Operations and Project Management Report: Cross Rail Project and M&S

This report delves into the core principles of operations and project management, providing a comprehensive analysis of their application within an organizational context. The report begins with a review and critique of operations management principles, focusing on the case of Marks and Spencer, examining aspects such as change management, quality control, competition identification, accountability, collaboration, and the pursuit of success, along with the application of Six Sigma and Lean Production methodologies. It then constructs a continuous improvement plan based on the findings. The second part of the report applies the Project Life Cycle (PLC) to the Cross Rail project, detailing the stages and supporting documentation. Finally, it critically assesses the effectiveness of the PLC in this context, using relevant theories and models to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. The report concludes with a synthesis of the findings and recommendations for improved operational and project management practices.

Operations and Project
Management

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
P1 Conduct a review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles
within an organisational context..................................................................................................3
P2 Prepare a continuous improvement plan based on the review and critique of operations
management principles within an organisational context............................................................8
P3 Apply each stage of the PLC to a given project, producing necessary supporting
documentation for completing the project.................................................................................10
P4 Review and critique the effectiveness of the PLC in application to the chosen project using
appropriate theories, concepts and models................................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
Books and Journal......................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Operations Management can be characterised as a part of organisational management that
focuses upon enhancing the operational efficiency by planning, organisation, executing and
controlling the operational procedures of the business in a defined manner. The business process
and procedures facilitated by the operational department provide assistance in the facilitation of
the production as well as functional process with utmost productiveness and stability (Mišić and
Perakis, 2020). The management of operational area is also very essential in order to facilitate
the quality control as well as maintain of adequate inventory and stock level in order to meet the
demand of the consumers in the market environment.
Project management is a managerial process which aims at directing the workforce to achieve the
targets set for the accomplishment of the goals associated with a project plan. The first portion of
proposed project report will reflect upon the organisational principles as well as improvement
plan of Marks and Spencer. The confuse portion of the report will highlight upon the application
and assessment of Project life cycle to the Cross Rail Project Plan. The report will also involve
the evaluation of the degree of potency of the PLC in regard with the concerned project.
P1 Conduct a review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles
within an organisational context
Operational Management is a concept that allows the business firm to implement smooth
and collaborated business activities pertaining to the operational process of the same. It ensures
that the operational activities and procedures are facilitated in systemic, organised and consistent
manner. The organisational principles regulated by the Marks and Spencer in its concerned
organisational culture are as follows:-
Change
In order to achieve greater heights in the retail industry, it is very crucial for Marks and Spencer
to facilitate needful change and up gradation in the technology, business process, strategies, and
functional areas on constant basis (Cachon, Girotra and Netessine, 2020). The respective
organisation effectively monitors the overall business environment in order to determine the
ongoing market trends and facilitate the up gradation -process in accordance with the same.
Quality Control

It is very necessary for Marks and Spencer to encourage its operations team to execute the
functions pertaining to the quality control in a brilliant and excellent manner. In order to win the
customers in the target environment, the business firm is required to procedure and cater goods
and services which are high in quality. Hence, Marks and Spencer also believes in the same
principle and has established various quality control measures within the operational department.
This will further help in alleviation and enhancement the overall quality of the products rendered
by the firm in potential market.
Identification of the Competition
In order to establish impactful business strategies and run the business better than the competitor,
it is necessary for the Marks and Spencer to identify the the action plans of the existing
competitors in the business environment. Once, the company acquired an overview about the
plan of action of its rival, it becomes flexible for the same regulate and implement strategies that
can helps to retaliate and provide better outcomes to Marks and Spencer in the market as
compared to other firms in the same.
Accountability and Responsibility
The Head of operations in Marks and Spencer is required to be accountable for the operations
facilitated by the staff members of the department in the respective business institution. The
managers are also appointed within the operational department in order to ensure that delays,
errors and interruption are reduced to minimum in order lead smooth regulation of the
operational process of the business firm (Chen, Dong and Shi, 2020). The operational manager
is also responsible for motivating and encouraging the employees in a manner that quality and
premium can be derived from the same on a regular basis. Thus, the principle of accountability is
practised within the business setting of Marks and Spencer in proficient manner.
Collaboration
The coordination as well as cooperation among the employees within Marks and Spencer
is promoted by the management in order to ensure that effective collaborative practices are
followed within the same. In order to boost the collaboration within the workforce, integrated
programs and actions are taken by the management so as to help the employees to be
comfortable with each other and build the necessary understanding. The respective practice
further helps the employees to support each other and facilitate better collaborations in order to
achieve the business targets of Marks and Spencer.

