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

This report reviews and critiques Unilever's operations management principles, including reality, humility, organization, accountability, change, quality control, and success. It also discusses continuous improvement plans and recommendations for improvement, such as adopting Six Sigma principles and regularly bringing innovative changes to products.

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
Operation and Project management helps the business to run effectively and
efficiently. Operations refers to the day to day activity which business carry out out in
order increase the worth of the enterprise and earn profit (Guerreiro, 2018). In order
to deliver the quality commodity and services to the consumers, the business should
give more focus on managing operation on the daily basis. To make the proper
utilization of the resources, it is very essential for the business organization to make
strategies and plans according to the operation and project management of the
business. In this report, Unilever plc is a British multinational consumer goods
company. This organization mainly deals in personal care and beauty, home care,
foods and refreshments. Unilever is headquartered in London, England and was
established in 1929. This firm is famous for providing quality goods in reasonable
prices to the consumers. This particular report deals in the difference between
operation and operation management, review of the principles, continuous
improvement by adopting different models and theories like lean principles and plans
that helps in bringing change into the operation and finished goods of the firm. In
addition to this, the report also deals in strategies and project life cycle stages in
order to carry out the project very smoothly. This can be done in appropriate manner
by applying PLC as well as other theories ans models.
2. An explanation of operation vs operations management. I
All the function which are related with the manufacturing, production and
supply within a business organization is known as operation. In order to achieve
growth and success, these activities are carried out in the business (Sillaber,
2019). This process not only helps the company management to take care of the
quality management but also make strategies plan in engaging and utilizing
resources effectively and efficiently in order to meet the customers demand.
Operation management refers to the business administration practices that helps in
creating and managing the organization efficiency. Operation management controls
and monitors all the activity of the organization (Tian and et. al., 2022). Through this
the customer requirement can be fulfilled easily by managing the product supply,
logistics and quality of product. The main difference between operation and
operation management are as follows:
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Operations Operations Management
All the day to day activities are carried out
related to development of product, sales and
management of inventory.
In order to make the profit, Unilever has
operations to sell the final goods and services.
In order to maintain efficiency, operation
management has been adopted by
Unilever in order to control all the activities.
To manage and enhance the quality
operation management plays an important
role.
By utilizing superior material and labour,
Unilever can bring the change in their
products like soap.
3. A review and critique of the implementation of
operations management principles within the chosen
organization
Operation and project management are one of the most crucial concepts in
order to run the business smoothly (Koch and Schermuly, 2020). It helps the business
organization to work with extreme efficiency so that maximum profit can be earned.
Unilever is one the leading and larger manufacturer of the consumer goods and
quality products. In order to satisfy the consumers needs and demand the respective
organization prepares the strategies for managing the product quality, fast delivery
and maintain work process along with the inventory management. This will the help
in developing cost effective products which consumer can easily afford. By applying
relevant models and techniques, the operation management helps in managing
overall activities. As customers needs are more shifted towards the organic products
so, Unilever has made strategies in shifting towards organic product to provide
healthy life to its consumers. This could be done by focusing on operational
principles which are discussed below:
 Reality: This principle of operation management is most foremost one.
According to this, the manager of Unilever takes into the consideration the
problem instead of applying tools and techniques. Through this realistic
solution can be applied to the particular commodity. Here, Unilever can
identify the problems in making organic products.
 Humility: According to the perspective of the employee this is one the most
important principle of operation management (Gonzalez and et. al., 2021). It is
necessary for the organization to manage final goods along with the
employee. Here, the labors of Unilever can create a culture of building
connection with other members so that positivity is maintained within the
organization.
 Organization: As per this principle all the activities and departments are
connected to each other within an organization. When all the departments
works together to achieve the mission and vision of the organization, then
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profits are maximized. Therefore, Unilever needs to maintain proper
coordination among the material, labor and process so that they can work
according to consumers needs and preference.
 Accountability: In order to achieve the organizational goals and objectives
the organization should work according to the set standards (Kogan, 2022).
Here, the managers of Unilever needs to be accountable so that they can
produce organic products according to the standards and criteria.
 Change: This principle of organizational management suggests that firm
should work according to the change in the market. The Unilever should make
the change in the product according to the customers needs and wants.
 Quality control: This is much important in the workplace. The Unilever needs
to maintain the quality of the product so that they can achieve the objective of
producing organic products.
