University Business Report: Operations and Project Management, Unit 16

This report delves into the realm of operations and project management, focusing on the strategic decisions that shape day-to-day business operations and the effective conversion of resources into finished goods. The project centers on United Biscuits, a UK-based multinational food manufacturer, and explores opportunities for expansion within European markets. It examines the application of operations management principles, including Six Sigma and Lean methodologies, to enhance efficiency and drive continuous improvement. The report analyzes the implementation of various operational management principles, such as organization, humility, change, and variance, within the context of United Biscuits. It assesses how these principles meet the company's requirements, particularly in cost control and maximizing business scope. Furthermore, the report proposes a continuous improvement plan based on lean methodologies, including defining value, mapping the value stream, creating flow, establishing a pull system, and pursuing perfection. Finally, it provides recommendations to improve organizational functions, focusing on cost reduction through advanced technology and supply chain management, as well as enhancing quality and delivery through Just-In-Time (JIT) approaches and effective resource management.

Unit 16 – Operations and
Project Management

INTRODUCTION
Management operations define to those strategic decisions that will approach day-to- day
operations in a very systematic manner. It is related to the conversion of the workforce and materials into
the output or the finished goods in a very appropriate manner. Here project management deals in the
forecasting, organizing, controlling and encouraging the labor and resources to achieve the desired target
on a specified time. This project is related to the united biscuits that was establish in UK and is the largest
manufacture of sweet and savory snacks. In future this company can enhance their business in other
countries of European markets. It involves the principles of operation management and how it is
implemented in the firm to increase their efficiency and make the business plan for the constant
improvement. This project also includes the PLC theory which is used to success of the project with
efficient product manufacturing and supplying and at last it is examine through using various theories,
concepts and models(Meredith, Mantel Jr and Shafer, 2017).
PART 1
Overview of the chosen organization
United biscuits are one of the largest and the famous British multinational food manufacturing
company since 1948 that is headquartered in London, England, UK. Basically it is dealing in the sweet
and salty Snacks. This firm manufactures its products in number of countries and also in India. As a
manager of a company they want to think to explore or expand their business unit in every countries of
Europe with their manufacturing plant. It includes popular brands like McVities Biscuits, Jacob Cream
Crackers and the Twiglets. In 2014 it was a part of the Pladis and work under this parent
company(Maylor, Turner and Murray-Webster, 2015).
Explanation of operations vs. operations management
Operations
It is a term that defines a process and an activity that is used to manage the internal work of the
business enterprise for smoothly and efficiently running of a business. It helps in making, selling and
providing the offerings to the end user in a very effective way. it means thinking strategically to handle
and categorize the system and processes. In case of United Biscuits, using proper operations in their
internal working environment helps in properly in successfully achieve the targets.

Operations management
It is a determinant of the management function that is related to the designing and controlling the
production and redesigning process of the organizations in the manufacturing of offerings and services. It
refers to the transfer of inputs into the outputs that is value to the end user or the customers. In United
Biscuits, they properly manage the functions of the production that it will effectively and smoothing
completing the task on time(Kerzner, 2017).
Review of the implementation of operations management principles and six sigma and lean principles
In operation management there are various types of principles that helps in implemented,
manages and adjusted the firm and supports it completing and reaching the goals and task on the specified
time with in an efficient and effective manner. In context of United Biscuits, they uses and implemented
the principles of operations management that helps in understanding the visibility and efficient of
working and it also enhances the work productivity within the company. Implementing these principles of
operation management on the firm operational goals, place a positive impact on the proficiency and
efficiency of the industry. Some principles of operation management can be explained below.
 Organization – This principle states within the production facility which shows all the operations
that was done in the organization are interconnected with other and without it company cannot
achieve the resulted outcome i.e. profits. In Context of the United Biscuits all the operations are
interconnected with each other and also they used the advanced technology and creative
production process in their firm to manage distribution system and the logistics within the
organization. Using this application of operation management contain the problem related to the
funds but at the same time gave the desirable results that is more important(Kidd, 2020)(Mateo,
2016).
 Humility- This operation management principle important for the managers to understand and
examine the problems that are arise at the time of managing and production management process
because trial and error process are much costly. In United Biscuits managers uses this principle to
understand and identify the problems related to the supply chain management and solve it by
using trial and error methods that saves the time and cost of production in the long run. It will not
much benefit for the company because it is based on the trial and error method.
 Change – This is an essential approach of operation management that suggests that change is
important according to the demand of current environment. It is basically related to the
management based on supply chain department of the firm. In this company can use automated
solutions and because of this they always one step ahead to their competitors. In United Biscuits

