Operations and Project Management: A Review and Critique of Operations Management Principles in Sainsbury's

This report provides a review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles within Sainsbury's, including an analysis of the extent to which the operations management of the organisation meets the requirements of the organization. It also discusses continuous improvement as a philosophy and describes the Lean principles.

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

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
7. Conclusion p
References p
2

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INTRODUCTION
Operation management refers to helps organizations to deal with the regular
business issues with the particular strategies. Whereas, project management are dealing
with the proper planning, motivating as well as controlling the resources (Amaro, Alves and
Sousa, 2019). The current study will discuss overview of the Sainsbury's with their
objectives and aims. Further, it will discuss the operations and the operations management
and shows that how does it apply to the organization with the help of the principles as well.
Lastly, it will include the proper explanation of operational management which will help
company to analyse its current requirements.
MAIN BODY
1. An introduction to Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's is the second largest chain of the supermarkets in London, United
Kingdoms. It was one of the largest leading company in the UK. But it was taken over by the
Tesco who becomes the first lar
gest retailer of groceries. It has products which includes the Superstore, supermarket and
the forecourt shop.
Aims-
 To improve their store standards and conveniences in the next 2 years.
 To create more jobs availability within some years.
 To increase their online store range in the upcoming years (Cohen, 2018).
Objectives-
 To produce goods and services at the set of the affordable prices.
 To offer the better quality products at the reasonable prices.
 It wants to be a one of the Britain's valuable supplier who are able to succeed with
the satisfaction and needs of the customers.
2. An explanation of operation vs operations management
Definition of Operations:
Operations refers to be a process of the working and functioning the procedures, it
basically means that for managing such kind of tasks and work which are inside the
organization is called operations.
Operation function
Operation functions is a process who manages the varieties of the things which
include form product manufacturing to the product selling process.
Operation management
Operations management is basically refers to the process of organizing, planning as
well as the supervising the work in the term of such productions and manufacturing the
products and it can be related to the services as well.
Example how this will apply to the Sainsbury's
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The Operation managers of the Sainsbury's makes the useful decision related to the
operational management, functions as well as helps to specify in the planning and
controlling. The company has taken a step with the technology which are properly used with
the implementation of the data warehouses and provides the useful information for running
their Operational management (Haydock and Smith, 2019).
3. A review and critique of the implementation of operations
management principles within the chosen organization
Sainsbury's operations management is here for handle such elements which are
related to the marketing mix for the formulating benefits and having positive impact on its
sales as well. The business always offers the varied range of the product with the
performance level for serving the better foods, clothing and other services. It will help to
know about the which companies are changing their pricing commodities, but it will always
stick to their pricing strategies which helps to gain more competitive advantage.
There are the two components in such operation functions which are describes the
convenient methods which are clearly monitored by the organization for improving the
working method for gaining such proper feedback for giving the best products and services
for the better result as well. It always decides to work with the stronger workforce with the
better outlets for managing the day to day activities and the operations.
The first strategy which is used by the Sainsbury's is Flexible specialization which
considered as the business strategy, which clearly helps the organization to be more
competitive for the other market operators. It basically refers to the people and such
equipment which is used by the business in effective manner for doing the other different
things which helps to grow the in a business. Mass Customization refers to such process
for integrating the mass production or to normalization principles with such customization. It
is clearly showing the gaining advantages in the UK with the whole world. Sainsbury's is
clearly experimenting with their process which are more effective for implementation in the
production as well as the operational facilities which help to grow the business.
The strengths are as it focus on the effectiveness for using all the resources in the
company for ensuring the potential which are here to be maximized the production. It will
simply include the labor resources as well as the physical machines, it will simply make the
things to the company for managing the proper functions for executing such selling criteria
for the getting better understanding for the organization's income stream (Ivanov and et.al.,
2021).
