Southern Railway: Operations Management, PLC & Continuous Improvement

This report provides a comprehensive review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles within Southern Railway, a network connecting London with various cities and resorts. It covers key principles such as reality, organization, accountability, change, managed passion, and lean production. The report also examines the application of Six Sigma methodologies (DMAIC and DMADV) to improve services and processes, particularly in relation to managing essential ports and harbors. Furthermore, the report outlines a continuous improvement plan, emphasizing the need for organizations to adapt to changing customer preferences and technological advancements. The analysis includes value stream mapping, flow optimization, establishing pull systems, and pursuing perfection to enhance overall operational efficiency and effectiveness. The report concludes by discussing the importance of adapting to environmental changes and implementing strategies for continuous improvement to maintain competitiveness and customer satisfaction. Desklib offers this and many other solved assignments for students.

Operation and project
management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
P1 Conduct a review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles
within an organisational context.................................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
P2 Prepare a continuous improvement plan based the review and critique of operations
management principles within an organisational context. .........................................................8
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
P3 Apply PLC to a given project for producing necessary supporting documentation for
completion of project................................................................................................................10
P4 Review and critique the effectiveness of the PLC in application to the chosen project using
appropriate theories, concepts and models................................................................................14
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is related to those administration of business which is used by the
organisation to develop effectiveness and efficiency in their business. It is very important for the
organisation to develop effective operatiopn management in their organisation under which all
the activities of the business are arranges and managed properly so that so that the goals and
objectives of the business achieved successfully. Under this concept, the management of the
organisation develop effective strategies in their organisation so that the management can be
done without any difficulty and also the plan achieved (Unzueta Aranguren, and Eguren
Egiguren, 2021). It is a set of rules and principles which provides direction to the business
organisation how they manage their business and what strategies are required to make the
business more successful. The organisation which is chosen here to demonstrate this report is
Southern railways. This organisation was established in the year 1923 which connected London
with different cities and spots. These ports are South West England, South coast resorts and
Kent. This report provide us brief discussion related to the implementation of the operation
management principle in Southern railways also the continuous improvement plan. It also
contains each stage of the organisation and also the review of organisational strategy and models.
TASK 1
P1 Conduct a review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles
within an organisational context.
Overview of the company
The souther railway is related to those network under which many small railway network conduit
their operations. This organisation are developed in the year 1838 under which the London and
Southampton railway becomes the London and south western railway. The main reason for the
popularity of this authority is their unique style of public dealing and logical social control
strategies. The most of the revenue of the company came from their public dealing and some
were come their additional services provided to their passengers.
Operation management is related to the management of all the resources of the business
with their to achieve the effectiveness and efficiency in the business. Under this management all
the factors are evaluated and makes them valuable fort the business. It included organising,
controlling and managing the activities in the organisation so that the goals and objectives of the

business can be achieved effectively. There are different principles of operational management
are present which has their separate place in the success of the organisation and the brief
discussion related to the same are given below:
Principle of reality: This principle of operation management is one of the importation
aspect of the business. It states that the organisation must focus on their management problems
instead of methods or technique which they used in their business organisation (Shijun, and
Jianhua, 2018). This principle states that the managers of the organisation should evaluate the
problem effectively and the try to solve them with their management skills and traits. It is
essential for the managers of southern railways to conduct proper analyses of their business and
find the daviation in their management so that they can be improves effectively.
Principles of organisation: This principle of operational management are based on the
belied that the business organisation must executes their administration in such a way that the
goals and objectives of the organisation will achieve effectively. Under this aspect of the
operational management, the managers of the organisation develop effective management
activities such as planning, organising staffing and controlling the activities of the management
with an to achieve the goals effectively.
Accountability: This principle of the operational management is based on the
responsibilities of the managers as well as the employees of the organisation. Under this, the
managers of the organisation develop effective rules and regulations for their employees and
workers. These rules and regulation of the business of promotes team spirit and development in
the organisation. It is the duty of the managers of the organisation to develop effective link witnb
their associates so that they provide higher returns.
Change: It is one of the most important principle of the operational management under
which the managers of the organisation are required to make the considerable changes in the
policies and strategies of their management. It is important for the success of the organisation to
make changes in their business in relation to the changes in environment so the threat of obsolete

