Report on Operations and Project Management at Unilever and Portakabin

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of operations and project management, focusing on two case studies: Unilever and Portakabin. The Unilever section explores operations management principles, including a case study on expanding into Vatican City, and emphasizes lean principles and continuous improvement plans. The report examines how Unilever can apply collaboration and other operational strategies to achieve its business goals. The second part of the report focuses on Portakabin, a modular building innovator, and its project life cycle. The analysis covers various aspects of operations and project management, offering recommendations for both companies to enhance their operations and achieve successful outcomes. The report also explores the adoption of lean principles and continuous improvement strategies, providing insights into practical applications within the business context.

Operations and Project
Management

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is defined as an area related to the
management that will obsessed with planning, designing and controlling of procedure related to
production as well as improving design of manufacturing products as well as services. For
conducting effectual project it is necessary for a company to conduct proper management of
operations as well as functions because through it they able complete it successfully (Brones,
Carvalho and Senzi, 2014). Organization taken for respective document is Unilever which is
established in year 1929 and its predecessor are Lever brother and Margarine Unie. It is a public
limited company that operating at Consumer goods industry. Its headquarter is situated at
London, United Kingdom and they offer beauty and personal care, food and refreshment,
cleaning products at worldwide level. Topic included in this project are information about
operation, operation management and its principles. This will also consider continuous
improvement plan as well as principles that will aid an organisation while enhancing their
operations and functions to attain goal successfully.
TASK 1
1)
Organization selected for respective section of report is Unilever which is a British Dutch
company that deals in consumers goods industry. They are operating in public limited company
which established in year 1929 by William Lever, James Darcy Lever, Samuel Van Den Bergh,
Georg Schicht. Its headquarter is located at Unilever House, London, United Kingdom. They
mainly offer beauty and personal care, food and refreshment, cleaning products at worldwide
level. The Unilever own more than 400 brands such as Lux, Lipton, Sunsilk, Surf, Dove, Omo,
Hellmann's and so on.
2)
Operations is defined as actions or decision that are developed by members and
participants of an organization business which will impact on several functions such as
production, distribution, offerings, management and so on (De, 2012). These all activities are
related with resources and other assets which they required for conducting functions effectively.
In addition to this, operation management is consider as area of management which mainly
concern with designing and controlling of the process related to production and redesigning of

business functions and operations. Through this company able to manufacture effective products
as well as services in order to fulfil need as well as requirement of potential customers at
marketplace. By maintaining both the term i.e. operation and operation management respective
organization able to achieve its goal effectively and successfully.
3)
Case Study:- Unilever is one of the famous and renounced consumer good company
which operate at more than 190 countries. Now company management is planning to expand
their firms operations as well as functions at Vatican City with their existing offer. For this they
need to conduct several activities, from which one of the main activity is to promote their
business and products at respective market. Through this company also able to know need as
well as requirement of customers and market in effective manner.
Operation management is define as process in which project manager will develop
guidelines and framework for accomplishing a particular work in effectual mode (Elimam and
Dodin, 2013). There major ten principles of operational management that provide support to an
organization, from which some are mentioned below that can be adopted by Unilever for
expanding business at Vatican City:-
 Success- According to this principle it is essential for a company to satisfy their potential
customers by providing quality products and services. In respect of Unilever they are
planning to expand at Vatican City whose populations are more attracted towards
consumable products like beauty and personal care. In this case it is huge opportunity for
this firm to expand business at respective place by providing quality products.
 Reality- According to respective principle there is no technique or tool which provide
exact or universal solution to any problem. So it is necessary for every company to
analyze the issues before developing solution through tool because it will not provide
universal solution (Harrison and Lock, 2017). In respect of Unilever it is essential for
their manager to conduct proper analysis of Vatican City market before developing any
strategies related to it. This is so because it will help in developing plans which leads to
attracting more and more customers by offering quality products.
 Collaboration- It is essential for every organization to develop effective collaboration
with employees, suppliers, customers and other stakeholders because they all plays
essential role in attaining business goal and objective. According to this principle