The limitations can be shown for the Sainsbury's which may have a multiple dependency
which may be having with the lack of coordination in the many components of the company
in which will be had a major disadvantage. Along, with having not implemented the profitable
strategy at the very right place and may having a failure related to such operations.
4. An analysis of the extent to which the operation's management of the
organization in the case study meets the requirements of the
organization.
There are some objectives of Sainsbury's which are used in the cost-m reduction,
productivity etc.
 To reduce the cost of production.
 To increase the production quality.
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 To increase the productivity of business.
Operations management helps out to fulfill these requirements.
Operations management always meets with the requirements of organizations with
utilizing such resources from the staffs and the materials which are used for the services and
the new technologies with such effective equipment. There are the good operation
management function which are counted as a main factor of the company for having a
suitable marketing tactics which are followed. While measuring the advance technologies it
is always able to figuring out the ways for decreasing up the costs as well as increasing such
productivity by taking place with the varied desired markets (Naderi and et.al., 2019).
With the helps of such operation management of the Sainsbury's, it always unable to
follow the basic requirements which are of the stakeholders and with the effective evaluation
as well. The other aspect shows the better quality management which have concerned of all
the other organizations which are developing and selling with the proper needs of the
customers in the market.
The important part is to have a proper operation's management, which are basically
for the improvement which are going with the customer's preferences and their tastes. Thus,
the productivity always includes the varied range of such activities which are starting from
having a proper idea about the new product as well as providing the better customer support
who are liable to purchasing the products. Organization always making a good use of their
productivity in the operation's management as well.
5. Discussion of continuous improvement as a philosophy and describe
the Lean principles
Continuous improvement has also known as the continual improvement which it is
called an ongoing process of improvement of such products and the services or such
procedures through the incremental through such improvements. There are five lean
principles which are clearly discussing.
Identify value- to knowing about the functions of the lean process which is
used by the organization for identifying the team work. It clearly identifies the waste.
Map value stream- after identifying the such values of the team who are
producing properly it is essential to know about the organization for visualizing the
path to the needs which is wanted by the customers.
Create flow- the manager always monitored the task flow which shows the
smoothly by the employees.
Establish pull- after creating a work flow the next principle always asks the
company for establishing the pull system. Which are used to visualized with the
transparency and know about that the system is properly working and completing
their assignments on time (Rohwer and Topić, 2019).
Seek the constant improvement- lean principle is basically related with the
concept of the continuous improvement which is used to be a very important part for
the lean management as well.
Methods of lean production
Kaizen- it is called as an approach which is used for creating the better continuous
improvement which is simply based on the small idea and the further ongoing changes.
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Just in time- it shows up the inventory system which is called a management
strategy which are properly aligned with such raw materials stocks from directly the retailers
which shows in the production schedules as well.
Kanban- it is simply called the inventory controlling system which are clearly used in
such just in time. It is simply used to track on the manufacturing and such production for the
order and such new shipments with the other raw materials.
Andon- it is simply called as a system which are fast alert with such operators for the
problems which are occurring during such operations.
Sainsbury's is applying the Kaizen model in such operations because it is a type of
continuous improvement which are having a more consideration for the lean productions. It
always has s intensity for reducing such waste and helps to enhance the productivity to
which uninterrupted continuous improvement. It is very effective for the business so it always
prefers to have this method in their operational strategy.
Stock control
It is simply refers to such process which are manages the stock level of the company
and keeping the required amount and monitored it. It will always help to keeping out the
tracking with the purchase order and to keep the functions of the supply chains.
SIX SIGMA
Define- it is simply refers to the problems which are related to the project
requirements and the customer expectation.
Measure- it always helps Sainsbury's to measure the current process for having a
data collection.
Analyze- it is a process for establishing the roots of the defects.
Improve- for eliminating such root causes who create the defect.
Control- for ensuring about not to repeat the same mistake again and again.
Kaizen- this approach will simply help out the Sainsbury's for the improvements
which are more beneficial for such employees.
