Critical Analysis of Operations Management at AstraZeneca

This report provides a comprehensive review and critique of AstraZeneca's operations management, examining the implementation of key principles and analyzing the extent to which these operations meet the organization's requirements. It discusses continuous improvement as a philosophy, describes Lean principles, and proposes a continuous improvement plan with justified recommendations for improvement based on the review of operations management principles within AstraZeneca. The analysis covers aspects such as quality control, cost management, sustainability, and adaptation to market dynamics, emphasizing the importance of employee motivation and teamwork. The report also highlights the application of the PDCA approach to address quality-related issues and the strategic use of Lean principles to minimize resource wastage and enhance customer value.

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 organization 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 numerous function are performed in the enterprise according to the size
and type of business. Operations are functioned by the individuals in a way that
outcome always adequate. For generating maximum revenue and retaining great
wealth in the market management must focuses on their operational management,
that is always concerned about managing the integral procedures for achieving
effective productivity that can retain continuous development of enterprise (Mayo,
Ball and Mills, 2022). The report is based on the business operations and its
management of the organization AstraZeneca. It is the largest biotechnology and
pharmaceutical company across the globe. It is established in the year 1999, by
Astra AB. Its headquarters is in Cambridge Biomedical Campus in Cambridge,
England. It has its main focus on discovering and developing the medicines. Their
purpose is to deal with the boundaries of biomedical science so that they can
produce medicines that cure people from life changing diseases. They have focus on
three main therapies that are Cardiovascular, Oncology or Metabolic diseases and
respiratory diseases. Their actives areas are infections, neuroscience and
autoimmunity. AstraZeneca has its operations in more than 100 nations, they has a
share in the market over the world. Report has point to highlight that reflects how the
organization is able to maintain this goodwill in all over the globe through their
operations and operational management.
2. An explanation of operation vs operations management
Operations management is a framework in which top level management
performs their operations with the mission and vision of accomplishing their desired
long as well as short term goals along with objectives of employees as well. This
framework provides assistance in setting the plans for action in terms of completing
all the necessary activities. It is known as primary action of exercises that occur in an
organization in terms of retaining the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness in
the management. It refers to the conversion of labor and material into the best
quality products and services as proficiently as management can in order to
maximize the revenue and occupy greater share in the market (Qiu and Wang,
2022). The operation management team frame the plans in order to maintain a equal
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proportion among all costs involve in process of production and margin of profit. It is
their duty to manufacture products that can meet the requirements of their
customers. It has the ability to handle various issue that needs a strategic solution.
Operations are the activities that is performed for managing the internal
performance of management in terms of ensuring that all functions must run in an
effective manner. No matter, it is production process, delivering the goods and
services. Every department of organization requires to look after the functioning of
activities that happen in the background. Management of enterprise needs to pre
define the operations based on their size, type of business and also according to the
industry in which they operate. Operations are not always meant for movement in
physical form, many a times, it can be defining strategies for improving
organizational systems and structure. It is a part of ground work that involves even a
small aspect of different projects, from lower to upper side, to reality. All operations
can not be handled by a single person, it requires a team, even in medium and small
enterprises as well they need expert team for managing their operations
(Sankaranarayanan, Castañeda and Villa, 2018).
3. A review and critique of the implementation of
operations management principles within the chosen
organization
Operations and operational management, are essential frameworks for every
organization. It is concerned about the functions that includes that production and
other managerial functions. It consists of planning, directing, organizing and
controlling all actions included in the process of production. Operation management
is distribution focused management. It ensures that enterprise is able to transform
resources into results and earn maximum revenue. Inputs included in activities are
not only limited to material but also related with all the data such as technological
device, machinery equipment and human resources as well. Logistics and
management of supply chain are two fundamental functions that can be described as
operation management. Logistics are concerned about effective and careful use of
scare resources in terms of cost (de Lima Souza and Longaray, 2020).
Fundamentals: A law of Pareto is applicable in operation management, that
is 80% of success will be achieve through maintenance of process that are running
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in the current time and 20% will be achieved from the application of new
technological enhancements in these procedures. Change is not always about
scrapping the things completely and starting from new. Minor tweaks and small
adjustments can also make a big difference in better management. Digitization in
services that are fundamentals can also assists in managing the team efficiently in
realistic time, getting more out from each resource will help the organization in
delivering greater quality.
