Operations and Project Management Report: Continuous Improvement Plan

This report delves into operations and project management, analyzing the implementation of principles within organizational contexts, specifically using Bentley Motors and Aston Martin as case studies. It reviews and critiques the effectiveness of these principles, with a focus on continuous improvement plans and the application of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. The report explores the Product Life Cycle (PLC), including its stages of initiation, planning, execution, and closure, supported by relevant documentation. It also analyzes methodologies, tools, and leadership within the PLC, differentiating between large and small-scale projects. The report concludes with a critical evaluation of the PLC and offers recommendations for enhancing production cycles and product quality, emphasizing the importance of quality control, employee training, and Just-in-Time principles. The report aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of operational and project management strategies within the automotive industry, with a focus on continuous improvement and effective project execution.

OPERATIONS AND
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1: Conduct a review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles
within an organisational context.................................................................................................3
M1: Implementation of operations management in relation to Six Sigma methodology and
Lean principles............................................................................................................................5
D1: Apply concept to justify strategies of a continuous improvement plan for achieving
improved efficiency....................................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P2: Prepare a continuous improvement plan based on the review and critique of operations
management principles................................................................................................................5
M2: Analyse effectiveness of a continuous improvement plan using appropriate theories,
concepts and/or models...............................................................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P3: Apply PLC and producing necessary supporting documentation for completing project....8
M3: Analyse methodologies, tools and leadership within the PLC..........................................12
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................12
P4: Review and critique the effectiveness of the PLC..............................................................12
M4: Differentiate between large and small-scale projects........................................................13
D2: Critically evaluate the PLC................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Management area which is linked with planning, organising as well as controlling the
routine activities of business in a systematic manner to attain the long term goals and objective
successfully refereed as Operation management. It is an ongoing business activity which is
performed by the internal workforce in order to produce innovative product (Binder, 2016).
Whereas, project manager is responsible to develop a competitive team team and encourage them
to plan and address the issue associated with the preparation of project. Thus, both of them has
wider scope of responsibility to formulate the project and conduct mass product in order to cater
the need of ultimate consumer. For the better understanding of report Bentley Motors company is
taken in first scenario and Aston Martin company in second scenario. These are the automotive
manufacturing company whose headquarter is in UK. Both of the companies produces and
market the luxury cars worldwide. This report cover following topics such as review and critique
the effectiveness of operation management principle. Moreover, application of continuous
improvement concept within the operation context. Determine the project life cycle for the
completion and accomplishment of project. Furthermore, review and application of PLC are
covered in this report.
TASK 1
P1: Conduct a review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles
within an organisational context
Operation management refer to the business practice which is conducted by the internal
management in order to produce highest quality of product or output. It basically transform the
state of inventory by significantly converting raw material into the finished good by maximising
the efficiency for an organisation. To gain the best possible net operating profit the management
team of operation department needs to balance their cost by eliminating the unnecessary
expenditure incurred while production process (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016).
Bentley Motors limited is a luxury manufacturing car which was founded in 1919 by
H.M. Bentley and W.O. Bentley. The headquarter of company is in England UK but it serve
worldwide due to which company has generate huge loyalty and recognition of customer. It
include the manufacturing as well as marketing of especially luxury car including SUV s which
is known for its classical design and comfort. Additionally, the company provide employee to

approximately four thousand employees who look forward to bring innovation and shape the
long term sustainable growth of company effectively.
Principle of Operation management
Principles of operation management is implemented by the Bentley Motors limited
company to ensure the long term profitability by enhancing the manufacturing process
efficiently. Some of the vital principles are elaborate below:
Accountability: The operation manager of Bentley Motors company can set the
performance indicator, rules as well as metrics to check the production process on the regular
basis in order to meet the target of production. Along with that such principle can help the
manager to remain accountable and run the production process smoothly.
Changes: This is the crucial principle which is adopted by the successful organisation
where they adopt the new theory in order to solve the manufacturing process by coming up with
valuable solution. In relation with Bentley Motors company has been conducting the
manufacturing process from the long run by adopting latest technology. Along with that
company change their work pattern or design on the basis of changing preferences of customer
which gives them the competitive advantage. Hence, changes helps the company to remain stable
and cope up with the external factor (Harrison and Lock, 2017).
Quality control: Quality control includes the inspection of final inventory or raw material
which help the firm to maintain the durability of product. As quality is the prime component
which consumer cannot comprise. The absence of quality control principle and make customer
dissatisfied which leads to switching on the competitors brand. Thus, it is significant step need s
to be adopted by respective company within manufacturing operations.
Implementation of operation management principle assist the company to come up with
valid solution and meet the objective successfully. Therefore, the analysis of production
management is define below:
 It is signifiant for the company to manage their cost by lowering down the use of
unnecessary expenses which is just a burden for company. Herein, Bentley Motors
company order to meet the requirement of selected company they need to make
significant effort to lower down the cost of overall operations. For instance, selected
company can adopt the principle of success where with the help of research department

