Operations Management Effectiveness at Jaguar: Analysis and Plan

This report assesses the effectiveness of operations management principles within Jaguar Company, a British car manufacturer known for its luxury vehicles and lean manufacturing processes. It reviews the implementation of Six Sigma methodology and Lean principles, highlighting the company's adoption of Japanese production styles for improved efficiency and reduced waste. The report critiques Jaguar's operational management, focusing on areas such as cost reduction, continuous development, and the avoidance of waste. It proposes a continuous improvement plan with recommendations for enhancing operational functions, including cost reduction strategies and ongoing development initiatives. The analysis incorporates theories like Taylor’s Scientific Management and concepts such as flexible specialization and agile manufacturing to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed improvements, emphasizing the importance of consumer feedback and strategic goal setting. The report concludes by underscoring Jaguar's commitment to pushing boundaries and maintaining high standards of quality and innovation in its production processes.

Operations Management principles
1

Task 1 Report on the effectiveness of Operations Management principles.
To: Line Manager
From: (student’s name)
Date: (date)
Subject: the following discussion is all about the operations of Jaguar Company. The
implementation of different management system is provided.
2

Table of Contents
Task 1.........................................................................................................................................4
A. Conduct a review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles
within Jaguar..............................................................................................................................4
B. Review and critique the implementation of operations management in relation to Six
Sigma methodology and Lean principles...................................................................................5
C. Prepare a continuous improvement plan to include at least two justified recommendations
which could improve the operations function detailed in the case study based on your review
and critique of operations...........................................................................................................6
D Analyze the effectiveness of the continuous improvement plan using appropriate theories,
concepts and/or models..............................................................................................................7
Reference list..............................................................................................................................9
3

Task 1
A. Conduct a review and critique of the implementation of operations management
principles within Jaguar.
An introduction to jaguar
Jaguar is a British car company its first car was made on 1935. The name of the founder of
this company is Sir William Lyons. Mr William provided some very clear and meaningful
goal to the organization and jaguar is still following the goals to this day. It has created
legendary cars like Jaguar xj and the F-type. They always concentrate on pushing the
boundary of the not just their car but also their company. Back in 1999 they created world’s
fastest car. The current owner of Jaguar is Ford motor company and British Leyland. They
have introduced lean manufacturing process in the company (Lim, et al 2015). Juaguar is
currently evolving its manufacturing process and adopting the Japanese style of production.
These changes has brought them a lot of efficiency and reduced the wastage of material. It
has managed to stand itself as one of the world’s most luxuries vehicle companies. Sometime
the queen of Britain can be seen riding in this vehicle. It has adopted the process of lean
manufacturing. This type of production provides standardization of work and reduction of
wastage. The Jaguar Company did a tremendous job on creating the brand name of the
company. Its management and marketing team has worked so well it there is no second
opinion that Jaguar cars are one of the best cars that money can buy (Quigley, et al 2015).
An explanation of operation against operations management
Operation management is mostly considered as a business function which has the
responsibility of managing process. It involves with tasks such as planning, organizing,
controlling and many more. All its task leads to the production of goods and services. It
sometimes refers to administration of business practices to bring a better level of efficiency to
the organization
Whereas, the operation means that a task having one or miscellaneous elements or subjects
performed in one significant place. It simply converts resources and data into the pre-desired
goods and services which ultimately creates a value for the consumer. Generally an
understanding comes when two or more connected operations come together that becomes a
process. Than it gets divided into different categories such as processing, inspection,
transport and many more these categories are controlled by the management of the company.
This means that operation is a very small part in the operation management.
Operations as a concept
Operation as a concept is a document that is very much user oriented. It describes the
organization of the user, their mission and the objectives from the point of view of the
system. It also helps the stakeholders with communication of quantitative and qualitative
system characteristics.
Taylor’s theory of Scientific Management
Mr. F.W Taylor was one of the many Americans who happen to be an engineer. His main aim
is to bring efficiency to the industry and after few years he provided in management.
Scientific management states that it analyzes and synthesizes workflow of the employees.
4

