Detailed Operations and Project Management Report: Hotpoint Case Study

This report examines the operations and project management practices of Hotpoint, a company in the electronic sector. It analyzes key principles of operations management, including reality, organization, accountability, change, and managed passion, within the context of Hotpoint's expansion plans, specifically the launch of a 58-inch TV. The report explores the application of Six Sigma methodologies, DMAIC and DMADV, to improve product launches and operational efficiency. Furthermore, it delves into lean manufacturing principles, such as value, value stream, flow, and establishing pull, to enhance production quality and reduce waste. A continuous improvement plan is presented, focusing on cost reduction, quality enhancement, safety measures, and efficient delivery. Finally, the report applies the Project Life Cycle (PLC) to the TV project, providing supporting documentation and evaluating the effectiveness of PLC through relevant theories, concepts, and models.

Operations and
Project
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
P1 Review and critique of operations management principles within and organisational
context.........................................................................................................................................1
Six Sigma:...................................................................................................................................2
P2 Continuous improvement plan based on review and critique of operations management
principles within an organisation................................................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P3 Apply PLC to a given project for producing necessary supporting documentation for
completion of project..................................................................................................................6
P4 Review on effectiveness of PLC in application to the chosen project by applying
appropriate theories, concepts and models................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is a continuous process of planning and executing operations of
an organisation in routine manner. In this process of operation management there are wide range
of services such as, inventory control, demand forecasting, quality management, production
planning and supply chain collaboration (Binder, 2016). Whereas, project management is
basically a planning and beheading of non-routine work. It is necessary for business
organisations to conduct all these activities in proper way as to conduct their business operations
in effective manner. Present case study has been conducted on, Hotpoint company which
perform their functions in Electronic sector. Company was founded in the year 1911 and offer
wide range of products like washing machines, tumble dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers and
cookers. In this report discussions have been made on the scenario that, company is planning to
expand their area of service and looking forwards to launch 58 inches TV. In addition to this,
principles of operation management and continuous improvement plan are included in this
report. Lastly, project life cycle effectiveness are covered in present project.
P1 Review and critique of operations management principles within and organisational context
Operation management plays a vital role in an organisation to conduct their business
activities in effective manner. It include different types of activities such as planning, organizing
and controlling resources and labour of an organisation in order to produce effective goods and
services and create value of product. Mentioned below there are different types of principles with
the help of which organisation can effectively facilitate their organisational activities:
Principles of Operation management: There are various types of principles that are followed by
Hotpoint in order to make sure that their business operations are conducting in accurate manner
and within the proper time frame.
Principles of Reality: As per according to this principle, it is essential for an
organisation to focus on the problem of operational management rather than on techniques which
has been utilize for it's implementation. As there is no tool available to provide a universal
solution for a problem. Therefore, it is essential for Hotpoint managers to evaluate actual
requirement of consumers before and after launching a product in a market. In current phase,
company is providing their services in air conditioners, freezers, refrigerators, cooking products
and dishwashers.
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Principle of Organisation: It is important for an organisation to conduct their
organisational activities in a proper sequence as to accomplish their predetermined goals and
objectives in proper time manner (Verzuh, 2015). In addition to this, with the help of
interrelationships with each department in organisational structure of Hotpoint, company can
perform their functions within great effectiveness. Therefore, by performing their activities in
organised manner Hotpoint can accomplish their goals in desired manner.
Accountability: As per this principle of operational management managers of Hotpoint is
required to set actual rules and regulations for their subordinates. Additionally, managers is
required to monitor whether goals and objectives are achieved by employees in proper time
frame or not. This will benefit Hotpoint managers to reduce work load of employees and produce
more profitability for company.
Change: In order to bring innovation in their products and services it is essential for
Hotpoint to not to stick on a single strategy. It is necessary for company managers to keep on
changing their strategies and policies with the help of new innovations. This will benefit them to
sustain best position in market place for long time.
