Evaluating Cadbury's Project Life Cycle in Operations Management

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Cadbury's project life cycle (PLC) in the context of its on-site catering services. It begins by outlining each stage of the PLC, including initiation, planning, execution, and closure, with supporting documentation. The report then analyzes the project methodologies and tools used by Cadbury, such as Six Sigma, Lean, and Business Process Redesign, to address challenges related to on-site catering. Furthermore, it critically evaluates the effectiveness of the PLC application, using theories and models to assess its strengths and limitations. The evaluation covers inbound logistics, operations, and outbound logistics, providing recommendations for improvements to enhance the company's operational efficiency and project outcomes. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and suggesting areas for further research and development in project management practices at Cadbury.

Operations and project
management

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................2
An explanation of each stage of the PLC that applies to your selected project, including
supporting documentation for each stage...............................................................................2
Analysis of the project methodologies and tools used...........................................................7
Review and critically evaluate the effectiveness of the PLC in application to given project
using appropriate theories, models and concepts...................................................................8
◦ Application of project life-cycle and changes for small and large projects................11
◦ Evaluation of PLC through practical and theoretical exploration of its effectiveness and
recommendations for improvements....................................................................................12
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
1

INTRODUCTION
Project life cycle is defined as the process that includes four phases such as initiation m
planning, implementation and closure. All these stages are taken together and provide path to to
carry project task in efficient manner from the beginning to the end point. All these stages have
defined time period in which organisation have to complete activities to meet the ultimate goal of
project. Business conducts their operations in various stages like beginning stage, middle stage
and end stage, middle stage of is the phase in which project work in executed to attain
determined goals and objectives in specific period of time (Reid and Sanders, 2019). In this
report chosen organisation is Cadbury which is UK based manufacturing organisation which is
second largest confectionery brand in the world. The organisation is currently owned by the
Mondelez International and formerly it was known as Cadbury’s. Respective organisation was
founded in 1824 at Birmingham. Case study includes various challenges and issues that are faced
by the Cadbury in the process of providing online catering services.
Overview of the case study-
The case study is regarding the manufacturing organisation that is Midland based and
started with the objective of attaining the determined goals and objectives of business and help
employees through improving their lifestyle. The main objective of organisation is to reduce the
congestion from the common areas of business during the recess or lunch time. There are on-site
catering project is launched by the Cadbury with the objective of providing healthy food to
employees at organisation premises and attain further objectives as well. There are various
effective methodologies related to project are adopted by the organisation that ensures higher
efficiency and effectiveness of employees at workplace. Furthermore, there are depth evaluation
methods are used by the organisation to check the effectiveness of project implementation. It
enables business to perform determined operations on time with greater efficiency.
Main Body
An explanation of each stage of the PLC that applies to your selected project, including
supporting documentation for each stage
Process of project life cycle includes various stages that enables organisation to complete
their defined project task in efficient manner and lead business towards growth and objectives
(Lee, 2018). There are various stages are used by the managers of Cadbury in order to get better
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from its employees and enhance their working procedure. Through adopting theses stages,
Cadbury ensures that determined project task accomplished on time within given resources. It
enables respective organisation to concentrate on each task in most precise manner.
Project initiation: Initiation phase is defined as the stage in through which organisation
launches new project in market basically it is the stating phase of lancing project in market.
Cadbury access different market opportunities that it can attain through launching new or
innovative products in market (Li, 2021). Managers of respective organisation decides objectives
of fostering on-site catering needs of employees.
Business case
 Background- Cadbury analyse the problem and provide multiple solutions to provide
healthy food to its employees during lunch time. It facilitates organisation to solve the
problem related to healthy eating as well as lesser crowding in surrounding of business.
There are various project methodologies are established that helps to maintain effective
working environment of organisation. These methodologies help managers of
organisation to ensure optimum utilisation of resources and maintain the quality of
business operations.