there supply change management adopted the change and use automated machines in the
production process and also their do a partnership with large and big companies so they easily
target the customer and reached them easily. In this they need more financial resources that will
attracts the other firm to tie up with this and it is beneficial for the firm because in return it will
give profits.
 Variance - It is the prominent principle of operation management that is used by the
organization to encourage the workforce and its performance. If it is managed properly they
always get the source of creative ideas and thoughts that help in maintain the supply chain
management process. In United Biscuits, this principle helps the supply chain management by
hiring fresh talent that give innovative ideas of production but all this need proper training and
development sessions. In this company need to invest high amount that will enhances the total
expenses of the firm. so this principle is not much beneficial for the firm.
Extent to which operations management meets the requirements of the organization
 In major necessity of the United Biscuits is to control the cost in their operational management
activities. In this instance principle of operation management which is related to the variance is
used by the firm to enhance their line of product range. This principle is generally used to
reduces the cost not efficiently use of cost in the product line that is more important for the
organization to efficiently uses of cost. Because of this reason it is not much beneficial for the
United biscuits to fulfill is requirements.
 In second instance, United Biscuits requires to maximize the scope of the business unit through
there supply chain unit. In this Humility principle management ensures that if there is any
problem occurs in the delivery process it can be solve by trial and error method. In this manager
can place themselves as an ordinary man who also don’t know anything and because of this it is
also not fulfills the requirements of delivery and the wider scope in the market place(Fleming
and Koppelman, 2016).
 In this company can adopt the change process and excited to implement the innovative techniques
which is useful for the supply chain management. In this company can mainly focus on the
change management and it is related to the safety which is very beneficial and suitable in the
distribution and fabrication process. As a result this can fulfill the requirements of the venture.
 In the organization principle of operation management it is helpful for the company to make the
interconnection in the operation management. because of high inconsistency between the supply
chain and logistics this will create hindrances and make more complicated to implement this
method in the firm. it is related to the quality which is not fulfill by this p[rinciple.

Make a continuous improvement plan based on Review and critique
Continuous improvement plan suggest the process of actions which is considered to make a
regular upgrading to goods, services, measurement, processes through constant review and actions. In
United Biscuits this plan is very helpful and gains the consistency and improves the functioning of the
operations and its management. In this lean methodology is used to attain the consistency and minimizes
the wastage that will create blockage in the earning proficiency of the firm. it includes the basic principle
of the lean principle that can be shown below.
 Define value- In this United Biscuits uses the Lean principle to attract the more and more
customers so that they wil increase the profits and customer satisfaction. In this they will provide
the awareness about the products and services to the consumers(Ochieng and et. al., 2018).
 Mapping value stream - This principle of lean principle helps the company to make systematic
approach that helps in designing and manufacture process. This is used to progress the production
and innovation process of an enterprise.
 Creating flow- This principle helps the firm to reducing the problems and issues that was arising
in the production and designing process.
 Establishing a pull- This type of principle helps in achieving the goals in a specified time and cost
effective way.
 Pursuing perfection- This principle of the lean principle helps in earning more and more revenues
and profits by maximizing the sales in a very small period of time.
It is very important to implement and adopts this type of lean principle because it helps the company to
reduce the depletion and minimizes the cost of manufacture so that firm will enhances its profits and sales
in the competitive market. It helps in manages and organizes the supply chain management and the
logistic department of the business that covers the major part of the firm.
By continuous improvement plan make two recommendations which help in improving the organization
function
This continuous improvement plan is very helpful for the businesses as they ensures where the
improvement is needed to enhance the performance and earns proficiency. It is helpful in manufacturing
and product offering process and efficient working of departments and earns more and more profits. It can
be review below(Zwikael and Meredith, 2018).
Basis Existing methodology Recommended methodology
COST In this United Biscuits use the
variance principle that helps in
Firm can use the variance
principle to minimize the