becomes ineffective. It is the duty of the managers of Southern railways to develop those
framework in their organisation which analyses the change and makes them possible in their
organisation.
Managed Passion: It is the duty of the managers of the organisation to evaluate the
strength of their employees and workers and promotes their thinking and ideas. It is the duty of
the managers of organisation to take the suggestion and promote the creativity and innovation in
the organisation.
Lean production and manufacturing:
It is one of the most important and valuable technique of production which is used by the
management of many organisation due to their effectiveness and favourable results. Under this
manufacturing process, the managers of the organisation has an objective to reduces the level of
resources and time period which is used in the process of production to makes them efficient and
effective (Quade, Wynn, and Dawson, 2021). The management of southern railways uses
creative and innovative thinking of their managers and workers to make their business more
profitable. The management of the company uses modern and advances technology in their
business operation so that the resources can be utilised effectively. The main focus of the
management are based waste management which plays an important role in the cost structure of
the organisation. There are some principles that follows the Southern Railway (UK)
administration for functioning constructively and these help in operating business dealings in an
suitable way-
Value: This principle states the the product and services of the organisation are
developed on the basis of wants and desires of the customers because it is the commanding
power of the market and has high bargaining power. It is the duty of the organisation to take
considerable feedback from their customers before launching their product in the marker so that
the risk of failure can be minimised. The value of the product are developed in the market when
the organisation provide their product at competitive prices in the market to their customers. The
managers of the southern railway try to develop effective strategy to improve the value of their
railway.
Value stream: This factor is related to the satisfaction of customer from the product of the
company and it is the duty of the company to develop those product which has an ability to

satisfy the needs of the customers (Quade, 2022). The focus of southern railway's managers are
placed on the satisfaction of their managers and they make collective efforts to develop their
services in such as manner to satisfy the needs and desires of the customers.
Flow: This factor states that the organisation has to bear some losses in present to
achieve the benefits in their future because it has to develops different measure to deal with the
future uncertainties which requires funds. The managers of Southern railways should develops
reserves and measures so that the company becomes able to achieve the growth in future and also
to deal with different uncertainty.
Establish Pull: This factors enables the managers of organisation to evaluate the needs
of resources and workforce in the organisation so that the are able to produce more and more
products and earns huge revenue.
Pursue perfection: It is related to those factors which enables the managers of
organisation to provide the product at right time.
Six Sigma:
Six sigma is related to process of improvement which enables the managers of the
organisation to use specified tools and techniques so that the process of improvement in the
organisation can be done properly. This technique are developed by the American engineer
names Bill Smith. Under this methods there are two sub methods are stated such as DMADV and
DMAIC.
DMAIC is related to those process which enables the managers of organisation to
improve their existing strategies and business techniques so that their customers can be satisfies
properly. Under this method, the managers conducts major modification and control on their
existing business. On other side DMADV is related to those method under which the managers
of organisation makes innovation and creativity in their organisation under which it used those
procedures and technique in their organisation which are not uses presently. It embraces five
state of matter that includes define, measure, analyse, design and validate. Moreover to its
railway transactions, the Southern Rail (UK) is transmitted various essential ports and harbour
that facilitate the south coast and this includes Southampton, New-haven and Folkestone
therefore DMADV is best six sigma method analysis for promoting this services in
administration in a adequate way.

