University Operations Management: Effective Plans Task 1 & 2 Report

This report provides a detailed analysis of effective operations management, focusing on the development and implementation of operational plans. It covers essential aspects such as resource requirements, key performance indicators (KPIs), and the importance of contingency plans. The report emphasizes the significance of resource acquisition, including human resources, raw materials, and IT resources, and highlights the process of plan approvals and legal recognition. Furthermore, it examines performance measures, including quality, quantity, and customer feedback, and discusses strategies for identifying and addressing areas of underperformance. The report also explores the importance of training and supporting individuals and teams, negotiating recommendations, and documenting performance to ensure continuous improvement in operations. The student has used relevant literature to support the claims made in the report.

12/16/2017
Student Name
Effective Management of Operations Plans

Task 1 - Manage Operational Plan Question Answer
1. resources requirements to develop an operational plan
a) Human resource
b) Raw materials
c) Land resource
d) IT resources
e) Energy resources
2. key performance indicators and how they help operation plans
Key performance indicators are measurable values which can be used to calculate performance
so as to develop tables, charts and graphs. The data is translated to visual content thus allowing
the stake holders determine individual, team or organisation performance.
3. What is the importance of a contingency plan
A contingency plan helps identify events which may occur in the future both positive and
negative thus allowing the business prepare in advance. It helps with promoting organisation
performance as well as preparing for risks
4. Plan approvals
a. I will ensure the plan is legally recognized which makes it easier to secure grant and
loan approvals. After completing the legal obligations I shall present the plan to
investors and entrepreneurs to secure financial support or funding.
b. Approvals are critical due to them legalizing the proposed plan thus allowing the
investor secure their investment. Banks and other major organisations will also
mainly only fund project plans which are legally recognized.
5. Importance of resource acquisition
To resource stability t is critical for the review and identifies all resources which need to be listed
and organized as per their requirement. It’s also important to identify alternative resources which
can be turned to at a later stage which will allow for long term resource security and invest on
the resources beforehand.

6. Performance measures
a. Quality
b. Quantity
c. Customer feedback and rating
d. Innovations
e. Meeting set business targets
7.
a. Monitoring profits and productivity
 Profile/ Loss balance sheet
 Sales Records
 Production Records
 Customer demand
 Employee performance and productivity
b. BIG APPLE Store analysis
1. the store has note met its sales target
2. advertising, postage and power
3. Yes the store is a making a profit but it is 8.33% below the expected profit
4. Increasing sales and cutting down on expenses incurred on advertising,
postage and power expenses
8. Non-performance can be identified by failing to meet targets and miking obvious process
mistakes. It can be improved by providing training session to helps employees home their
skill on their responsibilities.
9. Providing support to the team
To effective provide support to the team it is important for the team lead to focus on first
identifying areas they staff may be failing to meet. These areas can then be evaluated to develop
programs which assist the colleagues and team mates manage their under perfuming areas and
help improve their performance.
10. Operations performance documents
a. Employee work performance
b. Production targets and achievement statement

c. Customer satisfaction reviews and feedback report
Task 2 - Manage Operational Plan Report
Contents
Task 1 - Manage Operational Plan Question Answer..................................................................................1
Task 2 - Manage Operational Plan Report...................................................................................................3
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................4
1. Develop an Operation Plan..................................................................................................................4
1.1 Research analysis and documentation requirements....................................................................4
1.2 Implementations consultation process...............................................................................................4
1.3 Key indicators to measure operation performance.............................................................................5
1.4 Develop and implement contingency plan.........................................................................................5
1.5 Develop a present project proposal....................................................................................................5
1.6 Proposal Approval.............................................................................................................................5
2. Plan and Manage Resource Acquisition..............................................................................................5
2.1 Recruitment process of best qualified human resource......................................................................6
2.2 Physical resources and services are acquired as per organization policy...........................................6
2.3 Rights followed while recruiting and acquiring resources and services.............................................6
Monitor and Review Operational Performance...........................................................................................6
3.1 Develop, Monitor Review Performance............................................................................................6
3.2 Financial Information and Monitoring...............................................................................................7
3.3 Areas of Underperformance and Recommending Solutions..............................................................7
3.4 Training and Supporting Individuals and Teams...............................................................................7
3.5. Negotiating Recommendations.........................................................................................................7
3.6 Documenting Performance................................................................................................................7
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................8
References:..................................................................................................................................................9