The objective of scientific management is that it brings economic efficiency and labour
productivity.
Flexible specialization
Flexible specialization has immerged from Europe especially from Italy its roots can be
followed to the small industries. From this place the concept of flexible specialization took
off. There are other kinds of flexibilities which have been described for example flexible
machine, flexible manufacturing system, flexible accumulation and many more. These are the
concept of flexibility which starts from development from below. The founder of this concept
is Arnaldo Bagnasco, he introduced this style of production and his founding’s name is ‘the
third Italy’ because of the growth he made from three different sector of Italy (Moreno,
2015).
Lean production
This type of production is an approach of management which helps in reduction of waste of
an organization and brings efficiency. This type of approach can be used in every aspects of
conducting business starting from designing to all the way to the product and distribution.
The founder of this type of production can be called Henry Ford.
Mass customization
It is combination of manufacturing and marketing process that make flexibility and
personalization to specific made or custom- made product. This process is not limited to one
people but it should be provided to a lot of people. This type of customization can also be
called as made to order products.
Agile manufacturing
This process implies that it is a team enforced work in an organization that has created the
process, tools, training and many more to ensure it work efficiently and correctively in
moment’s notice. It also ensures the cost and quality of the product being good and constant
(Gunasekaran, et al 2018).
Operational management use in control systems for efficiency
Operational management uses the tools such as governing mechanism, inventory control,
quality control, supply chain management. The use of these elements helps an organization in
bringing the efficiency in the production and distribution line.
B. Review and critique the implementation of operations management in relation to Six
Sigma methodology and Lean principles
Six Sigma is a method that if applied properly improves the quality of operations. It helps in
eliminating errors, defects, reducing cost and saving time. The basic and primary intention of
this process was to induct in the high-end engineering and manufacturing process. However
this process can be adopted in other production and service providing industry. The jaguar
company also uses this type of method for the better utilization of its resources. It helps
meeting Jaguar’s goal on efficiency and many other aspects.
It is not a quick fix to the problems not it is a magic pill. Six sigma uses some principal in
improving the operations for example, senior executive support, top-down training, including
5

the voice of the consumer, create an infrastructure to support success, develop short term
project with specific goals, focus on process improvement and many more (Gijo, and Antony,
2014).
Senior executive support- this principle states that the Sigma will only work if there is a co-
ordination between the quality manager, department manager and the senior executive
established. The jaguar company’s employees always make an effort to co-ordinate with each
other the miscommunication part is almost removed in company of Jaguar.
Top-down training- this principal states that every employee must know their work in order
to conduct it in smooth and efficient manner. Sometimes it takes expertise from outside
sources but a company cannot relay a lot upon them for a longer period of time. This
demands the engineers and the manager to know each other’s work to bring efficiency.
Jaguar’s human resource management team always provide ample amount of training to its
employees and help remove any conflict.
Include the voice of consumer- a company can ultimately measure the effectiveness of the
product and services just by getting to understand the happiness of the consumer. It is the
consumer who decides the level of quality of the product. Jaguar company has always taken
the feedback of the consumers very seriously for example, in 2017 there was a demand of old
and beautiful Jaguar from 1960 so the company started producing the car.
Develop short-term projects with specific goals- it helps the company to focus on one
particular goal and help them achieve that goal with all its might. Jaguar does not go around
and follow all its goal at once it focuses on one particular goal in hand and work in order to
achieve that goal. For example, the comeback of jaguar in 2013 needed to be with a user
friendly super car so for this reason the company developed the F-type line of production.
The Jaguar Company always try to conduct its operation by following these principals.
The implementation of lean management system in Jaguar was a paradigm shift in the
production process. It is mostly developed by the Japanese which brings significant amount
of efficiency into the production and service process. It uses just in time system of
management tool and another tool named “KANBAN” which is very much suitable for a
little customization in the company’s part. Kanban focuses on the automatic flow of goods
and its replacement through single cards. And just in time provides a significant way of
storing and giving product to the consumers. It has changed the way of production line in the
Jaguar Company (Vuchic, 2017)
C. Prepare a continuous improvement plan to include at least two justified
recommendations which could improve the operations function detailed in the case
study based on your review and critique of operations
Cost reduction
Cost reduction is a strategy adopted by the companies to reduce the cost of the product
without much change in the price tag. As there are a lot of luxury car brands like Bentlay,
Rolls Roys and many more the price of the product they sale is almost similar. One can chose
to select Bentlay Bentaga over Rolls Roys Phantom, irrespective of the consumer’s choice the
cost of Bentlay is more than the cost of Rolls Roys. If the Bantly Company can bring
efficiency in its line of production and the cost of the product can be reduced the company
6