 Success: This is one of the most vital and important principal of the
operational management as every business organization wants to achieve
success (Uusiauttind, Hyvärinen, 2021). Here the Unilever needs maintain its
customer loyalty in order to gain success so all the activities must be
performed in appropriate manner.
4. An analysis of the extent to which the operations
management of the organization in the case study meets
the requirements of the organization
In order to gain profit, principals of operation management are essential and
important. Unilever has good position in the market which leads the managers of the
company to take right decision for the commodity. In order to meet the requirements
and demand of the customers operational management helps in following ways:
 The basic requirement of the firm and customers is quality products. Each
and every customers wants quality product so that they lead to the healthy life
style. So by using the quality material the company will be able to attract large
number of customers. This will lead the customers to improve the living
standard.
 Unilever provides its customers with the cost effective products by adopting
different techniques in operation and management. By using quality raw
material, Unilever serves its customer with the reasonable products. This is
the reason due to which company are able maintain its customers loyalty
towards the product.
 Unilever has maintained their work place very effectively which help them to
to coordinate towards the achieving the mission and vision. Through this
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company can take best use of the commodity and skills as they have good
relations with the employee, suppliers.
 To make the products according to the market trends the principles of
operation management are helpful for the Unilever. This leads to increase of
the customer satisfaction as the manager are good at decision making and
market research.
5. Discussion of continuous improvement as a philosophy
and describe the Lean principles
Continuous improvement is the process of working in a effective manner by
creating plans and implementing it in an appropriate manner (Sabariego, Bickenbach
and Stucki, 2022). In order to keep control over the quality of goods and services, it
is one of the best process which company can adopt. This results in the success
and growth of the respective company in domestic as well as in international
platform.
Lean principles
To have control over the wastage in the organization, lean methodologies are
applied. This principal basically helps the organization in reducing the production cost and
set a minimum price of the commodity and services.
Value Defining: This principal shows the value of the product which is determined through
the customer needs (Poth and et. al., 2019). The customer satisfaction is one most
important key factor which company needs to focus on. Here, the Unilever keeps on
providing the customers with innovative products with the best quality and reasonable
price.
Mapping of Value Stream: Here the Unilever focus on each and every factors such as price,
quality, features and usefulness of the product through which it leads in increasing value to
their customers. By eliminating unnecessary factors in the product which customer don't
want leads in increasing customer loyalty.
Creating Flow: As per this principle all the resources of the organization should be on the
right path such as employee, material etc. This will lead the company to make use of the
best resources in order to achieve profit (Marttonen-Arola, and et.al., 2020). Here the
Unilever should make sure that proper training and development programs are provided to
the employee to achieve the mission and vision of the organization.
Pull Establishment: This principle deals and focus on the management of the inventory.
Here, it suggests that the inventory utilization should be done according to the requirement.
There should not be any wastage, overlapping and excess use of the material so that cost
effectiveness can be maintained.
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Apply six sigma and its effectiveness
In order to increase overall profitability of the organisation, six sigma is one of the
most useful technique (Oprime and et. al., 2021). This helps the business management to
meet with the dynamic business environment. This technique helps the organisation to
improve production and capability of the business which assist in achieving goals and
objectives. Unilever should adopt this technique so that they can maintain reliability and gain
long term success. The elements of six sigma are discussed below:
 Define: It is very important for the organisation to have definite goals and objective.
Unilever should have defined set of goals and objectives so that they can have
continuos improvement. This will lead the employee to give more focus and perform
the task in appropriate manner.
 Measure: This principal state that the organisation should keep checking its quality of
the product and services (Prashar, 2020). If quality of the product is not appropriate
then this principal can be applied by Unilever.
 Analyse: This principal can be adopted by the organisation to analyse the production.
It helps in identifying, detecting and overlapping of the material which leads in
providing quality and cost effective products.
 Design: Unilever must have specific design for the organic products which helps the
customer to identify the product easily.
 Verify: This is the final process in this principal where all the process done till now
are verified by the Unilever.
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 helps the organization to resolve any quality
issues that arises during the time of the production. In context to Unilever, they can
approach some factors which are discussed below:
Plan: Proper planning helps the organization to achieve goals and objectives
so it be done on a continuous basis (Singh and et. al., 2019). By making strategic plan
it help the business to meet the customer demand and wants according to the new
trends. The Unilever plans the change in product and services according to the
requirement of the customers. As Unilever is planning to develop more organic and
healthy products according to the demand of the customers who are more into living
healthy life.