Managed passion: As to perform business operations in more effective manner it is
essential of a manager to take care of employees passion and support them to bring out their
creativity. This will help Hotpoint managers to to get more effective outcomes and drive their
organisation towards growth path.
Six Sigma:
This concept was founded by Bill Smith in the year 1980, as per according to this concept it is a
collection of various tools and techniques which bring improvement in a process. Six sigma
mainly include two types of methodologies that are, DMADV and DMAIC. In this DMAIC
states( measure, analyse, improve and control) while DMADV refer as an ( define, measure,
analyse, design and validate). In this present case scenario, Hotpoint is looking forward to bring
their new product which is 58 inches T.V. With the help of six sigma Hoitpoint can effectively
launch their product in efficient way. Mentioned below there are six sigma of DMAV:
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Define: It is a first process in which needs and demands of costumers are analysed in
detailed manner. Hotpoint managers before launching their product in the market implement
various strategies as to evaluate actual need of consumer and then decided to manufacture a TV
as per according to preferences of costumer (Turner, 2014).
Measure: This step acts an vital step before manufacturing and launching a product in a
marketplace. Hotpoint managers is required to analyse overall factor such as allocation of related
number of buyers in a location and then form suitable measures to bring qualitative product. This
will benefit them to cope up with any kind of future risk.
Analyse: In this process, Hotpoint managers is required to examine issues and problem
raised in the process of operation and then frame suitable strategies to modify that on same
phase. It is essential for company to make effective designs as to increase their shares in market.
Design: It is essential for Hotpoint managers to design their strategies and products as per
according to consumer expectations. This will help them to increase their productivity and sales
in a mean time. In addition to this, they can also find various alternatives through which they can
generate more advantage in marketplace.
Verify: In this step it is essential for Hotpoint manufacturing team to make sure that their
designed products are as per the requirement of cosnuemer and it's performance is in satisfactory
level.
Lean production/ manufacturing:
With the help of this process operational managers of Hotpoint will able of develop more
effective and innovative ideas in order to maximise their production process quality. With help
of this process company can reduce level of their wastage at great extent. It will automatically
benefit Hotpoint to minimize their overall production cost and time. Mentioned below there are
different aspects of lean production:
Value: According to this process product are created as per the requirement and
preferences of consumers. In addition to this, various other aspect such as price, timely
manufacturing and delivery of product are considered. Managers of Hotpoint are required
thoroughly consider overall factor of actual consumer requirement before launching their
product in the marketplace.
Value stream: As per according to this factor, it is essential to measure the satisfaction
level of consumer in relation to a product after it has been developed. Therefore, it is important
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for Hotpoint manager to examine actual satisfaction level of consumer after they deliver a
product or service in a marketplace.
Flow: According to this principle, it is necessary for an organisation to examine their
wastage level in order to overcome any kind of future uncertainty. This will help them to reduce
necessary workload and deliver more effective outcome. In addition to this, Hotpoint is taking
the advantage of breakdown structure to maximise their production level.
Establish Pull: In order to produce more effective outcome within estimated budget it is
necessary for Hotpoint to measure their inventory factor. It is essential for company operational
manager to evaluate their section of inventory and maintain proper estimation of raw material
(Swink, 2018). This will benefit them to reduce their level of wastage and produce more
effective outcome within proper budget.
Pursue perfection: It is bit hard for an organisation to manufacture all products in mean
time and in perfect manner. Therefore, it is important for Hotpoint operation manager to
implement various innovative techniques in their organisational structure in order to produce
qualitative outcome.
P2 Continuous improvement plan based on review and critique of operations management
principles within an organisation
Continuous improvement plan and its meaning
In order to sustain for long time it is necessary for an organisation to make continuous
improvement in their overall departmental units as to improve their production process and
produce more qualitative outcomes. Hotpoint operational managers are require to analyse market
condition and evaluate current market conditions in order to conduct their operational activities
in effective manner. Mentioned below there is continuous improvement plan with the help of
which Hotpoint can produce services as per according to consumer requirements:
SOURCES PRINCIPLES OUTCOMES
Cost Six sigma In order to conduct their
organisational process in cost
effective way Hotpoint
operational manager
implemented six sigma
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principle in their workplace
structure. This will benefit
them to invest less cost and
produce effective result within
proper budget (Swink, 2017).