 Goals: The main goals and objectives of on-site catering of Cadbury is to accomplish the
CSR objectives as well as it reduces movement of staff members from premises. It helps
to protect them from any hazardous impacts.
 Impact: The project of on-site catering provides satisfaction level of employees from
organisation and retain them with organisation for long period of time (Joshi, 2017). This
project help organisation through reducing the chances of accidents on job that can affect
employees.
 Stakeholders: There are various stakeholders who are enhance with business in order top
complete business project on time with efficiency. These stakeholders are employees,
managers, caterers who supply food products to employees during lunch time.
 Scope: Scope is the most essential thing that have great value to complete determined
project on time. Managers of Cadbury organisation analyse likes as well as dislikes of
employees related to food items and provide them accordingly the satisfy their needs and
demands.
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 Budget: Budget is defined as the estimated financial projections that help to complete
defined operations of project in efficient manner.
 Milestone: The milestone of Cadbury organisation is to promote healthy eating of
employees as well as reduce employee congestion outside the premises of Cadbury. Project approval: It is important for organisation to get approval from management of
organisation to initiate project.
Project planning: Project planning stage is defined as the inclusion that includes various
information regarding project task that is presented in efficient manner. In planning phrase in
very important for the Midlands such as Cadbury. Managers of respective organisation considers
planning stage that enhances overall effectiveness of project and help to attain ultimate goals in
systematic way (D’Orazio and Varisco, 2018). Organisation develop effective planning for
regarding resources, employees and time. Project plan is the is the process of outlining activities,
dependencies that are achieved in determined time frame.
Work flow document
Gantt Chart
Gantt chart is defined as the project management tool that includes various activities that
are performed by the management team. It ensures that determined operations are performed in
given time period (Liu and et. al., 2019). There is various task are represented in Gantt Chart
according to time line. Gantt Chart of cadbury organisation are mentioned below:
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5

Gathering Resource: There are various resources are required to complete project on
time such as financial resource are required to achieve objectives of specific project in efficient
manner (Geertsen, 2020). Catering suppliers ensures regular supply of catering services on-site.
Plan of Cadbury provide food as well as related services through various mode of organisational
transportation.
Estimated Budget
Particulars Calculation Amount
Sales £50*200 £10000
Less: variable cost £3*200 £600
Contribution Sales-variable cost £9400
Less: fixed cost £1500
Less: estimated cost of sales £10*200 £2000
Net profit £5900
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Project execution: This stage is linked with the execution of suitable project plans which is
being opted by company. It is an inclusion of essential measures that are opted in the respective
company which depict towards the extraction of maximum of efficiency irrespective of work
being produced in the corporate company. In regard of given company which is based in
Midlands and also suffering from the suitable issues which are linked to the on-site catering
services being faced at the site.
Project closure: It is linked with the project planning which is crucial as the several
stages dedications are taken into account which is related with team efforts in the respective
company (Vidal-Carreras, Garcia-Sabater and Canós-Darós, 2017). Team working is the suitable
stage that plays an important role considering the project activities as in conclusion it is essential
for the project manager to lay-off the project task or completion of project on a very good note.
Within the given context, in which the problem is related to the on-site as the manager of
company like Cadbury tends to develop better standards in the operational firm by effective
adoption of the above-mentioned stages. Being in that position of project and programme the
officer reflecting to the issue which is being offered and concerned to on-site services that falls
under the responsibility of respective unit.
Analysis of the project methodologies and tools used
Wide variety of project methods are used in the given project in order to solve the issues
and challenges that are concerned with on-site catering and also tends to develop better
opportunity for the given corporate to function in an effective manner. For this, managers at the
site tends to use such methodologies in terms of gaining benefit of low production cost and
quality of production that can be measured (Essila, Alhourani and Motwani, 2021). Apart from
this, such methodologies can be useful in regard of gaining the competitive benefit as proper
working structure in respective company that can be ensure in an effective manner and also
enhance the market presence of the company.