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Do: The organization need to implement the plan in order to being the
changes into their products and services. In respect to being some innovative
products the company needs to implement the plan on the short term basis. This will
help the employee of the Unilever to work with great efficiency.
Check: The change which is adopted by the organization should be regularly
monitored. Unilever managers keeps on supervising the changes so that errors can
be eliminated.
Act: It is very necessary for the organization to take action in the changes
made in order to survive for the long term. The action should be taken in appropriate
manner so that organizational success are achieved effectively and efficiently.
Continuous improvement plan plays a vital role and is much necessary for an
organization to bring changes and work according to customers needs and
preference (Narottam, Mathiya, zhagan and Kumar, 2019). This helps in developing
more potential into the organization and helps them to perform well. It also leads the
organization to reduce the wastage, overlapping of the resources so that cost
effective products are available to the customers. Unilever can increase its
competition by making and adopting changes and continuously focusing on their
operations and management.
 By analyzing dynamic business environment and customer needs and
demands, the Unilever needs to regularly bring innovative and change in the
product.
 The company should make strategies in such a way that employee can adopt
the changes frequently.
 Unilever can adopt sex sigma principles so that they can maintain the quality
of the product very easily.
7. Conclusion
From the above report it can be concluded that operation and project
management helps the business organization to remain in the market for the long
term. Through this the resources are utilized effectively and effectively which helps
the business organization to gain maximum profits. Operation and operation
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management helps the business to conduct all the activities very smoothly so growth
and success can be achieved. By adopting different techniques and models of the
operational management, the business can meet the wants and needs of the
customer. Developing quality and cost effective products leads the respective
organization to gain the competitive advantage. As the business environment is
becoming very complex and dynamic, so by making continuous improvement helps
the business to gain customer loyalty. The company should also adopted lean
principle and six sigma in order to increase the overall performance of the
organization. In addition to this continuous improvement also helps the organization
to reduce the wastage, overlapping and excess use of the resources so that
efficiency can be maintained within the organization.
References
Guerreiro, S., 2018. Using Markov theory to deliver informed decisions in partially
observable business processes operation. International Journal of Operations
Research and Information Systems (IJORIS), 9(2), pp.53-72.
Sillaber, C., 2019. Mining Your Own Business? Operation of Decentralized Systems as Civil
Law Partnerships. Orig.: Mining Your Own Business? Betrieb Dezentraler Systeme
als GesbR.
Tian, and et. al., 2022, March. Research and application of key technologies for virtual
operation of information and communications technology resource chain. In Third
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International Conference on Electronics and Communication; Network and
Computer Technology (ECNCT 2021) (Vol. 12167, pp. 152-160). SPIE.
Koch, J. and Schermuly, C.C., 2020. Who is attracted and why? How agile project
management influences employee's attraction and commitment. International
Journal of Managing Projects in Business.
Gonzalez and et. al., 2021. Development and initial testing of the Multidimensional Cultural
Humility Scale. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and
Development, 54(1), pp.56-70.
Kogan, M., 2022. Education accountability: An analytic overview. Routledge.
Uusiautti, S. and Hyvärinen, S., 2021. Defining the new concept of sustainable success–A
state-of-the-art analysis on the phenomenon. New Ideas in Psychology, 60,
p.100819.
Sabariego, C., Bickenbach, J. and Stucki, G., 2022. Supporting evidence-informed policy
making in rehabilitation: A logic framework for continuous improvement of
rehabilitation programs. Health Policy, 126(3), pp.152-157.
Poth, and et. al., 2019. Lean and agile software process improvement in traditional and agile
environments. Journal of Software: Evolution and Process, 31(1), p.e1986.
Marttonen-Arola, and et.al., 2020. Introducing lean into maintenance data management: a
decision making approach. Engineering Assets and Public Infrastructures in the Age
of Digitalization, pp.249-257.
Oprime, and et. al., 2021. Financial impacts of innovation in Six Sigma projects. Total
Quality Management & Business Excellence, 32(7-8), pp.829-851.
Prashar, A., 2020. Adopting Six Sigma DMAIC for environmental considerations in process
industry environment. The TQM Journal, 32(6), pp.1241-1261.
