Operations & Project Management: Principles, Methodologies & Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of operations and project management principles within a business context, focusing on Aston Martin as a case study. It reviews the implementation of operations management principles, assesses these principles in relation to Six Sigma methodology and lean principles, and creates a continuous improvement plan. The report also applies the project lifecycle, analyzes project methodologies, tools, and leadership within the project lifecycle, and critiques its effectiveness. Furthermore, it differentiates between large and small-scale projects using concepts from the project lifecycle, culminating in a critical evaluation and recommendations. Desklib offers a platform for students to access similar solved assignments and past papers for academic support.

Unit 16–Operations
and Project
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
P1 Review and critique of implementation of operations management principles in context of
a business firm ............................................................................................................................4
M1 Assessment of operations management in relation to six sigma methodology and lean
principles.....................................................................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
P2 Creation of continuous improvement plan with justified recommendation on the basis of
review and critique of operations management principle...........................................................8
M2 Analysis of effectiveness of continuous improvement plan ..............................................10
D1 Application of suitable concepts to justify strategies of continuous improvement plan ....11
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................11
P3 Application of Project life-cycle .........................................................................................11
M3 Analysis of rationale for project methodologies, tools and leadership within PLC of given
project .......................................................................................................................................13
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................14
P4 Review and Critique of effectiveness of Project Life cycle ...............................................14
M4 Critical analysis of use of concepts in Project life cycle differentiates between large and
small scale projects ..................................................................................................................15
D2 Critical evaluation of project life-cycle to draw valid conclusion and recommendation ...15
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
Operational management is a type of management that involves redesigning design,
management, and production for the organization's operational activities, as well as in the
production of goods and services for you. The term "operational management" is becoming more
and more widely used to describe the efficiency and effectiveness of planning activities of
enterprises that have a significant impact on their business (Aziati and Hamdan, 2018). Action
and project management plays an important role in the organization's development. These are
administrative cases, a method that is focused on achieving maximum efficiency of the
organization. In this report, the company chose Ford, a British sports car brand that represents
beautiful, hand-built cars, wanting to be away from 1913. Founded in 1904, the Lagonda brand is
the world’s first luxury car brand which is based on driven by the power train technology.
Overview of the company: Aston Martin is a British car brand that is associated with all
things luxury and performance. Its design is also well known, and many people look at the cars
produced by this company as real works of art. Cars should become a British symbol, despite the
fact that it is a global car brand. The company has established a long history of car
manufacturing, both for cars and those in the car, which is a reflection of their strength, position
and wealth. Most major car manufacturers try to get into sports competitions and they will
succeed, because this is a chance for them to show the speed and power of their work. Aston
Martin is different from other car manufacturers, and is based on that because they are
manufactured with the best possible use of technology. In fact, they pride themselves on hand-
building the car to achieve the quality that their customers expect from Aston Martin (About Us,
2021) Every part of the car is made and assembled by hand into ridges on the inside of the car.
This not only makes that Aston Martin unique in the automotive industry, but it is one of the
reasons why customers are attracted to this type of car. With an individual approach, it gives you
a sense of comfort and quality in the finished product, and also makes it worth paying the highest
price, in the possession of a car from Aston Martin.
Vision:
Aston Martin Lagonda is the only independent luxury car group with more than 100 years of car
design and performance from two brands. It aims to become the largest British car company to
provide you with the best and most versatile cars in the world.
Mission

Art of living demonstrates the core values of Aston Martin, and adds a layer, and interesting
insight into the use of art fields often reserved for the most modern and limited audience.
Immerse yourself in the world of your loved ones, and experience life and take a photo of areas
that will travel, cook, play sports, fashion and culture. Aston Martin is a world-renowned brand,
well known for its ability to produce the best cars and the most durable. In addition to their core
business of creating beautiful automotive art they want to take our products to new and exciting
areas
MAIN BODY
TASK 1
P1 Review and critique of implementation of operations management principles in context of a
business firm
Operations vs operations management
Operation and its management is important for the manufacturing industry. This is
because production has to take care of so many processes and activities involved in the
production process. Organizations usually start the process of receiving raw materials, then
process them in the order that the product is intended for you. Therefore, the successful
implementation of operations of its activities, in particular, for the manufacturing industry
(Baxley and et. al, 2017). In addition, these services, various processes and in the evaluation of
the customer are expected to take feedback services, etc. Today, the automotive industry is a
major component of economic growth in all industrialized countries. Operation management is
considered an integral part of any organization, and it is a very popular activity in all sectors of
the economy. Operational management is concerned with the decision-making process of
designing processes that ensure the production of goods and services, in accordance with the
standard, in volume and on schedule, and at the lowest cost. The cost of materials, work, and
resources that will be used to purchase goods and services through one or more conversion
processes, converting, thereby replenishing the account.
Operations management principles are essential to ensuring effective functioning of the
company. Violation of these principles leads to business firms experiencing difficulties in
manufacturing and operations management (Brindley, 2017). Aston Martin needs to follow
operations management principles so that operations management efficiency is increased and the