Pros-
 It will always help to improve the team work. It will help to ensure about the team who are completing the work on time or not.
Cons-
 Organization may have a difficulty to implement this approach to their existing
system.
 This approach needs to have a trained staff.
Quality circle- it refers to the group of team workers who works at the same tasks
and solving the problems accordingly.
Pros-
 It will help to promoting the team work. It will always develop the positive attitude within the employees.
Cons-
 Employee does not have a proper training.
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 There is no support from the management.
Benchmarking- it helps to identify the baseline in the Sainsbury's.
Pros-
 It will always help to set the performance expectations in the organization. Always monitors the organization performance and manage the proper change.
Cons-
 It may basically lead with the distraction level .
 Not having a feel of competition.
TQM- it has a clear aim which involves in the process of improvements.
Pros-
 It always helps to provide the customer satisfaction level. Increasing market share increases the reputation in market (Ruan and et.al., 2020).
Cons-
 sometime it may dissatisfy customers
 The process is time-consuming as well as difficult.
SCM- it is process which have a every phase of raw materials to the production
process as well.
Pros-
 helps to increase the revenue control over cost.
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Cons-
 Strict Regulations
 Needless complications
ERP- offers many opportunities for such resource planning process which may be a
profitable for the Sainsbury's.
Pros-
 Higher management performance Good quality and availability.
Cons-
 Has a higher level of management performance.
 Better quality and availability.
6. A continuous improvement plan, including justified
recommendations
There are two chosen models which are used for the continuous improvement plan
which are:
Flexible specialization theory which is a concept, for to promote in right way of
doing the certain tasks as well as the achievement of that task in the particular time period
which is decides and fixed (Sutharsan, Prasad and Vijay, 2020). As well as the Mass
customization will use for such implementations of the process which are basically used for
the improvements as well.
Recommendations- staff training is must have required to make an effective
work environment which may consume a lot of time for this process. For the
continuous improvement Sainsbury's can easily implement such strategy which can
help to carry out the further process for the maintaining the quality as well.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that organization achieve the particular
aims and objectives with using such methods which are planning and controlling. Further, it
has been evaluated such methods which can be used by the organization for the further
improvement of the business. It has been discussed bout the lean principles with the help of
six sigmas with knowing about the merits and demerits of the company.
References
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Amaro, P., Alves, A.C. and Sousa, R.M., 2019. Lean thinking: a transversal and
global management philosophy to achieve sustainability benefits. Lean
Engineering for Global Development. pp.1-31.
Cohen, R.I., 2018. Lean methodology in health care. Chest. 154(6). pp.1448-1454.
Haydock, J. and Smith, T., 2019. No magic dust: The relationship between the
national and local assessments in Sainsbury’s/Asda. Journal of
Competition Law & Economics. 15(4). pp.538-558.
Ivanov, D. and et.al., 2021. Researchers' perspectives on Industry 4.0: multi-
disciplinary analysis and opportunities for operations
management. International Journal of Production Research. 59(7).
pp.2055-2078.
Naderi, M. and et.al., 2019. Sustainable operations management for industry 4.0 and
its social return. IFAC-PapersOnLine. 52(13). pp.457-462.
Rohwer, L. and Topić, M., 2019. The communication of Corporate–NGO
Partnerships: analysis of Sainsbury’s collaboration with Comic
Relief. Journal of Brand Management. 26(1). pp.35-48.
Ruan, J. and et.al., 2020. An IoT-based E-business model of intelligent vegetable
greenhouses and its key operations management issues. Neural
Computing and Applications. 32(19). pp.15341-15356.
Sutharsan, S.M., Prasad, M.M. and Vijay, S., 2020. Productivity enhancement and
waste management through lean philosophy in Indian manufacturing
industry. Materials Today: Proceedings. 33. pp.2981-2985.
