Operations and Project Management: Review and Critique of Unilever's Operations Management Principles

This report evaluates the implementation of operations management principles in Unilever, the largest producer of quality products. It discusses the differences between operations and operations management, reviews and critiques the principles implemented, analyzes the extent to which they meet organizational requirements, and presents a continuous improvement plan. The plan includes a PDCA approach and recommendations for improvement based on 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
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1. An introduction to chosen organization
The report intents to evaluate the knowledge regarding operations and project
management. Operations are the unit of the business that helps to carry out all the
products and services related evaluation such as attributes, credibility, and the
maintenance as well. To manage the operation is huge procedure to supply the
quality goods to the consumer with the help of keeping the control over day to day
problems. It consists the procedure of preparation, forming strategies, planning and
managing overall functional sector of the organization. Therefore, operation and
product management are crucial part for the purpose of utilization the resources in
proper way that will assist in logistics as well as supply chain management of the
Unilever. This organization is known as the best production company of all the
products which provides the customer across the world. It was implanted in 1929
and headquarters are placed in London, England. The company has lot of key
products such as food and beverages, individual care and soaps. These are the
most demanded products in the existing market. The report is going to be discussed
or evaluate the differences about operations and their managements, principle
review, analyze the need that can help in improvements with the help of various
theories like principle of lean or plan that has been made for the doing changes in
the goods and services according the customer demand and satisfaction. Also, the
another part of report will present the strategies and the PLC stages to bring out the
project for decreasing the abstinence of the staffs. It will be done by the producing of
company case and application of product life cycle in perfect manner (Xu, 2020).
Unilever is the best-selling and most popular and famous producing brand of
the costumer goods and services. Unilever brand is popular for their quality products
on reasonable price. At present time, the Unilever is focusing on manufacturing the
healthy products during Covid-19 time.
2. An explanation of operation vs operations management
Operations consists all the functions which is related with the producing or
production and delivery the goods. Thees activities takes place in each and every
business to gain their profit standards. It includes the observation many activities
such as quality of the products, plans, utilization of the resources and meet with the
particular demands of the consumer as well (AprilCarlos, 2019). The manager of
operations has lot of responsibilities to control and analyze the business sales with
the help of involving those elements which affects the productions.
On the other hand, operation management is the activity to control all the
operational exercises for the purpose of meeting with the business efficiency. It
manages and monitors or controls all the functions that has to be performed during
the activities. To fulfil the consumer needs, it is necessary to manage all the supply,
logistics and quality of the products. The distinguish between these two functions are
discussed below:
Operations Operations Management
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 It involves all the daily exercises
which is related to the
development of product, revenue
and stock management.
 The Unilever has its functions or
operations to trade the goods and
services to the consumer for the
purpose of making profits.
 It is all about controlling all the
activities to manage the
capabilities in the Unilever.
Maintaining the functions can
lead to increase the quality and
evaluate the mistakes at the
beginning level.
 For illustration, Unilever takes
out the changes in their goods
like soap with the using good
quality material and labour.
3. A review and critique of the implementation of
operations management principles within the chosen
organization
Operations and project management are important terms for entity. It assist in
operating with full efficiency in company. Unilever is most famous organization and
is the largest producers of quality products. They mainly focuses on delivering
correct products for their right customers. The organizations makes strategies fro
management of operations of products in order to acquire better result in terms of
quality, speedy deliveries, maintain work process and stocks. It generates an
effective cost method to produce products at best and affordable prices. Therefore,
there are a number of principles of operations management which assist in
supervising overall activities by implication of relevant methods. Moreover, Unilever
has its goals to diverge more towards organic and dairy products and to provide its
customers a healthy lifestyle. This can be achieved by emphasizing on operational
principles to prevent wastage of resources and to avoid necessary mistakes
(Nepomnyashchyi, Barzylovich, and Medvedchuk, 2018). These are provided below:
Reality: This is the most important principle of operations management.
According to this, the managers of Unilever are required to determine the issues
instead of searching for instruments and methods. Examining issues will provide a
actual solution which will be applied on the specific product of the organization.
Unilever is required to pay emphasis on recognizing the problems faced while
production of organic products so that it it get resolved as soon as possible.
Humility: This principle plays a vital role from the point of view of employees.
It is important to supervise employees of company along with its products. The
managers of Unilever are required to maintain culture of realizing and accepting their
mistakes and build connection with them so that the employees can work with
bravery and positive (Wang and et al., 2022).
