users. Sainsbury is
supply the good and services according to the users requirements.
Mapping of value: These principles are used to determined several points as well as
aspects which assisting in the increasing the value of the organization in between
users. Sainsbury is aimed on determination of the aspects which are useful in
increasing values as well as decreasing those aspects which are not useful for the
organization.
Creating flow: Sainsbury is use their resources, workers and material in a proper
manner that are assist in the attaining the goals as well as objectives of the firm.
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These are also assist in the increasing the performance of the workers and develop
their personal knowledge as well as skills by providing suitable training.
Pull Establishment: These lean process is used fir effective management of
resources which assist Sainsbury in the manufacturing. The firm is also aimed on
managing its inventory effectively which are useful for the provide high quality
product within particular time of period (Boscari and et. al., 2018).
Methods of lean production:
There are several methods which are use by the organization. Kaizen is a
method of lean production and Kaizen is a Japanese word which is refer to
continuous improvement of productiveness of the firm in term of gradual as well as
methodical process. Just in time is a lean production method which is used for
inventory management. The main objective of this method to reduce inventory
holding cost and increase inventory turnover. Kanban is also a method of lean
production which assist in reduce the inventory shortage with the use of some
methods to improve the operations. Andon is a leading system in lean management
as it enables the lean principles of build in quality. This notifies managerial,
maintenance as well as other workers of a quality or process problems.
Which ones does chosen firm apply?
In relation to Sainsbury, there are Kanban and just in time management is
highly used lean production method for managing the operation of the firm. These
both are used for giving the positive results to the organization which are assisting in
stock control, simultaneous engineering etc. These are also useful in the enhancing
the performance as well as productivity of the company in efficient and effective
manner (Essila, Alhourani and Motwani, 2021).
Apply six sigma and its effectiveness
Six sigma can be explained as the combination of several tools for continuous
improvement of operation within working premises. These methods are associated
with the quality circle of the tool as well as effectiveness of these who are team of
workers which perform some activity. Bench marking is a tool of six sigma which are
associated with the organization analyzing its performance and aimed on process as
well as operations within one area of the organization. Total quality management is
also a tool and it involves with the high level of quality in every process and aimed on
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users expectations. Supply chain management is also a another tool of six sigma
and it supports the organization in the management of supply chain in a effective
manner (Tari and Najafi Tomraei, 2021). Enterprise resource planning is a tool and it
assist the organizations automate and manage core business process for optimal
performance.
Principles of six sigma are explained as:
 Focus on customers: This is essential for Sainsbury that they require to be
customers aimed as they have goals and objectives of accomplish users
expectations.
 Identify root cause: This is the one of the important principle for Sainsbury in
which these are required to identify the root cause of the problem. This is
assist in the proper identification of the situation.
 Reducing variations: It is essential for Sainsbury that they should decreasing
variation so that firm is able to decreasing the fluctuation as well as troubles.
 Teamwork: This is a essenrtial thing which a manager is require to keep in
mind for the growth and success of the organization.
 Flexible approach: Sainsbury is require to use flexible approach to execute
objectives and goals. These are very useful for the organization in order to
accept the changes (Al-Shatti, 2018).
6. A continuous improvement plan, including your justified
recommendations for improvement, based on your review and
critique of operations management principles within your
organization
Apply continuous improvement plan
There are several techniques which are used in the continuous improvement
in the management. These are include Kaizen as well as total quality management,
supply chain management and bench marking which are used by firm for resource
planning and andon & kanban. These tools are require the strategies to accomplish
which state that the first stage of plan which determine the opportunity and feasibility
in the firm. The second stage is associated with the implication of the plan in the
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small scale organization of the project. The third stage is includes the checking
process which is used the information to examine the conclusion of the change
management. The forth stage is used if the change strategies on small scale is
successful implemented and these are require to implement on large scale along
with the continuous evaluation of the results. This is the manner that continuous
improvement plan is apply (Davis and et. al., 2022).
Effectiveness of a continuous improvement plan
Explain how the theories are used that are applied
There are various theories are applied within Sainsbury which are used for the
continuous improvement in a proper manner with the use of some specific process.