Causality: Finding the cause of the issue faced by management is also a
technique that must be encompasses by every operation manager. Solving the issue
does not need addressing the root causes and symptoms, it involves finding the
most suitable option for that particular problem and then applying it in the way so that
the same issue will never arise in the again. As the principle of reality also reflects
that issues are single time event, it keeps on happening again and again and can
damages profitability of organization (Gupta and Jabbour, 2021).
Managed passion: Organization will never show passion in their accounting
records such as balance sheet, quarterly reports and other financial statements. It is
an intangible thing which is equal important to achieving organizational goal. A
passionate and dedicated workplace can be key to success for any organization in
managing their business operations. Excellence in tools and planning does not
matter at all until unless the technicians and other individual are not passionate
about achieving the objective of enterprise. Job of service operation manager is to
maintain the sense for teamwork, ambition and coordination among employees.
Change: This principle is somehow same as the principle of variance, the
field of operations management is continuously changing and if organization does
not change with this pace then they would definitely gets out from the competition in
the market (Slack and Brandon-Jones, 2018).
4. An analysis of the extent to which the operations
management of the organization in the case study meets
the requirements of the organization
Organization implements their plans and policies with the required procedures
that are strict compliance. Hence, it is necessary for management to perform the
internal process effectively in a manner that eliminates mistakes and reduces
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wastage. For understanding better the position of company in managing its
operations, below are some procedures discussed:
The foremost and essential aspect in any enterprise is to deliver best quality
in their products and services at a justifiable price so that every consumer can get
maximum satisfaction from it. AstraZeneca provides all the services with highly
qualified employees, those are equipped with required knowledge and skills in their
specific domain. Organization never compromises in terms of quality. Moreover, the
prices they charge for their services are not so high in comparison to other but still
they are able to generate high revenue, because of their goodwill.
Accountable choices along with sustainability are always at the priority of
AstraZeneca's all levels of management, for reducing the bad effect of their business
function on environment. Numerous predetermined methods are available in order to
remain economical and optimal that are followed by the enterprise (Ji, Wang and
Gou, 2019).
The number of individuals in the organization who are deviate around their
own objectives and goals, with maintaining the systematic work culture management
is able in reducing the risk that employees can be biased towards their personal
goals also management needs to accomplish organizational goals along with
employees objectives. However, with coordination among different levels in the
management it become easy to retain motivation and dedication among employees.
The business market is dynamic in nature and changes occur continuously
within intangible dimensions, in order to being in line with dynamic situations.
Operations of AstraZeneca are always functioned according to the situations in the
market. These changes are in the way that bridges the gap between current
exercises in the business and proceedings one. So that, it can deliver maximum
satisfaction to each and every consumer (Naumov, Keith and Fine, 2020).
5. Discussion of continuous improvement as a philosophy
and describe the Lean principles
Continuous improvement: The process of improvement continuously in
creating the plans and framing rules with improvement in effectiveness of work.
Improvements in anything are always proves better than causes because root
causes impacts in negative manner on the reputation of AstraZeneca. Therefore,
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continuous improvement and ongoing process which helps management in retaining
control over quality of goods or services. This leads in resulting in sustainable growth
and success of AstraZeneca and also expands their business across the globe.
Lean Principles
Methodology of lean principles is only applicable for controlling wastage of
resources in the organization. Lean principles helps AstraZeneca in reducing the
cost of production and setting a reasonable rate at which they can sell their goods.
Defining the value: This principle reflects that, requirements of individual
customer describes the value of commodities or services that they purchase. Each
consumer in the world wants to have a worth buying deal so that their money did not
go in vain. AstraZeneca always tries to fulfill needs and wants of their consumers by
providing them new and innovative product every time that also meets with the on
going trends in the market with utmost quality and on affordable price (Irfan, Wang
and Akhtar, 2019).
Value stream mapping: The major focus of this principle is on determining
the elements that every consumer values. AstraZeneca look after every small
element in production and distribution such as quality of commodity, final price of
product, its improved features and a product with multiple uses that provides value to
the targeted customer. AstraZeneca always works in order to eliminate unnecessary
things and process from everything.
Pull establishment: Management of inventory is the main focused area of
this principle. It states that, the available inventory must be utilized in very efficient
manner because organization have limited resources so, it needs to be use as per
the requirements by ensuring no overlapping and wastage (Singh, Mishra and Bag,
2021).