Unilever management need to develop proper strategies in order to create as well as
maintain proper collaboration among with different stakeholders.
 Lean Production: This is define as method which is generally used by a company in
order to conduct cost cutting and wastage along with manufacturing quality products and
services. In respect of Unilever by adopting this method while conducting production
process they able to develop quality as well as effective products which they can offer at
Vatican City.
 Flexible specification: This is consider as business strategy at which a company recruit
and select that staff which is multitalented, flexible and capable so that they can attain
their goal more effectively. In context of respective company by adopting this method
and hire quality staff then they able to attain their target more appropriately i.e. to expand
business at Vatican City.
4)
By analyzing some essential principles of operations management Unilever can adopt
Collaboration one because through it manager able to understand needs as well as requirements
of customer, suppliers and other stakeholder effectively (Heizer, Render and Munson, 2017).
Through this respective company management able to develop strategies and plans in impressive
manner which leads to successful expansion of business at Vatican City. Along with this, it will
also help respective company management for surviving at particular nation for long time
duration because through proper collaboration they able to develop products according to
Vatican City people requirement.
5)
Lean principles refers to the systematic method or tool which is developed by Japanese
production sector for reducing or minimizing waste. Through this company enhance their value
at marketplace by adopting techniques and methods which leads to reduction of wastage while
producing goods and services (Kavadias, 2014). In respect of Unilever for expanding business at
Vatican City, they need to develop products according to customers and in respect of this
management can adopt lean principles, which explanation is given below:-

 Define Value- At this stage management of a company try to define value from potential
customers aspects and it can be expressed or fulfilled by offering quality products and
services according to users. For this an organization can adopt various techniques or tools
such as interview, survey, demographic data, internet and many others (Martins and
Martins, 2012). In respect of Unilever, their management may adopt survey method
because through it they can identify need and requirement of Vatican City customers
effectively. This will also help them in developing more effective products according to
usage.
 Map the Value Stream- At this stage manager of a firm will develop guidelines for
attaining objective in effective way. It will also help them in producing products
according to requirement and deliver it at appropriate time. In respect of Unilever, at this
stage they will develop strategies or frameworks which help them in developing
consumable products according to requirement of Vatican City market.
 Create Flow- At this stage company management conduct analysis and remove all
unnecessary stages from the manufacturing procedure so that work will accomplish
effectively and in given time duration without any hurdles. In context of Unilever, by
adopting this stage they able to remove all unnecessary stage from their procedure of
expanding business at market of Vatican City. This will also avoid wastage of money and
resources as well as delayed of conducting work.
Illustration 1: Lean-Principles
(Source: Lean-Principles. 2019)

 Establish Pull- In respective stage company management need to conduct proper
evaluation of their resources or stock which they required to conduct work in effective
manner (Morris, 2013). In context of Unilever, management will conduct analysis of
need and demand they accordingly they will develop or manufacture products. Through
this they also able to minimize gaps in manufacturing as well as expanding procedures.
 Pursue Perfection- At this stage company need to identify and decide most appropriate
method of conducting work which leads to attainment of goal and objective. In context of
respective company, at this stage they able to develop strategies which help them in
expanding business at Vatican City in effective manner.
6)
Continuous improvement plan is also known as continual improvement procedure that
will be adopted by a company management in order to continuously modify products, services,
procedure, quality and project management (Morris, 2013). It is a huge concept which help an
organization in attaining their goal and objectives in effective manner. In context of Unilever,
their management is developing continuous improvement plan which will help them in
expanding their business at Vatican City along with existing products. Explanation of
Continuous improvement plan is given below:-
Plan Do Check Act
Do investigation of
market
By adopting this
respective company
able to know needs
and requirement of
Vatican City people.
Through which they
can conduct changes
and improvement in
their procedure,
products and services.
At respective stage,
company will develop
a team with
professional and
experienced
employees who will
do analysis of
respective nation
market in effective
manner.
Then at this stage
management of
Unilever will develop
consumable goods
according to
requirement of Vatican
City people. By which
they can attract more
and more customers.
Develop strategies for
after sales service
According to this stage
it is essential for
For this respective
company management
By this Unilever able
to resolve issues and

Unilever to provide
after sales services to
their customers
because through it
they can develop
relation with potential
users and make them
loyal for lifetime.
need to develop
training and
development
programmes for staff
because it will help
them in interacting
with customers
effectively.
problems of potential
customers as well as
employees in
impressively and
effectively
(Pradhananga and
Teizer, 2013).
7)
Through above analysis it can be recommended to Unilever that they must conduct
several activities or practices so that they can operate and run their business at Vatican City
effectively and successfully. It is necessary for them to conduct proper market analysis because
through it they can understand need and requirement of customers, which help in developing
offering accordingly (Riis, Smeds and Van, 2013). Along with this, it is also recommended to
company to take feedback as well as suggestion on regular basis because through it customers
feel connected toward the company. They must also train their staff so that they conduct whole
work in effective manner for attaining goal and objective.
INTRODUCTION
For every organization it is necessary to conduct proper operations and project
management because through it they able to conduct their work in effective manner which leads
to attainment of goal successfully. Organisation taken for this section of report is Portakabin
which is a leading modular building innovator at United Kingdom market. It is operating in 6
countries from more then 50 years and there are more than 1,300 employees working at
particular place (Turkulainen and et. al., 2015). They newly launched new product i.e. Yorkon
Building System for which they are developing project life cycle in order to effective advertise
as well as promote the products. This section will include information related to project life cycle
and other documents which are related to it for support.