company gains effective results. The review of operation management principles is provided
below: Reality: This principle states that operation managers need to focus on issues rather than
relying on tools, techniques and strategies as there is no universal solution which is
helpful in facing every dynamic challenge. This principle needs to be followed by Aston
Martin as it will helps the company face various obstacles effectively. Organization: Operation process are interrelated and it is important to ensure that every
component is consistent and predictable in order to gain similar profitable outcome
(Compare and et. al, 2017).
 Accountability: It is essential to maintain accountability at the company by maintaining
effective business communications, assigning clear responsibilities and measuring
performance regularly. Operations managers at Aston Martin will be able to ensure that
employees put in necessary efforts so that daily operations are completed in a timely
manner with no compromise in quality.
Aston Martin utilizes the operation management principle of Organization as it helps the
company attain pro0ject goals in a structures manner. In addition to this, project principle of
organization is related to lean manufacturing as it assists it ensures continuous improvement of
the company. This is because organization helps in identification of strengths and weakness of
the project and helps the company determine action to eliminate weaknesses and improve
strengths.
Operations management models
Business process redesign
This management model includes mending vital business processes in order to attain
specific objectives. The primary aim of this operations management model is to radically
redesign a business process so that significant progress in performance metrics such as return on
investment, cost reduction or service improvement is achieved (Danese and et. al, 2017). The
usage of this operations management model by Aston Martin will bring radical change in the
company and help the company remain competitive in the industry. In addition to this Business
process redesign improves efficiency, eliminates excess, reduces costs and refined operations
management which helps the company attain specific goals in a timely manner. Aston Martin
operates in the luxury car industry which is impacted by technological changes and has to

develop technological infrastructure in order to gain competitive edge. Business process redesign
can help the company attain specific goals such as implementation of new technology,
restructuring and streamlining teams easily and quickly to gain competitive advantage and
maintain profitability.
Six Sigma
This operations management model helps enterprises enhance business process
capabilities. Six Sigma leads to increase in organizational performance and decrease in process
variation which improves employee morale, quality of products and profitability. Predictability
and profitability of business processes is increased by controlling and understanding variations.
This model utilizes a data based approach to attain quantifiable business outcomes. Aston Martin
will be able to increase employee loyalty, time management and employee morale with adoption
of Six Sigma. In addition to this, The UK Based luxury car manufacturers needs to utilize six six
because it improves quality control and helps the company provide better products to gain
competitive advantage. High quality auto-mobiles are the main characteristic of Aston Martin
products so adoption of six sigma will lead to better quality control and help the company serve
the target consumer more effectively.
Lean manufacturing
The central concept of lean is to continuously eliminate waste from the manufacturing
process while simultaneously increasing overall productivity of the company. Lean
manufacturing principles, practices and tools help the company stay innovative and agile and
provide holistic approach to continuous improvement of the firm (Kasemsap, 2017). Aston
Martin can utilize this operations management model to increase productivity and reduce waste
continuously. In addition to this lean manufacturing will also contribute to improved product
quality, lead times and employees satisfaction.
M1 Assessment of operations management in relation to six sigma methodology and lean
principles
Six Sigma Methodology
DMAIC is a six sigma methodology with a data driven approach which helps business
firms improve existing products. This methodology improves operations management so that
existing product is improved to meet consumer requirements. DMIAC methodology includes
five phases which are provided below:

