Operations & Project Management Report: Case Studies and Strategies

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of operations and project management principles, using Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Portakabin as case studies. Part 1 explores the definition of operations versus operations management, implementation of operations management principles, and the development of a continuous improvement plan for M&S. It analyzes how well M&S's operations management meets its requirements and discusses lean principles. Part 2 focuses on Portakabin, including a business case, project plan, work breakdown structure, and Gantt chart. It provides theoretical and conceptual arguments for project methodologies, tools, and leadership. The report also evaluates the effectiveness of the Product Life Cycle (PLC), cost-saving techniques, quality assurance, and the application of different theories between large and small-scale projects. The report concludes with recommendations for both companies.

Operations & Project
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction to organization....................................................................................................1
2. An explanation of operation vs operations management........................................................1
3. Implementation of operations management principles...........................................................2
4. Analyse the extent to which the operations management of the organization in the case
study meets the requirements of the organization.......................................................................2
5. Continuous improvement as a philosophy and describe the Lean principles.........................3
6. Prepare a continuous improvement plan.................................................................................4
7. Recommendation.....................................................................................................................4
PART 2............................................................................................................................................5
I........................................................................................................................................................5
1.An overview of the Portakabin case study...............................................................................5
2. Business case...........................................................................................................................5
3. Project plan..............................................................................................................................5
4. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for developing of a new product....................................6
5. Gantt Chart .............................................................................................................................7
6. Provide theoretical and conceptual arguments to justify the use of project methodologies,
tools and leadership required within the given project...............................................................8
II.......................................................................................................................................................9
a. Effectiveness of the PLC........................................................................................................9
b. Why designing and implementing PLC is important to execute of the success of Portakabin
case study....................................................................................................................................9
c. How cost saving techniques could be incorporated in PLC?................................................10
d. What different techniques could be used to ensure quality, scope and tenure in the project
implementation?........................................................................................................................10
e. Critically analyse how different theories, concepts and models could be used between large
and small-scale projects............................................................................................................10
f. Critically evaluate the PLC you have prepared within practical and theoretical frameworks.
...................................................................................................................................................10

CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Project management is defined as the overall planning as well as execution of certain
project. It is crucial work that allow organisation to maintain its project effectually. Operation
management is considered as administration of enterprises activities for developing high level of
effectiveness as much as possible into firm (Alias and et. al., 2014). As per the scenario, the
selected company for this report is Marks & Spencer and Portkabin. M&S is well known British
retailer having headquarter is in London, UK. Portkabin is considered as the leading modular
building innovator that run its business in about six countries having headquarters is in UK. This
report covers the explanation of operation and operation management, implementation of
operation management principles, development of continuous improvement plan and application
of project life cycle. Apart from this, business case, project plan, work-break down structure,
Gantt chart as wel as critique the effectiveness of PLC are also discussed in this report.
PART 1
1. Introduction to organization.
Marks & Spencer is considered as the well known British retailer which brings high
quality, better value food, clothing as well as home ware to several consumers in approx all over
the world. Its headquarters is in London, United Kingdom and established in year 1884.
moreover, currently it have about 1463 stores in all over the world. It sells clothing, footwear,
home products, food products and also the financial services to customers. Moreover, they has
around 80,787 staff across the world. Also, in year 2012 they overtaken the firm named as Next
Plc (About M&S. 2019).
2. An explanation of operation vs operations management
Operation is considered as that activities as wel as process which are efefctively and
particularly performed through company for attaining its objectives in appropriate and proper
manner (Amiril and et. al., 2014). Where as operation management is defined as the procedures
to plan, organise, guide and control function of organisation at operative ends such as
manufacturing, productions and many more.
1

3. Implementation of operations management principles
Case study: Marks & Spencer is planning to explore their business activities with its
current products within the another country such as Monaco. For performing this, they has to
formulate strategy in resect to marketing as well as promotion of its goods in order to enhance
awareness within clients. With this, respective organisation can increase its base of customers
and ratio of profitability. In order to formulate plan, they has to assess the whole market area that
assists them to understand the requirements of consumers.
Operation management principles are refers as the regulations, guidelines and so on that
is significant for whole workers in complying this for using many functions and practices (Bahn,
2013). Basically, there are ten kinds of principles like variances, fundamentals and others. Some
principle which are crucial for Marks & Spencer are explained below:
 Organisation: For attaining the goals of organisation, it is important for the company to
maintain and develop relations with whole departments in order to do the work
effectually. Marks & Spencer has to form better relation with overall section for positive
atmosphere. They has to build relationship with all department as it assists them to
accomplish workers satisfaction and profitability ratio. For enhancing the enterprises into
Monaco, it is significant for them to considered whole section in order to promote as well
as market its offerings. Along with this, this particular principle of operation management
is also limitation for respective entity as it is much difficult for them to perform all the
business functions at other location into new region.
 Change: For attracting various clients and inspire employees, it is significant for
company to adapt the changes in effectual and efficacious way. This renders guidance to
its manager for resolving the issues that occurred into firm (Benito and et. al., 2013). For
change management, Marks & Spencer can utilise advanced technology as well as system
for knowing requirements of its consumers. As respective organisation is extending its
enterprises in Monaco, so it is significant to get knowledge regarding their public
demands for efficacious outcomes. So, this help them to use new process and techniques
for performing the task that leads towards grabbing more customers. Along with this, this
principle of operations management is also limitation for respective firm as this incurs
more costs which would develop some burden upon firms and also it is difficult for
employees to adapt the change as well as work with new technology techniques.
2