Success
It can be characterised as the most essential and integral principle of operational management.
The reason for the same can termed as the primary objective of the business firm to achieve
success and alleviate profit margin. Marks and Spencer also operated in a manner wherein the
company's major focus is upon achieving success in the business environment. In order to do
same, the company relies upon its customer base (Cui and Lu, 2021). Marks and Spencer
facilitate its operations in accordance with the choices, values, and preferences of the customer
base. The former practice helps the firm to gain the trust as well as loyalty of the target customer.
Thus, accelerating the customer retention of the firm and providing it with the much deserved
success in the retail industry.
SIX SIGMA
Six sigma can be characterised as a technique that aims at delivering accelerated potential,
accuracy, effectiveness and efficiency to the business activities and functions of the organisation.
The management's capability as well as the competency to lead the business enterprise in the
uncertain business environment also alleviates with the incorporation of Six sigma technique
within the organisation setting of the same (Tiedemann, 2020). The structure, stability, success
and the sustainability of the business operations is also maintained in a proficient manner with
the utilisation of Six Sigma technique within the business procedures of organisational units.
Business organisation's culture as well as climate is also regulated in a an effective and
prominent manner with the incorporation of the theories and tools propounded in the Six Sigma
within organisational setting (Hill, 2021).Six Sigma approach incorporates two significant
theories :-
DMAIC can be defined as theoretical procedure that allows the business enterprises to alleviate
or increase the existing quality standards of their products and services in the business
environment. The major objective behind the formulation of the theory is to improve the existing
quality or standard of the service provided by the staff members of the business entity.
The concerned theory highlights upon the requirement of the business institutions to facilitate
the best consumer service practices (Diwas, 2020). In order to exercise and regulate the
respective theory in a credible and authentic manner, Marks and Spencer is required to be very
careful while utilization of the quality there in the business line.
DMADV can be defined as a theory that entails upon the concept of introducing new and

innovative products and services in the market environment. The major significance of the
proposed theory is to determine the needs of the individuals in the business environment and
then align the production strategy as well as marketing strategy of the business firm in
accordance with the same. The respective approach helps to build enhanced attraction and
retention of customers within the business environment as well.
Critical evaluation: - It can be analysed the optimisation of Six Sigma theory within the
management practices can serve a potential contribution in effective regulation of the same.
Pros:- The biggest benefit of Six Sigma can be termed as its ability to upgrade the work
standards of Marks and Spencer.
Cons:- The potential difficulty that can be faced by Marks and Spencer in incorporation of Six
Sigma can be termed as the failure of the employees to regulate the theories prescribes by the
same in a competent and desirable manner.
LEAN PRODUCTION
Lean Production is a mechanism that provides the business institutions with an opportunity to
facilitate reduction of waste from the manufacturing process. The incorporation of lean
production helps the business firms to enhance the value of output by the minimising the existing
waste materials and elements from the production process (Samson, 2020). The former further
facilitates in the production operations of the concerned bushiness entity.
Marks and Spencer is a business firm that excessively focus upon alleviating the efficiency its
business operations in order to meet the requirement of the global market and prosper in the
same. In order to meet up to quality requirement of the market and facilitate cost efficient
business practices, Marks and Spencer has also introduced the utilisation of Lean production in
its production and manufacturing process.
Value
Value is the most crucial as well as essential aspect of lean production. The major
purpose behind the facilitation of lean production is to promote the value of operations and
products and services within the business organisation. Marks and Spencer operates at a global
level, which means that company is required meet the standards set for global business. Thus, the
company is required to facilitate the value of the organisational offering in order to engage the

