Operation and Project Management: HotPoint Continuous Improvement Plan

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of HotPoint's operations management, focusing on the implementation of key principles, continuous improvement strategies, and the application of the product lifecycle stages. The report begins with an introduction to operations management and its significance within the electronic sector, specifically highlighting HotPoint as a case study. It then delves into Task 1, which examines the implementation of operations management principles, including reality, fundamentals, accountability, variance, organization, causality, managed passion, humility, success, and change, along with the application of Six Sigma and Lean principles. Task 2 focuses on developing a continuous improvement plan for HotPoint, detailing specific improvements in promotional events and after-sales services. Task 3 explores the application of product lifecycle stages, and Task 4 critiques and reviews the effectiveness of the product lifecycle. The report concludes with a summary of findings and provides references to support the analysis.

OPERATION AND
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Implementation of operations management principles..........................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P2 Make a continuous improvement plan...................................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P3 Apply the stages of PLC........................................................................................................7
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P4 Critique and review the effectiveness of PLC.....................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is an area of managing concerned with controlling and designing
of production as well as redesigning process of enterprise operations within the manufacturing of
services and goods as well (Antonio Martins and Ramos Martins, 2012). Manager of project
gives basic facilities to their employees of organisation by which they can make important
developments for enhancing productivity. These all facilities include human resource, raw
material, capital and so on which are important for accomplishing business operations on daily
basis. For recognising the process of operations management within electronic sector, HotPoint
organisation is selected in this assignment. It is mainly dealing in production function. Along
with this they also sells the goods of home appliances such as gas, electric cookers, refrigerators,
washing machines and many more. In this report it involve the implementing of principles within
operation management along with this it also prepare the plan of continuous development.
TASK 1
P1 Implementation of operations management principles
Every company has several management teams that determine to perform a particular
task. Operations management is multidisciplinary within nature whose main functions is to
execute the enterprise operations in an effective way. As it works in particular strategy which
work effectively by using raw material and employees to get the proper results. It conduct entire
procedure for enhancing their end products and services by utilizing higher efforts and minimum
resources (Beringer, Jonas and Kock, 2013).
It will help in managing the process of production by designing and controlling of
organisation activities. It has the duties to prepare a processes, supervise, plan and organize
along with this it also involve improvement if it is necessary. It identify the changes and make
techniques through analysing and measuring existing process. HotPoint organisation are
following some principles which help in implementing management planning to produce
products and services which are as follows:
Operations management principles
Their are some principles which help in implementing techniques are as follows: Reality: Management of operations is focusing on problems instead of techniques. Their
is not having worldwide solutions for a problems.
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 Fundamentals: Effective production is mainly based on bounding workers and
managers. As it is based on manufacturing products and services. It will help in
maintaining proper records, disciplines and documents. It provides better expectation for
surviving because of having each information related to resources which will be used for
manufacturing goods. Accountability: In this account manager sets rules, obligations and metrics. They make
comparison with metrics to identify actual output against goals. It measure the structure
and take effective actions when it is needed. It manages the accounts of company which
help in predicting the future forecasting. Variance: It decreases the cost because of inherent. If they will estimate low cost then it
will aid in promoting to adopt variety of options and its enhancements. This is managed
in an effective manner which promote creativity. Organisation: All the procedure is organised in a effective way. So, that all parts can
work within the parallel manner. Production is an interrelated process (Blomquist and et.
al., 2010). Causality: Evidence like as urgent shipments, expenditure, late quotes and many more
require a attention of demand which is faced by managers of organisation. They have to
fight with these problems for resolving them. They find out a reasons of issues for
overcoming from problems. Managed passion: Employees are the important companies driver within HotPoint. If
workers are not very much passionate about their jobs and tasks then company will
decease downwards (Brauers and Zavadskas, 2010). Humility: Companies manager must not seems at their disadvantages, they are often
come to part which they are well known. Therefore, disadvantages are get ignored and
help to learn and move. Success: It is mainly depends on customers. Changes within market is analysing at
previews records which help in building a new market area. Meaning of success is been
revised because of modifications according to choices at all time. Due to this success
cannot take a place at specific point.
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 Change: Organisation cannot always on one hand, it can make changes according to
modified rules. It will help in increasing a business life (Fernández-Sánchez and
Rodríguez-López, 2010).
Six Sigma
This is a technique which is adopted for better quality of operation management through
eliminating defects and errors. Along with this it decreases cost as well as save time. It is
important to raise end engineering and manufacturing for the purpose of quality. Six sigma is
packed with it, which can resolve management, operations and quality problems. These are are
explained in detail below:
(Source: DMAIC, 2017) Define: It is refers according to customers demands or directions which have to
accomplish for a specific work (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016). Measure: It measure current process changes from starting and till the existing state.
Along with that they also analyse future requirements for achieving goals. Analyse: In this, they find out basic problems. So, they can be known about what
modifications can be made for meeting targets. Improve: What are the improvements are needed to meet objectives, it analyse at every
possibilities where it is necessary to make changes (Gunasekaran and Ngai, 2012).
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I
llustration 1: DMAIC, 2017

