Operations and Project Management for Unilever: A Continuous Improvement Plan

This report evaluates the operations management of Unilever, outlines continuous improvement as a philosophy and elaborates lean principles. It also includes a continuous improvement plan with recommendations for enhancement. The second part of the report focuses on a case study of MG Motor Ltd and its project life cycle.

Operations and Project
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART-1............................................................................................................................................3
About the organisation...........................................................................................................3
Operations and operations management.................................................................................3
Implementation of operations management principles...........................................................4
Assess the extent to which operations management principles within the business..............5
Outline continuous improvement as a philosophy and elaborate lean principles..................6
A continuous improvement plan, with recommendations for enhancement..........................7
PART-2............................................................................................................................................8
Project Title............................................................................................................................8
About the case study...............................................................................................................8
Analyse the project methodologies and tools used...............................................................12
Critique the effectiveness of the PLC...................................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15
Books and Journals:..............................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Operations management can be understood as the field of business concerned with the
management of organisational practices to advance the business efficiency. It encompasses
elements such as planning, organising and managing the business processes to balance costs and
profits and realise the highest possible operating profits. The operations managers aims to make
sure that the organisation transforms inputs such as materials, human resources and technology
into outputs efficiently (Abakumova, Lyubanenko and Vazhenina, 2021). The following report is
based upon Unilever Organisation. This report will evaluate the operations management of the
company. It will discuss the aspects that how operation is different from operations management.
It will also review the implementation of principles of operations management within the
business. It will analyse the extent to which operations management matches the requirements of
business. Also, this report will shed lights on the philosophy of continuous improvement and
lean principles. Lastly, a continuous improvement plan is done as a part of this report. The next
portion of report outlines with the project management as it leads to success of a business. A
project life cycle with its various phases are being evaluated as a part of this report. Effectiveness
of PLC and different concepts and models that aid to finish the project efficaciously are covered
in this report.
PART-1
About the organisation.
Unilever Plc is a British global consumer goods organisation, with headquarters in
London, United Kingdom. Its goods covers food, minerals and supplements, well-being
vitamins, ice crème, condiments, coffee, breakfast cereals, air and water purifiers, toothpaste, pet
food, personal care and beauty products. This organisation is famous for producing soap in the
world. This is available in approx. 190 countries. It has own more than 400 brands such as
Lipton, Magnum, Knorr, Hellmann's, Sunsilk, Lifebuoy and much more.
Operations and operations management.
Operations can be defined as the organisational activities that a business engages itself
into covert materials into final goods and services, sell them to consumers and generate a
revenue (Boamah, Zhang and Miah, 2021). Every business operations are slightly vary from
company to company. Operational functions relates with the activities that what an organisation

does on regular basis. It is essential for an organisation that they should comprehend the
optimisation in the daily activities as it aids in attaining objectives and goals and making enough
profits as well. With an intent to increase the productivity, it is significant for Unilever that it
should oversee their operations effectively efficaciously so that they able to realise the aims.
Operation management deals as a process of managing of the operations of business.
Operations Operations Management
 Operations relates with regular
activities which is essential to be
performed by the Unilever to generate
profits.
 For example; the chosen organisation
sells consumers products and services
to the customers.
 It deals as the process of management
in which the company necessitate to
tackle their regular dealings so that they
can earn more amount of profits.
 For instance, the organisation is
producing consumer products and
services such as soap so they require to
make a choice in respect of managing
operational activities.
Implementation of operations management principles.
Unilever is a multinational consumer brand so their operations management is
accountable for generating higher productivity. They are maintaining high quality throughout the
world where their functional domains are exist. Operations managers of the chosen organisation
are developing process and procedure in such a manner so that they can aid business to attain
higher performances (Bondarenko and et.al., 2021). For that aim, they always consider ten most
vital choices which helps in achieving objectives and goals. It is referred that operational
performance of chosen organisation straightaway supports the fiscal performance as they can
make profits and incomes. Hence, this is the reason operation management of Unilever considers
their ten most essential strategic choices. These ten strategic choices are covering designing of
products and services, location strategy, procedure as well as capacity designing, layout
designing, job designing, SCM, maintenance, planning, quality management and inventory
management.
Strengths of operations management process of Unilever:

