Analysis of Operations and Project Management at Whirlpool

This report analyzes the operations and project management practices of Whirlpool, a major home appliance manufacturer. It begins by defining operations management and its principles, emphasizing organizational structure, fundamental roles, and the impact of internal and external factors. The report then explores the implementation of Six Sigma and Lean principles, detailing their methodologies (DMAIC and DMADV for Six Sigma, and the five Lean principles) and their importance in improving processes and reducing waste. The second part focuses on continuous improvement, outlining the plan-do-check-act cycle and its application at Whirlpool, including strategies for employee engagement and customer satisfaction. Finally, the report examines the stages of the Product Lifecycle (PLC) and the effectiveness of PLC in applying management theories and techniques to project completion, offering a comprehensive overview of Whirlpool's approach to operational excellence and project success.

Operations and Project
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Implementation of operations management principles..........................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
P2 Continuous improvement plan...............................................................................................8
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
P3 Stages of PLC for completing project..................................................................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................13
P4 Effectiveness of PLC in application of theories and techniques .......................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
There is requirement of various products which are developed by company to grow and
expand business. It is essential that company has to make policies through which they can
perform activities in better and effective way. There are policies which can be effective with the
help of joint efforts of employer and employee (A. Makarova and Sokolova, 2014). Organisation
has top perform activities in better and effective way. There are different policies which can be
effective applied with joint efforts of employer of various departments of organisation. In this
report there is discussion about Whirlpool which is manufacturer of home appliances. Whirlpool
has head quarter in Michigan, United State. It is essential that organisation has to frame policies
which are competent to external forces. In this report there is discussion about principles of
operations management and its implementation in organisation, continues improvement plan
based on management principles, PLC technique in completion of projects.
TASK 1
P1 Implementation of operations management principles
Meaning of Operations Management
Management means to perform activities in better and effective manner. It is essential
that organisation has to perform activities after proper planning and delivering correct and
effective information. Management means to plan, coordinate, direct and control activities.
through management goals and objectives can be achieved in effective and efficient manner.
There are possibilities that due to change in policies of company that there is change in plans and
policies through which it can be effective and implemented in better and impressive manner.
Business runs in society so it is essential to perform activities in better and effective manner.
There are internal and external factors which affect business (Benito and et. al., 2013). There are
many factors which has to perform in efficient manner. Whirlpool wants to launch big sized
television in market, so it is important that company has to perform activities in better and
effective manner.
In older days, there are many changes which can be effective in better way. Whirlpool
has to perform activities as per requirement of society and it is essential to perform activities in
ways which are fruitful for performing operations in effective manner. Due to change in political,
environmental, economical factors, etc. company has to perform actions in better way. This
helps in achieving targets in better and effective manner. There is change in demand of

consumers so it is essential for management of whirlpool to plan strategies. They are thinking to
launch large size television in market for the purpose of stadium, auditorium, etc. This launch
can be effective with the joint efforts of management and employees. It is essential to perform
activities which are planned and this creates synchronization in activities. There is requirement
of proper targets which has to be effective with the help of proper delivering thoughts.
Principles of Operations Management are-
Organisation- Whirlpool is the big brand which has good and effective approach in
company. It is essential that company has to perform activities which helps in achieving targets
in better and effective manner (Coyne, 2015).
Fundamental- This is said that there are some roles and responsibilities which can be
effective with the joint efforts of employer and employee. Their role is important and effective in
launching new project in market.
Reality- There are some problems which arise in business, so it is essential that company
has to perform activities in way which are effective in achieving goals and targets.
Accountability- There is requirement of various departments in performing task in better
way. It is essential that management has to form activities in proper and effective way, so there is
proper communication channel.
Variance- To provide satisfaction to society and create good image in industry, cost and
quality must be up to date.
Causality- There are possibility that company has to perform activities inn way which
considers uncertainty of market. So there are less possibilities of failure of project.
Managed Passion- There is requirement of energy and skills for implementation of
targets in effective way. It is important that organisation has to make policies which can be
effective in competing with external parties.
Humility- Training is now a days essential component which help ion achieving targets.
There are possibilities that company has to modify policies which can be effective in achieving
targets and this provides confidence to workers (Forbes and Ahmed, 2010).
Success- This is main cause for which business is run. It is essential that company has to
plan activities through which they can achieve success and expansion of business is possible.
Change- This is most important element which is involved in company. There is
requirement of proper analysis of situation, so there is requirement of modification of activities.

