Operations & Project Management Analysis: Marks and Spencer Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of operations and project management principles within Marks and Spencer. It begins with an introduction to the organization, detailing its history and market presence. The report differentiates between operations and operations management, followed by a review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles within Marks and Spencer, highlighting strengths and limitations. It discusses continuous improvement as a philosophy and the application of Lean principles, providing a continuous improvement plan with recommendations. The second part of the report focuses on a project case study related to on-site catering for the BMW Group, explaining each stage of the project lifecycle with supporting documentation, including a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart. The report analyzes the project methodologies and tools used, critically evaluating the effectiveness of the PLC in the project's application using relevant theories and models. The document concludes by summarizing the key findings and recommendations.

Operations and Project
Management

Contents
PART 1.........................................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................................3
An introduction to chosen organization .................................................................................................3
Explanation of operation vs operations management.............................................................................4
A review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles within the chosen
organization.............................................................................................................................................4
The extent to which the operations management of the organsiation meets the requirements of the
organization.............................................................................................................................................6
Discussion of continuous improvement as a philosophy and the Lean principles...................................7
A continuous improvement plan, including recommendations for improvement, based on the review
and critique of operations management principles within the organization...........................................8
Prepare a Continuous improvement plan................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................12
PART 2.......................................................................................................................................................13
Project Title: “On site catering for BMW Group to provide heathy food options to the staff.”.................13
An overview of the case study you have been given.............................................................................13
Explanation of each stage of the PLC that applies to the project, including supporting documentation
for each stage .......................................................................................................................................13
Building a case ......................................................................................................................................17
Work Breakdown Structure...................................................................................................................18
Gantt Chart............................................................................................................................................19
Analysis of the project methodologies and tools used..........................................................................21
Review and critically evaluate the effectiveness of the PLC in application to your project using the
appropriate theories models and concepts...........................................................................................21
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................22
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................24

PART 1
INTRODUCTION
Project management can be referred to as the use of specific tools, knowledge a s well as
techniques in order to deliver something of value to the customers. It is known that each project
is different and their respective requirements are also different (Barbosa and de Ávila Rodrigues,
2020). Project management is an important aspect of any project because it ensures that every
part of the business runs smoothly. Also, there are many benefits of project management such as
there is an improvement in the level of team collaboration as the plans and goals are clearly
defined. Apart from this, it also defines the goals and ensures that all the team members are
focused on their respective jobs. Organization chosen for the respective report is Marks and
Spencer, which is a leading retailer of household as well as clothing products. The company was
founded in the year 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer. The respective report provides
an explanation of the chosen organization, as well as the implementation of operations
management principles.
MAIN BODY
An introduction to chosen organization
Marks and Spencer is a widely known retailer that offers a wide range of high quality
clothing as well as household products to the customers. The company was founded by Michael
Marks and Thomas Spencer in the year 1884 and is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
The company specializes in selling home products, clothing as well as food products (Barrad and
Valverde, 2020). The organization also own a variety of brands under its name such as
Autograph, Classic, Indigo etc. Marks and Spencer derives most of its sales from the United
Kingdom, although it also operates across different geographic locations across the world. The
company has been able to stay relevant as well as competitive in the market by constantly
revising as well as innovating its strategies and products. Although the company was founded
many years ago, it still has a strong social media presence across different platforms such as
Facebook, Twitter as well as Instagram. This has also helped it in attracting a greater number of
customers as well as retaining the existing ones. Operations management can be referred to as an
area of management that is concerned with designing as well as controlling the process of

production as well as redesigning the business operations. Marks and Spencer has strong
operations function which ensures that the different business processes are carried out in an
effective manner and that they are planned properly so that overall outcomes are not affected.
Explanation of operation vs operations management
Operations within an organization can be referred to as the different activities that are
undertaken by a business on a daily basis in order to increase the value of the business as well as
generate profits (Caraos, 2021). The management of the respective firm is very focused on the
operations of the firm and hence, the operations function is responsible for ensuring that the
operations strategy is achieved (Dangerfield, 2020). Apart from this, operations management is
important because it ensures that the planning as well as implementation of manufacturing plants
is done in an effective manner. It can be said that there are various benefits of operations
management such as management of different projects that are undertaken by the company. In
case of Marks and Spencer, effective implementation of operations management has helped the
company in enhancing its overall efficiency as well as the processes that are used for
manufacturing the goods as well as services. On the other hand, operations help in improving the
quality of the product and ensures that there is balanced production and that the delivery is done
on the right time.
A review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles within the
chosen organization
There are different principles of operations management and a review and critique of the
implementation of operations management principles is as follows –
Reality – This is the first principle of operations management which states that
operations management should focus on the problem instead of focusing on the techniques
(Operations Management: Definition, Principles, Activities, Trends, 2021). This is because no
tool will present solutions to all the problems.
Organization – This is the second principle of operations management which states that
different processes in manufacturing are interconnected and it is important all elements have to
be consistent and predictable (Gelot, 2021). This helps in achieving a similar outcome in profits
as well. There are various processes that are conducted by Marks and Spencer in order to ensure
that the products reach the customers on time.

