Project Management and Sustainability

The assignment discusses the role of project management in ensuring the successful execution of activities to achieve desired outcomes. It emphasizes the need for suitable planning and strategies to bring a company ahead of its rivals. The importance of research is also highlighted to ensure profitable outcomes from new products or projects. References are provided from various sources, including books, journals, and online articles, to support the discussion.

Operation and Project
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1: Review and critiques of implementation of operation management principles...............1
M1: Analysis of Six-sigma to improve efficiency of Tesco:.................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2: Preparation of continuous improvement plan based on above principles........................3
M2: Analysis of effectiveness of continuous improvement plan...........................................6
D1: Apply relevant theories, concepts and models to justify strategy...................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P3: Application of product life cycle stages...........................................................................7
M3: Analysing the rationale for project methodologies, tools and leadership.....................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P4: Effectiveness of product life cycle.................................................................................10
M4: Critically analyses of appropriate theories, concepts and models................................11
D2: Evaluation of appropriate theories, concepts and its effectiveness...............................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is one of the effective areas of administration that is related with
managing the process of production and re-framing business operation that are done within an
organisation. These kind of functions used to support TESCO in meeting needs and wants of
various customers. It is associated with overall management of entire manufacturing system
under which inputs used to transformed into outputs. This model aims in providing specific
information about implementation of operation management principles in Tesco. While analysis
of various operation management approaches that meets need of organisation. Apart from this,
discussion about continuous improvement as philosophy is being done effective in this report.
All those essential documentations that is needed to complete a project is being mentioned under
this report. At last, reviews about effectiveness of application to Tesco through various theories,
model and concept is done (Beringer, Jonas and Kock, 2013).
TASK 1
P1: Review and critiques of implementation of operation management principles
About Tesco Plc: It is considered as one of the leading retailer with total of 440,000
colleagues. They are serving millions of client in every week through providing facilities in
stores and online. Its business was made with very simple mission that to be champion for
customers, it helping them to enjoy better and effective quality of life. It is one of the
multinational groceries and common retailer with having headquarters in Welwyn Garden city,
UK. It is third largest company in the world in terms of total gross revenues of £55,917 million.
Customers want excessive products at effective value that they can buy products in more easily
ways. The company is having wide range of diversified market. They are into various segments
such as clothing, electronic, furniture and financial services.
Operation vs operations management:
Concept of operations: It is one of the effective document that used to describe the
various characteristics of proposed system from an individual perception. The department assess
in controlling cost and proper utilisation of resources that are available with Tesco plc.
Taylor’s theory of scientific management:
There are various types of principles that is needed to be taken into account. Some of them
are beneficial to them in overall management operation department of Tesco (Chen, Hou and
Wang, 2011). Some of them are:
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 Scientific job analysis: It is considered as one of the effective method which is based on
scientific evaluation of all tasks or events that are perform by various workers or
employees within Tesco.
 Functional supervision: It is related with dividing work equally among manager and
workers, so that scientific management principles can be applied by the manger in future
planning of work. While workers used to perform their activities in right direction.
Flexible specialisation theory: It is one of the appropriate form of industrial organisation
under which firms deal in specific product but can change as per the short notices to manufacture
different ones. One of the major characterise to this theory is that, it can make viable to produce
small batches of each goods.
Six-Sigma: It is one of the reliable techniques which will be taken into account for the
purpose of improving the production department of Tesco company. This methodology is used
for eliminating all defects in product, process or services before providing to their customers.
Lean production: It seems to be one of the effective approach to management that used to
target on reducing waste and make sure about the quality in the product. It can be applied to
various aspects of a business from developing through manufacturing to distribution.
Mass customisation: This seems to be reliable marketing and production techniques
followed by Tesco plc. It is used so because manager need to bear low unit cost associated with
mass production (Costa and et. al., 2013).
Operations management is generally related with proper designing and management of
production process and reframing of all operational activities that are performed by the company.
It is considered as one of the effective function in an organisation along with marketing, human
resources and supply chain management. Operation need both strategic and marketing of various
production those are manufactured by Tesco plc.
Overseeing the design: Under this, manager of Tesco simply watches or organise all job
or event to make ascertain that it is being done accurately or correctly. Design of plan must be
well organising so that chances of mistake can reduced.
Implementation of operation: This seems to be related with crucial part of supply chain
that supply operations with performing work on product and services by following steps by
following necessary process.
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Effectiveness of operational functions: It assist our teams overall operational
effectiveness and proper utilisation through serving operational process in proper manner. Tesco
by allocating dis
Utilising control system and contingencies to ensure efficiency:
Control is said to be foreseen action but in earlier times these are taken into account for
examine errors that are associated with production process of product and services. This seems to
be simply means that setting appropriate standards, measuring actual performance and making
corrective actions. TESCO company used to adopt open and close look system. This will assist
them in generating better outcomes in coming time (Drucker, 2012).
