Operations and Production Management Report: British Leyland Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of British Leyland's operations and production management. It begins with an introduction to operations management and its importance in achieving organizational goals, followed by a critical review of the implementation of operations principles within the company. The report then delves into a continuous improvement plan, assessing areas such as promotional events, after-sale services, and design to enhance customer satisfaction and market competitiveness. The study also examines the application of Six Sigma and Lean principles, highlighting their significance in quality control and process optimization. Furthermore, the report explores the stages of the Product Life Cycle (PLC), including a business case, project plan, and work breakdown structure, along with an evaluation of the PLC's effectiveness. The analysis underscores the need for strategic improvements in marketing, after-sales services, and product design to meet market demands and ensure sustained growth. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of integrating these principles and strategies for overall operational excellence.

OPERATIONS
AND
PRODUCTION
MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Critical review regarding implementation of operations principles in organisation context 1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P2 Continuous improvements plan based on reviews.................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P3. Stages of PLC with business case, project plan and work breakdown structure...................7
TASK4...........................................................................................................................................10
P4. Effectiveness of PLC in application of project....................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Operations management plays a vital role in entire working of organisation in order to make
continuous innovation and improvements in products and services of business venture. This term
operations and project management is defined as a process that deals with set of actions that
manages business operations in that manner in which resources could be converted in finished
goods. These activities are happened because of making some increments in profits and market
share in industry. This whole process comprises that management of company need to frame all
operations in most adequate manner so that enterprise should be able in accomplishing all their
task in most significant manner by this firm could become able in increasing profits and market
share. This assignment is based upon Leyland company and currently is known as British
Leyland. This is a British company that manufactures and deals in lorries, trucks etc. this
organisation was founded in 1930 firstly by two brothers and at starting of their business they
manufactured steam bus. This report is based upon the question how this company is managing
their operations in order to get higher profit margin and greater growth rate by improving
operations and activities.
TASK 1
P1. Critical review regarding implementation of operations principles in organisation context
Operations management is described as a procedure in which resources are used to convert
raw material in finished goods. Appropriate planning is made in order to formulate adequate
strategies to conduct business operations in most optimum manner and this action further assist
management in following code of conduct and this action is helpful in providing guidance to
workforce so that manpower could attain all tasks and actions in most advantageous manner.
Managers of Leyland group must take care of entire things that are necessary for taken under
consideration for keeping strong bond among all staff members for enhancing level of working
of manpower. Operations management is a complicated task in which systematic task and duties
are assigned to each and every staff member. It is essential for operations manager to make
interactions with all workforce effectually so that employees could solve their issues and
problems with other co-workers. It is a major task of operations manager that he should provide
all and appropriate directions to junior executives so that their capabilities and specialisations
could be used in most optimum manner while conducting job duties. Further, operation’s ma
manager is required to assign all task and actions according to manpower’s talents and virtues.
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There are various principles included in operations management and description of principles are
mentioned below:
 Organisation:- In Leyland company, there are many functional areas that are
interconnected with other share entire sort of information which is necessary for
accomplishments of aims and objectives. Main advantage of these actions is to subtract
extra time and cost in order to maintain effective utilisation of resources.
 Reality:- operations management must concentrate on each and every situation rather
than believing on a universal solution of all problems. Operations manager suppose to
analyse all situations in order to provide their best solutions.
 Fundamentals:- Under this pare-to-role, it has been applicable to all operational
activities in which 80% of success comes from tough compliances for maintaining
decorum and discipline in entire records and actions and other 20% success is coming by
installation of new tools and technologies.
 Success: In product portfolio of company, there are some goods which is responsible for
growth and success of company. These main products get change due to variations in
external environment but customers are always shown their interest in that trucks and
lorries of Leyland.
 Accountability:- According to this principle, managers are free to set their own rules in
Leyland company in order to conduct all operations in most beneficial method by
aligning task and duties to staff members according to their talents and specialisations.
This is a most creative path for putting efforts.
 Variance:- Entire procedures come in variances and should be engaged in most
appropriate term and if it is not so then it will be an important source of creativity.
 Casualty:- This rule is telling that problems should be stating that before it became big
issue or conflict for Leyland corporation.
 Managed Passion:- For making a normal business enterprise, successful then most
essential thing which is required that is passion which enables an individual for
accomplishing all tasks and actions in effective and efficient manner without getting fear
of failure.
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 Humanity:- As per this principle, managers utilise their capabilities then uses tools and
technologies in order to reduces flaws and drawbacks from production functions along
with other activities of corporation.
 Change: To hit all goals in limited period of time, it is required from manager that he
should comprehend all variations that are coming in external business environment for
making deductions in inefficiencies and inappropriateness. Revulsions are factor that is
quite responsible for failure and success of association but to eliminate negative impacts,
these permutations should be understand properly so that corrective actions should be
taken into considerations of management of Leyland company.
Thus, all above operational principles should be taken into consideration so that some
needed improvisation could be made in products of Leyland Corporation by applying some
respected tools and technologies. To install good and prominent techniques, it is required
from operation’s manager that he should conduct some training program for staff members
for making able them in applying latest methodologies in actions.