Accountability – The third principle of operations management states that managers
within Marks and Spencer are expected to set the rules as well as the metrics. Not only this, they
also define the responsibilities of their subordinates or team members and check that the goals
are met regularly.
Strengths of Marks and Spencer operations process
Managers of organization focuses on making process effective and ensure that information in
organization should be effectively communicated.
Limitations of Marks and Spencer operations process
Organization have to ensure that quality of products should satisfy consumer expectations and
should provide products at affordable prices. The operations management comprises of different
stages such as planning, organizing, supervising processes etc. It is important to ensure that the
different processes are conducted in an effective manner. The project manager in Marks and
Spencer oversees as well as takes into account the individual performance of the workers
(Mansourimoayyed, Colabi and Semiari, 2020). Apart from this, there are also certain limitations
of the same such as there is a multi-level dependency of the different processes on each other.
And if even one of them processes is affected, the whole operations of the company are
impacted.
Lean Production – it can be defined as an approach to management that is primarily
focused on ensuring that the wastage during the manufacturing process is eliminated while there
is no compromise on the quality. It can be said that this particular approach can be applied to the
different aspects of the business. As a result, the business becomes much more efficient and is
responsive of the market needs. Lean production is an important approach because it helps in
improving the overall efficiency as well as productivity of the business. This further leads to
improvement in the quality of the processes.
Mass Communication – Mass communication can be referred to as the process which
involves imparting as well as exchanging information with the help of mass media to a large
population (Martin, Elg and Gremyr, 2020). There are different types of mass media that can be
used for the purpose of communicating with a large audience such as newspapers, books etc.

Agile Manufacturing – Agile manufacturing is an important aspect of the operations
management and can be referred to as a term that is used by manufacturers in order to respond to
the changing customers’ needs in the market in an effective manner. And at the same time, the
different costs are also controlled. It can be said that there are different advantages of agile
manufacturing, for instance, the respective organization, Marks and Spencer, has been able to
reduce its production costs as well as increase overall satisfaction of the customers. Therefore, it
can be said that agile manufacturing helps in increasing the overall output of the company.
Thus, it can be concluded that effective operations management helps in enhancing the
overall efficiency as well as productivity of the firm.
The extent to which the operations management of the organsiation meets the requirements of
the organization
Operations management is an important component which ensures that the
organization needs are met and hence, the goals as well as objectives are achieved. For instance,
the objectives of the respective firm, Marks and Spencer is to build a sustainable business with
the help of consistent as well as profitable growth (Park and Yi, 2021). Apart from this, the
company is also focused on acting in a responsible manner and for this, the firm has taken into
account the needs as well as preferences of the customers. Marks and Spencer has launched
sustainable products that do not cause any harm to the environment. It can be said that the
company practices corporate governance wherein the different products are marketed as well as
manufactured in such a way that there is a cost reduction and no extra amount is wasted
unnecessarily.
Besides this, the company is also focused on enhancing its overall productivity as well as
the quality of its products. In order to ensure this, the employees are provided effective training
so that they are able to put in their best efforts for the completion of the tasks that are assigned to
them. It can be said that in context to Marks and Spencer, operations management significantly
meets the requirements. This is because the operations manager takes into account the different
activities that are a part of the operations function. Not only this, they also ensure that the
products and services that are manufactured, are of high quality and deliver value to the
customers.

Discussion of continuous improvement as a philosophy and the Lean principles
Continuous improvement is one of the aspects of operations management that the
respective firm, Marks and Spencer is focused on. This refers to the ongoing improvement of
products and services with the help of breakthrough improvements (Spearman and Hopp, 2021).
Also, there are different principles of lean management such as Kaizen, JIT or Just in Time,
Kanban and Andon which any organization can apply based on their system. The company has
implemented six-sigma as well as continuous improvement principles of operations
management. It can be said that six-sigma has helped the company in improving its overall
efficiency as well as productivity.
Lean principles
These principles focuses on reducing the wastage of resources during production of
products and services in an organization. This part focuses on principles which are used by
Marks and Spencer and these principles are mentioned below:
Value Defining – Marks and Spencer focuses on providing quality products to its consumers
which helps in creating value among consumers. Marks and Spencer focuses on providing
products and services according to need of consumers.
Mapping of value stream – This principle focuses on understanding various points and factors
which helps in boosting the value of business among consumers. Marks and Spencer focuses on
understanding about factors which are helpful in creating value and eliminating factors which are
not useful to them.
Creating flow – Marks and Spencer focuses on utilizing their resources, material and labor in
such a way that it helps in achieving desired goals and objectives of organization. It would also
help in managing the performance of employees and developing their skill and knowledge by
providing them appropriate training.
Pull Establishment – This principles focuses on effective management of resources which helps
Marks and Spencer in production. Organization focuses on managing its inventory effectively
and ensuring that products provided to consumers should possess good quality.