Quality Lean manufacturing In order to increase product
quality it is necessary for
Hotpoint to take advantage of
new and innovative tools and
techniques as to accomplish
this process in effective
manner company operational
manager have decided to use
lean manufacturing. This will
benefit them to produce more
effective outcomes.
Safety Fundamentals It is necessary for Hotpoint
operational manager to
consider each and every aspect
of safety in their process of
manufacturing and production.
In addition to this, it is
required for them to maintain
regular record to their
inventory which will help the
to resolve any future issue and
maintain safety of information
in effective way.
Delivery Organisation In order to deliver products
and services in great effective
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manner it is essential for
Hotpoint operational manager
to develop certain strategies
and policies tin relation to
resource management. This
will help them find any kind of
defect in mean time and
accomplish their activities in
effective manner.
Effectiveness of continuous improvement plan:
In order to conduct their organisational activities in effective manner it is important for
Hotpoint operational manager to analyse actual cause of a particular problem and find necessary
loop holes. In the above mentioned plan, focus has been made on quality and cost of services and
delivery of products. With the implementation of factors mentioned in improvement plan
Hotpoint can effectively increase their level of performance (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). As
company have adopted lean manufacturing and six sigma they can remarkably maximise their
product quality. In addition to this, this development plan will benefit company to reduce their
input cost and lower down overall estimated time and use that same to enhance quality of their
products and services.
TASK 3
P3 Apply PLC to a given project for producing necessary supporting documentation for
completion of project
Product life cycle is an important factor which plays a key essential role in marketing. In
a concept of product life cycle there are different stages, in this a product undergoes through a
process from its staring stage till the elimination from a marketplace. There may be a case in
which product may not reach their last stage. In order to examine effectiveness of PLC , Hotpoint
operational manager is require to follow certain steps which is mentioned below:
Initiation stage:
As per according to this stage, there are different types of elements in relation to a project
which is required to be effectively evaluated. In context with Hotpoint is necessary for company
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operational managers to access required data and evaluate feasibility of project. Operational
managers of Hotpoint evaluated actual need and preferences of consumer and formulated
formative strategies in order to launch their 58 inches television in a marketplace. In order to
accomplish this objective in effective manner it is required to analyse feasibility. It is important
for Hotpoint operational manager to find various measure so to satisfy needs of consumers in
effective way. In addition to this, it is the basic responsibility of company operational managers
to analyse company resources that are required to be utilize in development of a product (Morris,
2013). Apart from that stake-holders and consumers expected to be involved in project
development are also require to be consider. In relation to this concept, Hotpoint operational
manager is require to analyse actual needs of consumer and then formulate proper plan in respect
to began their process of 58 inches TV development. Estimated time period of 2 to 3 months is
required to analyse overall market factor. In this Autocratic form of leadership style has being
utilized in which an individual have authority over their decision and small amount of input is
received form others. Leaders with autocratic leadership style have right to make their own
decisions. In this there is a little indulgent of other employees. It is mainly a formal and
structured way to conduct operations and functions of an organisation. This form of autocratic
leadership style is best suitable for Hotpoint to launch their new product in a marketplace.
Planning stage:
After the stage of initiation, it is important to conduct next stage in formative manner in
effective way. This can be done with the help of work statement, business case and initiation
form of document. Operational manager of Hotpoint segregate their task into small parts and
then allot that same to subordinates according to individual skill and capabilities. In this stage,
Hotpoint take advantage of team formation and formulate scheduled task as to conduct their
business functions in effective manner. Operational manager of Hotpoint formulate
heterogeneous objectives and targets as to achieve their goals in proper given time manner. In
this present scenario, Hotpoint is looking forward to launch their new product 58 inches TV in a
a marketplace for this they have adopted situational leadership style. According to this style,
leaders and managers plan to accomplish their task as per their their urgency. Total amount of
time required to accomplish this stage is 4 month.