enhancing the product lines at
minimum cost but not decreasing
the efficient cost in operational
management.
operational cost by using
innovative production process
and advanced technology that
helps in reducing the cost related
to the workforce.
QUALITY In this organization principle of
operation management is used to
manages the quality in this major
and high cost advanced
technology is used that increases
expenses.
To use advanced technology in
the production and supply chain
management company need to
examine all the functions that is
included in this and in this firm
use JIT approach.
DELEVERY The principle of humility was not
applied properly in the firm. in
this manager can perform as an
ordinary man this will create
problems and issues to create a
proper plan.
To effectively implement the
plan company need to manages
all the resources and the manager
plays a vital role of make use of
advanced technology with the
help of supply chain
management. This help in
enhancing the profits.
Justify recommendation to improve organizational functions
This report includes the suggestions for the United Biscuits that helps in enhancing the profits and
minimizes the cost of production by using various principle of operational management and makes a
continuous improvement plan(Al-Nady, Al-Hawary and Alolayyan, 2016).
 To reduce the cost in the firm they can do a supply chain management in this they follow
advanced technology and the innovation process that will helps in maintain the cost and enhances
the profits of the firm. They can use JIT theory which helps in notify the demanding products by
the customers so that company can refill their stores with that offerings.
 To properly production or manufacturing process business may use the new and advanced
technology so that goods can be made very effectively and efficiently with also maintaining the
quality and quantity of the offerings.

PART B
Overview of the company
MFI is the furniture manufacturing company that is one of the prominent enterprise in Europe
which has around 250 stores in all over the UK and the mainland Europe. It manufactures approx 50 of its
product portfolio that has exclusively use the top three brand names in the market place. They make a
strategy to provide a clear communication and implementation of the initiatives that is related to the
measurable process. Company have both internal and external customers because it sales quality goods
offering that is produced by the employees. It is mainly focus on the customer care by completing the task
in team(Schwalbe,2015).
Discussion of Project life cycle
It can frame the four phases that is useful at the beginning and the end of the project. In MFI
company make this model to ensures that the work can be done in a valuable and proficient way and the
target can be achieved on time. It can described below.
 Project initiation- It is the first and the primary stage which is used to understand the deadlines,
goals, risk and priorities related to the projects. This stage represents the solution to the problems
and seizes the opportunity that is feasible. This first step helps in reducing the movements of the
workforce and gives then a healthy and a comfortable living of life and for this they make a
proper strategic plan and solve and minimize the problems(Roghanian and et. al., 2015).
 Project planning- It is the second stage where the firm focus on making the blueprint for the
project goals. It involves available resources, potential financing options, identifying costs, and
set the time frame to complete the project on deadline. For effective result MFI manager can
implement and this step and make a proper and effective planning. It is evaluated that the
making a proper plan is very beneficial for achieving the task and enhance the profits
because it helps in solving the issues by giving the innovative ideas for completion.
 Project execution - It is the third step of the project life cycle where the above plan is
implement. At this stage project management required the leverage to their management skills
and their soft skills so that they will create motivation in the team members to perform the task on
time. In the reference of MFI, here manager need to motivate their team members so that they
work on track and give the effective results by eliminating all the distractions in achieving the
task. In this a manager can encourage their employees by providing monetary and non monetary
benefits so that they will work in a productive way.