 Control: It is having all over the entire process to achieve final results. So, every step can
be executed or design by having control over it.
Lean principle
HotPoint company mainly follow a lean principles which create ideas within the
company. It involve five main points which are as follows:
(Source: Lean Principle, 2018) Define value: It will aid in identifying buyers as well as find out that how much cost does
customers are ready to make payments for goods and services. It flows through top to
bottom target cost which is used by firm (Lenfle and Loch, 2010). It is focusing on cost
for achieving target cost by decreasing price as well as waste within the process of
business. So, that end buyer can meet less cost with higher level of profits. Map value stream: It identify step for each PLC, from providing raw material till the end
of providing a finished product to a end buyers. They have to accept all functions of the
process like as management, HR, produced, designed, delivery or consumer services.
Their names show an ideas which make the flow of process, map, that help in meeting by
analysing the steps which are unwanted and not relevant. Create flow: After the above step, it makes the flow of process very smoothly without
any delays, interruption and hurdle. Those steps are found it in existing state which bound
it in organized manner. So, that goods and services can pass to their customers easily. Establish Pull: In this, they follow the method of Just-In-Time as it provides things on
buyers order. It will become so easy to provide them products easily whenever it is
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Illustration 2: Lean Principle, 2018

required. As through this their will be no need to stock materials. It is costly as it have to
manage as it saves cost from manufacturing and buyers.
 Pursue perfection: In this stage, there is always reach of changes. It emphasis on day to
day operations appraisal as well as follow the best process among all the options.
TASK 2
P2 Make a continuous improvement plan
Continuous improvement
It is a process of understanding and feedbacks defect. Along with its modifications within
business structure (Mir and Pinnington, 2014). In this, making improvements in regular basis
which help in providing higher level of satisfaction to customers and its approaches. This plan is
continuous process for better overlap understanding within customers and organisations.
Continuous improvement plan
Provider
Date
Particulars Improvement in
techniques
Anticipated outcomes Current performance
level
Promotional events In order to sell their
products within
market. Company
should ensure that they
are using effective
promotional activity.
In order to
understanding the
products properly.
If there is not having
proper use of
promotional activities
then it will be difficult
to attract buyers
towards the firms.
Due to lack of
marketing functions
customers are doubtful
in purchasing
television. As the
information of goods
are not able to reach
with buyers
effectively.
After sales services Their are various
service centre of the
Peoples have several
concept that
Buyers are thinking
that warranty time
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company for attracting
higher level of
customers. By
providing better
services to customers
and feedbacks
reception centre of an
company. As they can
perform effectively in
increasing their brand
value in several
geographical market.
organisation will not
give any response after
selling their products
(Pemsel and
Wiewiora, 2013).
period should be raised
for firms.
Continuous improvement plan & its effect in the context of HotPoint
As per above discussed factors, it is seen that planning can be accomplished in an
effective tool within the process of HotPoint organisation. According to analysis it seems that
company have to bring out some creative or innovative ideas in their products by having better
manufacturing and promotion of their products. By implementing those creative ideas,
organisation will able to overcome with several defect of business. Manager of firms can plan
several research methodology for better performance of goods in an business activity. HotPoint
can also plan several promotional activities through choosing various methods of promoting
their products within business market (Ramasesh and Browning, 2014).
HotPoint can ensure that they can provide better sales and services after delivering goods.
It will assist in increasing their effectiveness in a business marketplace. After product delivery
company should organise several customer care in order to resolve issues and defects which are
raised after selling of product.
Effective strategies for implementing of continuous improvement plan
This process is managed by the managers of organisation which include consumers and
feedbacks. It will assist in increasing loyalty and faith within the customers. It include several
activities in the organisation which are as follow:
 Better relation within managers and employees: In order to have advantages within
business activities firm should maintain better relations with employee and managers.
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It will aid company to understand the base of customers in several geographical
locations.
 Proper communication channel: Better interaction within manager and employee will
make a positive working environment within the firms. This will aid in proper growth
and development of company within business structure.
 Priority to employees needs: Manager of HotPoint should provide priority to their
employees as well as give effective control over them for increasing business
efficiency. Employees are only way for interacting within buyers and organisation
giving priority will be helpful for firms.
 Proper guidance & direction: Through providing proper guidance to employees and
make them goal oriented will help in increasing efficiency of company within
performing business activities. Guiding employees will aid firm for meeting fruitful
results.
Organisation concepts, theories & models
In order to apply techniques within business several models are adopted. Their are several
theories like as scientific, bureaucratic and classical theories will aid organisation for proper
functioning of business activities (Management Theories & Concepts at the Workplace, 2018).
Their are several employees working within business will help in achieving targets within the
given period of time. Managing of several activities of firms manager. Monitoring all these
functions will help in proper information analysis and making a effective planning accordingly.
TASK 3
P3 Apply the stages of PLC
HotPoint company are planning to establishing a new largest size TV up to 58 inches. In
order to accomplish this firm needs planning related to investment and launches. Their are
several available sources as well as ways for establishing a new product in a market. They can
choose a best procedure for increasing productivity for a long time in a business market.
Research & development department of organisation are used to step up for manufacturing goods
and analysing demand as well. Organisation have to analyse their factors at the time of
accomplishing a market research. TV should be innovative or creative features which aid in
achieving competitive advantages in a market (Robichaud and Anantatmula, 2010). Others
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components which are essential to analysed in market are better rivals and its features will give
them products ideas. Along with that it is also important to analyse the marketing techniques.
Product life cycle is a very major marketing process. Firms have to observe that they
should have linger product life cycle which means products should be effective in business
market.
Stages of Product Life Cycle
(Source: Stages of Product Life Cycle, 2018)
 Introducing Stage: In this initial stage, it is of establishing a new product. It is very
essential stage because all others stages are depend on this. Company manger play a
very major role at the time of accomplishing a business research and future
forecasting for meeting a best results within the marketplace. HotPoint manager
have to analysed the whole market before launching a new goods. It will consume 4-
5 weeks in this stage.
 Growth Stage: In this stage, goods will become stable in the market as well as many
of specific persons are aware about the new product. In this phase, company sales
will encourage as well as it will help in making higher level of revenue in an
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Illustration 3: Stages of Product Life Cycle