Contingency is a kind of situation in which company used to deal with all kind of risks
those are affecting the profitability of the company. Tesco can easily increase their efficiency in
case they are using various resources in right manner.
M1: Analysis of Six-sigma to improve efficiency of Tesco:
This seems to be effective pattern which is utilised by the firm in respect to make
improvement in quality of operation by removing all kind of mistakes and errors. It is a kind of
tool that assist in resolving problems in accordance with quality management. There are mainly 5
five stages such as: Define, measure, analysis, improve and control. These are effectively
responsible for making overall analysis of all issues that are associated with TESCO
management.
Whereas, lean principles are said to be reliable process that is used to guide proper
execution of lean tools and techniques. There are certain steps that is needed to be followed by
the manager. Such as identify value, mapping system, creating flow, establish pull and seek
perfection. These tools are required to be analyse by the project manager under the internal
department of TESCO production units.
TASK 2
P2: Preparation of continuous improvement plan based on above principles
In every business organisation, it has been found that they need to make use of effective
principles and tools so that all the resources can be managed and controlled in proper manner.
Continuous improvement is a systematic process which is going to improve quality of products,
services and processes that are done by “Tesco company”. This would seek incremental
improvement over the period of time (Fernández-Sánchez and Rodríguez-López, 2010). This
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happens to be effective process of utilising information and reviews in respect to make
operations in positive ways. It will assist management in more satisfaction to client as well as
their future needs. It is said to be continuous process that used to interface between different
client and firm in better ways.
Lean principle: In the operation and project management lean is said to be creating
certain value for the customer with limited resources. The basic goal is to provide perfect value
to the customer to deliver perfect value creation process that is having Zero waste. It is a
systematic method which is useful for the Tesco to control waste within manufacturing system
without sacrificing productivity. Some vital waste which are found within an organisation are
related with the defects, excess processing and overproduction.
Continuous improvement plan:
Name of the provider
Data:
Sources Existing performance
level
Improvement in
strategies
Expected outcomes
Promotional event It has been seen that
because of minimum
marketing practices,
buyers are not able to
buy products over
online. The main
reason is lack of
promotion.
It is highly
recommended to
make use of reliable
and effective
advertising so that
maximum number of
customer would buy
products.
There are various
promotion plans
which is needed to
be taken into
account. It will be
beneficial for
company to known
about the customer
demand.
After sales services The Tesco Plc is not
providing effective
after sales services to
customers. Like
warranty on fault
products compensation.
This can be resolve
by opening customer
services centre which
is held responsible
for all queries that are
arises by the
customers.
It has been seen the
perception of people
are different.
Through better
services and
planning it can be
resolve effectively.
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Waste minimisation The current situation of
the Tesco is that they
are facing issues with
the additional scrape
which is collected
while production
process.
Lean thinking simply
means working
smartly to increase
overall efficiency of
the company. This
need to be change on
regular basis.
Manager need to do
continuous
experimenting with
bringing lean
thinking to Tesco.
Tesco core purpose
is to create value for
customer in
accordance to earn
their lifetime loyalty.
Operations as a cross-organisation activity: It has been seen that operational activity
cannot be performed individually. It will get success by proper communication among their team
member. The growth can only be attaining in case all the staffs and workers combine together to
work upon an individual activity. An individual person cannot be able to perform functions
effectively. It will take more time and cost to accomplish a given activity.
Impact of digital technology on operational functions:
Technological changes would have huge impacts on Tesco plc. There would be various types
of managerial, diplomatic and social skills (Mir and Pinnington, 2014).
 The environment gets affected by the technology changes. Because of market
competition and uncertainty increasing continues in every day. The proper are changing
towards higher quality of products and services.
 Technology variation can lead to change positively to individual values in leading time
for consideration of operations activities that are done during the period of time.
Consideration of effective used of software system:
 ERP (Enterprise Resources planning system): This seems to be the most integrate
management aspects of Tesco. They used this to make analysis of total time they are
taking to produce their product and services.
 CRM: By the way of this method, Tesco company interact with present and potential
clients positively in order to known their demand and types of product they are desired to
be produced. This will lead to get better understanding of customer retention and driving
overall sale growth.
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M2: Analysis of effectiveness of continuous improvement plan
On the basis of all the above mentioned detail about continuous planning of Tesco
operation activity they need to make use of best approaches that can help them increase
effectiveness in future period. Reduce can be resolve by using various techniques such as:
 TQM: In order to get long term customer satisfaction, Tesco need to make use of better
quality products that are help them to draw the attention of people to their business
(Mitchell, 2013).
 Kaizen: This seems to be effective tools which is used in continuous improvement in
longer period of time. It is basically deal with every personnel that are expected to stop
their work in case any abnormality and suggestion for improvement is required.
