Implementation of Operations Management Principles: A Report on Argos

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of operations management principles, using Argos Limited as a case study. It begins with a critical review of the implementation of operations management principles within the organization, examining areas such as organizational structure, resource utilization, and adherence to operational fundamentals. The report then presents a continuous improvement plan based on the initial review, focusing on areas like promotional activities, after-sales services, and product design. Furthermore, it explores the stages of the Project Life Cycle (PLC) with a business case, project plan, and work breakdown structure, and evaluates the effectiveness of PLC in project application. Key methodologies such as Six Sigma and Lean Production are also discussed, highlighting their significance in enhancing operational efficiency. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation to market dynamics for sustained success.

OPERATION AND PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Critical review regarding implementation of operations principle in organisation context1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P2 Continues improvement plan based on review.................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P3 Stages of PLC with business case, project plan and work breakdown structure..............7
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P4. Effectiveness of PLC in application of project .............................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Operation management can be said as an important part of the organisation as it provides
basic facilities by which company can make improvement on a regular basis. Thus, it helps an
firm in converting the raw material into final products so that it can be delivered to customers on
time (Burke, 2013). Therefore, they perform the task in order to get maximum benefits so that
they can increase their brand image. Argos limited as British catalogue supermarket that render
wide range of commodities including home appliance and other retailing products. In this report,
critical implementation of operations management principles within an organisation is done.
Along with this an improvement plan based on reviews is included which can be further apply in
the stages of PLC for example a business case, project plan, work breakdown.
TASK 1
P1 Critical review regarding implementation of operations principle in organisation context
Operation management is an important process that is used in order to transform the raw
material into final goods. For this, most of the companies make proper plan which they can apply
so as to enhance the profit and sales in an effective manner. Therefore, manager of Argos, is
maintain a peaceful environment so that employees can work properly and in return they can
achieve the set targets and objectives in specific time period (Chen and et. al. ,2011). Operational
management is not a simple task as they have to perform their task in a systematic manner
according to the priorities.
Thus, the prime role of operational manager is to communicate with their teammates
effectively so that they can execute the plan in an appropriate manner. They also assist them in
resolving the problems by using the proper skills and knowledge so as to hit the set targets. As a
result they are giving better outcomes and as a result it is making them excellent form other rival
companies. Some of the various kinds of principle of operation management are mentioned
below:
Organisation: Every company have different departments according to their field which
are some what connected with one another. They tries to help the sector in order to fulfil the
common goal in speculated time. This is cost and time effective due to which Argos is gaining
brand image, market value and shares as well.
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Reality: Under this, all the resources that are available in market are used instead those
which cannot add value in business are eliminated. Thus, they should make sure that machineries
which they are using are appropriate and according to the recent trends (Clarke, Sight Tech Inc,
2012).
Fundamentals: Basically all the rules and regulations comes under this and Pare -to role
is the method which is applied in operations. This compliances of strict laws so as to maintain
the records it constitute around 80% of success income and other 20% comes after implementing
latest tools and technologies present in the environment.
Success: Every company works for gaining success and increasing the profits at the same
time. Thu, they make strategies in such a way that if changes is required alterations can be done
easily. Thus, it is important to look out the market situation on a regular basis so that
modifications can be done.
Accountability: Under this, managers are given freedom so that they can make rules and
regulations according to their will. For this, they consider their subordinates in order to make
effective strategies. Therefore, it is essential to motivate employees so that they can give their
best efforts in achieving the best results (Cook, Woodall, Frerk and Fourth National Audit
Project, 2011).
Managed Passion: Working passionately is very essential in order to get maximum
benefits and better results. This enable them in giving appropriate outcomes according to the
needs and wants of customers. Through this, it will gradually increase the brand image in front of
consumers.
Change: Alteration is very necessary in order to go with current market situation. This
enable the organisation in manufacturing the products according to the needs and wants of
customers. Therefore, it is will assist the organisation in growing with the current market
situation. In order to give better services Argos is utilizing all the new technologies by which
they can manufacture goods and commodities in a better manner.
Hence, all the principles that are mentioned above are required to be considered as this
helps the organisation in utilising all the resources in an appropriate way.
Six Sigma: This is one of the important techniques that is used by most of the
organisation in order to establish the new products or any services. Further it is used for making
some changes in the commodities so that it can stand up to the mark to customers. Basically the
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concept is divided into two main categories which are DMAIC and DMADV. Argos has adopted
both DMAIC and DMADV former one is adopted for making some innovations in their products
and services so that they can increase the brand image. Latter on is used so as to make changes if
the product requires. Thus, Argos is using DMADV which is helping them in making best
quality products (Corder, McLellan and Green, 2010).