Define: Under this process the needs and desires of the customers are carefully examined
by the managers of organisation to positioned their product on the minds of their customers. The
management of southern railway used different methods and business strategies if they want to
introduce any new product in the market (Liu, Zhang, and Wang, 2021). In the present scenario
all the organisations conduct deep research of the market to analyses the needs and preferenve of
the customers and then positioned their product.
Measure: According to this process, in which manager of Southern Rail (UK)
concentrates on introducing and assembles of services and various new products regards with
railway in the market. The valuation considered the definite quantity of visitors in a particular
section. After knowledgeable to this organisation's managers form different remedies to present
quality of services to visitors.
Analyse: It is one of the important factor under which the management focuses on the
issues and difficulties faced by the management of organisation. It is the duty of the managers of
Southern Railways to develop those strategies and policies in their workplace so that these
difficulties can be improved and the management of organisation can becomes effective.
Design: It is related to the structure of the management uses by the organisation , it is
very important for the organisation to develop those structure which promotes communication
and effective transfer of information. The management of southern railway uses those
management structure in their organisation which provides them high revenue.
Verify: This process of the model helps the managers of Southern railways to verify the
needs and requirements of their customers. It is beneficial for the organisation because it helps
them to develop accuracy in the organisation.
TASK 2
P2 Prepare a continuous improvement plan based the review and critique of operations
management principles within an organisational context.
Continuous improvement plan
It is nor possible for any organisation to survive in the market with their traditional
approach of the business because the needs and preference of the customers become dynamic
and demand use of new and modern technology in the organisation. Every organisation required

to make the changes in their organisation on the basis of changes occur in environment. Change
in the organisation are essential because it helps the organisation to retain the existing customer
and also to attract new customers towards the organisation (Litte, 2020). It is the duty of the
managers of Southern Railways to evaluate the environment and make considerable changes in
their management and the brief discussion related to the same are given below:
SOURCES PRINCIPLES OUTCOME
Cost Develop s chain of huge
supplier
It is the duty of southern railways to
develop chain of large number of
suppliers for their raw material. The
number cof suppliers played an
important role in the profit margins
of the organisation because if there
are few suppliers the their
bargaining power will increases and
becomes in a position to dominate
the price of raw materials.
Quality Lean manufacturing This approach of the management
are focused on the production of
goods and services with greater
quality. The management of the
southern railway has a business of
railway services under which large
number of customers travel
regularly. It is the duty of the
managers of organisation to develop
those services in their organisation
which provides comfort and better
experience to their customers so that
the loyalty of the customers can also
be increased.

Safety Fundamentals The management of Southern
railways conduct a business of
Railway services under which the
safety of employees as well as the
customers are the matter of
discussion. It is the responsibility of
the management to develop those
measures in the organisation which
helps to make sure the safety of all
the stakeholders
Delivery Organisation It is very important for the
management of Southern railway to
develop effective communication
channels in their organisation (Li,
2019). The reason for these
communication is that it helps to
transfer information from one place
to another and also enables the
customers to interact with each
other.
TASK 3
P3 Apply PLC to a given project for producing necessary supporting documentation for
completion of project
It is very important for the organisation to provide effective services to their customers because
the loyalty of the customers are depend upon the services given by the company and also their
products. In this competitive environment many services are developed which has attracted the
customers and also helps to retain the existing customers of the company. It is essential for the
management of southern railways to develop these services in their organisation so that the new

customers can be joined with the organisation. The Southern Railway managers are following
various levels of PLC for estimating their service and they are discussed below :
Initiation stage: In the initial stage of the PLC, The management of the organisation
evaluate the orientation of their customers so that they develop services according to them. The
management of the southern railways has used public feedbacks and suggestions before making
any strategy for the business. It is the duty of the managers to analyse the need of their customers
and then develops their services according to them. In the context of southern railways the
managers of the organisation analyses all the points of the market and makes plan for the
development of organisation. The time interval taken by this stage is proximately 1-2 months.
Planning stage: It is related to those stage under which the managers of the organisation
develops effective plan in relation to the growth and development of the company. Under this
stage, the managers of the organisation has plan different policies and strategies so that the
business can be examined effectively. The managers of the organisation has utilises different
resources of the company and then plan for the betterment of company. The management of
southern railways divided all their projects in small denomination and then signed to all the
employees so that the work can be done efficiently. All the employees of the organisation are
evaluated effectively, their strength and weaknesses are taken out to assigned them work
according to their abilities. The managers of southern railways has provide time frame of 3
months to these stage so that the planning can be done without any deviations.
Execution stage: It is the most important and critical stage under which the managers of
the organisation has execute all the plans and policies which they developed in the planning
stage in relation to the growth and development of the organisation (Laimiņa, 2018). All the
critical problems and deviations came out out in this stage so the managers need to be more
innovative and creative in this stage. It is the duty of the managers of the organisation to make
sure that all the activities in this stage are completed according to the strategy and plan
developed in planning stage. In context of Southern railways, the managers of the organisation
has ensure full control on the activities so that the plans and strategies becomes successful.