This is includes commitment which is used the powerful awareness as well as
shared objectives that is essential for team is committed for completion of the activity
by creating awareness about the task. The second is strategies which is the mission
and vision with the deliverables which is associated with the tactics are made as
objectives and goals of the organization. The third process is associated with the
mapping and process evaluation and this is refer to the integration of the process
which is done by examining the complete process of operation. Fourth stage is
associated with the performance measures as well as management propose. This
process is refer to the measurement of the targets of the performance and the
management of the operations. There are quality is common at every stage of the
continuous improvement plan (Sabharwal, Rathore and Agrawal, 2022) .
Relevance to the firm
Salisbury has achieve several advantages as well as benefits of the
continuous improvement plan execution. This is includes the increasing the quality of
the product and services which are offered by the organization to their users for
building a long term relationship with the stakeholders of the organization. This is
help the organization in enhancing the productivity as well as efficiency and reduce
the time as well as cost along with energy. This is also assist in the reduction of
waste which are reduce the extra expenses of the organization. These are also
increase the workers satisfaction as well as teamwork abilities and also increase the
customer satisfaction.
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9

References
Boscari, S. and et. al., 2018. National culture and operations management: a
structured literature review.
International Journal of Production
Research,
56(18), pp.6314-6331.
Zhang, J. and et. al., 2021. Impact of team knowledge management, problem solving
competence, interpersonal conflicts, organizational trust on project
performance, a mediating role of psychological capital.
Annals of Operations
Research, pp.1-21.
Pellegrini, L. and et. al., 2020. Digital transition and waste management in
architecture, engineering, construction, and operations industry.
Frontiers in
Energy Research,
8, p.576462.
Bressani, F.S., 2020. Operations Management exam: Synopsis written project
Sebastian Saad Giovannetti (138532).
Roohnavazfar, M. and et. al., 2019. Operations Research Perspectives.
Operations
Research,
6, p.100124.
Essila, J.C., Alhourani, F. and Motwani, J., 2021. Using concept maps in teaching
operations management courses.
Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative
Education,
19(1), pp.15-39.
Tari, G. and Najafi Tomraei, S., 2021. Modeling the causal relationships between
Business Process Management key Success Factors Using DEMATEL
Method.
Journal of Operations Management,
1(1), pp.9-37.
Al-Shatti, L., 2018. Investigating the impact of teamwork quality on project
effectiveness in a multiple-project management setting. In
Proceedings of
the 2nd European Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations
Management (IEOM) (pp. 26-27).
Davis, A.M. and et. al., 2022. A Replication Study of Operations Management
Experiments in Management Science.
Available at SSRN 4135500.
Sabharwal, N., Rathore, R. and Agrawal, U., 2022. Using Agile for Infrastructure
Operations. In
Hands-On Guide to AgileOps (pp. 157-175). Apress,
Berkeley, CA.
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Table of Content
Part 2: Project Portfolio
Project Title p
An overview of the case study you have been given p
An explanation of each stage of the PLC that applies to your selected
project, including supporting documentation for each stage (e.g.,
business case, the project plan, cost-benefit analysis and work
breakdown structure):
 Project initiation p
 Project planning p
 Project execution p
 Project closure p
Analysis of the project methodologies and tools used p
Review and critically evaluate the effectiveness of the PLC in application
to your project using the appropriate theories models and concepts
p
Conclusion p
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Project Title
To develop a project that aimed on supplying healthy food to employees by
cooking food in working premises. The objective of the project is to avoid the
movement of the workers from the working area in between lunch break which are
presently creating crowding issue in local area. This also useful for staff to develop a
healthy lifestyle which the organization is believes that these are associated with
their social responsibility and will also avoid the employees absence.