D1: Apply relevant theories, concepts and models to justify strategy
In order to make better results, the Tesco need to make used of Six-sigma and Lean
principles in their overall analysis of operation management. This well provide huge opportunity
in front of them to get better outcomes in near future time. All the theories such as Taylor
principles and flexible communication is taken as example for evaluating the overall
performance of Tesco Plc.
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TASK 3
P3: Application of product life cycle stages
Tesco Plc is a well-known organisation which deals in providing groceries products at
different countries. It undertakes lots of projects regarding opening outlets in different countries
in order to expand its business across worldwide. The success of project depends on the needs
and requirements of targeted customers thus must be recognised through conducting research in
market. Product life cycle is considered as an important marketing concept which determines the
stages of product from development to obsolescence from market (Pekuri, Pekuri and Haapasalo,
2015). It consists of four stages which includes:
 Aim: The primary aim of this project is to use of project life cycle (PLC) to determine the
current position and growth potential of the product.
 Objective: The purpose behind doing this is to maintain proper balance among the PLC
stages so that Tesco can hold their products in the market for longer period of time. To
increase the knowledge and experience of delivering projects at internal and external
level of the company.
 Specification: It is said to be overall documentation that is develop during the project life
cycle to check basic requirements which are needed to finish the project. Manpower is
the basic thinking which is needed for successful accomplishment of all the necessary
task. The exact specifications of the quality plan are already in place when the actions are
transcribed by the Quality assurance department. These specifications are taken from the
original business plan for the project which is accepted by the shareholders.
 Task: The production manager of Tesco need to make effective plan which will be vital
for the company in accomplishment of their aims and objectives. The task of manager is
to organise all the essential resources which are needed by the company to earn
maximum revenue in near future time.
 Responsibility: The another important role of project manager is to assign responsibility
to each and every employees and staffs those are working on the project. It should be
dividend according to the skills and experience in a well organise work breakdown
structure.
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Initial: It is an introduction stage of product life cycle in which the company comes into
market with new product for the very first time. Here, research department gives maximum
support in helping company to bring new product into market after analysing the market needs
and requirements. At this stage, the size of market is small due to which the sales are less. In this
stage, cost of various activities are included which are related with research and development,
marketing, consumer testing etc.
Planning: In this stage, the management play a crucial role in growth of new product
through making an effective strategies regarding setting prices of new products which can easily
attract interest and buying behaviour of targeted customers. The management also required to
formulate a marketing plans in order to communicate with targeted customers regarding new
products. It will take around 3 to 4 weeks.
Execution: In this stage, all the above strategies and plans after executed with a hope of
achieving maximum possible results in near future. It includes adoption of marketing strategies,
hiring skilled employees, pricing strategies etc.
Closure: It is the stage where the product market starts to shrink. This can be due to
becoming market more saturated or shifting interest of customers to different products. As this
decrement may be inevitable it might still be possible for Tesco to earn huge profits through
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changing method of production with an objective of cutting cost of production and shifted to
cheaper markets (Robichaud and Anantatmula, 2010).
Project initiation documents:
Project description: In this, the main purpose or goal of Tesco regarding executing
project activities are identified. For example, introducing clothing products into market by Tesco
has their purpose is to earning huge profits and achieve huge customer strength across
worldwide. It includes objectives, scope, difficulties that may come in the process of introducing
new products into market etc.
Identification of stakeholders and its roles and responsibilities: Stakeholders includes
customers, suppliers, employees, investors etc. which are responsible to support an organisation
in executing their project activities through giving them maximum efforts. They have some
expectations from the company in return of their support for example, shareholders expect to get
maximum return on their investment whereas employees expect good remuneration in return
(Singh and Khanduja, 2012).
Initial project plan: It includes schedule, time-frame, project, quality etc. which are
required to be invested in project activities with an expectation of getting maximum result in
near future. For example, using advanced technologies facilitate employees in doing their
performance well and execute project activities in desired way.
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M3: Analysing the rationale for project methodologies, tools and leadership
The project methodologies include Project description, Identification of stakeholders and
its roles and responsibilities, Initial project plan etc. which help company in executing project
activities in an effective and efficient manner.
TASK 4
P4: Effectiveness of product life cycle
Tesco Plc is a retail company which wants to launch their new product in market. Tesco
is the largest retailer of groceries and has huge brand equity which is maintained by superior
authorities of the company. The main aim of the production manager of Tesco is to make
analysis of the product life of their brand. It is said to be one of the crucial factors in the
marketing concept. By this company can easily be able to decide all the stages a product goes
through from their production products till the removal from the market. Product life cycle is the
sequence of stages which are associated with product such as Introduction, growth, maturity and
decline. Applying this cycle is considered as a complex task as it involves development of
various policies and strategies. The main objective of applying this method is to help
organisation in fulfilling major targets of the company efficiently. In order to introduce a new
product in the market, it is important to conduct various analyses such as trend analyses and
market analyses as these evaluation helps enterprise to identify their competitors and hurdles
which can effect productivity and profitability of the firm. From the above discussion, it has been
observed that the above mentioned company has to revise their plans and policies so that a new
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introduced product can make profit. This company has to make few changes in order to satisfy
all the demands and requirements of the customers (Thomas, Cicmil and George, 2012).