effective manner. This phase will consume 6-7 weeks for becoming stability in a
market (Söderlund, 2011).
 Maturity Stage: In this phase, company can able to enhance certain innovations or
features for making a high level of position in a enterprise market. After this, it will
moves downwards.
 Decline Stage: In this stage, it is the phase of negativity for a particular products.
Consumers will not prefer to take product due to not having any innovative and new
features in the goods. This image is endangered and running within the competitive
market.
It is applicable only at the time of analysing managers efforts. Their are certain essential
leaders role for providing measures and evaluation how to enhance their position of proper
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products and services within the large area of market. Along with this, managers of operational
should need to give emphasis on employees actions. The major aim of product life cycle is to
provide efforts which is essential for enhancing goods positions within the large sector. Their are
various employees which are adopting several leadership and motivational skills for achieving
targets and goals of organisation.
TASK 4
P4 Critique and review the effectiveness of PLC
An company is facing various problems at the time of entering within the new market
area. Introducing a new goods is a typical project for an business as it needs higher level of
analysis such as making project such as cycle, searching new trends of marketing and so on.
With this, manager of operational require to make strategies as well as schemes which is depend
on market trends fluctuation. In the term of HotPoint firm, it gives electronic items of home
appliances within United Kingdom and various nations. At present, company have to visit the
TV market (Subramanian and Ramanathan, 2012). This goods are always on demand, person
mainly searches new features and innovation in these kinds of appliances. Hence, this company
require to implement advanced and innovative technology within new goods. Such kind of
innovation aid in getting mind of customers effectively.
The process of project management of collecting interrelated task initiated through a
response of an event that achieve a specific results for the process of buyers. Initially, they will
provide inputs at the time of accomplishing project research. Secondly, after completing analysis
by adopting latest tools as well as techniques by managing a entire project. At last, output are as
a final product and delivered to buyers.
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(Source: Concepts of project management, 2018)
With this, supervisors of business have to give proper programmes of training to their
workers after applying latest technologies. These programs aid in enhancing knowledge and
skills of employees by working in an effective way. Supervisors of the firms also have to apply
the techniques of PLC for enterprise planning properly. It involves 4 stages which are starting,
growth, maturity and decline. All these stages will aid managers in knowing about promoting
techniques of new goods and reflects forecast of such products within the marketplace. Hence,
using PLC a company can able to understand the marketing techniques which they are needed to
use in all phases. Besides this, marketing and manufacturing new products need several process
which provides high load of work on managers and employees. Therefore, companies manager
are need to divide the work within small groups as well as a lot the task to every employee
within the group. Leaders as well as managers require to manage the task of staff and give them
short term goals and clear vision. It will aid in completing several work within the limited period
of time (Turner, 2016).
Hence PLC is an main role in developing companies growth. Supervisors must be
concern much at the time of making a project plan. Company should consider new technique and
marketing plan is adopted to advertise goods within market. It will aid in establishing new goods
effective where they can beat their rivals. HotPoint organisation, carry out higher level of
investigation by marketing team and R&D department of business. As organisation have to open
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Illustration 4: Concepts of project management, 2018

new outlets of good such as TV of large size. Hence, it will make a team of researcher and
marketer whose important work is to track rivals records at similar market. Through observing
sales performance of competitors it will help manager to make proper strategies effectively by
them. By which they can complete all the work in an proper way. With this, managers of project
make a list of factors such as technologies used in such capital need, productions, HR etc. it will
assist in making effective plan of budget.
CONCLUSION
As per above report it has been concluded that enterprise practices are managed by higher
level of authority. Six sigma involve major tools like as DMAIC which stands for define,
measure, analyse, improve and control. Continuous improvement plan will help in providing
effective planning for earning high profits for organisation. Effective strategies will be benefit
for firms if they will collect the customers feedbacks and properly analyse is accomplished by
quantitative and qualitative methods. PLC gives detailed data and information about the process
of new product development within the marketplace. Process of project management is a serious
steps as well as decisions include in an effective work is completed.
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REFERENCES
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