There are various changes which are required to be changed for accepting new trends and
technologies. Management of company has to perform activities in better and effective way.
Organisation has to deliver ideas in better way so employees can understand it in better way and
apply it thoroughly.
SIX SIGMA
Illustration 1: DMAIC
(Source: Six Sigma Technique, 2018)
Six Sigma is effective with the involvement of management and employees. This
technique works to achieve task and improve process of production. As per this technique there
is requirement of policies which h are effective in introducing new project in market (Gecevska
and et. al., 2010). Six Sigma was introduced by engineer Bill Smith in Motorola in 1986. this is
based on disciplined, statistical data which is used by company to improve methods and
implement defects. There are two techniques in Six Sigma they are-

 DMAIC- This is used when company has to launch new product in market. DMADV- When there is need of improvement in product or services, DMADV is used.
This is discussed in detail as Whirlpool wants to launch large size television in market.
Define- This is the first stage in which company defines about existing product.
Measure- In this due to change in demand of consumer, management of organisation has
to measure gap between existing product and demand.
Analyse- After measuring it is essential to analyse resources through which they can
satisfy demand and how it can be effectively applied (Kono and et. al., 2012).
Design- This is the stage of implementation of ideas. It is essential to design activities in
way which helps in launching new product in market and in case of any flaws it can be
implemented in better way.
Verify- This is last step in which company needs to verify activities and then take
corrective actions to reduce negative impact.
LEAN PRINCIPLES
There is requirement of resources which are helpful in launching new product in market.
There are different factors which can be useful in analysing resources in market. There are many
sources through which resources can be used but through this principles there must be reduction
in wastage so it helps in getting profits (A. Makarova and Sokolova, 2014). There are five
principles which are discussed under-
(Source: Lean Principle, 2018) Identify values- In this company has to know what is requirement of society. This can be
done through serve or feedback from customers.
Illustration 2: Lean Principles

 Map the value stream- There are many activities which are required for achieving targets.
In this step company has to evaluate measures which are fruitful and this eliminates that
activities. Create flow- There are various department involved in launching TV so it is essential hat
management of company has to create network and deliver it to employees so they are
ware of whom to approach (Benito and et. al., 2013). Establish pull- When organisation is coming with new product, so it is essential that
company has to advertise it. It helps in enhancing sales.
 Seek perfection- Perception is tough to get but this helps in enhancing sales of TV
(PRINCIPLES OF LEAN, 2018.).
Importance-
These techniques are effective with the help of regular check on activities. It is essential
to guide workers to come with new and effective technique which helps in knowing what has to
be done and at what time. There is less defects and wastage of material so there is profit impact
on profits of company. To apply change in business it is essential that company has to analyse
market, this creates good image in market and gives satisfactions to society (Coyne, 2015).
TASK 2
P2 Continuous improvement plan
These days changes are taking place very frequently. It is important to make changes in
product and services so it gives satisfaction to society. This helps in achieving business
objectives in better and effective manner.
Continuous improvement- In business there are different policies which are framed by
management. Organisation has to perform activities in better and effective way (Forbes and
Ahmed, 2010). This improvement helps in performing activities in proper and efficient manner.
In continuous improvement there are four activities, they are-
Plan- In this stage management of company plan to perform activity. It is essential to
achieve targets which are set and within specified time. In planning there is description about
sources through which components can be used.
Do- In this manager has to motivate workers to achieve targets. It is essential to work
under changed environment and then take actions. There is requirement of proper analysis of
activities so proper results can be achieved.