Singh and et. al., 2019Marttonen-Arola, and et.al., 2020Oprime, and et. al.,
2021Prashar2020Singhnd Singh, H., 2018. Strategic Implementation of Continuous
Improvement Approach: Improving the Performance of Small and Medium-Sized
Enterprises. Springer.
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Narottam, Y., Mathiyazhagan, K. and Kumar, K., 2019. Literature review: continuous
improvement through Lean Six Sigma. International Journal of Productivity and
Quality Management, 28(1), pp.3-27.
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
Project Title
 To reduce the absenteeism of staff and help them to lead a healthy life style.
 To decline the congestion issue therefore reduction in the staff movement
during rest hours.
An overview of the case study you have been given
A project life cycle is a framework in which the stages are defined for
rendering the project by project mangers from start to finish. The project occurs for
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the particular time period because to complete a specific task and to attain the
objective the project framework and team is made. Thus it requires to be have a
proper planning, initiation and implementation. A Cromwell tool's company is based
in midland and have 1250 employees. The aim of this project in the company is to
reduce the absenteeism of staff and their movement during break hours in the
premises. In addition, they also want to develop a CSR activity as helping the staff to
lead a healthy lifestyle. This has an effect on the goodwill of an organization and the
performances of an organization. If a company wants to enhance their performance
they should come up with strategy to engage the employee in company's activities. It
is essential for the company to provide the lunch and healthy lifestyle in the
organization itself to the staff as a result it has positive impact on their efficiency.
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 includes a phases which helps to complete the project and attain the goals. The
number of stages can be differ from company to company and the kind of project is going to
perform(Armenia,Dangelico, Nonino and et.al, 2019). Being a part of project they must have
s start and end and have a timeline. This life cycle furnishes the plan of action which has to
be execute in the project. This includes the four stages : initiation, planning, execution and
closure. Wit the regards of Cromwell tools, the stages are been discussed below-
Project initiation
This is an initial stage of project life cycle which refers to the perception, idea
and thoughts to fix the goals. A company will evaluate their requirements and needs
in order to initiate plans for the growth of business. An employees will assemble,
coordinate with each other, discuss and then make a plan & policies. In the context
of Cromwell tool's company they have to set their objectives and provide a canteen
facilities in premises in order to accomplish the goals.
Project planning
This stage involves the planning and plotting of the project to achieve the
goals. Basically in this the framework has been made. This includes the budget, risk,
timeline and resources related to the project. The Cromwell tool's project required a
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budget of approx $500000 in order to render the healthy lifestyle and food & also to
build a canteen. This project also involves the risk as if employees would not like to
spend the time in the canteen. At this stage the six sigma and lean principles can
help. As a result the organization can manage the ideas and plans through their
timeline, cost effective, reducing wastage and improve efficiency.
Project execution
After setting all the plans now its time to implement the plan. This plan can be
execute by gathering all the resources and risk factors along with eliminating the
spare elements which has negative impact to attain the objective. The company
should maintain the standard of quality while providing the canteen facility. And the
managers of the company should not delay in the execution of this project before
the situations become worse. The head of the project must keep an eye on the
progress of the project according to the timeline. They should manage the quality,
coordinate with all employees and mitigate the risk in order to avoid the chances of
the failures(Wuni and Shen, 2020).
Project closure
This is the last stage of the project life cycle where the project comes to an
end and the owner's are being responsible for the risk and the losses. In this the
project will be end through settle down the investors, shareholders and at last
prepare the closing report. The Cromwell company wants a positive result through
this project by achieving their aim, that is reducing the staff absenteeism. At the
closing of the task or project the employees must be satisfied. Thus it will depicts
that the company's employees are capable to work on other projects in further.
Building a case
Executive summary This project considers the objective of Cromwell tool's company is
to reduce the employees absenteeism and help them to lead a
healthy life. To develop a CSR practices for which they are
providing a healthy food in the premises only. Thus this will help
to create the strategy in order to reduce the congestion issues in
their society.
Vision A company's vision is to do a project planning and made a
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framework which includes the canteen facility for the staff. To
create a positive impact on the society by reducing their issues and
employees well being is their main vision.
Mission Their mission is to engage the employees in the premises. They
want to develop a CSR activities which results as to not harm the
society. This can be done by operational process, making good
relation with society and employees(Cha and Maytorena-
Sanchez,2019).