Description
Six Sigma This approach is useful to develop effective potential of the company in regard
of customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction and enhancement of bottom
line. For this, the possible reason for realisation of effective outcome for the
use of this approach could be dedicating company’s activities towards the
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correct decision of working.
Lean
manufacturing
The operations of company are being engaged in terms of delivering the
consumer goods in several markets that have to comply with several business
production standards. For this process, the efforts over use the suitable
operational techniques are being taken into consideration. This makes sure that
elimination of operational cost and enable working with proper use of business
resources.
Business
process
redesign
This process improves the efficiency of respective company by defining the
suitable standards as per the external environment of business in which the
operations of company is being governed. By opting this method, managers of
company can promote effective us of business resources which can contribute
towards the better productivity of company.
Review and critically evaluate the effectiveness of the PLC in application to given project using
appropriate theories, models and concepts
In the present scenario there are various functions which are being represented by the
management in the selected company. Managers of the company involves specific activities of
the company through applying project management theories. This helps company in enhancing
its activities with respect to various business operations (Kunc, 2020). The project management
theories in context to the selected company has been described below in detail:
 Inbound logistics: The given model is place at the first level in the provided operational
management procedure of PLC in the Cadbbury. Managers of the organisation is being
benefited with the utilization of such techniques as they are able to create standards in
operational working environment of the company.
◦ Strengths: the firm could develop better standards of working through investing
resources while managing internal affairs in the provided operational organisation.
Therefore, by implementing these methods management of the firm could be able to
establish better team work at on-site.
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◦ Limitations: the provided procedure of inbound logistic involves continuous
monitoring functions which results to acquisition of high operational cost. Hence,
this procedure could prove to be very high cost consuming for the company which
results into limitation.
 Operations: Operations of the selected firm are being involved in the customer centric
facilities which could be adapted by effective operational management methods. This
provides managers an opportunity to make better brand image in the market and
enhance its market presence through delivering best product services (Gemmel,
Meijboom and De Regge, 2021). Hence, managers of the selected organisation, could
create better standard of working style by implementing flexibility of the operations and
through this better outcome could accomplished.
◦ Strengths: the selected organisation have several outlets which are operating in
various nations world, hence applying various techniques of operational
management could make effective style of working.
◦ Limitation: Operational management infuse possible performance from human as a
resource working in the selected organisation. But the techniques of the operational
management might fail to represent its effectiveness in the business environment.
 Outbound logistics: the third level of the project life cycle is a stage where coordinative
methods are being applied and taken into consideration. The major issue which
company is facing in present time is COVID-19 pandemic. This is the major threat
which company could face and could help it in further success through project life-
cycle. In the provided heading of Cadbury, it launched delivery services to several
consumers which engage company in providing better services to customers.
◦ Strengths: seeking to present situation of market the selected company with the
implementation of outbound logistics which could help in developing better work
environment (Doering, Suresh and Krumwiede, 2019). Furthermore, better
utilization of resources could boost the productivity of company.
◦ Limitation: this is the stage where different personalities of several employees could
develop conflicts and disputes in the company. The workers in the company might
misbehave with others and try to impose their actions on others.
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Project life-cycle is very important for the growth of company as it is required to accomplish
targets. It is very wide project level, in this situation valuable projects and models which will be
utilised like waterfall model. This model is utilized to examine PLC phases from start to end.