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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
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Project Title
Cooking food in home for employee
An overview of the case study you have been given
In this case study there is huge manufacturing organization which is settled in
midlands, it is consist of 1250 employees whereby all are truly engaged in their
factory and office works. In current scenario, there is no on- site catering service. In
regard with same change program is being introduced for organization. In this
process entity has employed amount of individuals concerned for their health and
safety concerns for healthy food. This case is relevant with provision of health food
to such employees as project is supposed to be formulated (Verma and Dhiman,
2022 ). The title of this project is “Cooking food in home for employees” and
project will be executed with appropriate structure and policies. Similarly, the aim of
this project is to cater quality and affordable food for organization staff.
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
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Title: Cooking food in home for employees
 Brief Description: “Cooking food in home for employees” is planned
accordingly in order to support staff members with adequate healthy food
choices that would be beneficial for them.
 Background: The basic concept of this project is to restrict movement of
employee from going outside premises, and to promote healthy living for them
in order to minimize chances of absenteeism.
 Aim: The main aim of this project is to accomplish CSR of corporate through
implementing the effectual process and provision of healthy food choices for
working employees.
 Scope: The scope of this study is to gather employee in higher extent as
getting them from group of 1250 staff member within this project.
 Impact on the business system: Business practices has ability to build an
effective internal business environment that would aid encouraging higher
level of satisfaction to employees.
 Stakeholders: The key stakeholders in this phase are employees, suppliers,
board members, management etc. They tend to have major influence in the
process of decision making.
 Roles and Responsibilities: The major concern of this individual project is
associated with fair practices and serving equal opportunities as well as
services for every staff member.
 Milestones: To accomplish higher and better quality of food products further
that would be provided to employees. To minimize overall movement of
employees on the basis of regular serving catering to them with broad range
of healthy food options at the premises. To manage the staff absenteeism
with aid of favourable practices, these are some milestones that would be
achieved by this project.
 Budget: All the expenditures that will be considered in this project will be
included under this section in order to evaluate the real value which is
required for carrying out the practices. The overall expenses of this project will
be covered in this stage for monitoring real cost that will be essential for
executing practices.
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 Constraints, Assumption: It is supposed that sudden change in prices of
goods or services or any kind of negative aspect can occur.
 Success Measurements: success criteria are aligned with influencing
retention and absenteeism rates in business, satisfaction levels of employees
are assured measurements constraints which would for better improvement
as measuring quality standards for this project.
 Project planning
 Scope planning: the process is supposed to cover 1250 employees and their
demand for healthy food in lunch as this would restrict them from going out of
premises to have their lunch. It would help in employee retention while making
some effective standards that help them to grow.
 Preparation of the work breakdown structure: There are some tasks that
will be presented within this project for getting suitable results:
















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Project execution
Project planning
Project Closure
Project
initiation
 Detailed
Description
 ackgroundB
 Aim
 Scope
 mpact overI
business system
 ey StakeholdersK
 Roles and
Responsibilities
 Milestones
 udgetB :
Assumption
 Successful
Measurements
 Scope planning
 reparation of theP
work breakdown
structure
 roject planP
development
 Resource planning
 udget planningB
 rocurementP
planning
 Risk management
 Communication
plan
 uality planQ

 rojectP
deliverables
 erformance dataP
 Change requests
 Documentation
updates
 ssue logI
 Deliverables to
the
stakeholders
 Documentation
to the
organization
 Cancelling
supplier
contracts
 Releasing staff
and
equipment s’
 nformingI
stakeholders
about closure
Cooking food in
home for
employee

 Project plan development: In this stage, adequate time table will be
organized for completion of activities in period of time (Starzyńska, Bryke and
Diakun, 2021). Thus, all those task will be covered in Gantt Chart which
depicts duration for project completion.
 Resource planning: There are some effective planned resources for broad
range of tasks undertaken via professionals that is involved in such aspect.