global customers towards the respective business firm and enhance the sales and profits of the
same in long run.
Value Stream
Marks and Spencer can provide quality products by investing the concerned management
department in an in-depth analysis in its current operational line of unit. The respective business
firm is required to review and monitor the existing operational process so as to identify the key
areas which are not able to facilitate sufficient generation to the business firm. Post assessment
of the invaluable key elements, the company is required to eliminate the same form the
production process in order to streamline the operational process for higher productivity and
accuracy. This particular step in the lean production facilitate in centralisation of the
management's concentration and alignment to the significant and much important components in
the production line which have the necessary potential to help the company to achieve higher
quality output.
Flow
Flow can be termed as an integral competent of lean production process. The flow of goods and
services is required to be maintained in an optimum manner. The reason for the same can be
stated as making the products and services available to the customers without any disruption or
delay in the delivery. Marks and Spencer's operational department is required to regulate smooth
and organised flow of production so as to reduce the minor as well as major glitches or errors
from the lean production process of the respective business institution.
Pull
If the business institution align its efforts to facilitate coordinated and competent flow of
operations, it will able to pull the products as per the market demands and requirement . Marks
and Spencer needs to be equipped with the optimum level of inventory and stock in order to
make its products available at any time. The respective step can prove to be an asset of the
business firm and the firm can generate more sales in the retail business industry.
Perfection
Perfection can be termed as prominent attribute that can be achieved through the incorporation
the predetermine guidelines and procedures regulated for managing the lean productions
operations within an organisational setting. In order to accomplish the lean production process in
a successful manner, it is vital for Marks and Spencer to align its operations in accordance with

the lean production principle. This will provide assistance to the respective enterprise in
maximising the benefits related with the optimisation of lean production.
Critical Evaluation :- From the above analysed information, it can be stated that the lean
production is likely to provide various added advantages as well as certain drawbacks to the
Marks and Spencer.
Advantages
• Lean production is ought to increase the existing efficiency levels well as productivity of
the Marks and Spencer regular and day to day operational process.
• The respective process also promotes the product quality of Marks and Spencer which
results in delivery of sustainable products which are credible and reliable in nature.
Disadvantage
• In order to facilitate the process of lean production in an effective manner, a systemic
schedule and timeline needs to be formulated by the operational management.
• Hence, the company's flexibility is reduces to minimum as it needs to operate its business
functions according to the formulated schedules which limits the scope for modification
and specification in the operational process.
P2 Prepare a continuous improvement plan based on the review and critique of operations
management principles within an organisational context
Improvement plan can be defined as a plan of action that is intended to guide the operations
management in order to take the right measures so as to enhance the stability as well as business
operations of the firm in the future run. The improvement plan of Marks and Spencer is
mentioned below:-
Source Principles Outcomes
Expenditure Control Six Sigma Approach Marks and Spencer can
capitalise upon the Six sigma
approach in order to minimise
the expenditure incurred in the
operational process of the
respective business firm. The

respective company can do the
same by aligning the variables
and theories provided by the
Six Sigma Model into the
operational management
process of the respective
business institution.
Safety of the workforce Safety instructions and
Policies
In order to promote security of
the business firm, it is very
necessary for Marks and
Spencer to establish strict
security guidelines in the
management policies and
procedures. The company can
regulate the security of the
staff members by making it
mandatory for every employee
to oblige with the safety
standards set by the concerned
firm.
Waste management and quality
control
Lean Manufacturing In order to facilitate the
procedure pertaining to the
quality control, it is very
necessary for the business
organisation to effectively
follow the lean manufacturing
process in a very systematic
and organised manner.
The respective practice can
also assist Marks and Spencer

in the management of the
waste generated in the
production and operational
function in a more systemic
and organised manner so that it
does not impact upon the
environment as well as the
business image in the market
domain.
Marks and Spencer’s can develop a successful improvement plan by clearly establishing the
goals and objectives it would like to attain in the near future in a efficient and planned manner.
The major purpose of improvement plan is to facilitate the business management to acquire an
excellent position within the market environment wherein the permanence and sustainability of
the concerned business organisation is promoted.
P3 Apply each stage of the PLC to a given project, producing necessary supporting
documentation for completing the project
Project Life cycle can be characterised as a process that details about the transition of proposed
idea into a completed project in a productive and defined manner. Cross rail project is a
construction project being facilitated in United Kingdom. A large number of personnel has been
hired for the execution of the project functions as well as heavy financial capitals has been
invested within the same as well. The application of Product life cycle to the Cross Rail project
will define the respective functions and operations performed at every particular stage of the
given cycle.
 The first and foremost stage of product life-cycle can be defined as the initial stage. In
this particular stage the reason behind the incorporation of the concerned project is
facilitated (Picciotto, 2020).In context to cross rail project, the establishment of the
project is undertaken to provide better and flexible transportations facilities to the citizens
and residents of the country. The viability of the respective project will be assessed
against various variables in order to determine whether it is relevant enough to be

