PS4S26 - Strategic Operations Management: Time Management Analysis

This report presents a reflective analysis of time management skills within the context of strategic operations management. The author identifies time management as a crucial skill, particularly in professional and personal life, and details the steps taken to improve this skill. The report includes an introduction outlining the significance of time management, followed by a discussion of learning goals, expectations, and methodologies employed, such as peer discussions, reflective learning, and workshops. The author assesses the effectiveness of these approaches, highlighting the insights gained and improvements achieved in time management. The report also includes a brief operations manager's challenges and provides a critical evaluation of the success of these measures. The assignment adheres to the guidelines set by the University of South Wales (USW) for the PS4S26 module, incorporating academic research and critical evaluation to meet the assignment's objectives. The document is contributed by a student to be published on the website Desklib. Desklib is a platform which provides all the necessary AI based study tools for students.

Running head: OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
Strategic Operations Management and Operational Research
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Part A:........................................................................................................................................2
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................2
Learning goals and expectations:...............................................................................................3
Learning methodologies:............................................................................................................3
What I learnt and how my time management were enhanced:..................................................3
Coordinating Peers discussions:.............................................................................................3
Reflective learning approach:................................................................................................3
Learning workshop and practice:...........................................................................................3
What will I do differently going forward?.................................................................................3
My actions and next steps:.........................................................................................................3
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................3
References:.................................................................................................................................4
Part B:.........................................................................................................................................5
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................5
Brief operations managers’ challenges:.....................................................................................5
Analysis and discussions on operational challenges relevant to this job:..................................5
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................5
References:.................................................................................................................................6
Appendix:...................................................................................................................................7

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Part A:
Introduction
The significance of the time management skills is observed to be associated with a
notable increment in the modern era. With a precise focus on the increasing urgency amongst
the modern people, the enhanced value of the time is pretty prominent (Dembo 2013). The
fast life cycle of the individuals is observed to be one of the key influencer for the modern
people in improving their ability of using the time in an efficient manner (Panek 2014). To be
honest, I faced the necessity of improving my time management skills in both my
professional and personal life contexts. In professional context, my performance was bit
affected due to the lack of skills in managing my actions in an efficient manner which was
pretty prominent with the consecutive three misses of deadlines. On the other hand, I was
observed to be carried away with the excessive amount of work pressure. I was unable to
manage the work in an efficient manner due to the lack of time management skills and that
affected my work life balance in a detrimental manner. Hence, the necessity of improving the
mentioned skill was pretty prominent. Considering the organizational context, it is pretty
visible that majority of the companies are trying their level best to serve the customers with
the least consumption of time and under such situation, it becomes important for the
employees to have the required time management skill to reduce the operational time
(Flores and Hand 2016). Other than this, there are considerable number of organizations that
are facing the necessity of increasing the productivity and that is directly linked with the
efficiency of the employees in managing their operational activities (Broadbent and Poon
2015). On the other hand, the operations of the educational sector also influences the
individuals to improve their speed in gaining the required knowledge as they are required
to manage their course work within a considerably limited period of time (Stone and

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O'Shea 2013). According to Griffin (2013), one of the important technique for the
improvement of the time management skill is observed to be the formation of the priority list.
Apart from this, the effective management of time from the part of the employees in
the organizational context has the potential to increase the ease of the employees towards
developing the skill of exceeding their target which in other way, enables them for the
achievement of rewards. Rosemann and vom Brocke (2015) claimed that the concept of the
time management does not promote the urgency of conducting the business operations in
haphazard manner, rather it increases the ease of the employees in conducting their business
activities with a precise focus on the quality. Hence, it becomes significantly important to
develop the time management skills for the people of the modern generation. The paper
discusses regarding the importance of the time management skills from a reflective point of
view where I will try to evaluate the necessity of the skill which will inevitably provide the
significance of the skill or the necessity of choosing the skill. Along with this, the paper
presents a brief analysis regarding the measures that I have taken for the improvement of the
mentioned skill and at the same time, the paper also presents a critical assessment of the
success that I received with the measures.
Learning goals and expectations
During the initial days, I had the objective of identifying the necessity of developing
the time management skill. From various models and theories that were to be used in
cultivating my time management skill, I was expecting to acquire the importance of
developing a strong time management skills. It becomes important to understand the
necessity of a particular skill before taking the decision of nurturing the skill and the theories
and literature that were to be used for developing the skill, were significant in educating me
regarding the necessity of the skill in my personal and professional life. Along with this, I had