6. A continuous improvement plan, including your justified
recommendations for improvement, based on your review
and critique of operations management principles within
your organization
A continuous improvement plan is required framework that must be
maintained for solving various issues related to the quality of goods within the
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process of production. AstraZeneca should performs this exercise by applying PDCA
approach in their functions and strategies:
Plan: An organization should not avoid planning according to the approach of
colon planning, because this procedures must be continue within workplace of
AstraZeneca for plans and determining the targeted market with needs and demands
of consumer by adapting changes and enhancements that they can implement.
AstraZeneca required to do planning on day to day basis regarding implementation
of new technology. AS the top level management determined by analyzing market in
pandemic that now market needs healthy and more organic products.
Do: AstraZeneca needs to initiate performing exercises in order to fetch
enhancements and changes in their workplace. These practices must be done on
the basis of short term first because sometimes it is not necessary that these
changes are correct for organizations but mostly will lead to the positive and
innovative results. While performing this, AstraZeneca's managers must keep an visit
that employees within workplace are able to cop up with these new introductions and
if not not then training and development programs are must.
Check: Changes occur with colon planning must be in observation and
control of management. Check in itself means that each and every tiny thing that
relates with the reputation and revenue of organization must be checked because
many a times these small things leads to big losses to the organizations.
Act: Changes by colon planning does not happen in a while or by itself, it
needs some actions from management. These actions should be in a way that new
changes will lead in the effective development of the organization. All the above
explained models must be taken into consideration with coordination of each one so
that it ensures success.
7. Conclusion
From the above described concept, the conclusion can be drawn that
operations and operational management both are the crucial practices in order to
distribute correct product with better quality at affordable rate, that helps in retaining
customers which leads to growth and success of organization. All the issues and
decisions that are concerned with products or services with any manner are the
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responsibility of operations management department. It includes decisions related to
amount of final goods to be produced, purchase of raw material, defining designs,
determining channels for distribution and marketing. These exercises must be
performed on daily basis for generating higher amount of profit. It has been observed
that operations and operational management have a huge difference. In operation
management, controlling and directing of all operations is done. Then after this,
continuous improvement plan has been developed with the help of lean principles.
This plan is necessary for implementing various changes that are mandate for every
organization so that, they can meet new demand of the market.
References
Mayo, K., Ball, G. and Mills, A., 2022. CEO Tenure and Recall Risk Management in
the Consumer Products Industry. Production and Operations
Management, 31(2), pp.743-763.
Qiu, L. and Wang, N., 2022. Knowledge‐sharing ties and equivalence in corporate
online communities: A novel source to understand voluntary
turnover. Production and Operations Management.
Sankaranarayanan, K., Castañeda, J.A. and Villa, S., 2018. Future research in
humanitarian operations: A behavioral operations perspective. In The
Palgrave handbook of humanitarian logistics and supply chain
management (pp. 71-117). Palgrave Macmillan, London.
de Lima Souza, J. and Longaray, A.A., 2020. Sustainable operations practices and
sustainable performance: relationships and moderators. International Journal
of Productivity and Performance Management.
Gupta, H. and Jabbour, C.J.C., 2021. An original assessment of the influence of soft
dimensions on implementation of sustainability practices: implications for the
thermal energy sector in fast growing economies. Operations Management
Research, 14(3), pp.337-358.
Slack, N. and Brandon-Jones, A., 2018. Operations and process management:
principles and practice for strategic impact. Pearson UK.
Ji, Y., Wang, R. and Gou, Q., 2019. Monetization on mobile platforms: Balancing in‐
app advertising and user base growth. Production and Operations
Management, 28(9), pp.2202-2220.
Naumov, S., Keith, D.R. and Fine, C.H., 2020. Unintended consequences of
automated vehicles and pooling for urban transportation systems. Production
and Operations Management, 29(5), pp.1354-1371.
Irfan, M., Wang, M. and Akhtar, N., 2019. Impact of IT capabilities on supply chain
capabilities and organizational agility: a dynamic capability view. Operations
Management Research, 12(3), pp.113-128.
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Singh, R.K., Mishra, R. and Bag, S., 2021. Application of blockchain technology for
sustainability development in agricultural supply chain: justification
framework. Operations Management Research, pp.1-16.
