Operations and Project Management: Review and Critique of Operations (Part 1)

ID
Unit Number and Title Unit 187 – Operations and
Project Management
Title Review and Critique of
Operations Management
(Part 1)
1

Table of Content
Part 1: Business Report
1. An introduction to chosen organization 3
2. An explanation of operation vs operations management 3-4
3. A review and critique of the implementation of operations
management principles within the chosen organization 4-6
4. An analysis of the extent to which the operations management of
the organisation in the case study meets the requirements of the
organization 6-7
5. Discussion of continuous improvement as a philosophy and
describe the Lean principles 7-9
6. A continuous improvement plan, including your justified
recommendations for improvement, based on your review and
critique of operations management principles within your
organization 9-10
7. Conclusion 10
References 11-12
2

INTRODUCTION
Operations of an organization are defined as the day to day activities performed to
successfully manage all of the transactions which the company engages in. Whereas
the operational management is simply referred to the methods and procedures
applied to help synchronize the operations performed (Ansari, Kant and Shankar.,
2022). The elemental tasks involved in managing the daily operations are planning,
executing , controlling, directing and follow up. All of the following tasks will help the
managers in effectively conducting the procedures related to the logistics, supply
chain management and fulfilling project related aims and objectives. For better
understanding the role of operations and operational management, the analysation
of Unilever, a London based consumer goods company, which is established in
1929. The products of the company includes foods, soaps, beverages and personal
care products, which are sold all around the world by branches set up in more then
190 countries. Furthermore, the report will compare and contrast facts related to
operations and operational management by discussing there meaning, need and
scope. Also it will discuss the lean principles as well as a plan will be drafted for
deviations in products and operations. The other part of the project will analyse the
strategies implemented and define the product life cycle for finding ways to mitigate
the absenteeism of employees and workers. All of the tasks will be performed via
examination and production of business case along with application of Product Life
Cycle where considered appropriate.
1. An introduction to chosen organization
Unilever PLC, is a public limited company, known for its wide variety of consumer
goods sold internationally, with it being the largest producer of body soaps all around
the world. The company operates via different well known and established brands,
namely, Axe, Ben and Jerry's, Dove, Magnum, Lifebuoy and many more. The
company was founded by Lever Brothers and Margarine Unit line on 2 September. It
also has research as well as development facilitates in India, China, Netherlands and
United States. The company decided to diversify its business during the middle of
20th century and decided to sell products produced from oil or fats and made a
significant expansion worldwide (Baldwin, 2019). Furthermore, the company made
acquisitions with Lipton, Brooke Bond, Ben and Jerry's and few others for increasing
there consumer base and including new minds into the business. Currently, Unilever
is focused on production of more healthy as well as sustainable products which will
help establish itself as an environment friendly business enterprise.
2. An explanation of operation vs operations management
Basis Operations Operational Management
3

Meaning All of the techniques or methods
applied for a business activity,
which happen to be related to
official events. Generally speaking,
it includes reaping the benefits of
various types of fixed and current
assets, with the mode,
advantageous for every working
personnel in company. They may
include generating income,
increasing value of assets and
securing the turnover.
The operational management
is characterized as a method
for planning, controlling,
directing, organising specific
activities affiliated to
production and manufacturing
sectors. It mainly emphasis the
process used for converting
raw materials into marketable
goods.
Involvement Primary focus of operations is to
track the tasks accomplished by
production and manufacturing
departments, where at most the
middle and operational level
employees are expected to perform
assigned activities, for any type of
entity. Here, the top, middle and
operational level employees are
involved equally, creating
equilibrium in management and
workings become decentralized.
Generally speaking, solely the
middle level is expected to
engage, which may include but
are not limited to operational
manager, accountant,
receptionist and marketing
manager. The middle level
employees required to
manage lower levels and thus
encompassing the concept of
operational management.
Example The activities can be defined in
relation to Unilever PLC, who is
involved in manufacturing,
production and sale of consumer
goods. Here the company must
perform all activities, such as,
purchase of raw materials, hiring
relevant and trained workers along
with production and manufacturing
of ordered goods. All of such duties
are defined as operations for
Unilever and should be fulfilled
simultaneously.
For Unilever, all of the efforts,
rules, regulations, methods
applied for productive and
coherent administration of
duties performed by
employees. The workers may
perform individual tasks
productively, nevertheless,
they all must produce a unified
outcome, successful in all
instances that is, from
purchasing the raw material for
goods to selling the same.
3. A review and critique of the implementation of
operations management principles within the chosen
organization
4