Introduction
Operations planning are a basic requirement every manager must master to organize and manage
a project's operations smoothly. The operations plan involves planning, implementation,
monitoring and management with the objective ensuring a proposed project smooth operates
(Munro, 2009). This makes it important for every manager to organize and addresses each of
these elements carefully while considering every aspect so as to maximize the proposed plans
success rate. Project managers will in many situations be responsible for the development of
proposals, planning, implementation and reporting of the projects.
1. Develop an Operation Plan
The first step linked to managing any plan is developing a viable project plan. This is a very
important stage of the management process where there the manager needs to identify viable
projects and develop a proposed plan to exploit the idea (Abrams, 2003). Only after developing
an idea can further research and analysis be done on the proposed plan to determine its viability.
1.1 Research analysis and documentation requirements
Once identified the idea would require being closely analysed to determine important points
linked to its viability. There are many elements linked to the plan which need to be closely
evaluated thus most if not all of the areas need to be addressed (Wood & Kroger, 2000). It’s
important that risks, resources, legalities, Finances and documentation related to the proposed
project are closely examined and addressed before the proposed plan can move on to the next
stage.
1.2 Implementations consultation process
The consultation also plays a huge role in proposed projects developments since expert advice
and guidance is gathered with regard to the proposed plan. This is important as it allows the
proposer secure a wider perspective of the project and views from more stake holders and
experts thus helping expand his understanding on the topic. This helps identify areas or points

which may have been missed thus allowing the proposer first resolve those concerns before
moving to the next stage.
1.3 Key indicators to measure operation performance
It’s also important to identify a list of important key indicators and measures of performance
which would be used during the proposed project. It’s important to list these so as to measure the
proposed projects performance and outcomes thus maximizing the proposals success rate (Marr,
2012). There are also wide verities of computer and digital tools which can be utilized on the
projects to maximize performance
1.4 Develop and implement contingency plan
Contingency plans help identify developments which could have either a positive or negative
effect on the proposed plan (Allin, 2012). It is important to highlight these points as it allows the
proposer identify important benefits as well as drawbacks linked to the proposed plan which can
be used to refine the plan and improve the success rate.
1.5 Develop a present project proposal
The proposed project also requires being professionally presented so as to deliver a clear
understanding linked to the intention and objective of the project. This is especially important on
projects which external stakeholders who are approached to fund the project (Hill, 2013). In this
situation, the proposed project requires being carefully outlined and presented clearly to help
convenience the investors as well as secure approval for the proposed plans.
1.6 Proposal Approval
Once completed the proposal requires to be presented to the legal authorities for approval before
it can be implemented or presented to the investor. It’s critical to secure legal authority and
government approval to prevent complications at a later stage and ensure the proposed project is
legal before proceeding further.
2. Plan and Manage Resource Acquisition
Every project is heavily dependent on resources to operate. These take the form so raw materials,
services as well as a human resource which all require being carefully managed. It is critical for
the proposal to address aspects linked to resource management so as to deliver an accurate

proposal plan. Resource quantity, stocks, locations, and human resource needs all require to be
addressed (Dwyer, 2011). It’s also important to identify the location the proposed project intends
to be located and also address certain aspects linked to the project such as transport and human
resource needs especially when the projects are located in remote locations.
2.1 Recruitment process of best qualified human resource
The recruitment process also needs to take into consideration staff qualification, experience, and
understanding of the job description. This is an important requirement as it determines the rate of
employee turn over the proposed project can anticipate (Smith, 2012). Employees with a better
understanding and liking of the work are likely to be more satisfied with the position thus
reducing the employee turnover experienced on the project.
2.2 Physical resources and services are acquired as per organization policy
In addition to qualification, the proposed project human resource manager must also provide
suitable terms and conditions on the employment policy which will encourage employees to
remain with the organization. The organization must be able to offer attractive compensation,
facilities, and incentives which will encourage the staff to remain with the organization.
2.3 Rights followed while recruiting and acquiring resources and services.
During the staff recruitment process, it’s critical for the organization to recruit the best staff as
well as plan on investing, acquiring and securing the rights to different resources the
organization will require operating efficiently (Henkin, 2000). All resources need to be listed and
identified thus allowing the proposed project manager develop acquisition plans thus helping
secure adequate resources to safeguard the performance of the project.
Monitor and Review Operational Performance
3.1 Develop, Monitor Review Performance
The proposed project will require be monitoring, reviewing and reporting on thus making it
important to develop and use suitable monitoring equipment and tools. These can be specially
designed or commercial versions purchased which helps with devitalized the process and
speeding up performance.