SIX SIGMA
This is a very essential tool that is used by manager for checking quality of products and
services at the time of introduction of item from Leyland Company in marketplace. Main
concern of using this method is that to revitalise and improvise quality of product and
services that association is providing their consumers. This technique is divided into two
parts that are DMAIC & DMADV. DMADV is adopted by company when association wants
to launch new and innovative product in marketplace for ensuring profit and benefits for
corporation. On the other hand, DMAIC is a tool which is to be used in making some
improvements in existing products of corporation. In case of Leyland company, DMADV
method is most appropriate as company is about to launch their new products in novel
marketplaces across the globe.
 Define:- Under this heading, all issues and problems related to build some effective
planning for future.
 Measure:- After getting knowledge about real problems then most adequate
techniques should be used at the time of new product launch in marketplace to
enhance possibilities of acquiring success.
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 Analyse: All relevant methods and tools should be studied before applying them in
action for avail goals and objectives of Leyland corporation.
 Design: After studying problem, company uses most effective design of methodology
in order to meet all desires and wants of consumers.
 Verify: This stage is comprised as all chosen method should be verified so that their
outcome could be measured and their feasibility analysis could get happen.
LEAN PRINCIPLES
This rule is majorly classified into five phases which assist organisation in achievements of
goals and objectives. Below are elaboration of these steps:
1. Define Value:- It must be analysed by operation manager that how much potential a
buyer is possessing and what price a customers is ready to pay for particular products
and service of Leyland company. Appropriate price and value of item is determined
through an in-depth research program that is conducted by professional researcher of
corporation.
2. Mapping Value Stream:- It is fundamental that all market demands of customers must
be analysed in order to make some relevant programs to future. This procedure aids in
reduction of wastage of resources.
3. Create Flow:- In this phase, all wastage should be removed from manufacturing
function in order to create proper flow of resources for smoother functioning of
operations.
4. Establish Pool: After making choice upon all best method for hitting targets. This
step is comprised that stock of raw material should get used in order to set a number
of activities.
5. Pursue Perfection:- Not any company could do all tasks in appropriate manner on
continuous manner so that chance of making some improvements could get enhanced
in order to get perfections in entire business operations.
Significance of SIX SIGMA
Below are some points that must be include in this heading for checking efficiency of operations
management.
A. This actions is helpful in providing some knowledge about effectiveness and efficiencies
of business activities at the time of production and launch of new product.
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B. Helpful in developing effectiveness of business at the time of launching new products in
marketplace along with making some improvements in existing products.
C. This method also provide assistance in enhancing return of complete product portfolio in
order to making some increments in market share, productivity and present profit margin.
TASK 2
P2 Continuous improvements plan based on reviews
Continuous Improvement Meaning:- This is defined as a process of getting information
about all shortcomings in business in respect to products and services and this procedure is
develop and executed by Leyland corporation. By taking feedbacks, further corrective action will
be taken in order to maintain brand value of that particular product and services in order to grab
highest satisfaction of customer as satisfaction is a thing which is helpful in retaining a client for
longer duration of time.
Continuous Improvement Plan
Date
Provide
Source Anticipated Current Level of
Performance
Improvement
Strategies
Promotional Events In this section company
is not paying attention
to use of adequate
marketing and publicity
tools which leads to
lack of popularity of
products and services.
Leyland is a basically
lorry manufacturing
company that deals in
many other vehicles
like trucks, pick ups,
buses etc. and these
products are able in
catching interest and
trust of customers
towards product of
company.
It is need of top
management that they
should frame some
decent promotional
strategies like
advertising, social
media, internet etc.
After Sale Services This firm is quite good
in providing after sale
services like servicing
Period of warrantee of
provided by
corporation is quite
More focus should be
given on providing
decent after sale
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of motor vehicles along
with providing
guarantee and
warrantee, that are
associated with items
and facilities of
Leyland company.
good also better in
comparison of
business rivals also.
Warrantee period
serve by association is
12 months.
services like 247
customer care services
regarding any issues
related to vehicles.
Designing Todays world is a
globalised market
where EXIM happens
on daily basis and this
type of action is helpful
in increasing demands
of lorries and trucks.
Selection of
appropriate design for
products and services
but this could be
happen by taking
assistance of an
adequate research
program.
Design should not be
select on random
basis on the other
hand it should be
chosen by formulating
appropriate strategies.
Usability of continuous improvement and its effectiveness from organisation context
Above discussed continue improvements program is quite beneficial from Leyland point
of view. Under this plan Leyland company was tried to launch new petrol buses by using
appropriate innovation techniques for positioned new item on to target the segmented
marketplace. Digitalisation is good in motor vehicle sector for manufacturing latest quality goods
and services and this action is advantageous for company and client both. Marketing departments
should formulate that type of strategies which allows management to collect feedbacks from
customers who visits outlets of Leyland company. Other than this, company can utilise various
promotional tools like advertising, promotion on internet by posting ads on social networking
sites. By taking assistance of these techniques, company can easily popularise their product
among customers.