can enjoy a higher profit margin. By adopting the lean production method the Jaguar
Company is having a lot of advantages over its product’s price. However the quality of the
product is very much unchanged they have kept a prestige quality of product which they
provide for sale. Jaguar Company cannot effort to make quality compromises in this because
it will harm the brand name of the company (Dennis, 2016)
Development and improvement
Pushing the boundaries is the main motive of Jaguar Company. Ever since the formation of
the company Jaguar has always concentrated on making four types of cars and they are
 User-friendly but luxurious
 Fast and daily usable
 Only for track
 Beautiful and attractive
With these motives in mind the jaguar company has come up with many different line and
models of cars. It always treys to deliver the requirement of the consumer with “something”
new in mind. Unlike the German company cars being too much engineered over a small
peach of accessory like a cup holder the jaguar company has kept its rich heritage of
handmade technology and the highly advanced once. Its instrumental cluster has kept the
simplicity of the old days of car automotive yet is highly advanced. Their car’s interior is
minimal unlike the Italian cars like Lamborginy and Ferrary. The innovation that Jaguar did
on its product is next to none (Pollard, et al 2016).
Seven forms of waste
There are seven forms of waste that Jaguar Company always tried to avoid and they are
overproduction, waiting, transporting, inappropriate processing, unnecessary inventory,
unnecessary excess motion and defects. Not just Jagure Company but all the company in all
around the world should avoid this wastage because it brings high level of efficiency to the
organization.
Steady and continuous development
When Henry Ford introduced its car he provided no customization because of the low
economy condition of United States due to the world war but ever since than a lot has
changed the global market is enjoying a better and smarter economy in the hand. For this
reason the companies in today’s market are customizing their product. Jaguar Company is no
exception to this. Jaguar Company is now providing a wide range of customization to its
product customization starting from the color of the car to all the way to the material of the
car. It is also adapted to the agile mode of manufacturing a product. They can help the jaguar
company to grow their sales operation and bring better profit for the stake holders of the
company.
D Analyze the effectiveness of the continuous improvement plan using appropriate
theories, concepts and/or models
In recent days the Jaguar and Land rover have merged to make its operation better. The
technology between the two companies is being shared. Jaguar Company has been struggling
with the engine issues to which Land Rover has managed to provide them with better
7

technology for the engine. On the other hand land rover was having quality issues to which
Jaguar has stood up and provided them with better facility with the production.
The use of innovative technology has been shared among the two companies. They have
managed to reduce the cost of production in the production facility. The continues
development by both the company has made them a better and stronger competitor in the
market. Due to the implementation of different marketing strategy has helped the companies
in cost reduction and efficient production (Boutros, and Purdie, 2014).
8

Reference list
Boutros, T. and Purdie, T., 2014. The Process Improvement Handbook: A Blueprint for
Managing Change and Increasing Organizational Performance. McGraw-Hill Education.
Dennis, P., 2016. Lean Production simplified: A plain-language guide to the world's most
powerful production system. Crc press.
Gijo, E.V. and Antony, J., 2014. Reducing patient waiting time in outpatient department
using lean six sigma methodology. Quality and Reliability Engineering International, 30(8),
pp.1481-1491.
Gunasekaran, A., Yusuf, Y.Y., Adeleye, E.O. and Papadopoulos, T., 2018. Agile
manufacturing practices: the role of big data and business analytics with multiple case
studies. International Journal of Production Research, 56(1-2), pp.385-397.
Lim, J.W. and Baek, H.W., Kia Motors Corp, 2015. Rear combination lamp for an
automobile. U.S. Patent Application 29/463,294.
Moreno, A. and Terwiesch, C., 2015. Pricing and production flexibility: An empirical
analysis of the US automotive industry. Manufacturing & Service Operations
Management, 17(4), pp.428-444.
Pollard, D., Chuo, S. and Lee, B., 2016. Strategies for mass customization. Journal of
Business & Economics Research (Online), 14(3), p.101.
Quigley, H., Hoogesteijn, R., Hoogesteijn, A., Foster, R., Payan, E., Corrales, D., Salom-
Perez, R. and Urbina, Y., 2015. Observations and preliminary testing of jaguar depredation
reduction techniques in and between core jaguar populations. Parks, 21(1), pp.63-72.
Vuchic, V.R., 2017. Urban transit: operations, planning, and economics. John Wiley &
Sons.
Waring, S.P., 2016. Taylorism transformed: Scientific management theory since 1945. UNC
Press Books.
Womack, J.P. and Jones, D.T., 2015. Lean solutions: how companies and customers can
create value and wealth together. Simon and Schuster.
9