An overview of the case study you have been given
As per the given case study, presently there are no any onsite catering within
the organization. My position is a member of the Project and Programme office,
which is liable foe delivering the change programme for the firm. According to
personal development plan and induction, the manager is responsible for manage
and plan a theoretical in house project. These are assist to me in develop a
understandings of how in real terms the administration explains the business goals
and objectives into the evaluation of the particular development project as well as
their completion & planning. There are two associated business objectives for the
present financial year are to avoid crowding issue in the local area and this is useful
for the staff in create healthy lifestyle. These organization believes is a part of their
corporate social responsibility and decrease the staff absence. The case is all about
develops a project which is aimed on giving healthy lifestyle and food by in house
cooking for the workers (Rodrigues and et. al., 2018).
An explanation of each stage of the PLC that applies to your
selected project, including supporting documentation for each
stage (e.g., business case, the project plan, cost-benefit
analysis and work breakdown structure):
 Project initiation
This is the first stage of the project management life cycle which is explains
the information of the project. These data is includes key participants and
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stakeholders as well as business needs and this is also includes the scope of project
as well as objectives which are essential for the achievement of the goals. The
budgets and milestones and role & responsibilities are also the part of the
information. According to the given case study, the objectives and goals of the
project is to give the facilities of food services to the workers at time of lunch break.
These are useful in the decreasing the movement of the workers form working area
and the food products are healthy and safe for the workers. These are supports CSR
of the organization and provide the satisfaction to the workers with in the working
environment. The scope of the project is to ensure that the employees are remain
retained in the firm and these are not won't to loose any skilled worker (Arshad and
et. al., 2021). The milestones of the present project is that there are each stage of
the project life cycle is being evaluated with the modifications as well as
improvement. The estimation of the budget of the first few months is approximately
30 Lakhs. These is associated with the expenses of kitchen, human resources,
license, transport as well as other permits. This budget can vary according to the
preferences and can be reduces after use of resources material.
 Project planning
Project planning is second phase of the project life cycle, where a plan after
the initiation phase is made so the process of exaction may begin. This is includes
the preparation and planning of the work breakdown structure with the project
development as well as planning of resources. This is also used in the planning of
budget, procurement as well as risk management. According to the given case
study, work breakdown structure is associated with the setting up of the resources
which are essential for the project to get complete. These are also organize the
human resources management and training sessions which are assisting in the
handle the catering without any troubles. There are supply chain management is
responsible for the communication planning and quality planning which can be
planned by new and effective ideas of execution (Sherringham and Unhelkar, 2020).
 Project execution
This is the third stage of the project management life cycle and the execution
is all about building deliverables that satisfy the users. Team leaders make this
happen by allocating resources and keeping team members aimed in their assigned
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project. This is involves leading as well as performing the work defined in the project
plan and implementing approved changes to achieve the project objectives.
According to the given case study, this is a documentation process where any
changes are need in the delivery of the project implication. There are performance
measurement is also done which is used for the elimination of the errors an the basis
of the complete process of the project management (Torti and et. al., 2022).
 Project closure
this is the fourth stage of the project management life cycle which is
associated with the conclusion of the project, turn the finished product or service
over ans assess the things that went well as well as did not go so well. This is the
stage of the which includes passing the documentation as well as canceling
suppliers contract, releasing equipment and staff which is used by the informing the
person of the closure of the project as well as post execution review. According to
the given case study, there is a completion as well as closure of the project. There
are several peoples are associated with this process such as suppliers of the raw
material as well as other stakeholders. These are help in the collection of the post
execution review can be started for batter maintained of the project. These are
essential need from time to time for betterment of the submissiveness of the project
(Park and Yi, 2021).
Analysis of the project methodologies and tools used
Agile methodologies
It is an approach to the project management which is seek the continuous
delivery of working software created in rapid iteration. These are aimed the
continuous release as well as attends the users feedback which are associated with
the each iteration of the project (Chawla and et. al., 2018). These are also
associated with the regular interaction with the stakeholders of the projects and each
stage regarding continuous improvement of the projects. There are some cons as
well as pros are explained as below:
Pros:
Agile is more flexible, adapting to change much more rapidly than other
project management approaches. This is give the customer satisfaction which is
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assist in the interact with the users on a daily basis. It increase the customer
satisfaction by reducing and eliminating bugs (Daniel and Daniel, 2018). The users
can add, delete or change requirements or shift priorities at the beginning of the
every cycle and guiding the project team on the work for the next iteration.