Define: In this first step the organisation sits and discuss the problems and related
solutions. Other than this they make proper planning so that a superior products can be executed.
Measure: After evaluating the whole process and problem superiors make strategies for
implementing new technologies by which they can get possible outcomes. Thus, under this they
measure all the resources that are available to them this will assist them in knowing the better
methods of doing the same.
Analyse: To manufacture any product it is important to analyse the whole process for
accomplishing the goals and objectives in a particular time frame.
Design: In order to increase the sales and productivity it is required that organisation
have a an appropriate designs so that they can attract more and more customers towards their
company. Thus, firm should focus more on customers preferences and choices.
Verify: This is the last step in which superiors of Argos see whether the products that are
manufactured are according to the quality standards. After delivering to their products they take
feedbacks and reviews form customers so that company can know the standard and their
position in front of the consumers. Other than this, firm tries to reduce the products that are not
according to the customers preferences (Cruz and Marques, 2011).
Lean Production: The process is used by most of the company in order to avoid any
flaws product. It contains certain steps which helps them in achieving the set targtes and
objectives. Steps are mentioned below:
Define value: manufacturing product and selling them is not the only task, if is essential
to know about the customers preference because it is important to know the behaviour customers
so that company can evaluate whether they are agreeing to pay or not. Along with this company
should analyse the targeted audiences and market where they want to sell their commodities.
Mapping value stream: It is considered by most of the organisation in order to observe
the needs and wants of the customers so that they can launch their business in new area
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accordingly. Under this, company tries to minimise the minimise the use of resources so that it
cannot be wasted.
Create flow: This step determines that the wastages are reduces so as to maintain the
flow of business operations. It help them in eliminating those products that is not adding any
value to their market shares. Thus, it is important to know all the factors by which company can
get maximum benefits (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016).
Establish pull: In this company tries to find out the best possible methods by which they
can execute the business operations correctly. This will assist them in managing all the resources
in a better way so that nothing is wasted.
Pursue Perfection: It is not possible that all the products that are manufactured are best
in quality what important is making alterations according to the customers preferences.
Significance of Six Sigma and Lean production:
Below some of the points are given that are to be followed in order to improve the
operational efficiency of business and they are as follows:
 This assist the organisation in enhancing the capability so that they can provide the
products on time to its customers.
 Both the methods which are used in this are very effective in nature and they are
appropriate while introducing the commodity in market area.
 Other than this, it assist them in increasing their brand image and market value at the
same time (Garel, 2013).
TASK 2
P2 Continues improvement plan based on review
In order to sustain in the market for a longer period of time it is essential that company
makes continues improvement in the business operations and as a result it will gradually increase
the profits of the organisation. Apart form this taking feedbacks and reviews will help them in
making alterations so as to sustain in the market area (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017).
Continues improvement plan is essential for an organisation as it will guide them in
following the appropriate path for attaining the goals and objective in particular time frame.
Date
Provider
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Source Anticipated Outcome Current level of
performance
Improvement
Strategies
Promotional activities In this managers of
Argos is not giving
much importance in
doing promotional
activities and because
of which the company
is loosing its market
value and shares
respectively. As a
result a downfall of
their growth can be
seen.
Argos is a supermarket
and sell all types of
that are required on
daily basis. Thus, they
have kept the products
that are according to
the customers needs
and wants.
For improving their
brand image Argos if
now focussing on
promotional activities
so that they can reach
out to maximum
number of people this
will gradually increase
their productivity and
sales.
After sales services Company lacks behind
giving services after
the sales as per the
choices of customers.
Products which are
provided by them are
not appropriate
according to the
quality and as a result
now most of its
customers or not
willing to buy their
goods any more.
In this particular step
the organisation is
focussing more on
giving quality products
ion order to gain the
customers loyalty. As
a result now they are
retaining their
previous position.
Designing With the change in
course of time many
new technologies have
came into being. Thus,
Argos is more
In order to produce
goods according to the
needs and wants of
customers it is
essential that they are
Argos is using
appropriate
machineries, tools and
technologies which is
giving them
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focussing on the
designing of the
commodities so that it
can attract more and
more customers
towards their
company. Other than
this, they are utilising
latest tools and
technologies for the
same.
using appropriate
methods and at the
same time evaluating
the market situations.
competitive
advancement (Lenfle
and Loch, 2010) .