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the objective of identifying the importance of the skill in various fields of my life. With a
precise focus on the urge of enhancing the mentioned skill, I had the objective of learning the
impact of the skill in improving my studies, in improving my skills of managing the
operational activities along with identifying the importance of time management skill in
improving my individual performances and the overall team performances.
Hence with the appropriate implementation of the activities for nurturing my skills, I
have the expectations of gaining the much required knowledge of the techniques that can be
used for refining my efficiency with respect to the consumption of the time and along with
that, I also have the objective of increasing my capability in using the least amount of time
for the managing the projects. Other than this, I am inclined towards maintaining a high
quality in my operations and under such situation, I have the expectation of making sure that
I gain the skills of managing high quality and at the same time, consume the least possible
amount of time for managing my operations. From the activities, I also have the expectations
of learning the technique of creating the To- Do lists. Apart from this, I also have the
expectation of enhancing my skills in setting the clear priorities which enables me in
managing the activities on the urgent basis in an efficient manner. With the implementation
of the developmental activities, I also have the expectations of cultivating my capability in
concentrating single headedly.
Learning methodologies:
Konopka, Adaime and Mosele (2015) claimed that the importance of applying
suitable learning methodologies is significantly high for the practitioners as it becomes
considerably important for the individuals to select the correct methods for learning.
According to Mesquita et al. (2015) the selection of the appropriate technique for managing
the learning and development effectively increases the success rate of the individuals in

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achieving their desired target. Having said that, Kharb et al. (2013) claimed that the selection
of the inappropriate methods for managing the learning needs of the individuals have the
potential of decreasing the effectiveness of the learning and at the same time, it can also lead
the individuals towards inappropriate development. Hence the necessity of choosing the
correct methods for the effective management of the learning and development of the
individuals is pretty prominent.
With a precise focus on the choice of time management skill and the idea regarding its
importance in my professional and personal life, I tried different learning approaches for
improving my ability of managing the time.
One of the most commonly used technique for the effective management of the
learning and development of the individuals is observed to be the peers’ discussion.
Noesgaard and Ørngreen (2015) claimed that the effective communication between the peers
regarding a particular topic has the possibility of contributing with considerable number of
ideas and opinions. The achievement of various opinions and ideas regarding a particular
topic has the possibility of increasing one’s knowledge on a particular topic. Hence I made
the choice of the peers’ discussion for improving my knowledge regarding the time
management skill. I primarily selected the self –managed platforms for the effective
discussion with my peers and heavily focused on the social media groups in various social
media platforms such as the Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter and e- mails to get relevant
insights on the mentioned topic from the part of my peers (Arunachalam 2014).
Other than this, I knew that the selection of the quality journal articles for the same
will be significantly crucial for my success in gaining the knowledge regarding the time
management skills. Hence I had the objective of identifying 10 to 15 quality and current
journal articles so that I gain the required knowledge regarding the application of the tools in