 Closing of project- It is the final and the last step where the project can be completed within a
time frame and the functions can be attained in a timely framework. In MFI, here they provide the
facility related to the food and lunch where they can eat and refresh their minds without any
conflicts(Padalkar and Gopinath, 2016). This is very necessary so that they feel refresh
and fell satisfied with the working environment so that they can fulfills the needs of the
customers and satisfied them with an appropriate strategy.
Importance of the project, its target market and cost benefit analysis of the project
Business case
Company introduction MFI is the famous manufacturing of furniture
company in Europe mainland and UK, those
manufacturers 50 around product portfolio and its
ownership includes the top three brands within the
market place.
Vision and mission Its major vision is to care the customers and
provide a quality product that fulfills the demands
of the customers at the same time earns more and
more profits. Its mission is to achieve and sustain in
the competitive market with their commitment to
the continuous development of products and
supports to people.
Aims the major objective of the firm is to provide quality
services to the customers with effective team
members while providing honest environment and
the commitment to change(Mejía and et. al.,
2016).
Strategy the business follows the that is based on the
consultation with consumers about the products
MFI sells the shopping environment at the time of
selling of the product.
Follow up In this they can follow up by using customer
surveys, questionnaires, retail staff and line, exit
interviews etc.

Explanation of each stage of life cycle in relation to MFI project
Project plan
Cost It incurs the cost for the project is £ 20000 – 25000.
Communication It is not possible for the MFI company to manage
all the activities related to the project without any
communication or effective communication
between the team members and the leaders, in this
project manager can constantly interacts with their
employees using oral and written communication.
Scope The scope of this is that everyone can believes that
every employs play an important role to take care
of their customers and because of this they will
encourage their team members and supports a total
quality management ethos (Hazır, 2015).
Prepare work breakdown structure for developing of a new product
Work breakdown structure
This term define as a project administration tool that helps in making the project into the small
components and also divides the complex task into a management form. In the reference of the MFI they
can divides all their projects in a appropriate manner due to this task can be achieve in an approachable
manner (Takey and de Carvalho, 2015).

Provide an analysis with theoretical and conceptual arguments to justify the use of theories, concept, tools
and leadership required
 Requirement - Using this model managers can examined all the needed resources that helps in
performing the task and activities in a desirable manner. In this step MFI prepares the various
objective and strategies related to the customer satisfaction within and outside the outlets and in
this they use the approach related to the six sigma that helps in enhancing the efficiency of the
project and the task(Martens and Carvalho, 2017). It can enhance the productivity of the
employees by reducing the defect in the production by analyzing the data. If manager of a MFI
can use this they can analyse and examine the whole data so that it can reduce the defects in the
production of furniture so that cost of production will be low and profit margin will be high. This
will enhance the efficiency of the company for a long term basis.
 Design- At this stage principles related to the customer care training at minimum cost and for
these different activities can be planned for project formulation. It is helpful for the firm to get the
efficient results.
 Development - In this step company can use the democratic leadership style that create friendly
and healthy environment to the team mates and the leaders. This stage uses the model of TQM to
execute the operations that will enhance the quality of the products and satisfy the customers’
needs.
 Testing and maintenance – This term shows the last step where all the above activities are
examined and tested and if there is a need of change that it can done on this stage by the

permission of the manager which help in accomplishing the goals and gives the profits to the
business. for testing they can use the key performance indicator and benchmarking technique so
that manager of MFI can monitor the employees and their task very effectively on each levels and
it also helps in developing the change as per the requirements of the external and internal factors
so that products can enjoy large amount of sales in market and company can enjoy high sales and
revenues. This also helps in reduction the wastage in the project so that quality of goods can be
delivers. (Cortés, Rodríguez and Franco, 2019).
CONCLUSION
To the above summarized project it is concluded that operation and project management is very
useful term to manage the productiveness and efficiency of the business operations. In the manufacturing
company it is mentioned to enhance the quality of work that give effective results. In includes continuous
improvement plan that helps in manages all the plan and effective and efficient manner. It also gives the
information related to the PLC that is used in making and ending the whole project very prominent
manner. It also includes the business plan that helps in knowing the vision, mission of the company that is
very useful to complete the task on time and in a desired manner.