Effectiveness of continues improvement and its significance from organisational point of view
The factors that are discussed above are considered as the most beneficial points in
context with Argos. Through this, the company wants to launch there new products so that they
can give effective outcomes. For this, organisation is considering all the resources that are
available to them and it is enabling them in targeting the audience from where they can get
maximum benefits. Apart from this, marketing department of the company is helping them in
doing so and they are assisting them in making strategies form which they can hit the set targets
and objectives (Lindström and et. al. ,2012).
Therefore, it is prime duty of Argos to give better services and facilities to its consumers
so as to maintain the loyalty for longer period of time. Other than this, managers are taking
reviews from consumers so that they can manufacture goods according to the preferences it also
assist them in knowing the standard of the products which they have launched. It will help them
in making alterations if required.
Some of the strategies that are used for effective outcome and continues improvement
and these are as follows:
Maintaining employee's relation: To have an effective growth it is essential for an
organisation to maintain a positive environment at workplace. This will help the workers in
giving best efforts in manufacturing products (Ogunlana, 2010).
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Proper Communication: It is considered as one of the important tool in order to have
better interaction between employees and superiors. Thus, to work effectively it is important that
message is conveyed in an appropriate manner. Therefore, it creates a transparency amongst
individuals.
Satisfying workers needs: Company should treats it employees as an asset as they are the
one who help them in giving maximum profits and sales. Thus, superiors of Argos must ensure
that workers are provided with all the benefits so that they can feel connected with the company.
Appropriate Guidance: Under this, managers make appropriate plans which they can
follow in order to achieve the goals and objectives in specific time period. Thus, it is the most
effective method by this interaction between employees and superiors (Pade-Khene, Mallinson
and Sewry, 2011).
Organisational theories, concepts and models
For running a business in an effective manner it is essential that proper strategies and
plans so that it can be used for growth in business operations. This is assisting them in making
proper decision making. Further they are considering factors like Autocratic, democratic,
bureaucratic, classical for making for analysing the environment of establishing the business
operations. Thus, managers of Argos are applying models and approaches so as to carry out he
business in an effective manner.
TASK 3
P3 Stages of PLC with business case, project plan and work breakdown structure
Argos company is making appropriate plan which they are following in order to give
excellent services to their customers. It is gradually increasing the sales and productivity and due
to which their brad image is increasing day by day. It is assisting them in generating more funds
that can be utilised by them in buying new tools and technologies. Thus, the environment that is
provided to employees are dynamic in nature and it is giving freedom to workers to work
according to their choice. A healthy environment can be seen between employees and superiors
can be seen because of which workers feel very comfortable in sharing their views and
innovative ideas so as to increase the growth rate of the organisation (Robichaud and
Anantatmula, 2010).
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Other than this, organisation is using appropriate tools and techniques for collecting the
data and these are primary and secondary data collection. Both are consider as the most
appropriate tools for gathering the information for analysing the better outcomes. Thus, for this
Argos is using new techniques which are according to the latest market area.
PLC is a term that is used for knowing the products' overall performance. Argos is trying
to launch a new product in the market. Thus, it is helping them in analysing the life cycle of the
commodity. Because of the continues change in the external environment, company is finding
difficulty in making appropriate policies and strategies. Further by making changes as per the
customers preferences it is helping them in increasing the brand image in front of the customers
(Burke, 2013).
Below stages of Product Life cycle is mentioned
Introduction stage: Under this, the planning is done regarding the product so that
company can have an overview of their commodities. For this, they are using latest tools and
technologies which is giving then better outcomes. In order to complete the task it will take at
least 4-5 weeks.
Growth stage: In this, different marketing strategies are formulated so that they can make
products accordingly. By manufacturing the goods as per the customers needs and wants and it is
increasing their market shares and values. The whole process will take around 5-6 weeks
completely (Ru and et. al. ,2013).
Maturity stage: This is the third stage of business in which company establish their own
brands which satisfy the current needs of customers. But under this level profitability become
constant so make it flexible different innovative and creative methods must be applied for better
productivity. This stage take the period of at-least 8-10 weeks.
Decline stage:- This is the negative stage of business in which demand for the product
and services come to an end and company require to take an appropriate steps for the
revitalisation of goods and services (Chen and et. al. ,2011).
This concept which are implemented by them is helping leaders and mangers in order to
motivate them so as to perform in a better way. This is assisting them providing the quality
services. Thus, the main aim of the life cycle is to enhance the position of the commodity.
Below work down structure is mentioned for a new commodity:
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Gantt Chart
This kind of chart helps an organisation in performing the task in a better manner. It is
shown in horizontal and vertical axis.
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