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minimizing the consumption of the time in professional context. At the same time, I had the
necessity of identifying the some of the important adjustments for improving my approach
and behaviour for the improvement of my skill in managing the time. Hence the selection of
the relevant journal articles for the same, was also significant for the same Davies et al.
(2013).
Apart from this, I have the tendency of using the YouTube in a significant manner and
that helps me in searching and gaining the necessary information regarding any unknown
topic. It is pretty easy for me to access and achieve the relevant information. Hence, I
selected the services of YouTube for improving my knowledge in the time management skill
and had the objective of browsing as many videos as possible on the mentioned topic
(Benson 2015).
In addition to this, the reflective learning was one of my most favoured technique for
the management of the learning needs and under such situation, I had the objective of
practicing the same for improving my skill of time management.
Apart from all these, I participated in the learning workshops for the improvement of
my skills and tried to apply the same in the professional working environments. The main
objective of applying the learning was that the feedback on the same, had the possibility of
placing me in a perfect position for the necessary adjustments (Miller and Chan 2013).
What I learnt and how my time management were enhanced:
With a precise understanding of the topic and the necessity of improving the
mentioned skill, I had the objective of focusing with three different approaches which were
the coordination of the peer discussions for the improvement of the skill, reflective learning
approach along with the learning workshop and practices. All the three learning approaches
were aligned with the objective of improving my efficiency in managing the consumption of

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time in both personal and professional life. Having said that, the success in managing these
activities was crucial in enhancing my skill of time management. Hence, it is pretty evident
that I will be able to improve my efficiency in managing my operational activities and that
will certainly provide me greater advantage in improving the work life balance.
Coordinating Peers discussions:
Considering my objective of improving the time management skill, one of the
important techniques that I used, was the peers’ discussion. I made a group of 4 individuals
who were my friends in one of the highly used social media platform named as Facebook.
The significantly high presence of my friends in the mentioned social media platform was
one of the strong motivators for me in selecting Facebook. Other than this, I used whatsapp
and twitter for managing the peers’ discussion with same approach of forming a group and
discussing the topic. The contribution of my friends in the discussion were significant as it
enabled me to gain considerable amount of insights regarding the mentioned topic. One of
my friend claimed that the formation of the priority list is an important tactic for the effective
management of the time. On the other hand, another member of the group claimed that the
strong organizing skill play a crucial role for the success of the individuals in the effective
improvement of the time management skill. The third member of the group claimed that the
role of planning is gaining larger importance in the modern world of business in managing
the consumption of the time. The fourth one came up with a unique statement where he
claimed that the valuable time management is the life management. In addition to this, he
added that one who has the capability to manage his time in an effective manner, will be in
perfect position to learn the technique of managing his life in efficient manner. From the
peers’ discussion, I learned the importance of the organizing skill, planning and the formation
of the priority list over the effective management of the time.

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Reflective learning approach:
After the peer discussion, I browsed some important video tutorials for gaining
necessary tips on the topic. I watched the video named as “Time Management Skills” on the
YouTube page of University of Wolverhampton and from the session (Youtube.com 2019), I
acquired the importance of creating a timetable for the management of the time. In the next
video which was from LinkedIn Learning (Youtube.com 2019), I understood some of the
basic strategies for the effective minimization of the consumption of the time. From the
experts of Lynda.com (Lynda.com 2019), I understood the necessity of minimizing the
number of the interruptions in the organizational context. It is pretty evident in the modern
business world that the colleagues, here and there, appears with a request of a minute which
effectively disrupts our operations and under such situation, the break in the momentum has
the possibility of taking some extra efforts and time from us in completing the tasks in an
efficient manner. Under such situation, the tips from the experts of Lynda.com for saying no
to such requests are significant for our success in reducing the consumption of the time. Apart
from this, one of the video tutorials from Turn Key Doc was significant for my knowledge
regarding the linkage between the time management and the increment in the productivity in
the organizational context (Youtube.com 2019). From the tutorial, I was able to understand
the necessity switching off the noise around me for the achievement of the better
concentration and efficiency at the same time. With a precise focus on the literature, I
browsed the Fundamentals of Management written by Griffin (2013) where I learned the
significance of the time management skill along with the other skills of business. From the
Worksite stress management interventions: Their effectiveness and conceptualisation written
by DeFrank and Cooper(2013), I understood the impact of time management in managing my
business operations in an efficient manner so that it be easy to achieve the much required
work life balance. The literature helped me in a significant manner in gaining important