Organisations must take care about after sale services for getting trust and loyalty of
customers. Strategies should be formulated after taking feedback from present and potential
clients in order to design layout of after sale services as these facilities are prominent for
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acquiring trust of consumers. This type of action is helpful in accomplishing business operations,
very effectively.
Strategies utilised for efficient implementation of continuous improvement plan
For maintaining, continuous improvisations in products and services of company then it
is required from manager that he should adopt appropriate strategies for make some adequate
changes in consumer perception regarding to brand. Following are some strategies that must be
use in any point.
 Maintaining appropriate Employees pool in corporation:- This is decided that in
today’s time most important task is to make people believe that products and services
are good and that allows company to establish effective communication with other
co-workers.
 Effective Communication:- Before making strategies, policies and product design, a
proper communication method should be established so that appropriate and accurate
information should be spread among customers.
 Satisfy Employee Need:- To motivate employees and to develop some enthusiasm
among all staff members, it is required from managers of Leyland that they should
satisfy most of need of their employees in order to get back their seal and interest for
task accomplishment.
 Appropriate Guidance:- To conduct all task and duties, adequate guidance should
be provided to workforce so that they could get direction in which they could grab all
profitable opportunities.
Organizational theories, concept and models
In each type of corporation, there are some strategies and concepts available in order to
install strategies in business operations. By taking assistance of effective tools and techniques,
management can make effective decisions for bringing efficiencies in task and action
accomplishment.
TASK 3
P3. Stages of PLC with business case, project plan and work breakdown structure
Leyland company is planning to introduce petrol buses in market and to hit this goal, it is
required from managers that they must arrange appropriate funds in order to conduct all
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operations in most smoother manner. There are some stages that must be included in product life
cycles and elaboration of these phases are stated as beneath:
Product Life Cycle Stages
1. Introduction Stage:- This step speaks about launch of products in marketplace by using
some effective promotional tools and techniques to popularise items in front of
customers. Price and quality of item should be decided so that launch could become more
profitable and this period takes mostly 3-5 weeks duration.
2. Growth Stage:- Under this heading, various marketing strategies should be chosen by
corporation for ensuring growth and success of product in marketplace. This step
comprises, awareness of product so that more and more client could buy buses of
Leyland association.
3. Maturity Stage:- This section is a phase when company gets required awareness of item
among customer and already got client retention on product. When a product is settled in
marketplace then it is to be called as maturity stage.
4. Decline: When clients gets bore with items and facilities and refuses to purchase products
of company then it is defined as decline stage as product started generating loss to the
corporation.
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Work Down
Structure for new product
this a distribution of all task and actions in short term goals and objectives along with set of
activities in order to achieve greater targets in the correct time frame. Work down structure is
called as set of actions which is allotted to staff members in order to hit all goals that are allotted
to employees.
Gantt Chart
This is a process of dividing large scale operations into small sets so that they could be allotted
junior executives also. This tool is helpful in assigning task and actions of activities according to
the required set of skills.
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(Illustration 1: Product Life Cycle, 2018)

TASK4
P4. Effectiveness of PLC in application of project
Leyland company in order to enter into new market segment need to maintain the good brand
image in market in order to increase market share and profitability. Most important role of
manager is to develop the skill and capability of employees in order to provide best services to
them. Employee are the important asset of business so systematic arrangement of training and
development programmes must be their in order to develop professionalism at the time of
interacting with target audiences. Proper framework in respect of PLC procedures must be their
through advance planning in business sector (Cruz and Marques ,2011). Leaders and mangers
both need to maintain coordination at the time of performing different task and activities of
business. The main objective of overall research is know all the innovative changes and
digitalisation introduced by rivalry in their product line so on the basis of such observation
company make modification in their corporate culture that help in analysing the changing
demand of customers.Strategies adopted under PLC are vital for overall success of business and
the best way oflaunching new product in market through different research and observations.
Haier at the time planned to launch big television in market then in such case marketing team
need to analyse the chances of success through PLC in such huge competitive world. Further,
company need to effectively utilise all the resources available for business that reduce the cost
and increase the
LOGISTICS productivity of operations. Manage all the stock of inventory, and maintain logistic
management
in order to deliver the goods to customer at proper time period. Effective techniques must be
used at the implementing any project like total quality management, Management information
system and many more mechanism which ensure the good results.
At the time of executing any project company implement PLC in which manager has to
consider both the theoretical and practical aspect of work in order to accomplish the mission and
objectives of business (Fleming and Koppelman , 2016).
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CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above assignment that manger is consider as important
member of company who is responsible in managing operations of business. At the time when
organisation wants to launch any new product in the market then in such condition they used
PLC techniques in order to strengthen the product line of business. Operational management is
that department handled by strategic members so Haier manager must understand all the roles
and responsibilities in order to carrying out the work properly. This will help in achieving
organisation objectives and helpful in removing all the negative things through adopting best
alternatives.
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Online:-
Management Theories & Concepts at the Workplace. 2018. [Online]. Available
through:<http://smallbusiness.chron.com/management-theories- concepts-workplace-
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