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Organization: According to this principle, all the departments and
organizations functions are interrelated. It is being assumed that, when all
departments combines for the concern of profitability of business, only then it results
in favourable outcome. Furthermore, Unilever is required to keep uniformity in all the
elements irrespective it is material, labour and process , which will aid in providing
the same taste of the product which is demanded by the consumer.
Accountability: The procedure of management of operations is a framework
of all the rules and regulations which determines standards. Hence, the managers of
Unilever required to be responsible to examine whether all standards and criteria
has been fulfilled during the manufacturing of organic foods. This will assist in
recognizing pitfalls and incorrect activity at first stage.
Change: This principle depicts that employees in organisation are required to
intake market changes. Unilever operates according to this principle as they permits
changes in products as per requirements of market and diverging needs of
customers. It includes determination of needs, demands and wishes of customers.
Quality control: at workplace management of quality is most important. It
assist in production of highest and best quality products (Garcia-Teruel and et al.,
2022). Therefore, this procedure is essential in Unilever to accomplish their objective
of manufacturing organic foods.
Success: It is the most crucial principle for Unilever. When each and every
effort provides the desired outcomes it results in success. Therefore, all the
functions must be performed in a manner that customer repurchases the product.
They are required to put huge efforts till the organization does not maintain customer
loyal.
It has been crucially observed that, operations management procedure is
dependent on its effective principles. These assist in maintain control over the
process of production and obtain correct results. The Unilever is required to
recognizes the issues first before starting the production of organic food and dealing
in dairy products. This will assist in maintaining the quality focused production and
the organization will maintain its brand image. It will generate negative effects if the
consumers did not get satisfied with entity's products and services. Furthermore,
responsibility must be accepted by managers to insure that accurate materials are
being utilized in a correct manner. Additionally, the organization must exercise
control over operational activities till the time they reach to success by maintaining
loyal and consistent customers (Bussery and et al., 2018). This depicts that, the
products are fulfilling needs of consumers.
4. An analysis of the extent to which the operations
management of the organisation in the case study meets
the requirements of the organization
The principles of operations management are important and also effective for
the profitability of organization. As the Unilever has vast reach into market which
represents many challenges and problems while considering correct decisions for
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the product. Operations management is supportive to met the needs of the
organization and demands of consumers in below discussed ways:
 The first and most important need of the company and customer is quality.
Each and every consumer wishes to consume commodities which are build
up of healthy substances. This will create the company to become capable of
attracting more consumers as public is becoming highly conscious about their
health.
 Unilever has their cost impressive methods in functions and management.
The company provides its customers suitable products by utilizing good
quality of raw material and ignore excess purchases. This is the fact due to
which consumers stay loyal towards their commodities.
 Unilever supervises their place of work in an effective manner. This will help
them in coordinating and stick to the objectives of quality control in their
functions. The organization maintain good relations with global suppliers and
employees to make the best and full utilization of their commodities and skills.
 The principles of operations management assist Unilever to make products
as per the trends prevailing in market. This depicts that, consumer are fully
satisfied with their operations decisions as the managers are good at
searching marketing requirements (Ming, and Oleksandrv, 2021). For
instance, the company bring a lot of variations in soaps by introducing new
fragrances which becomes the most demanded product of Unilever.
5. Discussion of continuous improvement as a philosophy
and describe the Lean principles
Continuous improvement is a procedure of making the plans and improving
the work in perfect manner. Betterment are good than the origins that negatively
affects the reputation of the business. Therefore, it is an out flowing and continuous
procedure to put the control over the quality of products and service as well. This
tend to results in the success and development or growth of the Unilever into the
other parts of the nation.
Lean principles
Lean methodologies is applicable to monitor or control over the wastage into
business. These principles aids in decreasing the cost of production and fix or set a
minimal price of the goods.
Defining the value: This principle presents that the consumer needs to
explain the value which they purchase. Customer always concentrate on money with
full of satisfaction. Unilever meets their demands with giving them fresh or new
content or experience every time with launching new trendy goods or products on
the reasonable prices with great quality (Ma and et al., 2021).
Value stream mapping: It concentrates on identifying the most necessary
elements which means value for the consumers. Unilever observes for each and
every factor such as price, quantity, quality, features and usages of the products
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which aids to give the value to their consumer. They obviate any unnecessary
elements that was not able to meet with the consumer needs.