4. Analyse the extent to which the operations management of the organization in the case study
meets the requirements of the organization.
In order to meet the requirements of enterprises, Marks & Spencer has to used the
operations management principles for developing the standards for attaining its goals in officious
and effective manner. As they has adapted 2 principles such as organisation and change in order
to operate its enterprise in smoother way.
Marks & Spencer has conducted market evaluation for knowing its power and
capabilities for accomplishing their decided goals efficaciously. They has the abilities related to
research and development that assists them in promoting its enterprises n specific field. Beside
this, it has strong brand value and image into market area that help them to attract various
consumers in order to buy its goods. Respective organisation can adopt its resources,
modification as well as technology that is required into enterprises. Therefore, by this way its
operation management meets the requirements of business.
5. Continuous improvement as a philosophy and describe the Lean principles
Lean principle is considered as the continuous improvement philosophy as well as
defined as the tools which have adopted by organisation for enhancing the value of goods to
obviate waste while producing products (Burke, 2013). This assists Marks & Spencer to produce
their products according to the clients needs with optimal uses of resources at firm. With the aids
of this particular principle, they can minimise waste and manufacture effective quality of
products effectually. Marks & Spencer have used lean principle for decreasing the cost of
manufacturing as well as minimise wastage in order to facilitate goods at specified area
efficaciously. In addition to this, in order to develop the procedures there are some principles that
are used by Marks & Spencer. Define value: It is refers as the needs of clients for certain goods where they purchase
products to attain their requirements. In order understand the customer’s needs, it is
essential for them to do market evaluation by using questionnaires, survey and etc.
therefore, Marks & Spencer has to do survey within specific market areas for
understanding their consumers. Map value stream: This assists organisation to develop value stream for its goods which
is facilitated to its customers. Marks & Spencer has to adopt the modification that add ons
3

the value to their products that will be provided within other areas. They cam decrease its
waste and production cost by utilising this principle for their clients requirements. Create flow: Marks & Spencer can reduce its wastage in easy way to do the all
procedures appropriately. This aids them to provide their goods to customers in Monaco
efficaciously in order to satisfy its requirements. Establish pull: In this, organisation focused on developing and delivering goods to
clients in particular duration for attracting them with their offerings.
 Pursuit perfection: In this, organisation operates their enterprises effectually. This aids
Marks & Spencer to extent their business into other location. This aids them to grab the
attention of clients for increasing profit and sales.
6. Prepare a continuous improvement plan
Continuous improvement plan is also called the continuous improvement process which
is a continual efforts to improve goods, procedures and services. This assists them in improving
quality, minimising cost, simplified the working procedures, decrease wastage as well as develop
consumers satisfaction and profitability (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016). Thus, the continuous
improvement plan is formulated by Marks & Spencer in order to explore its businesses at
Monaco are mentioned below:
Basis Current used methodologies Proposed methodologies for use
Market analysis Marks & Spencer can manufacture
goods as per the clients requirements.
Therefore by doing this, it can know
about Monaco people requirements as
well as adopt the modification
accordingly.
Marks & Spencer can create a
expertise group for the analysing
marketplace and requirements of
Monaco public. This assists them to
facilitate goods potential users.
Cost Company is using premium pricing
strategy which results in not
affordability of products for everyone.
Mark & Spencer have to
manufacture products for every type
of people. So that, it will be in
affordance of everyone in easy
manner.
4

7. Recommendation
After analysing the above issues, this have been recommended that Marks & Spencer
have to conduct market analysis of Monaco for getting knowledge about the requirements of
clients. Also, this is suggested that in order to develop the operations functions they have to set
effective standards for their employees in order to do the whole work effectually for
accomplishing objectives. Moreover, they has to concentrate upon the promotion for grabbing
the attention of various consumers to increase the ratio of profit and market share.
PART 2
I.
1.An overview of the Portakabin case study
Portakabin is considered as the B2B that is business to business that deals into
construction as well as delivery of modular building for their clients. Moreover, it was developed
in year 1961. its headquarters is in Huntington York, UK. Respective organisation operates its
business n around 6 countries as well as having about 1300 employees. Presently, it launched a
new product called Yorkon Building System(YBS), this is the unique products developed
through utilising cutting edge modular building technology.
2. Business case Executive Summary: Portakabin Limited has to plan for accomplishing its goals
appropriately. Therefore, their crucial gaols is to make effective marketing strategy for its
newly introduced goods for pricing, promotion and others as well as enhance awareness
among clients. Objectives: The main goals of respective organisation is to inspire its staff for doing the
project work efficaciously in order to accomplish its goals. Importance of new product: The new product cut down the modular building technology
edge. Also, this is developed for facilitating them advantage of traditional building such
as ability to adjust any foot print and external walls without any columns and delivered
all those 50% faster then traditional one. Target market: Portakabin targeted markets is United Kingdom.
 Cost benefit analysis: For executing its plan effectively and efficiently, respective
organisation required 50000 within a year.
5