proceeded with or not.
 The second stage of project life-cycle can be categorised as the planning stage. In this
particular stage manager of the concerned project is required to formulate plans for the
acquisition of necessary resources which will be needed in order to facilitate the smooth
operations of the cross rail project. In respect with the crossing project there are a number
of planning stages that needs to be focused upon by the operational manager operations
portfolio of the project, finance and funding, marketing strategy and contingency action
plans etc.
 The third and the most integral part of the project life-cycle can be termed as execution
stage. In this particular stage all the planning that has been facilitated in the prior stage
needs to be executed by the staff members appointed to facilitate the functioning of the
project in a capable and orderly manner (Styhre, 2020).
 The staff members are required to provide their best potential in order to accurately
perform their respective duties and reduce the chances of any errors or interruptions
within the operational process of the concerned project.
 The fourth stage in the product project life-cycle can be termed as the performance
monitoring stage. In this particular stage the appointed leader or manager is required to
monitor and review the performances of the employees or staff members that are
facilitating their inputs in the success of the project in a deliberate manner. The aim of the
concerned step is to identify any potential gaps in the performances of the employees and
correct the same in order to ensure that the project does not affected by the same.
 The last stage of project life-cycle can be termed as the closure stage. It can be
characterised as a stage in which the project is completed and the entire objectives and
the goal process set for the concerned project has been achieved by the members involved
in the cross rail project (Kim, Chang and Castro-Lacouture, 2020).
P4 Review and critique the effectiveness of the PLC in application to the chosen project using
appropriate theories, concepts and models.
Leadership theories are very essential in order to motivate as well as encourage the employees to
serve their best potential towards the realisation of project goals and objectives. The leadership
theories facilitated at each stage of Cross rail project are as follows:-

 In the initial phase of the process rail project, the autocratic form of leadership was
regulated. The reason for the same can be stated as the necessity for everyone to be
aligned with the common objective and to follow the same structure as provided by the
leader (Sergeeva and Ali, 2020)
 In the planning phase of the cross rail project, situational form of leadership was
facilitated. The situational leadership was promoted at the particular stage in order to
promote the flexibility of alterations and modifications within the subordinates and
influence the same to change their working styles according to the situational patterns.
 In the respective execution phase of cross rail project, servant approach was taken into
consideration. Servant leadership was facilitated in the concerned stage in order to
motivate the staff members to follow the prescribed pattern in a disciplined way and
oblige to the instructions set by the managers without any further misinterpretation or
confusion.
 In the last phase of cross rail project i.e. closure phase. The team approach of leadership
was facilitated in order to appreciate the work exhibited by the members in the project
and acknowledge their team efforts exhibited by the same in the completion of the
concerned project in a successful manner (Ong and Uddin, 2020).
In order to lead the project plan in a defined and appropriate manner, it is necessary for the
management to incorporate the necessary and advance project theories. The project theories
provide guidance to the flow and gradual proceeding of the project. It also helps in acquiring
insights relating to formulation of the project plan, responsibility of managers and leaders in
the project, motivation of employees, programming of the project and many more.
The application of the Programme theory to the functional process of the cross rail project is
as follows:-
The programme theory can be defined as a project management theory that highlights upon
the importance of assessment and examination of the project programming in order to derive
greater output from the same (Dobie, 2020). The major aim behind the respective theory is
to incorporate a programmed structure in order to guide the project in a very effective
manner. The former can help the cross rail project to alleviate the standard of project
operation and promote higher productivity within the same.

CONCLUSION
From the above exanimation, it can be summarised that the operational management procedures
of Marks and Spencer are quite commendable. The company needs to work upon training its
employees to perfectly blend six sigma models within its operational structure in a competent
way. The product life cycle of cross rail project is also very intriguing. It can be stated that the
concerned project is likely to succeed and reach milestones in the coming run.

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
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Ong, S. and Uddin, S., 2020. Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in Project Management:
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