Performer Job Specialism
Project tactician Appropriate for planning
several tasks in the project
Strategic management
Project initiator
Implementation of project
Basic standards of project
management
Budget manager Forming budgets
accordingly to minimize
expenses
Financial Expert
Other team members Forming up the project
completion in systematic
order
Having significant
knowledge of management
Budget planning: The budget of this project will show list of expenses required in
this project.
Particulars Budgeted fee (amount in £)
Research and development 80000
Stationary and planning costs 50000
Procurement of experts 740000
Raw material 1030000
Salary of chefs and staff 680000
Miscellaneous expenses 180000
Kitchen equipment 400000
Data management cost 20000
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Project management cost 280000
TOTAL £3460000
Procurement planning –
In this phase raw materials and vendors would be carried out through getting in
touch with quotations and policies favourable with regulating procurement procedure
(Sainsbury, 2020). Quality working chefs would be hired through assessing practical
test of food preparation.
Risk management -
For all kind of risk barriers, a quality plan should be articulated as some
precautions will be taken if any kind of hazard takes place. Whereas contingency
plan would be fabricated to eliminate various irregularities in this project.
Communication planning –
In this process suitable communication practices will be followed that will be
lucrative in terms of facilitating procedures of project management. Although,
employee can make better communication by digital tools of communication which
would support in reducing confusion.
Quality plan –
The food which is prepared by chef will be tested on day to day basis in order to
decease negative aspect from being occurred at place. Whereas, standards would
be implemented that will assist food is perfect for consumption.
 Project execution
Project deliverables –
In this phase some of tangible outputs of project will be monitored in order to get
better understanding of various negative issues over growth of project (McKenzie,
2021). The major concern of project relies on food quality which is being accessible
to employee in most significant terms.
Performance data -
In this executing stage, overall progress of project will be evaluated to form
changes in systematic order.
Change request –
There are some changes that would be formed in the case when there are
some major differences determined through structure and project being considered.
While some of these changes implemented with evaluation of all type of policies.
Documentation update –
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All types of change which is made in execution will be recorded with utilization of
unique documents for managing all the data (Leon and Laing, 2021).
Issue log –
It will support for tracking various types of problematic concerns that might
suddenly appear in project, further this would assist in mitigation of risk.
 Project closure
It is the conclusive phase of this project life cycle whereby it sums up with due
considerations for every individual aspect of project. While there are some activities that
must be taken into consideration after project ending in financial year and it is briefly
discussed below:
Stakeholder deliverables -
Project documentation
Cancelling the contract with suppliers
Discontinuation with staff and essential equipment’s
Providing information to stakeholders about project closure
Post implementation review –
The success criteria of this project are examined with better assistance of reviewing
salient aspects consisted in this. Key performance indicators are utilized to ensure overall
progress of project serving the quality output. Forming up the case –
Title of project – “Cooking food in house for employee”
Aim and objective – to achieve the significant aspects of this project with efficiency with
better food quality and services provided to employee.
Mission –
To improve corporate social responsibility of entity as being attentive towards employee
health and minimizing chances of absenteeism.
Opportunity –
It is biggest opportunity for business to enhance corporate social responsibility requirements
with the help of suitable strategies aligned with project management.
New idea –
Health and safety products would be served to staff members in workplace, it will aid in
minimizing chances of going out from premises. Although, Gantt chart and WBS will be
utilized for provision of effective information for overall process.
Essential resources –
Chef, suppliers, equipment and raw materials are some key resources which would be
required in this phase.
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Improvement –
Providing major focus over research and development can assist for improvement in project
scope.
Risk and benefits –
Risk in this process can be higher charged prices of resources, on the other hand benefit
can be termed as provision of subsidies through government.
Project plan –
The overall dimension of this project are highlighted in Gantt chart stated below and it would
be reflecting over various stages of project objectives.
Cash flow work -
It would be recorded in most significant terms by finance departments.
Business strategy of this project –
The associated strategy in this project was to analyze potential opportunities as well as risk
of project and further taking improved decisions over them.