TASK 2
1)
Case Study: Portakabin is one of the leading and famous modular building innovator at
UK marketplace and they are operating in more than 6 countries. They started supplying first
portable building i.e. PK16 in year 1961. Now they have launched new products i.e. Yorkon
Building System (YBS) which is totally based on modular building technology. So they want to
advertise and promote respective product which help them in attracting more and more customer
base. For which they are adopting product life cycle which support them in developing effective
decision and plans which leads to attainment of objective successfully.
2)
Project life cycle refers to four stage process which is adopted and implemented by
project manager for conducting as well as accomplishing assigned project in given or particular
time duration (Van and Pedraza, 2012). It is also known as standard technique for managing
diverse kind of project or activities in effective manner. In respect of Portakabin, they adopt and
implement Project Life Cycle in order to develop strategy for promoting their new product i.e.
Yorkon Building System, explanation of whole procedure is given below:-
 Project Initiation- It refers to stage at which project manager will conduct research and
identify problem which they need to address in order to attain goal and objective. In
Illustration 2: Project Management Life Cycle
(Source: Project Management Life Cycle, 2019)

respect of Portakabin, their management need to promote and advertise their new
products i.e. Yorkon Building System for which they required to identify appropriate
method or technique.
 Project Planning- At this stage project management of a company will conduct proper
analysis and conduct planning of strategies and schedule for attaining goal (Vanhoucke,
2014). In context of Portakabin, for promoting their new product (Yorkon Building
System) management will develop strategies related to different promotional channel
such as social media, website, advertisement at TV and so on. This will help them in
identifying appropriate mode for promotion.
 Project Execution- In this stage project manager of a company will develop strategies
related to carrying out of plan in effective manner. In respect of respective organisation,
their management will execute the plan in order to promote their new product i.e. Yorkon
Building System. By this firm able to attract more and more customers towards their
products and encourage them to purchase it.
 Project Closure- At respective stage, management of a firm will monitor, control and
review their process and then conduct improvement accordingly and effectively
(Weglarz, 2012). In context of respective organisation, their project management will
conduct proper analysis on regular basis which help them in conducting improvement
according to the requirement of market and trends.
3)
While adopting and implementing project life cycle at workplace Portakabin need to
adopt various documentation which help them in implementing strategies effectively, which
explanation is given below:-
 Business Case- It refers to the document which include all the necessary information
about the company and their operations. In respect of Portakabin, they launched new
product named Yorkon Building System which is totally based on advance modular
building technology. In order to this respective company may implement project life
cycle which will aid them while promoting their new products.
 Executive Summary- In an organisation it is essential to conduct proper management of
operations because it will help them in conducting project effectually which leads to
attainment of goal (Brones, Carvalho and Senzi, 2014). Portakabin launched new product

i.e. YBS (Yorkon Building System) and for this they are planning to conduct advertising
and promotion. For which they adopt and implement PLC.
 Goal- The goal of Portakabin is to promote Yorkon Building System so that more and
more customers can get attracted.
 Solution- For attaining this they can adopt number of advertising and promotional
channel like social media, internet, website promotion, print media, advertisement at TV
and so on.
 Cost as well as Execution Time- For attaining this objective, the Portakabin
management required approximately 1 year and for this they required funding of near by
$4,000.
 Project Plan- It is related to the process in which different activities will analysed which
help respective company in attaining their goal.
 Scope- Through implementing strategy Portakabin management can attract huge range of
potential users toward their new products i.e. Yorkon Building System based on advance
technology (De, 2012).
 Risk- While implementing whole procedure the respective company management may
face various risk such as issues related to funds, time duration, under experienced staffs
and so on.
 Resources- For attaining objective respective company required several resources such
as advertising professional team, funds, appropriate time duration and so on.
 Cost Benefit Analysis- This documentation stage also known as continuous activity
because through in it Portakabin company management need to conduct evaluation or
analysis on regular basis. This is so because it will help management in conducting
improvement in effective manner.
 Work Breakdown Structure- In this stage project management of Portakabin will
divide whole work or activities into small portions. It is so because it will help them in
conducting their work or any practices in effectual as well as successful way.
 Gantt Chart- It is define as process in which project manager will develop graphical
representation of schedule of conducting activities for attaining goal. It will also detail
about duration from beginning to end of project (Elimam and Dodin, 2013).