or feedback from existing customer determine the interest of customer. This help to adopt
the changes over time and gain success.
 As the company serve national and international boundaries due to which they need to
manage their supply chain and logistics by the principle of technique. It helps in build the
adequate relation of company with the external party to manage the diverse operation of
company effectively.
M1: Implementation of operations management in relation to Six Sigma methodology and Lean
principles
Lean and six sigma principle is adopted by the business to improve the strategies which is
used by company to conduct business process (Heizer and et. al., 2017) It enhances the value of
the operation management by reducing the cost and waste incurred in the manufacturing of
different product range. Herein, Bentley Motors can implement such principles to identify the
various business factor that affect the supply chain such as competition in order to maintain
stability. Additionally, six sigma is used to improve the quality of operation which
manufacturing luxury vehicles. Whereas, Lean management can help the company to satisfy the
customer by eliminating the wastage for successful operations.
D1: Apply concept to justify strategies of a continuous improvement plan for achieving
improved efficiency
Continuous improvement is also referred as Kaizen theory which is used by the
organisation to track the performance of business and its operations sued in production of final
good. Implication of such process depend upon the feedback or self experience derived from the
existing process in order to reduce the chances of mistake (Heldman, 2018). In relation to
Bentley Motors company continuous improvement is an effective business strategy that monitor
the progress and facilitate effective changes by managing and cutting down unnecessary cost of
company.
TASK 2
P2: Prepare a continuous improvement plan based on the review and critique of operations
management principles
Continuous improvement plan is an ongoing process which is implementation by the
company on continuous basis to improve the quality of product and services and takes it to

incremental direction. If the Bentley Motors company undergo with regular changes it reduces
the overall expenditure as it gain the better insights and deep knowledge to avoid the constraint
or the chances of mishap. Moreover, it is vital to understand that the organisation has to function
or manage its day to day operation in the dynamic environment. So if they will remain reluctant
to changes then this can hamper the position of company and adversely affecting the profitability
of company. Therefore, continuous improvement for respective company on the basis of current
and proposed methodology is determined below:
BASIS CURRENT
METHODOLOGIES
PROPOSED
METHODOLOGIES
COST MANAGEMENT
As Bentley Motors company
manufacture different variants
in cars so they adopt principle
of variance. This help the
company to manage the
internal operation of business
so that multiple product gets
produced effectively (Verzuh,
2015).
Along with principle of
variance respective company
can adopt the principle of
accountability reason being
variance at times lack to
manage the cost associated
with multiple product. So
accountability principle can
assist the company to set
metrics and manage the
expenses of multiple product.
QUALITY
The principle of changes are
adopted by the company to
continuously meet the standard
of quality which leads to long
term customer satisfaction.
Moreover, company mainly
focuses on the finished good as
well as supply chain
management to produce and
deliver the product effectively.
Total quality management is an
effective production process
that focuses on all stage of
production like supply of raw
material and transforming it to
finished good. This can help
the respective company to
detect the error and fill out the
gap suitably.

DELIVERY
The company make sure it
produces the quality product
within stipulated time frame so
that the waiting time of
customer gets minimised and
they deliver the final product
with the help of direct and
indirect distribution channel
Kerzner, 2019).
As the company supply heavy
vehicle so they can use Just in
Time approach where
company share long term
relation with they supplier. It is
used to fulfil and deliver the
orders of customer on time
with effective dan efficient
operation technique.
Recommendations
 To enhance the production cycle and improve the quality of end product business should
use quality control method. This help the manager as well as employee to strive for
perfection and reduce the chances of defect. Along with that respective company should
give their employees training on the regular basis in order to achieve the benchmark by
producing quality product.
 Company should use Just in time principle which is used to manage their supply chain
along with that this help the company to receive the quality material within specific
duration.
M2: Analyse effectiveness of a continuous improvement plan using appropriate theories,
concepts and/or models
Continuous improvement plan is an ongoing process which is adopted by Bentley Motors
company to bring innovation and constantly add value to their vehicles by seeking the
opportunity effectively. It include PDCA model which is an acronym for Plan Do Check and
Act. At first stage that is Planning, the competitive team come together and decide the current
standard which they need to meet in future. Such improved idea is implemented at Do stage
which require training to overcome the problem (Kundu and et. al., 2015). After implementation
comes check and act stage where the manager compare or measure the performance of
operational department and take corrective action if required.