Cost and benefits –
The occurred cost is estimated to relapse its benefits in the case of minimizing staff
absenteeism and enhancement in their level of satisfaction.
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Conclusion and recommendation –
From the above project it can be summarized that all kind of task are performed and
presented in sequence order. While it is recommended that availability of time can enhanced
in further process which will aid in better accuracy.
Cost benefit analysis of project –
The total cost has been identified was £3460000 that would serve adequate aid to project
manager for completion of project effectively (Santos and de Carvalho, 2021).
Furthermore, some better returns can be experienced through business for upcoming year
as it will reflect to enhanced productivity of employee.
Merit –
It is supportive in nature for interpreting project value
It effectively eases individual decision making ability
Demerit –
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It is time consuming process
It is one of the costly term for business to pledge
Analysis of the project methodologies and tools used
Project management tool –
Work breakdown structure is taken into consideration as tool for project
management, it helps in organizing and simplifying of various activities in systematic
order (Tarasenko, 2022).
Merit –
The major advantage of this helps in delegating task and activities into several steps
It serves basic knowledge about work completion date
It increases measuring as well as monitoring ability of teams
Demerit –
It has inflexible structure
It could be inappropriate
Project leadership – it is one of the most significant aspect that is beneficial in
providing better motivation to members of project for improved work performance.
Merit –
It is most effective process for project completion
It minimizes possibility of loss occurrence for company
Demerit –
It could form pressure on team members
There can be several mistakes which might disrupt efficiency of overall management
Review and critically evaluate the effectiveness of the PLC
in application to your project using the appropriate
theories models and concepts
Performance management –
Performance management refers to broad range of activities which is aligned with
vast performance for project completion (Tarasenko, 2022). In addition to this there
are some procedures of activities that is performed as it is highly responsible for this
project. The advantage and limitation of these are stated below:
Merit –
It provides suitable help for effective utilization of resources
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It builds significant methods and decreases misconduct
It supports project completion
Demerit –
It immensely impacts over financial outputs
It is dependent on assumptions
From the above project it can be stated that that all key considerations are
covered in this project such as milestones, benchmarking and target having
appropriate productive quality indication. In addition to this there are some internal
and external factors that have been taken into consideration likely to be known as
employee retention and their increased amount of satisfaction. Key performance
indicators and corporate social responsibility of organization depicts valuable
proposition of firm.
Furthermore, in this study it had been covered Gantt chart and WBS model
which depicts final judgement process for the overall project. While major purpose of
this project was to implement specific and clear understanding and aspects related
to growth. Thus, project is completed in systematic order and it covers all such
necessitate terms that makes study most lucrative and successful.
References
Leon, M. and Laing, R., 2021. A concept design stages protocol to support
collaborative processes in architecture, engineering and construction
projects. Journal of engineering, design and technology.
McKenzie, D., 2021. Small business training to improve management practices in
developing countries: re-assessing the evidence for ‘training doesn’t
work’. Oxford Review of Economic Policy. 37(2). pp.276-301.
Sainsbury, D., 2020. Windows of Opportunity: How Nations Create Wealth. Profile
Books.
Santos, P. D. O. and de Carvalho, M. M., 2021. Exploring the challenges and
benefits for scaling agile project management to large projects: a
review. Requirements Engineering, pp.1-18.
Starzyńska, B., Bryke, M. and Diakun, J., 2021. Human lean green method—a new
approach toward auditing manufacturing & service
companies. Sustainability. 13(19). p.10789.
Tarasenko, D., 2022. Analysis of the main stages of the project management life
cycle and project management approaches.
Verma, S. and Dhiman, P., 2022. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: COMPONENTS,
STAGES, TOOLS AND THEIR STRATEGIES FOR AGRICULTURAL
LIBRARIES IN MODERN ERA. Management of Knowledge Resource
Centers in the Networked Digital Environment, p.69.
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