4)
There are various method which an organisation can adopt in order to review as well as
critique effectualness of PLC. In respect of Portakabin, they can implement Waterfall Model
because it is most appropriate for reviewing and analysing PLC, explanation of this given
below:-
 Requirements- In this stage respective company management will identify resources
which they required for promoting and advertising Yorkon Building System (Heizer,

Render and Munson, 2017). Through this they can also develop strategies and plans for
specific objective or project.
 Analysis- At this management will conduct analysis in order to identify feasibility and
effectiveness of process or plan in several aspects such as financial, technical, potential
and so on.
 Design- At this they will design different method or channel for promoting Yorkon
Building System such as social media, digital media, print media and so on.
 Coding- In this Portakabin management will conduct coding according to requirement of
promotion and advertising programmes or channel.
 Testing- At respective phase, management will conduct testing of the whole plan which
they decided for promoting new products i.e. YBS promotional channel and then they
identify that through selected method they able to attract more and more customers
(Kavadias, 2014).
 Operation- At respective section management will do impressive analysis for identifying
changes or improvement in operations that will aid in achieving goal and objective
related to the promoting YBS.
 Maintenance- At respective stage, Portakabin company management will conduct
changes or maintenance according to the new requirement and customers demand that
will lead to achievement of goal as well as effectively.
Section B
a. Critical evaluation of efficiency of project life cycle.
As per the perspective of Meredith, Mantel Jr and Shafer, 2017, by adopting project life
cycle a company a company able to conduct their project in more effective manner. This will
also help them in attaining their goal and target more effectively. In respect of Unilever by
adopting this method they able to gain various benefits such as every employees understand it
effectively and it is also easy to use. This method is also easy to manage and help management to
develop strategies step by step according to requirement. On the other hand it also have some
limitations such as it incurred high risk and uncertainty, not appropriate for long projects and
many others.

b. To complete a project in successful manner, role of designing and implementing the project
life cycle.
Project life cycle is consider as one of the significant method or tool for a company
because it help them in conducting project more effectively step by step or systematic way.
Through this staff of respective company also able to develop as well as maintain coordination
among them which lead to attainment of target i.e. developing market at Vatican City. Along
with this it will also help in conducting delegation of role as well as responsibilities of team
members who are included in project related to development of business at Vatican City. They
also able to create proper budget, identify resources, estimate time duration and so on.
c. Way to implement cost saving techniques within the project life cycle in successful way.
In order to execute project life cycle in effective or successful manner a company need to
conduct several activities such as develop budget in order to estimate cost of product and
services. Through this respective company able to identify cost that are associated with the
project such as production, marketing, promotional, staffing and so on. Along with this it will
also help in estimating other cost such as cost control, value analysis cost and many others which
help respective company manager to conduct work accordingly. Company must also adopt lean
principles in order to reduce wastage and saving cost.
d. What are the various kinds of tools and techniques to assure quality, scope and time period to
implement a project successfully.
There are number of tools as well as techniques which can be adopted by a company in
order to ensure quality, scope and time duration of conducting project in most effective as well
as successfully manner. Such as Unilever can adopt various theories for expanding business at
Vatican City in successful way for example lean principle which help in conducting cost cutting
by reducing wastage. Along with this they may also adopt total quality management tool which
help in manufacturing more effective product in order to satisfy need and demand of customers
in impressive manner.
e. How different tools and techniques and models used differently in between the small and large
scale projects.
For an organisation it is very much necessary to use various kinds of tools and techniques
that are vary from the large and small scale project that are as follows:

Model Small project Large project
Total quality management At small project the quality of
the products should be
measured to escape from the
hit and trial error in order to
save cost and time to remain
always competitive in the
marketplace.
In large scale project they
avail the TQM tool to evaluate
the quality of products by
testing at small level and then
execute it at large level so that
they do not need to face any
kind of losses.
f. Critically analyse with help of practical and theoretical framework regarding project life cycle.
For an organisation before execute the project life cycle it is very much potential to
execute the theoretical and practical framework in order to maintain the standard and duration in
systematic manner to remain always competitive in marketplace. In respective organisation by
using the six sigma and lean production they apply on each and every stage of project life cycle
to maintain the quality and save cost and time to execute the plan in proper manner. After
implementation of respective tools organisation have to check or verify the results so that gaps
should be eliminated in proper manner. In context of organisation lean principles proved
beneficial to execute and implement plans as per the whole project in systematic manner.
CONCLUSION
Through conducting analysis of all the above points it will be summarise that it is
essential for all type of organisation to conduct proper management of operations because
through it they able to conduct their project effectively. For this, a company can adopt various
method, principle and approaches such as lean principle, six sigma and so on. Along with this, an
organisation can also create a continuous improvement plan that will aid in enhancing quality of
products, service and procedure. In addition to this, firm management can also adopt other
several activities such as designing business plan and case, implement project life cycle, develop
work breakdown structure, Gantt chart and so on. Project life cycle is very effective for a
company in long term as well as short term because it leads to successfully attainment of goal
and objective.