Organization focuses on following the standards which are set by the top management.
Marks and Spencer focuses on operating in such a way that it helps them in achieving desired
goals and objectives (Orgut and et. al., 2020). It also seems that the principles mentioned above
help organization in maintaining quality of its products and ensure that organization should
perform effectively according to expectation of consumers.
Effectiveness and efficiency of operations management at M&S
There is a greater efficiency of operations management and their relative effectiveness in
context of operational working at M&S. This can be stated that coordinated efforts can be
produced with accordance to operational working at the business firm. Following are some
elements for which effectiveness and efficiency at M&S are being benefited; Leads to success of plans: Through effectiveness of operational management at M&S,
managers of the firm are able to derive better standards of workings in the business firm
for which organizational plans can be achieved. Under this completion of business tasks
can be ensured with their relative understandings for success of desired plans within the
operational firm.
 Engagement with employees: By taking effective derivative of operational management
planning at M&S, managers of the corporate firm are able to derive better engagement
with employees of the business firm. This will allow positive working attitude and better
functioning of business activities within the workforce.
A continuous improvement plan, including recommendations for improvement, based on the
review and critique of operations management principles within the organization
Continuous Improvement Plan
Benchmarking – It can be referred to as the process of measuring key business metrics
and comparing them with each other. Marks and Spencer has set a benchmark for its products as
well as services.
TQM – It can be said that Marks and Spencer is focused in improving the overall
satisfaction among its customers by constantly improving the overall quality of its products
through innovation.

Value Engineering – It can be defined as a systematic as well as organized approach that
includes providing important functions in a project, at the lowest costs. Marks and Spencer
ensures that any kind of unwanted costs are eliminated.
Therefore, it can be said that the respective continuous improvement plan can be
implemented by Marks and Spencer to ensure that its business operations are conducted in an
effective manner and hence, improve the overall efficiency of the different business processes.
As a result, the business goals and objectives are achieved in an effective manner.
Prepare a Continuous improvement plan
Marks and Spencer should make sure that they will formulate a continuous improvement
plan. Plan should be focused on continuous improvement as it is not possible for an organization
that one time plan is accomplishing goals and objectives (Bochtis, Sorensen and Kateris, 2018).
Everyday organisation need to improve something so that they are achieving their desired results.
This is an ongoing process as Unilever believes that quality is not maintained in short time.
Important steps of continuous improvement plan are mentioned below:
 Plan: This is the first step in which Unilever needs to plan that what they should change
in organisation after analysing the market trends.
 Do: In this step, an organisation should implement changes in the business practices.
 Check: It is necessary for an organisation that they should check the plan. That means
they need to monitor the plan in an appropriate way so that they are able to find out all
variations in the organisations due to changes.
 Act: It is the activity in which an organisation takes an action in order to implement the
change.
The Kaizen Approach
This techniques is very helpful for Unilever as they can implement change for better. It is
necessary for an organisation that they need to implement continuous improvement. It has six
important steps that are mentioned in below figure.

Advantage
 It assists in effective teamwork and leadership style.
Disadvantage
 It requires more and more training program that increase cost.
TQM
It is the other techniques or theory which is effective in order to reduce the wastage and
improve quality. Unilever can achieve their objective with the help of managing quality.
Advantage
 Unilever can easily reduce their cost of production.
Disadvantage
 It requires effective leadership which is necessary and if it will not then Unilever is not
able to achieve their goals and objectives.

Application of theories, concepts and models to justify strategies of a continuous improvement
plan
Taking instance of above theories and models when being applied within operational
working at M&S, it can be stated that better terms of performing actions can be derived through
use of TQM technique. Being under the technique effective basis of working in the business firm
can be developed. This will be in accordance to pulling effective quality of products and services
being produced at the workforce. Therefore, through application of theories of TQM and The
Kaizen Approach, managers at the respective firm can deliver better standards of working in the
corporate firm. For the reason being this will allow corporate firm to derive better initiatives
towards attainment of their desired objectives and goals.

CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that project management is an important
aspect for any firm because it ensures that the different business processes are carried out in an
effective manner. Not only this, effective project management ensures that the project is
completed efficiently and that the goals as well as objectives are achieved. There are different
principles of project management such as Kaizen, Kanban, JIT etc. Different organizations
implement project management in different ways in order to improve their overall efficiency as
well as effectiveness.