Closure stage: It is the last stage of PLC under all the employees which are provided
responsibilities of work by their managers in the execution stage has completed their projects and
submit their work to managers. Under this stage the managers of the organisation has to check
the work of all the employees so that the chances of deviations can be minimised.

Business case
Executive summary:
The management of Southern railway has includes many experienced and qualified
managers which has effective decision making abilities. All the decision related to the business
are taken by these managers for the growth and development of the business. These managers
has developed effective objectives, mission and vision for the organisation. It also provided
direction to the employees so that the objectives can be achieved in attractive and effective
manner. All the activities of the employees are controlled by these executives by a way of
providing different rules and regulations.
Goal:
The main objectives of the southern railway is to provide satisfaction to their customers with
their attractive product and services (Bikitsha, and Amoah, 2020). The management of the
organisation also focuses on the development of new and modern technology for the
development of organisation. The management of the organisation also evaluate the environment
regularly so that the organisation are capable to take profit from the market.
Solution:
The management of the organisation try to find out the solution of their management problems
which has negative impact on the business of the organisation. The managers of the organisation
has surveyed the market so that the solution of these problem can be find out.
Cost:
The amount of money which the organisation incurred in input to obtained output is called cost.
It is one of the most important factor which dominate the pricing strategy of the company and

also impacts the profit margins of the organisation. The cost incurred by the management of
Southern railway are very high because of their huge fix cost.
Benefits:
The new services which the management of the organisation develops in their management are
very beneficial for the organisation because it increases the level of revenue as well as the profit
margins of the company. The market share of the company are increased by huge percentage
which reflects the growth of the organisation in the market.
Work break down structure:
It is one of the important and useful method which the management of the organisation divide all
the work in smaller part so that the work load can be decreased.
P4 Review and critique the effectiveness of the PLC in application to the chosen project using
appropriate theories, concepts and models.
There is an new railway project came into existence which are operated in central London
and the name of this project is Cross rail. The main objective the company under this project is to
provide railway services crossing west to east (Banerjee, Ray, and Ghosh, 2020). It is also
connected to the existing lines under which the the passengers of different parts can be travelled.
The brief discussion related to the product life cycle are given below:
Initialisation of the stage:
In the initial stage of product life cycle the management of Southern railways uses aggressive
leadership style under which the decision taken by leaders are not taken seriously. It is less
effective leadership style under which the subordinates are not attracts to this.
Planning phase:
In this stage of product life cycle, the managers of the Southern railway uses situational analyses
leadership under which the leaders of the organisation has make their decisions on the basis of
situations or scenario arises in the organisation.
Execution phase:

In the stage of execution, the leaders of Southern railway uses servant leadership approach under
which they focuses on the development of their subordinates. It is one of the popular leadership
style under which the leaders work for the development of their subordinates.
Closure phase:
The management of the southern railway uses team leadership style in this leaders develops
effective teams in their workplace and the continue the work. The development team enebles the
organisation to complete the work on time.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been analysed that the operation management is a essential
element in the effective working of the administration system. It affects the definite principle
management that offers the six sigma, lean manufacturing, etc. and the list will continue. In the
effective administration system there is always a necessity of execution of uninterrupted change
of state that leads the effective operations that insures the operation of company in regards to
make the plan more efficient and processing it as to new and creative alteration in to the system
and services that influences the visitors by their working effort (Banerjee, Ray, and Ghosh,
2019).

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