The process of operations management is very effective with an aim to attain the workers'
productivity as operations manager of Unilever are good to communicate the vision and purpose
of business.
Downside of operations management process of Unilever:
If the organisation will not concern about the quality of goods and services then, they
might face certain issues and difficulties in respect of employee's satisfaction. It is found that the
chosen company is utilising some significant theories and approaches to maintain the high
productivity. These theories are as follows:
Scientific management theory by Taylor:
Some of the essential principles that are offered by Taylor are exploited by Unilever are
as follows:
 Science, not rule of thumb: It is considered that the business shouldn't finish on an
already present techniques. They should identify new solutions of performing task. It aids
in quicker, easier and smarter working (Gerhardt, 2020). This principle supports in
knowing the innovative ways of working in Unilever as it may support in attaining
success.
 Harmony, not discord: It is essential to signify that workers require positive work
surroundings where they can do task in an effective way. So, in chosen organisation to
uphold harmony in company so that all workers can work efficaciously without any
disruption.
 Cooperation, not individualism: All the workers should locomote the principle of
cooperation. The workers cooperate and work mutually and comprehend each other
strengths in Unilever. It is observed that if workers do not work mutually in the
organisation can never able to attain individual objectives and organisational objectives.
 Development of each and every person: It is essential to signify that business should
work effectively so that there is whole evolution of employees. In chosen organisation,
the workers and labour are taken at extreme attention. Employees are offered with
adequate training and development so that they are able to attain objectives and targets
Assess the extent to which operations management principles within the business.
An organisation must utilise all the principles of operations management as they aid in
accomplishing organisational objectives and goals effectively. It is found that Unilever is a larger

producing company in consumer goods and services. So, the business necessitates to work
effectively by taking all the aspects such as customer's needs and preferences in mind. The
following are principles that supports the respective organisation to attain this objectives:
 It is found that Unilever concentrates on keeping high quality in their products. It helps in
attracting more number of customers if they offer at reduced costs. Also, they work in
such a way that they are competent to attain economies of scale and limits the costs to
provide the customers in an effective manner.
 At the same time, Unilever concentrates on quality goods and services to be offered to the
customers. For such cause, they take care on inputs used in the production system as they
should fit in the quality standards (Grigorov, Balzer and Breit, 2019). It helps in attaining
the great satisfaction from customers.
Outline continuous improvement as a philosophy and elaborate lean principles.
Continuous improvement refers as an ongoing process that pays attention on the
evolution of the quality of goods and services on daily basis. It aids Unilever to improve and
increase their sales of goods and services by exploiting the principles of continuous
improvement. This improves the business performance as a whole and the company is able to
attain success.
Lean principles:
All lean principles aims to restrict the wastage and reduce the production costs for the
purpose to fulfil the needs and demands of customers. In context of Unilever, the principles are
as follows:
 Value defining: Unilever deals with the things that adds value to the customers in respect
of their money invested into the goods. They learn current trends of market and give the
commodites with added high value to the consumers.
 Mapping of value stream: It aims to map out the factors and pints that improves the
customers' value. In addition to Unilever, they reduce the stages that don't give worth to
the customers.
 Creating flow: The material, resources and labour are fitted and organised in such a way
that they work to attain the aims and objectives of business (Helmold, 2019). The
workers are provided with proper training so that are efficient to work efficaciously.

 Pull establishment: This principle is relied on managing the business inventory.
Unilever work effectively that assists in managing the quality of products made by them.
 Pursuit perfection: The organisation establishes some standards as well as work in such
a way to match and align with the clear standards. All the workers and labour of Unilever
work in such a way that aids to attain success.
Unilever Company is able to uphold quality products and services and realise the success
by using those principles. The company also believes in developing value to the customers. Also,
the principle of pull establishment is also the reason behind high customer satisfaction.
A continuous improvement plan, with recommendations for enhancement.
Continuous improvement plan refers as the continuous process that pays attention on
ceaseless enhancement of goods provided by the business. It is observed that the chosen
company considers that quality can't be preserved in short duration of time (Jackson, 2020).
There is a requirement of constant betterment to attain the standards as well as quality of
products and services offered by the organisation. In respect of Unilever, the steps or phases of
constant transformation are as follows:
 Plan: It is significant to plan on daily basis. It assists the respective organisation to
acknowledge about the modifications in current trends of market and utilise them ton
work efficaciously.
 Do: It is essential to bring small changes in the business as it helps employees to adopt
the upcoming changes effectively.
 Check: This is the next stage of ongoing improvement which aims to monitor the
change. The outcome and results must be reviewed regularly. Unilever needs to check the
performance regularly.
 Act: It is necessary to act in such a manner that supports to successfully employ the
modifications.
Concepts of Operations Management:
Kaizen: This is the technique that aims to change for better. It is observed that Unilever
must work for ongoing improvement to attain organisational objectives. All the workers and
labour are involved in the process.
Merit: It helps in strengthening the team work and enhances the style of leadership.
Demerit: It needs additional training and development.