TASK 3
P3: Apply PLC and producing necessary supporting documentation for completing project
Product life cycle include initiation, planning, execution as well as closure which are the
various stages of production to carry on the performance of an organization effectively.
Business Case:
BASIS DESCRIPTION
Importance
Aston Martin started its business in 1913 which is the
manufacturer of luxury sports car and generate huge profit because
of the latest design and attribute of product it serve to its worldwide
customers.
Target Market
The company target those people who are athlete or into some kind
of sports activity even the brand ambassador of company is the
sports lover. They mainly target to the adult who have adequate
budget to afford the luxury car.
Cost Benefit Analysis:
Particulars Situation 1 Situation 2
Costs 100000 120000
Benefit 0 20000
(BEP point)
Costs Benefit
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
140000 Chart Title
Column C

Project Initiation:
Within this stage the project manager makes the valuable decision in order to attain the
long term objective of an organisation (Lientz and Rea, 2016). Thus, the company make sure
the idea needs to be feasible which can be attained by the personnel of an organisation.
Objectives
 The objective of Aston Martin top to enhance the customer
base and increase the footfall of store by 8% within five
month. For this the company need to promote the product
through digital media and can encourage word of mouth
publicity.
Strategies
 Selected company goes for differentiation strategy where
they uses advance technology and keep on bringing
innovation by differentiating their product from competitors
which justify the premium price strategy of company.
Project Planning:
On the basis of initiation, planning is conducted that help the organisation to determine
and gain the detail overview of the existing resources which can be optimum utilised to produce
the desirable outcome (van Aken, Chandrasekaran and Halman, 2016).
Cost
To draw up the productive output Aston Martin needs to conduct the
estimated expenditure of £1,00,000 to get the automated technology
and outsource some of the parts of vehicle.
Communication For the better planning the staff can have the authority to put their
views forward and participate for the success of an organisation
Quality Company can conduct Quality control and uses advance innovation to
overpower their competitor in terms of technology.
Scope The scope of whole project is to manage the quality and gain long term
sustainable development.

Gantt Chart:

Work breakdown structure:
Project Execution:
Execution refer to the implementation of planning which is performed to cater the
objective of whole project. The task is allotted by the Aston Martin on the basis of specialisation
and capability of an employee to perform the task effective and eliminate the chances of
deviation for which training session are provided. Additionally, TQM method helps the company
to achieve the target of project by managing internal operation (Maylor, Turner and Murray-
Webster, 2015).
Documentation of Feedback Report used for project execution :
Objective Is to ascertain whether the prototype produced by company
enhances the experience of 80 customer.
Feedback Questions Yes No
Does customer experience
high quality product?
✓
Whether the price justify the
quality of product?
✓

Does model face any issues? ✓
Project Closure:
At the last stage the overall performance of the team is evaluated based on the standard
and actual position achieved by the company. Thus, on the basis of it the company can enhance
their strategy and work on the area which require attention (Slack, and Brandon-Jones, 2018).
Documentation of Project Review for the project closure:
Project Review of Prototype
Risk Management ✓ (Excellent)
Error-free ✓ (Very Good)
Customer Appreciation ✓ (Satisfactory)
Scheduling ✓ (Controlled)
Quality of the product ✓ (Good)
Cost Overrun ✓ (Nil)
M3: Analyse methodologies, tools and leadership within the PLC
Different stages of PLC require require various methodologies as well as leadership style.
In the project initiation stage the project manager of Aston Martin can implement six sigma
methodology and can adopt autocratic leadership style where idea is discuss only amongst few
people until it gets approved. Similarly, at the time of planning lean methodology is adopted by
company to manage the overall expenditure of company (McArthur, 2015). Further, other
remaining stages that is execution and controlling democratic leadership style is used to change
the environment of an organisation and promote the creativity.