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 Life cycle of business
An overview of the case study you have been given
Life cycle of project is an effective framework of different activities and
functions which are completed or maintain in a systematic way which supports the
business to achieve their goals, earn maximum profit and benefits from the various
projects. Project life cycle plays an important role in business which are completed in
within the limited time period. Small and big both the organization maintains
deadlines for the projects to achieve their targets,this all are maintain only with an
well set planning, initiating and effectively executing, life cycle of project removes
wastage of money as well as limited resources. IN organization many project are not
completed on time due to lack of effective planning, communication or controlling.
This reports includes an Project life cycle of business which helps the company to
set and determine project goals, objective, strategies for an effective implementation,
for the effective completion of project organization can use various methods and
techniques of project life cycle which provided an effective way for the effective
completion of task, with the help of systematic approach of project life cycle
organization can search out in which area work lacks like, threats, risk, benefits.
Discussion of the four main elements of project life cycle also discussed (Wuni and
Shen, 2020).
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):
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 Project initiation
It refers to the first step in the project life cycle, also indicates as identification
stage. As project initiation means when the company introduce a new or innovative
plan, thoughts for earn maximum profit and timely or effectively achieve their
business targets. In this members of top management can find out the basic purpose
and goal from the specific project, recognize the project feasibility level and analyses
the unessential ideas. Business can also identify their objectives, project purpose,
upcoming opportunities, threats which can arise in future. Firstly, owner of business
can identify the issues that can project solved in the future, or if the business need
fund for the project, either through debt or equity have to manage financial sources
for the project. Basically project initiation provides an useful insight to the business
projects. In project initiating stage huge efforts required like development of project
case, creation of the workflow diagram, budget estimation which provided clear
picture of business finance such as cost estimation for determining how much
amount spend on project equipment, resources in business(Cha and Maytorena-
Sanchez, 2019).
 Project planning
Project planning requires in each and every organization as it is pervasive in
nature, from top most department to the lower department. It indicates the after the
initiation stage now, project plan is establish for doing the other procedures. An
effective strategies or planning plays an essential role in the successful completion
of project. It included different task like identifying the goals, which helps the
business to achieve goals. Planning of project helps in determining the actual steps
for the project and after that comparing all step identify which step is effective for the
business. Then secondly determines the project scope that ensures strategies and
planning in that way which helps in achieving the benefits of the project. Planning
also involves the proper scheduling of functioning like beginning of project and on
what day project end ending date (Kordi and Che Ibrahim, 2021). Project report
decent is essential in each and every report as they includes operations, activities
that performed, deliverables and outcomes from the project. Project planning is
essential that is because it involves controlling and monitoring of task and budget at
each and every steps. It gives direction to all the team members for the effective
performance according to the establish schedule, and use efficient tools and
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techniques for every particular function. This also helps the management to involve
in effective completion of project.
 Project execution
This third step also known as implementation of project which includes the
execution of project which states that all the plans made by the team leader now put
them into actions. Basically put all the plans and strategies which the top most level
make for the effective completion of project. This process successfully done only by
maintaining control overall all the important information, resources which might
create issues in completion of project. For the successful and effective completion of
project this is the duty of all project team members to ensure that all the above step
of project life cycle done effectively because many times that happen things are not
execute according to the set plans and that can happens from various reasons such
as if there is any kind of change occur in policies or rules and regulations, may be
company face some loss due to natural calamity, or some time company loses its
shareholders(Addyman and Davies, 2020). Project execution is an important stage
in the whole project life cycle as it is point where the project ends it is the duty of
project manager to ensure that all the work are going according to the planned
objectives, strategies and maintain controlling over all the operations of the project.
 Project closure
It is the last step in life cycle of project. Project closure indicates the
completion of project which includes the last and final outcomes, documentation
process, releasing of resources, evaluating the project performance, team members
participation and final conducting reviews and feedback. Ensuring that the execution
of planned project performed properly and effectively. There are some good side of
closure of project like as it supports in avoiding mistakes and errors in future, also
leave high liabilities or ensures payment on time. An effective project closure
supports in carrying transition effectively as per the requirements of clients. Closure
of project gives information to the stakeholders that they need with the available
resources as well. It is last step of completion of project as only declaration is not
enough full and right confirmation of project completion is required. Confirmation of
the project should done with the sanction from the stakeholders for the deliverables
of the project along with the official signature of stakeholders. Documentation review
is also important and closing of contract with the customers. It also involves the
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release of resources like suppliers, contractors. Communication regarding the final
payment to all the suppliers and other members who are involve in project is
necessary, also evaluate the performance of team members like whether that
complete their work or task on time or not and also the quality of their work (Cavalieri
and Guccio 2019).