Continuous development is also a another advantage of agile methodologies which
is explained the stages of the project development is reviewed by users for
modification as well as improvement and these are outcome in the continuous
development of the project due to the regular loop of each stage of the project life
cycle process. The batter interaction is also an advantage of the agile methodologies
which is explains there are require the proper communication flow in between all the
stakeholders of the projects. These are associated in the development of the
employees and customer as well as suppliers. There are fast and frequent delivery
also an advantage of the agile methodologies which is refer to that there is a check
at each stage of the project management cycle which are assist in the fast and
frequent delivery and these are decrease the changes of any bugs or fault due to
intermediate conversion of it. These advantages is also consider the regular
modification which is explains the correction as well as improvements in relation to
the needs of the users which assist the project to be maintained according to the
daily basis (Leng and et. al., 2020). This is also assist the administration in handling
the task in more suitable manner with the corrective actions of determination. Batter
cooperation is also a benefit of agile methodologies which is explained the suitable
coordination between people who are associated with the development of the project
with the cooperation method for the successful and effective completion of the
project.
Cons:
This is not beneficial for small projects which is a one of the issue of the agile
methodologies which state that iteration of every phase of the small scale task build
the problem of time consuming nature. This process is very expensive so this is not
support the small scale projects for execution. Lack of documentation is a is the most
significant disadvantage of the agile development methodologies (Chapman, 2019).
This is basically because of the ever-changing scope of the project regarding
requirements as well as problem definition. Documentation of a particular module
could be rendered obsolete due to both major as well as minor changes made to it.
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There are requirement id expertise for decision making is also a challenge of agile
methodologies which is associated with the higher requirements of the best quality
expertise who can monitor the project from starting to the completion with the
specific decision making of it so these bugs are need to decreasing it. This process
is very costly which is a challenge of agile methodologies and this require the
resources which made consumption as well as proves extra expenses require to be
decrease by the project and organization management. It has also lack of
predictability and the ambiguity of the future gives an excellence learning entity for
each team members. It is also be stressful when it comes to the reality of providing
solutions for public. This can be become problematic especially when these entities
choose to leave at crucial stage of the production. Lack of intensity in design of the
project which is resulting in lack of strength in the development and growth of the
projects. There is time is also a challenge in the agile methodologies and there is lots
of time is taken on projects as a whole and their modules. The different members of
the development team also need to be available almost problematic in later stages of
the development (Xie, 2022).
Review and critically evaluate the effectiveness of the PLC in
application to your project using the appropriate theories
models and concepts
Effectiveness of the project life cycle in the applied to the particular project in
the structure of the project. These are associated with the project representation,
project management in the form of documentation. This is also help in the tracking
the progress of the current project and in the understand the better coordination as
well as cooperation in between people. This is also supports the manager and team
leaders in the proper maintenance of the projects. This is associated with the
determination of the success of the project and how increase the progress of the
projects and how much time is required for the increment of the quality of the project.
There are also assist in the batter project management which are associated with the
efficient as well as effective working. This is provide progressive development of the
project which is a another effectiveness of the project life cycle. There are some
chances of change of the project at time of using PLC approaches (Kintscher,
Lawrenz and Poschmann, 2021).
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Conclusion
From the above discussion, it has been concluded that the operation and
project management is plays a significant role in real world organization. There are
every organization is need to introduce new as well as innovative for the users and
these are also have proper theoretical as well as practical knowledge of the project
and operation management. There are also need to evaluate the operation
management principles which are require for the evaluation of the continuous
development.
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References
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Torti, M. and et. al., 2022. Life-cycle management cost analysis of transportation
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Chawla, V. and et. al., 2018. The sustainable project management: A review and
future possibilities.
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Leng, J. and et. al., 2020. Blockchain-empowered sustainable manufacturing and
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Xie, H., 2022, March. Application of RFID Technology in Life Cycle Management of
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Kintscher, L., Lawrenz, S. and Poschmann, H., 2021. A life cycle oriented data-
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