Creating the flow: As per this, all the necessary resources of the company
such as employees, machinery and materials needs to be on the exact track. It will
aid in achieving the best outputs by using right talent within the organization,
Unilever assures that every worker or employee is well trained and recognized by
the company mission and objectives to bring out their efforts in position (Riccardi,
Teotino, Hoto, and Penny, 2018).
Pull establishment: This principle majorly concentrate on the stock
management. It advise that the stock should be consumed as much as it is required.
There should not be wastage, excessive usage of materials that will not be
advantageous for the cost.
The business Unilever reaching huge success into the existing market by
managing global consumer base. These lean principles aids to furnish the value to
their existing and new customers that satisfy the consumer according to the market
trends or demands.
6. A continuous improvement plan, including your justified
recommendations for improvement, based on your review
and critique of operations management principles within
your organization
Continuous improvement plan is important to create or prepare for the
purpose of resolved the quality problems from the manufacture procedure. It should
be done with the help of applying PDCA approach.
Plan: Planning procedure should not be close within the company. As it is a
regular procedure to plan and recognized the customer need and wants in the
market and changes can be occur in the organization. The Unilever should planned
according to daily basis about doing changes into the goods and services. With the
help of this planning managers of the business identifies the needs and wants of the
customer of organic and healthy products during the Covid -19.
Do: The business should start doing exercises to take out the changes into
the company that is very necessary. The exercises plans on the short term basis.
Therefore, it can be start of some innovative ideas or changes. The employees of
this organization can adopt the same to doing work with the best efficiency.
Check: The changes that has be done must be monitor and control
effectively. The company's manager needs to bring out work under the observation
so that the possibilities of the mistakes would be decreased.
Act: It is crucial part to take the actions in that the changes can be survive
and efficaciously evolve within the business. These practices must include all the
process of implementation that need to be change in perfect manner (Yunsong,
2020).
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A continuous improvement plan, including justified recommendations for the
improvements
 The Unilever should concentrate on doing the changes by evaluating
customer demands and dynamic scenario of the company.
 The business needs to form the strategies to includes staffs in
acquiring changes in technology and office activities.
 It is essential for the company to perform the activities based on the six
sigma principles that will have to maintain the quality of products.
7. Conclusion
The report has concluded that operations management is huge or vital
exercise to supply the product of right quality, at right time, at the right place. All the
products which is related to the decisions consist the operational department of the
business. It includes the stock or inventory, suppliers, revenue and design of
products. These exercises are day to day operations of the company to gain the
profits. It has evaluated that both operations and operations management are
separate. Om involves tracking or monitoring and controlling the operation
procedure. Beside these factors, a continuous development plan has created by the
lean and six sigma principles. It presents the plan, do, check and act are compulsory
to act or perform in perfect manner to take changes into the business. These all are
connected with the operation management principles which presents that
recognizing problems are much greater than finding the techniques.
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References
Bussery and et al., 2018. eTRIKS platform: conception and operation of a highly
scalable cloud-based platform for translational research and applications
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Carlos, M.H., 2019. Construction, operation and maintenance of the 5MW Solar
Photovoltaic Power Plant of Cerro Prieto [Construcción, operación y
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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
Project title and aim: To supply on-cite catering and balance a healthy
lifestyle of the staffs or employees and decrease absenteeism.
An overview of the case study you have been given
Project life cycle is refers to all the steps which will be followed for completing
the project in well furnished manner. Project is the crucial part of each company
which has to finish with in a limited time frame. Every business has minimum time to
complete the deadline of the project. So it is organized by proper planning of plan
and its execution. Cromwell tool is an method of the company of wetland and
organization have 1500 employees. The enterprise has the goal to reduce the labor
turnover ratio and to minimize the absenteeism of the workers by providing
refreshments and by giving them incentives on their targets. It will increase the
goodwill of the company and have a positive effect on the performance of the
business (Peng and et al., 2022). It means to make some policies for increasing the
morale in the staffs and to improve the way of doing task. This can be done by the
organization by concentrating on CSR practices and by giving more importance to
the workers of the company. It is essential for organization to give them safe,
hygiene environment and healthy food which have favorable effect on the efficiency
of the company.
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 life cycle
It refers to a instrument that aids in plan the projection and implement it in an
appropriate way. It consists project life cycle stages that begins with the plan and
ends with the closure to achieve the objectives and goals of the organization. This
stages aids in reducing the risks or uncertainties.