In order to attain its objectives, Tesco need to divided their work according to their
experience and ability. It will help them to increase the chance of growth in the market. Product
life cycle helps in preparation of effective plans and policies which are implemented by the
organisation in order to achieve organisational goals. Tesco is introducing new product in market
which is needed to be analysed first as there are various existing competitors deals in same
product. Competing in this competitive environment is not an easy task for Tesco. In order to
attain a separate position in the market, it is important to provide high quality product and after
sales services at cheaper prices. Managers and other superior authorities of Tesco are required to
perform proper planning so that chances of failures become low. It will increase the total amount
of the product which is being used by existing customer and adding new features in the products
can assist Tesco to earn maximum profit during the period of time (Management Theories &
Concepts at the Workplace, 2018).
Comparative cost theory: This particular theory is given by Ricardo. The idea behind that
each company should concentrate on what they can do best in order to get comparative
advantage over other.
Product life cycle theory is providing by Raymond Vernon in accordance to the overall
failure of the Heckscher-ohin model. In case of new product stage, the product is delivered and
consume in order to earn revenue. The company need to make analyse each pahses of the plc so
that chances of mistake and early changes can be done accordingly.
M4: Critically analyses of appropriate theories, concepts and models
Six Sigma is a tool that assists in solving issues regarding operations and quality
management. It helps in current process through optimizing on the basis of data analysis by using
techniques like mistake proofing, design of experiments, standard work to develop new process
etc. Pilot runs are set up to introduce process capability. The other theory is Lean principle
which consists of five steps thought process which is used to guide the execution of lean
techniques. It is easy to recognise but not easy to attain. This principle is followed by managers
Tesco.
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D2: Evaluation of appropriate theories, concepts and its effectiveness
Lean principles are said to be reliable process that is used to guide proper execution of lean
tools and techniques. There are certain steps that is needed to be followed by the manager. It is
considered as an effective theory which brings maximum possible result to company in near
future.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above report that it has been concluded that operation
management is essential for every business organisation in order to execute project activities in
desired manner so that the management are able to bring their company ahead than their rivals. It
requires suitable planning and strategies in order to execute the plan in pre-determined way. To
come into market with new products, it is important to conduct research which help company in
ensuring whether the project activity will bring profitable outcome to company or not.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Beringer, C., Jonas, D. and Kock, A., 2013. Behavior of internal stakeholders in project portfolio
management and its impact on success. International Journal of Project Management.
31(6). pp.830-846.
Chen, Y., Hou, K. and Wang, R., 2011, October. A workflow-based cooperative project
management system. In Distributed Computing and Applications to Business,
Engineering and Science (DCABES), 2011 Tenth International Symposium on (pp. 69-
73). IEEE.
Costa, A., Keane, M.M., Torrens, J.I. and Corry, E., 2013. Building operation and energy
performance: Monitoring, analysis and optimisation toolkit. Applied Energy, 101,
pp.310-316.
Drucker, P., 2012. The practice of management. Routledge.
Fernández-Sánchez, G. and Rodríguez-López, F., 2010. A methodology to identify sustainability
indicators in construction project management—Application to infrastructure projects in
Spain. Ecological Indicators. 10(6). pp.1193-1201.
Mir, F. A. and Pinnington, A. H., 2014. Exploring the value of project management: linking
project management performance and project success. International journal of project
management. 32(2). pp.202-217.
Mitchell, G., 2013. Selecting the best theory to implement planned change. Nursing Management
(through 2013), 20(1), p.32.
Pekuri, A., Pekuri, L. and Haapasalo, H., 2015. Business models and project selection in
construction companies. Construction Innovation, 15(2), pp.180-197.
Robichaud, L. B. and Anantatmula, V. S., 2010. Greening project management practices for
sustainable construction. Journal of Management in Engineering. 27(1). pp.48-57.
Singh, B.J. and Khanduja, D., 2012. Developing operation measurement strategy during Six
Sigma implementation: a foundry case study. International Journal of Advanced
Operations Management, 4(4), pp.323-349.
Thomas, J.L., Cicmil, S. and George, S., 2012. Learning from project management
implementation by applying a management innovation lens. Project Management
Journal, 43(6), pp.70-87.
Online
Management Theories & Concepts at the Workplace. 2018. [Online]. Available
through:<http://smallbusiness.chron.com/management-theories-concepts-workplace-
17693. Html>.
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