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insights regarding the application of the time management skills in efficient management of
the work stress. Along with this, Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling written by Kerzner(2017), improved my understanding of
planning, scheduling and controlling in the management of the projects which was effectively
linked with the application of the strong time management skills.
Learning workshop and practice:
In the learning workshop practices, I was given the responsibility of managing a task
at a competitive span. As the deadline of the task was approaching its end, the importance of
applying the time management techniques is observed to be pretty prominent (Shuayto 2013).
At first, I made sure that I set a priority list for the effective management of each stages of the
task. Then I formulated several groups in accordance to the number of the stages and
communicated them regarding the task. Along with this, I made sure that the employees are
aware of the time management tricks. Along with this, I made sure that each and every
individuals associated with the task are effectively communicated about the plans. The
mentioned approach helped to me in a notable manner in minimizing the tasks and in
managing the development of the conflicts in an efficient manner. Hence, the effective
management of the conflict in the team led us towards higher efficiency and the consumption
of the least possible amount of time.
What will I do differently going forward?
Going forward, I will certainly try to change certain activities which have the
possibility of improving my performances in the effective management of the time. One of
the prime tactics that I am inclined towards implementing, is the efficient tracking of the
progress (Kim et al. 2013). During the workshop activities, I observed that there was an
increased consumption of the time from our end in managing the implementation of the task.

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However, I was unable to track the progress which effectively led to such situation. I consider
that our developmental needs could be the main concern responsible for reducing our speed.
Hence, the effective tracking of the progress of my activities will be something that I would
like to add in similar activities in near future.
Other than this, I would like to improve my concentration level so that it be easy for
me to manage my operational activities in an efficient manner. In majority of the cases, the
lapses in the concentration level affect my performances (Allan et al. 2014). It usually takes a
certain period of time for me to gain the momentum back with me to manage my operational
activities. Hence the lapse in concentration will be something that I would like to avoid in
future assignments.
Considering the point of lapses in concentration, I would like to make sure that I start
saying no to the frequent disruptions as that consumes considerable amount of my precious
time and increases the time taken for completing a particular activity by me (Chastin et al.
2014). Hence, I would like to make sure that I attend such interruptions at least possible
cases.
My actions and next steps:
Considering my future actions, I will definitely try to improve my channels for
gaining the important insights regarding the time management skill. At the same time, the
improvement of efficiency in the existing channels will also be significant for my success in
gaining the important insights regarding the time management techniques. Other than this, I
will definitely try to improve my ability in tracking the progress of the projects which will
make sure that the consumption of the time is as less as possible. Other than this, I would like
to work on my concentration skills. With a precise understanding of the fact that the lapse in

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concentration affects my performances, I would like to meditate as that has the capability to
improve my skills of concentration.
Conclusion:
On a concluding note, it is understandable that the importance of the time
management is increasing in a significant manner in the modern world of business. With a
precise focus on the busy lifestyle of the modern generation individuals, the necessity of
improving the time management skill is pretty prominent. The effective evaluation of the
relevant literature is pretty significant in stating the importance of the skill for both personal
and professional life of the modern individuals. Hence, the necessity for improving my time
management skills is pretty evident. Under such situation, I applied various learning
methodologies for the improvement of the time management skills such as the peers’
discussion on various social media platforms and literature review for gaining the knowledge
regarding the techniques for the efficient management of the time. Along with this, I browsed
tutorial videos for enhancing my quality in time management and in gaining some basic tips
for making sure that I avoid the unnecessary noise. Other than this, I followed reflective
learning approach for the same cause. In addition to this, I participated in a workshop practice
where I tried to improve my time management skills while performing in a practical task and
at the same time, during the workshop practice, I managed to achieve one of my learning
expectations which is the formation of the to- do list along with the setting of the priorities.
Though the development programme went well for me, however, I would like to improve
certain things such as minimization of the concentration breaks along with the tracking of the
progress in the project management as that are considerable important for the improvement of
my efficiency.