Check- In this step actions are checked of workers. It is essential to perform activities
through which targets and goals are achieved. Through this check employees has fear in mind
that they might get evaluated.
Act- After checking there are two outcomes. So it is essential to consider them. As per
situation there must be modified. This alterations helps in achieving targets effect and within
specified time (Gecevska and et. al., 2010).
CONTINOUS IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Provider
Date
Source Anticipated Outcome Current level of
performance
Improvement
Strategies
Promotional events Huge demand in
market specially in
schools and colleges.
Due to lack of
promotions people do
not have knowledge
about features of
television and features.
There are different
promotional
techniques must be
used so this helps in
delivering correct
information to
audience.
After sales services Main component in
asset, different
personnel are hired to
provide best after sales
services.
People are not aware
about services centres.
Due to lack of proper
infrastructure, waiting
time is more.
People do not get
satisfied with services.
This affects sales of
company. Good
services must be
rendered and
employees must be
motivated to satisfy
customer.
Use of Continuous Improvement plan and its effectiveness

This is effective with the help of joint efforts of employees and employer. Research and
development department has to check external market regularly and then deliver relevant
information to concern department. This helps in growth of company and employees. This affect
business in positive way (Kono and et. al., 2012). Leader has to motive employees to work with
full energy so services can be improved.
Strategies for efficient implementation of continuous improvement plan
Good employee employer relationship: Through this there is regular interaction between
employer and employee. So there is good environment within company and workers are aware of
changes taking place in company.
Priority to employees need: Employees are main components through which Whirlpool
can launch new product. So it is essential to analyse employees' need so they also get satisfied. If
management give priority then it helps in reducing labour turnover and improves image of
company.
Organizational Theories, Concepts and Models
organisational theories are important because they give base to perform activities. There
are policies which can be effectively applied by setting some standard (Madden and Morawski,
2011). Through this manager get some direction and they can motivate employees. As change in
goals and objectives of organization, these theories help in assisting workers to work under
changed environment. These theories are important in achieving targets and get some edge over
competitors. This helps in giving proper roles and responsibilities to workers and then analyse
them.
TASK 3
P3 Stages of PLC for completing project
Product life cycle is technique which is effective for achieving business targets on time
and with proper achievement of targets. It is essential that company has to perform activities in
proper way. There are different factors which has to analysed to achieve targets in better ans
efficient way (Rinke and et. al., 2012). PLC is technique which helps in knowing what has to be
done with the help of employees and employer. Through this techniques top level management
of whirlpool decide which activity will take how much time. This is important concept which has
to be undertaken. This helps in achieving targets on time and with standard quality. There is
requirement of proper delivering instructions so employees can perform actions in proper way.

There is requirement of financial as well as non financial sources to perform activities in most
appropriate manner, this can be effective by top level management of company.
When Whirlpool wants to launch large size TV in market, so it is essential to set time for
activities. So investment will not be out of run and it helps in competing with external parties.
There are many competitors in home and appliances which are effective for achieving targets.
This helps in performing activities in better and effective way through motivation and direction
to workers. There are four stages in Product Life Cycle. They are discussed below-
Illustration 3: Product Life Cycle
(Source: Product Life Cycle, 2018)
Introduction- This is first step in PLC stages. It is essential that company has to perform
proper planning so this helps in achieving targets on time. Inn this stage there is requirement of
proper advertisement, so it helps in telling society about large sized TV. It is essential that
company has to promote product as per targeted consumer. Introduction will take time from
1month to 8 months (Tang, Shen and Cheng, 2010).
Growth- After introduction, growth will take place. In this company has to give more and
more discounts so it helps in growing sales of company. Company has to promote TV at the time
of Christmas. They can contact to schools and colleges as large sized TV can be used at
occasions of Annual functions, college fest, etc. 9months to 2 years is the period of growth stage.
Maturity- This is the stage which is highest in PLC. To make increase in sales company
has to modify and upgrade. This is the stage after which consumer does not prefer to use this

product and deduction in sales of product get started. 2 years to 5 years is maximum time for
television to be in maturity stage.
Decline- This is last stage after which product is not existing in market,. People are not
ready to but it because of out of dated. After 5 years product start declining and it affect market
share of company. So it is essential to perform activities which helps in enhancing business
(Tuncel and Alpan, 2010).
Work Breakdown Structure for new Product
There are many departments in Whirlpool such as purchase, operations, service, research
and development, etc. which helps in performing activities in better and effective manner. It is
essential to communicate correct person at correct time so there is no hurdle in actions and this
helps in achieving targets in better way.
Gantt Chart

This is pictographic description which tells about time taken in particular activity. It is
essential that manager interact with employees. This helps in telling them, about time period to
accomplish task. This chart helps to know whether project is completed ion time or not. In case
targets are not achieved on time so it is essential to take corrective measures (Uchihira and et.
al., 2012).