Execution stage:
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This stages comes after the development of strategies, in this strategies made are
required to be execute in formative way (Jacobs and Lummus, 2014). It is stage in which ideas
get transformed into effective action in order to accomplish predetermined goals and objectives
in efficient way. It is the basic responsibility of operational project manager to make sure that
they have segmented their work accordingly and divide that as per according to individual skills
and capabilities. In context with Hotpoint, there project manager is responsibly taking care of
formation and execution of work and ensure that project is completed in a given period of time.
This process will take estimated time period of 3 months. In this leadership style chosen here is,
servant leadership it is mainly a traditional form of leadership main responsibility of leader is to
serve. In this stage, power is shared on equal basis and need and wants to employees are
effectively considered. This will help them to perform their roles and responsibilities with great
effectiveness.
Closure stage:
This is the last stage, in which project comes to an end process. In this stage members
who are involved in the process of development provide necessary documents. It will takes
almost estimated duration of 1 month. In context with Hotpoint, team members submitted their
related document of TV. In this, operational manager take review of future pictures and analyse
condition of a product in present and future scenario. In addition to this, company managers
evaluate various opportunities in a marketplace with the help of which they can expand their area
of service and increase their share in market.
Gantt chart:
This concept was coined by Henry L. Gantt in the year 1917. Gantt chart is mainly a
horizontal bar which helps in controlling production. This is a scheduled plan in which there are
various process such as, planning, coordination and tracking respective target in relation to a
project. Hotpoint manufacturing department is taking advantage of Gantt chart to adjust their
task according to proper time. In this chart, presentation is given in the form of length, bar and
position which denotes end and start date.
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Business case:
In this stage initiation of a project is conducted in a structured format (Harrison and Lock,
2017). Mentioned below there are various points which is required to be considered:
Executive summary:
Hotpoint is planning to launch a new product in a market which is 58 inches television.
This launching process can be done in effective manner by taking care of actual requirements of
consumers. In order to accomplish their target in effective way operational manager of Hotpoint
is required to analyse overall market factor and find various measures related to tools and
techniques that can help them to perform their functions in proper and systematic way. It is
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important for Hotpoint to maintain regular record of data and information as to increase their
speed of performance and produce more effective outcomes.
Goal:
Main goal of Hotpoint is to launch their new product as to fulfil requirement of
consumers in best effective way and increase their productivity and profitability simultaneously.
Solution:
Hotpoint has identified needs and wants of the customers, after this they are looking
ahead to introduce their new product. For its successful completion they are adopt new and latest
technology and tools by accomplishment of which they can bring desired results.
Cost:
It is an important factor, as per this Hotpoint need to identifies various aspect related to
cost with row materials like software, hardware and human capital. Main cost of this project is
around 30,000 pounds.
Benefits:
It is about company to launch their new product within the market. If they are eligible to
get desired results in the form of customers then they can look ahead for future to maximise their
business. It will help them to increase their loyalty in front of the customers.
Execution Time:
It is a form of planning where it consumes lot of time that includes in many different
strategies such as requirement of product which is based upon the customer and trends both.
According to this company about to launch new product in market, then it will take around one
year to completion of project.
Project Plan:
it is an important term of every project, that emphasis some factors are given below:
Cost:
it is a very important factor which must be determined while accomplishing the project.
Overall cost of entire project will be comes around 30,000 pounds.
Scope:
An organization is opting this component to increase their business within the
market place. Through this Hotpoint can maximise customer loyalty towards their effective
services. So that they can also increase their market share in a good manner.
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Risk:
In this factor company need to ensures that they are using essential or effective strategies.