 Define: In this phase project target and consumer deliverables are defined (Mohtar and
Abbas, 2020). Aston Martin needs to identify internal and external deliverables in this
phase.
 Measure: Baseline performance is measured in this phase. Aston Martin needs to measure
current process performance in this phase.
 Analyse: This phase focuses on analysing defects. Aston Martin needs to identify various
defective elements in this phase.
 Improve: This phase revolves around improving the process by eliminating defects.
Aston Martin needs to take action to eliminate root cause of the defects.
 Control; This part involves monitoring and controlling future business process (Saberi
and et. al, 2017, 2019). Aston Martin has to implement policies to monitor and control
future business processes.
The primary advantage of using six sigma methodology to improve existing products of
the company is that it ensures increase in efficiency and offers the company superior quality
control approach in comparison to other operations management models. Aston Martin will be
able to develop high quality products with adoption of six sigma methodology as it addresses
ensure production process of a product rather than focusing on the final outcome. This will help
the company build errorless business process and build products which fulfil consumer
requirements while also reducing waste. Aston Martin will be able to attain high profitability
with adoption of six sigma because of it's proactive nature. Operation management defects can
be eliminated before their occurrence by six sigma lading to creation of highly profitability
business processes.
Lean management principles
 Defining value: This principle focuses on identifying consumer needs in order to define
consumer value. Aston Martin needs to understand what the consumer is willing to pay
for by determine consumer requirements.
 Creation of value stream Map: This involves identifying activities which contribute to
value creation for the consumer (Villa, 2019). Aston Martin needs to understand activities
which add consumer value and wasteful activities which do not add or reduce consumer
value so that such activities can be eliminated.

 Flow: This principle focuses on ensuring that activities which remain in the value stream
after elimination of wastes function smoothly without interruptions. Aston martin needs
to create smooth flow in the value stream so that operations are completed in a timely
manner.
 Establish pull: The company needs to develop just in time manufacturing after creating
flow so that consumers can pull products from, the firm according to their needs. Aston
Martin needs to develop manufacturing for just in time delivery to avoid stockpiling and
expensive inventory management.
 Seeking perfection: This step involves incorporating lean process improvement as part
of the company culture (Wang, Lin and Choi, 2020). Aston Martin needs to include lean
principles as part of corporate culture to focus on continuous improvement of the firm.
The adoption of lean principles will help Aston Martin enhance operations management.
The firm will be able to eliminate waste activities and develop value stream which successfully
fulfils consumer requirements and increases productivity of the company. This will have positive
impact on operations management as it will improve productivity and build smooth workflow.
The project management principle of organization helps the company utilize lean
management principles for continuous development and timely attainment of the project
objectives.
TASK 2
P2 Creation of continuous improvement plan with justified recommendation on the basis of
review and critique of operations management principle
The philosophy of continuous improvement focuses ongoing improvement of products,
services and business processes through radical and incremental improvements. Radical
improvement involves improving the process or product at once while incremental improvement
aims to improve process over time with small changes. Aston Martin needs to adopt the
philosophy of continuous improvement in order to ensure that their products services and
business processes are improved to fulfil changing consumer requirements and contribute to
survival and profitability of the company for a long time period.
Lean Principles

 Defining value: This principle involves defining consumer value by identification of
actual and latent consumer needs. This will help the company determine elements of their
products or services which deliver value to the consumer and which are not successful in
providing consumer value (Wei and Li, 2020). Qualitative and quantitative consumer
interviews can help Aston Martin understand consumer needs and accurately define
consumer value.
 Creation of value stream Map: This lean principle is centred around creating value map
of actions involved in taking products from raw materials to final offering given to the
consumer with the aim of identifying process and activities which do not contribute in the
process and don't add value to the consumer. Aston Martin needs to develop value map in
order to identify and eliminate wasteful activities so that every business process only
includes activities which provide consumer value add help the company fulfil consumer
requirements.
 Flow: This principle involves creating a smooth workflow so that activities of the value
stream map are completed without delay. Aston Martin can attain this by creating cross
functional departments so that interdepartmental collaboration assists in ensuring that
every activity of the value stream is completed quickly without delay.
 Establish pull: This involves using consumer needs to direct cost effective and
sustainable approach which enables the company to offer exact quantity the consumer
needs instead of investing in materials production and storage to be ready for consumer
orders (White and et. al, 2017, 2021). This principle can be adopted by Aston Martin by
using just in time manufacturing to decrease flow times in manufacturing systems and
increase response time from suppliers to consumers.
 Seeking perfection: The last principle aims to seek for perfection and continuous
improvement. Aston Martin can attain this by constantly analysing each element to
increase value and focusing on pursuit of perfection rather than attaining perfection.
CONTINOUS IMPORVEMENT PLAN FOR ASTON MARTIN
BASIS CURENT METHODOLOGY PLANNED METHODOLOGY
Cost The cost of production at Aston
Martin is high because the firm
The company needs to adopt lean
manufacturing operations management