TQM: This principle is used by organisation as it aids in total quality management by the
company. This aims to reduce the loss of resources and uphold the quality that satisfies the
consumers.
Merits: It helps in producing the goods of Unilever at reduced costs that is inexpensive by
consumers.
Demerits: In case of ineffective leadership, the company is not able to realise its targets and
goals.
It has been analysed by there are many benefits that a company gets due to ongoing
improvement. Unilever is also getting the benefits of achieving targets due to the exploitation of
improvement plan. This assists in resolving the issues and upholding the quality and serve the
consumers with affordable and best prices (Knapp and Hughs, 2021). This is effective to exploit
continuous improvement plan and follow all the phases so that better outcome can be gained.
Recommendations:
 The organisation should be prepared for the change, and motivates employees to adopt
changes and work according to the market trends.
 They should take care of the standards related with the safety. Using six sigma can be
beneficial to work in an effective and efficient way.
 With the right implementation of total quality management, the organisation will be
competent to keep the quality, together with offer customers with minimal prices.
PART-2
Project Title
“Foods for healthy and safe lifestyle”
About the case study
MG Motor Ltd is a medium term organisation, situated in Birmingham, England. In
2006, the organisation was introduced and announces its auto-mobile services throughout the
nation. It produces their auto-mobile goods, motors and cars through China. Hence, the
organisation has work in Midland with the 1250 workers on-site. These workers are well
experienced with their diverse business roles. These workers are factory labours, operations
employees and so forth, and these employees are facing some difficulties due to the cause of
harsh on-sites working and surrounding. They face catering problems. In current times, the

organisation is facing difficulties in business operations due the lack of efficiency in employees
productivity. As there is no on-site food services to offer healthy and safe lifestyle to workers
and restricts the low effectiveness (Leonard and Van Zyl, 2019). For this purpose, there are a lot
of phases of PLC which are discussed below:
Project life cycle: A projects involves various phases as it needs proper learning,
together with execution for its success. The life-cycle of a project is covered with four key stages
which need to be opted by an organisation. These phases helps in taking appropriate decisions
and identify several shortcomings to undertake the risks appropriately.
Stages of PLC:
 Project initiation: This is the first phase in which the business pays focus on the needs
and establishes goals. Project initiation will force business issues as workers will uphold
the harmony and give their support. MG Motor Ltd believes in the employees'
participation in the decision-making process which will be beneficial to make new ideas,
develop organisational goals and prepare an effective plan which could help in attaining
success. Six sigma supports in upholding the project quality and ongoing enhancement to
introduce with fresh ideas calculating actions, controlling activities.
 Project Planning: This phase deals with the project initiation come within the
formulating of plan. Planning is important to reach success in managing operations. The
vital part of developing project is to assess the concept and goals, get resources, make
workers for huge support (Malik, Sarwar and Orr, 2021). MG Motors Ltd, requires to
focus on lean principles to limit the absenteeism and offer in-house food cooperation.
This planning covers management and execution restrict the wastages, resources, costs
and increases efficiency.
 Project execution: This is identified as the practical phase in PLC, once the project get
started, planned after assessing all other key choices, collecting resources, limits the
superfluous elements and create best strategies. The plan requires to be executed
practically for knowing what difficulties come at the business and how it can restricted.
For the respective organisation, to execute the plan effectively, they need to adopt TQM
concept in which all phases which goes via quality check and concentrate on offering
quality food catering services. This concept will attempt to keep the records of capital
and assets exploited to make its more cost trenchant by calculating and following