3. Project plan
Product life cycle
This is defined as the procedures through which certain project is performed form starting
to ending (Garel, 2013). In addition to this, it is the standard tools through which group can
complete its project effectively. Respective organisation has adapted this to accomplish its goals.
Project life cycle is discussed below: Project initiation: It is the beginning stage which assists in explaining the requirements
of projects for starting new work. This aids organisation to present project ideas which
authorises several documents needed for work. This includes respective company
objectives, vision etc. it assists them to achieve and accomplish the project objective.
Therefore, its project manager can invest more funds upon promotion in order t develop
awareness into market. Portakabin will understand requirement of their new product
within market area because with the assistance of this respective company will able to
find which customer they have to reach in effective manner. Also, Initially the respective
entity have to initiate their new project as well as attain project goals. Project planning: Within this, project are identified and how they are working into
organisation are described. In this little objective integration with big project which is
applied to attain goals at certain time period. Portakabin has to do research of market for
understanding clients preferences so that project related planning will conduct within
effective manner as well as goals related to the same will accomplish. Moreover,
planning to promote their new goods by utilising few techniques like websites, social
media and etc. Project execution: In this the activities of project are implement efficaciously for
accomplishing goals. This involves several person capital and time in order to accomplish
project work (Kowang and et. al., 2014). For instance, project manager of Portakabin will
design budget for bringing their new product within market area i.e., Yorkon Building
System(YBS) with the aids of analysis as well as investigation of overall clients and
workers requirements.
 Project closure: When work have been completed then they has to close it is known as
closure phase. There are many activities which is required to be obey in this step. This
provide advantage to Portakabin in achieving their goals and objectives related to Yorkon
6

Building System(YBS). After attainment of overall activities, project manager develops
work break down structure for doing many activities.
Therefore, some of the limitation of product life cycle for Yorkon Building System(YBS).
The product lifestyles cycle is simply too smooth a pictures, now and again a product’s
income would possibly in no way upward push past the creation degree, or it may input right into
a decline simply before going right into a subsequent upward push. Therefore, this may purpose
managers to be too rigid of their techniques, as they anticipate the sales volumes in their
merchandise to comply with a script written in stone.
Product existence cycles can be self-pleasing. Every degree has a fixed of endorsed moves.
Therefore, while a product starts off evolved to act as though it's far in a decline, managers might
determine to discontinue that product, because this is the protocol. in the meantime, it could be
that the product turned into simply dipping in sales, as a result of financial externalizations, so
that you can in the end raise.
4. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for developing of a new product
Work break down structure is defined as the structure where task of project are divided in
small units and work are distributed to whole person so that they can perform its task effectually.
So, this assists Portakabin to divide their task into smaller parts such as design brief,
specification, testing alternative solution, realisation and product testing so that products can be
developed efficaciously and appropriately. With the assistance of this Portakabin divide each and
every activity related to their new product in effective manner. Through WBS respective
company will able to conduct operations of their work in effective manner as well as objectives
related to the same will accomplished. In addition this, work break down formed the task in
much simpler manner and also helpful for accomplishing it on time.
7

5. Gantt Chart
This is defined as graphical presentation of bar diagram which represents beginning and
ending dates of given project work, position as well as persons accountability for project (Mubin
and Mubin, 2016). So, this assists Portakabin to show overall activities and its time period.
Portakabin will allot proper time duration to their new product such as design brief (2 months),
specification (2 months), testing of alternative solution (3 months), realisation and product
testing (2 months). Therefore, for developing the new product the various activities and also the
times allotted for them. Also, the task is categorised for respective product are develop brief,
specifications, alternative solution testing, realise as well as product testing.
8

6. Provide theoretical and conceptual arguments to justify the use of project methodologies, tools
and leadership required within the given project.
There are many methodologies of project, tools and leadership that is needed to perform
project task efficaciously. The project methodologies like lean production, six sigma aids to
minimise cost as well as increase manufacturing properly for profitable results. Likewise.
Respective project needs style of leader like democratic, autocratic etc. for formulating further
plans in accomplishing goals effectually so that profitable results is attained.
II.
a. Effectiveness of the PLC
The application of several techniques, action plan and system during doing their project
task which is promoting and marketing its YBS products which provides benefits to them. The
effectiveness of PLC can be explained by using models that are explained below:
Water fall model:
It is established for ensuring Portakabin results. This help them to has control over that
operation as well as activities which are associated to project and its task. This have few steps: Requirements: In this, Portakabin describe and plan the task for particular project. Analysis: In this, Portakabin examine the business ideas and model of goods to scrutinize
financial and technical feasibility. Design: In this, Portakabin designed the project document effectively through using
programming languages, data source etc. Coding: In this, Portakabin formulate the code with the aids of models, logic and others
through which the starting step is described. Testing: In this, Portakabin has to determine system and project quality are to be
performed as well as examined issues for solving it.
9