 Project initiation
This is the first step in the project life cycle. It denotes the transfer of new
opinions, thoughts and message to achieve the targets. It has a starting point or
ending point. The company makes a plan and it will be important for the survival of
the company (Yang and et al., 2019). In this company analyses the cost of every
sources such as raw material, budget, Project scope, price and time frame for
completing the project. This plan has set the several tasks for employees forms
norms and policies for the staffs for doing work in an synchronized manner. This has
give the correct direction for every member of the company to achieve the goals.
 Project planning
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After getting approval from the project the next stage is planning. It refers to
build the project idea which involves many tasks like roles and responsibilities of
every department, resources, arranging the human resources for the plan. The
company also creates budget in this step. The company uses quantitative and
qualitative methods for risk assessment. It is the blueprint of the project plan.
Organization is using Six sigma tool for managing the effectiveness in the activities.
Cromwell should be able to manage all the methods and opinions by controlling its
cost, doing the work at right time, minimizing the wastage and by increasing the
efficiency.
 Project execution
It is the third step in the project life cycle. It means to put the plan in to the
actions in accordance with the targets. It means to coordinate the team in a well
efficient manner, meeting the deadlines, and sustain the goals. The organization has
needs to monitor the performance on weekly, monthly or annually basis. It means to
furnish the guidance to the employees that how the task will be accomplished. In this
company communicate the all project details to the stakeholders. Company will
supervise and will direct the team for completing their task.
 Project closure
It is the final stage in which project has come at an finishing point. It means to
deliver the project report to the owners. The outcome of the project can be favorable
or unfavorable. It will be finished by all the authorities related with the project like
managers, board of directors and top management employees (Ugolo 2021). It
means to get the feedback from the team and the owners of the project. Company
will satisfied if the outcomes of the project will meet the clients expectations. If the
organization is able to achieve success, maintains the best quality in work and
clients feels pleasure by the work then this is known as effective project closure.
Work breakdown structure
It is a instrument that helps in dividing the work in various simple part with
proper manner. The work has been divided on the basis of project resources that will
be fix down in short way. These kind of activities help in achieving the organization
goal on time in appropriate manner before the deadline. It needs a proper
coordination with leader to bring out the exercise which streams from upward to
down slope. Company requires the Cromwell tools to assist their staffs to carry out
the project easily. This will be useful to ignore or avoid the conflicts. It is a tool which
can be utilized for the projections, programs to get the work that has be completed
for the purpose of successfully production.
Cost benefit analysis
A cost- benefit analysis is the procedure of contrasting the foretasted costs
and benefits related to the projection decision for the purpose of deciding the
organization perspective (Chang, Zhao, Rao and Li, 2020). It is a tool that analyze
the cost and benefits of the business. It aids to measure the business activities by
the top management. This technology is helpful during the possibility study to decide
the cost. It assists management to choose out the right and appropriate projection
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from various alternatives. They assemble the data and evaluate all the projects, and
also try to find the right and effective project that has more profitable. It helps to
provide all the information regarding projected profit, time and compare the
projections. This analysis discovers and change the profit or advantages into
monetary terms. Expected cost includes the machine, maintenance and all other
costs. It refers to choose the best products out of various alternatives and then
contrast with the profit that has already earned from the project's present value.
Analysis of the project methodologies and tools used
The project life cycle is very effective to evaluate the methods of project, aims
and bring out the activities. It is necessary to use the techniques and tools that runs
the work in appropriate manner (Shao and et al., 2019). The PLC stages has vital
importance for the purpose of ongoing project. These methodologies aids in
searching right ideas and plans. Techniques and risk connected with the objectives
of project. These helps in to decision making for assembling the essential resources,
assist the staffs and create a plan that aids to meet with the requirements of the
business. The Cromwell tools requires to utilize the project management elements
such as technology, software, software, smart gadgets to observe the performance
of staffs.
Review and critically evaluate the effectiveness of the PLC
in application to your project using the appropriate
theories models and concepts
Project life cycle is necessary certification or documentation that involves
planning, initiation, implementation, monitor and closure of the projection. These
phases play huge role in furnishing the right direction to the right staffs. It has
analysed that project life cycle is appropriate way to start the plans by evaluating
their scopes, risks and errors and faults with in the procedure (East and Fernandez,
2021). This tool needs to achieve the success and growth in fixing or setting the
canteen facilities for the employees and decrease the absenteeism of the staffs. For
the illustration, they needs to maintain staff contribution, new innovation of
technology and utilization of techniques and tools. It will be done with the help of
waterfall techniques utilization that aids in dealing with the present scenario's
situations.
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