Project officer is responsible to take correct steps and actions for completing the project
successfully. As the discussion for project manager of the Cadbury is being discussed below: Requirement: this phase represents the needs of the several resources such as funds,
workforce, technologies and other which are required for establishing the project. Six
Sigma approach is very useful for the selected organisation as it helps in reducing
resource wastage and assist in accomplishing production. The utilisation of the six
Sigma in the first stage enhance the possibility of rigidity as the methodology applied is
also rigid. Design: This phase represents the development of the structure which helps in
successful completion of project. This is the planning phase of PLC which states that
company must use its tools in manufacturing which could reduce the wastage and
managers should choose democratic leadership style (Cavka, Staub-French and Poirier,
2017). At this stage the planning is required to be accurate and the it is important to
evaluate strategies which could further leads to project completion. Development: This phase represents the development of the project and how it has been
executed. When the selected organisation wants to implement project, it needs to
implement TQM approach which mainly focus on the quality of project. Organisation
must execute democratic leadership style in order to manage employees properly and
they could get each information about the project. Project manager is accountable to
examine that resources are efficient or not for project completion. For this, the
organisation has to adopt operational management which could help it in decreasing
wastage of resources and produce quality products which can minimize production cost.
 Maintenance: this id the last stage on this model, where managers will take correct
decisions and they must examine the project as well as take measures to organise
project. This approach is suitable to deal with risks and challenges project could face in
its journey (Mengel and et. al., 2020).
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◦ Application of project life-cycle and changes for small and large projects
 Project life-cycle is defined as a method of techniques which is implemented by
companies to maintain and organise productivity when they are regulating business
in market. In the case of the company, project working was overall dedicated on
creating effective approaches because of which various problems arose due to
movement of workers at the time of lunch as there were unavailability of on-site
catering services. In project planning phase, managers of the organisation apply
approaches which are being used for producing effective working in the company.
Given stage grows improved ethics of employed in the given organisation which
develops competence of together working of employees in order to perform project in
various functional areas of the company. In the next stage i.e. assembling resources,
catering suppliers will be hired to deliver consistent stock of catering services on-site
(Kunc, 2020). The main purpose is to deliver food and related facilities through the
transport service of the company. Project execution phase comprises of list of actions
which were deliberated in the past level are being taken into consideration in the
present time. In the final phase i.e. project closure, managers of the selected
organisation i.e. Cadbury grows better standards in operational firm through
acceptance of the above mentioned project stages. Being in the position of project and
programme officer reflecting to the issue provided related to on-site catering services
falls under responsibility of the respective department. Methodolo
gy
 Small-Scale Projects  Large-scale Projects
 Total
Quality
Manageme
nt
 The execution of this
approach in the small-scale
tasks is mainly focused on its
quality.
 This approach should be
executed so that the
quality of project cud be
maintained. Organisation
should execute TQM in
an effective manner
where every stage would
be examined in order to
provide clarity and
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widespread safety
measures in the tasks.
 Six Sigma  Application of the six-sigma
practise in order to manage
the policies for the workers
who are involved in this
project to progress their
performance. This needs a
simple amount and
examination of current
values and aims which could
expand the performance.
 When this methodology
is applied on the large-
scale projects than the
health and safety workers
are being taken into
consideration (Lee,
2018).
 Lean
Principles
 Execution of this approach at
very small level tasks is just
like evaluating the
performance. Managers are
need to set criteria upon
which the performance could
be judged (Doering, Suresh
and Krumwiede, 2019).
 In the case of large-scale
tasks, organisation would
execute this approach in
the procedure of
confirming the least
resources wastage and
this will enhance the
whole quality of the
project.

◦ Evaluation of PLC through practical and theoretical exploration of its effectiveness
and recommendations for improvements PLC is defined as techniques which are implemented by project manager in order to
maintain effective regulation of the initiated project throughout the life-cycle of project.
There are several ways by which effectiveness could be achieved which are defined
below in detail: Clarity of project objectives: PLC provides clear vision towards purposes which is vital
to avoid wastages of resources.
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 Guidance of project activities: An effective direction is provided in terms of originating
operative project events.
 Result focus: final attention could be dedicated towards project outcome.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be analysed that these stages of PLC being illustrated plays an
essential role regarding the understanding of operational task in the respective firm. The overall
contribution of PLC can be extended in regard of development and designing of effective
operational strategy towards the effective working of given operational task of company. Along
with this, the effective presentation of several project methods are also reflected in terms of
continuous improvement plan.
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