Objectives Their objective is to reduce the movement of staff and employees
absenteeism. Also helps to lead them healthy life style which can
be adopt as a part of CSR activity.
Strategies To achieve this objective the company has made required
strategies. It includes the reduction in lunch timing and provide a
better placer to the employees for lunch in premises. Also to
provide a quality food and to create relation with employees.
innovation They have an innovative idea which includes the utilization of
technology that is providing the smart watch to the employees. As
this will show the exact timing spend by the employee during
lunch and it will get beep when the time of lunch gets end.
Additionally, the food prepared and served using the technology,
as their order process will be show on their watches and this will
maintain the interest of the employees too.
Opportunity The Cromwell company has an opportunity to adopt the software,
cloud computing and artificial intelligence in order to remain
connected with employees necessity and requirements.
Improvement The feedback from the employees can help the company to
improve the decisions. A Cromwell company has to emphasize on
the quality of the food they are providing to detect any additional
requirement.
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Resources required The company required the resource's for implementation of this
project. It includes the kitchen equipments, site, material and food
processor. To produce the organic and healthy food the good
quality of food material is required.
Work break down structure
It is a structure in which the work is divided in accordance with the requirement of
project and associated with the project timeline. This will help in accomplishing the
objectives before deadlines. Proper guidance and leadership is required in order to carry out
the activities. The Cromwell company uses this to guide their employees for carrying out the
task. It helps to avoid the confusions, conflicts and the target will be achieved successfully.
This will help their employees to know what task they have to perform and in what duration.
And also assist the employees to stick towards their goals(Jin, Zhong, Ma and et. Al, 2019).
Gantt chart
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Analysis of the project methodologies and tools used
To evaluate the method of projects, objectives and for the progress of project
the project life cycle is necessary. It helps in the smooth functioning. The project life
cycle stages have their own importance in the project. This method helps to analyze
the techniques, ideas and the risk involved in the project. This is useful for collecting
the resources, guiding the employees and make a plan to attain the objective
effectively. A Cromwell company requires the project manager to make a project
plan for achieving their objective in order to solve their issues. In order to check and
control the performances of an employees the company can adopt technologies,
software and gadgets.
Review and critically evaluate the effectiveness of the PLC
in application to your project using the appropriate
theories models and concepts
An important document which includes the planning, initiation, execution and closure
of a project is a framework of project life cycle. This plays a major role in setting the
objective, idea and thoughts regarding the organization's project which helps in providing a
path to the employees for completing the project. This is an effective way to analyze the
scope, risk and mistakes in the process of project. A crom well tools company desire to have
a success in their business and resolve their congestion issues by declining the absenteeism
of staff and providing a canteen facility. By considering the waterfall techniques of project
management helps them to deal with the current scenario. Additionally, they can also
implement six sigma principle which will help them in innovation and modification(Favi,
Germani, Campi and et. Al, 2018).
CONCLUSION
It is concluded that the project management plays an important role to perform a
particular task. It is a constant development plans made through considering the six sigma
principles and the lean method. This depicts that the plan is being tracked with the actual
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performance and also helps to perform the required changes in the organization. The PLC
helps to complete the task within the deadline and according to the timeline. It helps the
company in reduction of the employees absenteeism and enhance the productivity.
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References
Armenia, S., Dangelico, R.M., Nonino, F. and Pompei, A., 2019. Sustainable project
management: A conceptualization-oriented review and a framework proposal for
future studies. Sustainability, 11(9), p.2664.
Wuni, I.Y. and Shen, G.Q., 2020. Critical success factors for management of the early stages
of prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction project life cycle. Engineering,
Construction and Architectural Management, 27(9), pp.2315-2333.
Cha, J. and Maytorena-Sanchez, E., 2019. Prioritising project management competences
across the software project life cycle. International Journal of Managing Projects in
Business.
Jin, R., Zhong, B., Ma, L., Hashemi, A. and Ding, L., 2019. Integrating BIM with building
performance analysis in project life-cycle. Automation in Construction, 106,
p.102861
Favi, C., Germani, M., Campi, F., Mandolini, M., Manieri, S., Marconi, M. and Vita, A.,
2018. Life cycle model and metrics in shipbuilding: how to use them in the
preliminary design phases. Procedia CIRP, 69, pp.523-528.
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