Analysis of the project methodologies and tools used
This report includes various projects tools, techniques and methodologies
which are used in life cycle of project. This management project life cycle is very
essential in determining the different methods which considered all the operations
and functions of the business and also this study aim. Effective utilization of all this
tools and techniques, method helps in systematic and smooth functioning of the
business. For the effective ongoing project life cycle and its all step has an
immeasurable outcomes. This particular method supports the management in
searching out new and creative ideas, with this huge methods risk are also linked
with the objectives and goals of the project. In the decision making process all these
methodologies are important as the helps the manager in the data and resources
collection in making the strategies and plans so, that they can achieve their goals in
an effective and efficient way. Today's all the project are more highly concerned with
the effective and proper scheduling, planning, effectively imitating and execution.
Some of the methodologies of projects like for complex projects, software projects
and simple project techniques. All the methodologies helps the organization to find
right way. There are various methods and techniques which are efficient for taking
the decision regarding the execution of project and help the organization to achieve
their goals in an effective and efficient manner(Pervoukhin and Hayrapetyan2020).
Review and critically evaluate the effectiveness of the PLC
in application to your project using the appropriate
theories models and concepts
In the field of business, life cycle of project plays an essential role, its
roles in all the operations of business are very crucial that includes the defining the
steps in an effective and systematic manner that are project initiation, project
planning, execution of project, and last with the closure phase. These are important
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stages of life cycle which all the business have to perform because execute their
ideas into the reality and selecting the suitable ideas from the different suggestions
and ideas that help in achieving the organizational goal by considering their
employees objectives so, that employees can work with the dedication and always
stay motivated. It helps in providing direction and guidance as well as to the
management in which the task has to be effectively performed. It has been critically
evaluate that the project life cycle is the most effective way which can leads to the
efficiency in imitating of project and its planning or execution by identifying the
threats and opportunities and find out its scope with an effective controlling and
monitoring over all the projects, It is the duty of the project manager to take acre all
steps in the process of taking effective and corrective action at the right time. But
after the study of project life cycle, considered as it is an effective technique in order
to achieve organization objectives and goals in the market (Yong Kim and Thuc
2021).
Conclusion
It is concluded from the above report that the project life cycle plays an
essential role which involves the various effective and systematic steps like project
planning, project imitation, project execution and lastly the project closure. All these
steps of project life cycle plays an essential role in identifying and evaluating the
ideas and thoughts as well as the main aim of the project of the company which
gives the useful direction to the employees in the effective completion of the task.
Project life cycle has critically evaluate the threats and opportunities within the
project process, with the help of proper planning, controlling and monitoring. Project
life cycle is an effective tool which helps the organization to achieve their goals
effectively and efficiently.
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References
Wuni, I.Y. and Shen, G.Q., 2020. Critical success factors for management of the
early stages of prefabricated predefined volumetric construction project life
cycle. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 27(9),
pp.2315-2333.
Kordi, N.E. S. and Che Ibrahim, C.K.I., 2021. Mapping of social sustainability
attributes to stakeholders’ involvement in construction project life
cycle. Construction management and economics, 39(6), pp.513-532.
Cha, J. and Maytorena-Sanchez, E., 2019. Prioritizing project management
competences across the software project life cycle. International Journal of
Managing Projects in Business.
Addyman, and Davies, A., 2020. Re-creating organizational routines to transition
through the project life cycle: A case study of the reconstruction of London's
bank underground station. Project management journal, 51(5), pp.522-537.
Cavalieri, R. and Guccio, C., 2019. On the magnitude of cost overruns throughout
the project life-cycle: An assessment for the Italian transport infrastructure
projects. Transport Policy, 79, pp.21-36.
Pervoukhin, lyugina, E.K. and Hayrapetyan, D.A., 2020. Theoretical comparative
analysis of cascading, iterative, and hybrid approaches to IT project life cycle
management. Бизнес-информатика, 14(1 (eng)), pp.32-40.
Yong Kim, S. and Thuc, L.D., 2021. Life Cycle Performance Measurement in
Public–Private Partnership Infrastructure Projects. Journal of Infrastructure
Systems, 27(4), p.06021001.
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