performance. Hence, project execution must be finished on time to limit redundant work
load and workers provided best attempt for working.
 Project closure: This stage is the endmost stage in PLC that helps company to make
choices to close the project by getting success or failure in the project (Mirheli and et.al.,
2020). At this phase, the organisation will make sure to check project execution by taking
follow-ups and keep check on defects or wastage.
Project Plan:
1. Executive Summary: This project is based upon the MG Motors Ltd. Which identified
the difficulties in managing employee's absenteeism which affects the efficiency and
profitability. This project plans to evolve tactics and progressive ideas to limit the
movement of staff.
 Vision: To create project of catering food services to the workers which improves
involvement while maintaining healthy lifestyle which demonstrating an enactment of
CSR initiatives.
 Mission: To create and offer positive work surroundings which influence employees
towards their job.
 Objectives: To enable staff engagement towards productivity of business. This aims to
limit the excess lunch hours and staff absenteeism which evolves negative affect in the
society.
 Strategies: The respective organisation aims to make effective strategies to attaining
targets by offering food on-site itself which limits employee movements and doesn't
make any issue for the people living in the society.
 Innovation: To develop technology as well as catering services into site which gives
healthy and hygienic good services that also helps in limiting working hours. The
innovation is to deliver the leftover food to the needy people in order to promote the CSR
responsibilities and creates positive brand image (Pearre and Ribberink, 2019).
 Opportunities: There are many opportunities roam around the respective organisation in
terms of software integration, check on performances and measure get influence by
limiting the employees absenteeism. Take reviews and feedback about the food quality.
 Improvements: By effective decision-making, the business can increase the efficiency
and also enhancements are relied on employee participation.

 Resources required: It involves material, technology, organic substance, ambience serve
healthy and tasty food items. Moreover, to make the project flourished, employees portal
and employers support, performance analysis software are the main resources to get
success in satisfying the aims.
 Risks and benefits: It involves the risk of project failure by using extra costs, employee's
termination, low performance management and so on. On the other side, it covers the
benefits of developing a sense of urgency to finish the work of sites on time, rather
wasting it.
 Cash flow: Cash will be flow from top management and will be spend in suppliers to
carry on healthy food production process (Pelliccione, 2021).
 Business strategy: The organisation will get benefit by society positive effects by offer a
healthy lifestyle to employees and labour. On the other side, the business strategy
involves investment in catering food services.
Work breakdown structure: This is a tool that aims to divide the work as per the
project management. In MG Motor's context, the work should be divided as per the employees
knowledge and expertise so that it would become simple to know the deep facts and mistakes in
projects.
Gantt Chart:

Analyse the project methodologies and tools used.
It is analysed that project life-cycle is relied on various tools and techniques exploited
with an aim to form a plan successful. There are several tools as well as methodologies which
encompass goodness and risks and the business requires to know each of them. These
methodologies are agile, project management tools and project leadership tools. In which agile
involves Scrum, Kanban and much more (Schmidt and Hazır, 2019). These are ineffective for
this work as it involves self-development and MG Motors does not relied on self-development of
workers and require to take actions with the help of effective leadership and managing tools of
performance. These covers feedback, software and HR assistance which study the employee
performance. PLC aims to cover leadership approach such as authoritarian and divisional
leadership in which orders get flow from high level authorities and workers require to follow.
Critique the effectiveness of the PLC.
Project management is a significant part of the PLC as both are primary documentation
for the company which covers all the targets, objectives, vision and mission. Hence, PLC leads a

way towards the growth of business by establishing standards, cooperation and harmony. It is
important to analyse all the phase in PLC to manage as well as execute project effectively.
Waterfall is suggested for the MG Motors Ltd. to analyse the effectiveness of the project life
cycle.
 Requirement: It covers the elements and aspects to make the project successful. As
performance management is relied on on collection of capital, resources and getting the
predetermined outcomes with the help of employees. Six sigma is beneficial for project
management as it helps in guiding about the enhancement and innovation covers the
wastage aspects.
 Design: The planning phase in PLC pays attention of collection of fiscal and human
resources to know where the enhancement needed by giving training and collecting
funds. This design covers leadership structure that involves chain of command, work
division (Tooranloo and Saghafi, 2019).
 Development: This phase deals to evolve and execute the entire project properly. TQM
methodology helps in effective project execution that get flow of performance
management for the respective business. Hence, as an effect of performance management
plan, development is essential to check the growth of project.
 Maintenance: This is the endmost phase of model that aims to improve the maintenance
is free and analysis of the task necessarily to be finished and appropriate decisions will
be taken in regard of maintenance. Therefore, KPI are essential to choose to cost friendly
equity debts as well as performance assessments.
CONCLUSION
This report is ended over the value and effectiveness of project life-cycle and most
needed phases to make, execute and assess the organisational effectiveness. The report has
shown an overview of the operations and operations management. It involves several concepts
such as six sigma, TQM, lean principle and many concepts which have been sensed the need of
ongoing development. In second part, PLC has included organisation's business case, the project
plans as well as execution for accomplishing business objectives and aims.

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