3.2 Financial Information and Monitoring
Finances also require being closely, this is especially important while during the initial stages of
establishment where the proposed project would be recovering and repaying any borrowed
funds. It is important to therefore use a wide varsity of financial and budgeting tools available
online to help monitor and manage finances so as o retain control of the projects finances.
3.3 Areas of Underperformance and Recommending Solutions
Every project will experience some areas of underperformance thus it’s important to locate and
address them as soon as possible. This is best achieved by involving all stake holders by offering
open communication and contributions towards reporting on areas of underperformance and
recommendation (Kaplan & Norton, 2008). Stake holders must be involved as they may be
experiencing issues the management does not observe and require to be addressed to maximize
performance.
3.4 Training and Supporting Individuals and Teams
All individuals and teams associated to an organisation or project require being stream lined so
as to ensure they maintain high performance. To achieve this it is important to provide straining
and support sessions with the aim of educating individuals or teams regarding current as well as
new processes.
3.5. Negotiating Recommendations
Not every recommendation will be feasible thus it’s important to the management to evaluate
each recommendation and develop a feasible approach to address the approved ones. Some may
be rejected but approved or feasible recommendations require to be negotiated so as to avoid
over burdening the organisation or project management as well as respond to the recommender
thus both stake holders benefit from the process.
3.6 Documenting Performance
All projects developments must be monitored, reported and documented to ensure clear records
have been maintained. This makes it important to document and report performance thus
allowing the teams involved on areas which may require additional efforts as well as areas where
have archived the set targets. Documenting performance also allows for the stake holders and

management visits their performance story to determine aspects which may have affected
performance and address those points
Conclusion
Project management has been termed by many businesses owners as a skill managers must be
able to master and develop a passion towards. This makes t important for managers to also focus
on entrepreneurial skills and mindsets which can be used to develop important projects proposals
and plans which can be used to continually perfect, build and expand the performance of the
project. With younger professional turning to business as their preferred profession, it has
become important to project managers to improve their performance so as to ensure the projects
they spearhead remain operational at all times.

References:
Abrams, R. M. (2003). The Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies. Paulo Alto: The Planning Shop.
Allin, L. (2012). Contingency Plan. Orca Book Publishers.
Dwyer. (2011). Management Strategies & Skills. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
Frost, C., Allen, D., Porter, J., & Bloodworth, P. (2000). Operational Risk and Resilience: Understanding
and Minimising Operational Risk to Secure Shareholder Value. Woburn: Butterworth-
Heinemann.
Henkin, A. H. (2000). Honoring Human Rights. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.
Hill, G. M. (2013). The Complete Project Management Office Handbook, Third Edition. Boca Roton: CRC
Press.
Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (2008). The Execution Premium: Linking Strategy to Operations for
Competitive Advantage. Harvard Business Press.
Marr, B. (2012). Key Performance Indicators (KPI): The 75 measures every manager needs to know.
Pearson UK.
Munro, A. H. (2009). Structures for Strategy: The Operations Plan. Garden City: Morgan James
Publishing.
Smith, J. (2012). Planning the Recruitment Process - What You Need to Know: Definitions, Best Practices,
Benefits and Practical Solutions. Emereo Publishing.
Wood, L. A., & Kroger, R. O. (2000). Doing Discourse Analysis: Methods for Studying Action in Talk and
Text. London: SAGE.