It also helps in reduces risk factor which parts are not suitable for the project.
Resource:
In this factor of project plan industry have ensured that it increase their delivery of goods
and services to reach their customers desires. Therefore, Hotpoint uses latest technology and
tools in their products.
Work break down structure:
It is very important key project which helps in organizes work of team into manageable
sections. Work is classified in small parts which means work to be done in a given period of
time. Hotpoint adopted this structure for classification of their task and meet a effective results
from the same.
TASK 4
P4 Review on effectiveness of PLC in application to the chosen project by applying appropriate
theories, concepts and models.
There are a number of concepts and theories which are implemented to show
effectiveness of PLC in large scale and small scale projects. They are presented in the following
paragraph-
Initialisation of the stage:
There are a number of leadership styles that are used for measuring the affectivity of
project. Hotpoint uses autocratic style of leadership in its organisation when they work for large
projects. Leaders do not take help from team members or subordinates in making decisions
rather they make decisions without the interference of others. In small projects this leadership
style is not applied because there are less number of people working in these projects. In small
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projects, the team leader has full authority to take decisions and implement them in achieving the
targets.
Planning phrase:
Hotpoint is following situational leadership style of leadership in their functioning.
Leaders of Hotpoint have to take decisions for different situations therefore situational style of
leadership helps the leaders in analysing the situation and take applicable decisions for working
(Galloway and Azhashemi, 2012). Planning of small projects is not strong and it keeps on
changing according to the situation so this style is very helpful.
Execution phrase:
At execution stage Hotpoint uses Servant leadership style. Unlike traditional leadership
style in servant leadership style leaders focuses on development of team members. According to
this style organisation can develop when team members and employees are developed. Such
leaders invest in development of individuals for effectiveness of organisation. Small projects do
not have a high budget so they do not invest cost in improvement and development of
individuals.
Closure phrase:
Hotpoint uses team leadership style in this phase. This leadership style focuses on future
opportunities that can be achieved by an individual after the accomplishment of project or task.
Small projects also require this as growth and development is necessary for every team member.
CONCLUSION
From the above specified report it can be analysed that operation management in
organisation is necessity for smooth functioning of the organisation. It is responsible for making
of plans, measuring them and maintaining functionalities. This helps organisation to reduce risks
and mistakes and increase the productivity of organisation. Various features and enhancement of
products to satisfy customers is the main feature of operation management. An organisation is
kept updated with market advancement to achieve high efficiency in operations and functions.
Leaders follow different kind of leadership concepts and theories for solving business problems.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals:
Binder, J., 2016. Global project management: communication, collaboration and management
across borders. Routledge.
Galloway, L., Rowbotham, F. and Azhashemi, M., 2012. Operations management in context.
Routledge.
Harrison, F. and Lock, D., 2017. Advanced project management: a structured approach.
Routledge.
Jacobs, F. R., Chase, R. B. and Lummus, R. R., 2014. Operations and supply chain management
(pp. 533-535). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H. R., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Morris, P. W., 2013. Reconstructing project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Nicholas, J. M. and Steyn, H., 2017. Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Routledge.
Sears, S. K., and et. al ., 2015. Construction project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Subramanian, N. and Ramanathan, R., 2012. A review of applications of Analytic Hierarchy
Process in operations management. International Journal of Production Economics.
138(2). pp.215-241.
Swink, M., and et.al ., 2017. Managing operations across the supply chain. New York, NY:
McGraw-Hill Education.
Swink, M., and et.al ., 2018. Managing operations across the supply chain. New York, NY:
McGraw-Hill Education.
Turner, J. R., 2014. Handbook of project-based management(Vol. 92). New York, NY: McGraw-
hill.
Turner, R., 2016. Gower handbook of project management. Routledge.
Verzuh, E., 2015. The fast forward MBA in project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Weglarz, J. ed., 2012. Project scheduling: recent models, algorithms and applications (Vol. 14).
Springer Science & Business Media.
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