operates in luxury car
manufacturing sector.
model in order to decrease overall costs
while still maintaining premium quality
of their vehicles.
Standard Aston Martin has been successful
in manufacturing high quality
products from a long time.
Production of premium quality
auto-mobiles is part of the
branding of Aston Martin.
Aston Martin needs to use business
process redesign operations management
model in order to attain specific goal of
offering high quality electric vehicles.
This model will helps the firm redesign
business processes radically to attain
specific objectives.
Transportation DHL is Aston Martin's logistical
partners which helps the company
in timely delivery of goods.
Just in time manufacturing will help the
company deliver goods in timely manner
while also ensure cost effective inventory
management.
Time needed Time period of 4 to 6 months is
needed to attain devised strategy
of the firm.
Just in time manufacturing will help
Aston Martin improve time management
at the firm and decrease time taken to
attain various business goals.
Accountable
people
Department directors and
managers are the main
accountable people who are
involved in delegation of tasks
and assigning responsibilities.
Aston Martin needs to assign
responsibilities and develop performance
metrics in order to increase accountability
at the company.
M2 Analysis of effectiveness of continuous improvement plan
The continuous development plan developed fro British luxury car manufacturer Aston
Martin is effective in helping the company improve operations management and attain business
objective. The planned strategy of using lean manufacturing will help the company reduce costs
with no compromise on quality of the products. Aston Martin will be able to continuously
improve business processes and ensure that every activity contributes to providing consumer
value with the help of lean manufacturing which will help the company attain business objective

of profitability. The disadvantage of this strategy is that lean manufacturing can lead to delivery
inconsistencies which can decreases the reputation of the firm (Wu and Olson, 2020). Business
process design is advantageous operations management model for the firm as it will help the
company redesign business process to attain the goal of manufacturing high quality electric
vehicles. The disadvantage of business process redesign is that this model does not provide
immediate result and improvement in quality. The planned strategy of using just in time
manufacturing will help the company improve time management and quickly deliver products to
the consumer while lowering inventory costs. This disadvantage of this strategy is that it will
increase reliance of Aston Martin on suppliers.
D1 Application of suitable concepts to justify strategies of continuous improvement plan
The usage of just in time manufacturing in continuous improvement plan of Aston Martin
as it will help the company improve time management and inventory management while
ensuring quick delivery of products to the consumer. The strategy of using business process
design is also justified a it will help the company produce high quality electric cars, improve
business processes, assist in standardization of bet practices and improve transparency. The
strategy of using lean manufacturing is justified as it will help Aston Martin eliminate waste and
reduce cots to ensure uninterrupted delivery of goods.
TASK 3
P3 Application of Project life-cycle
Overview of the case study: Midlands based factory with employees aims to attain
business objective of help staff develop healthy lifestyle and decrease congestion in common
area during lunch time with the help of on-site catering project. The on-site catering project will
provide employees healthy dining at company premise during lunch time and assist in attainment
of business objective.
The application of project life-cycle in case of the on-site catering project for factory
based in Midlands is provided below:
 Project initiation: The fist stage of the project life-cycle is to identify business need or
opportunity and find ways to attain these opportunities (Barnes, 2018). Managers at
Midlands factory need to determine if the on-site catering project fulfils business needs
and successfully attains business objectives. In addition to this, initiation stage involves

determining the deliverables and participating groups in the on-site catering project to
develop high performing project team. Seeking approval from senior authorities is
another tasks which needs to be completed by the project managers at Midlands factory.
Business case
Executive Summary: On-site catering project is developed to help Midlands based
factory provide their employees healthy food on premise of the firm. This will help the company
promote healthy eating in the workforce and decrease crowding at local areas during lunch time.
Problem Statement: The problem faced by the Midlands based factory is to lower
movement of employees outside company premise during lunch and develop healthy eating
habits by providing on site catering.
Problem Analysis: This problem needs to be solved in the near future because the
congestion issues created by increased movement of staff during the lunch could lead to
accident. In addition to this providing on -site catering will help the company attain CSR
objectives by developing healthy eating habits and increase employee satisfaction. This depicts
that the benefits of the project outweigh the costs of the project.
Recommended Solution: The recommended solution for the Midlands based factory is
to provide on site catering of healthy eating options to employees. This will increase employee
satisfaction and help the company lower movement of employees during lunch breaks. Accidents
sue to congestion outside company premisses can be avoided.
Financial Overview:
Implementation Timeline:
Conclusion: The recommended solution to handle the problem of employee movement is
beneficial for the company and it can be completed in short time period. It also does not require
high investment but will help the company attain CSR objectives and improve employee
retention.
The scope of the project is huge as it involves providing catering services to 1250
employees. This involves identification of culinary likes and dislikes of employees to offer
catering services which satisfy every employee and does not financially burden the company.
Stakeholders analysis of the project
High Power Low Power
High Interest Employees Project