Review and Critique of Operations and Project Management Principles

This report examines operations and project management, focusing on practical application and theoretical frameworks. The first part of the report analyzes the operations management principles, particularly within the context of Tesco, including an overview of the company, its operations, and the application of principles such as Six Sigma and lean production. It then develops a continuous improvement plan for Tesco. The second part of the report applies project management methodologies, utilizing a case study of a large-scale organization to illustrate project life cycle stages (initiation, planning, execution, and closure) and the effectiveness of product life cycles, supported by relevant models and concepts. The report aims to provide insights into operational efficiency, cost reduction, and project success through detailed analysis and practical recommendations.

Operations and Project
management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Project 1...........................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Conducting a review & critique on implementation of various operations management
principles within organisational context.....................................................................................3
Operations management principles in relevance with Six sigma & lean production tools ........4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P2 Preparation of a continuous improvement plan based on above conducted review &
critique on operations management principles............................................................................5
Project 2...........................................................................................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P3 Application of various project life cycle stages with supporting documentations at
workplace....................................................................................................................................7
Rationales for project methodologies used to execute procedure for project life cycle............9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
P4 Determining effectiveness of applying product life cycle by using appropriate theories,
models & concepts....................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Operations & project management defines various stages of a plan that is implemented to
establish actual business operations with proper coordination of activities. This help organisation
improve its efficiency levels as well as enhance overall profits. The below report consist of two
projects that includes both case study analysis & application of principles of management.
Following assessment comprise of a well constructed improvement plan based on operations
management principles. It also consist of various project life cycle stages with different theories,
models & appropriate models such as six sigma. One such organisation is Tesco, a multinational
corporation known for its general merchandising as well as retail business. Following assessment
classifies about various project management tools & technique to establish proper delivery of
goods & services to consumers in market. Second part of assessment is project two that comprise
of case study analysis on a large scale organisation established in Midlands. The report has
explained effectiveness of project management stages & methods on mentioned case study.
MAIN BODY
Project 1
TASK 1
P1 Conducting a review & critique on implementation of various operations management
principles within organisational context
Operations management principles consist of various forms that includes fundamentals,
accountability, causalities, reality as well as variances. Process of operations focus mainly on
converting raw material inputs into useful output resources or products available to end
customers in marketplace. For carrying our actual procedures in operations management, it is
essential for organisation to create a systematic mission statement that has summary, vision,
mission, objective & goal of firm.
Overview of Company: Tesco is a multinational retaining firm that deals with various
retailing business mainly general merchandise & delivery of grocery services. The organisation
is headquartered inn England, UK. This is third largest retaining organisation in United Kingdom
with its main products being supermarket chains, general stores, grocery outlets, and
hypermarkets across countries.

Operations vs operations management
In context of chosen firm there are various differences between organisational operations
& management of those operations. Operation's mainly deals with converting input raw material
products into useful commodities that are ready to use. These may include basic functions that
are manufacturing, transportation of raw material, packaging, labour work and warehousing etc.
On other hand, Systematic management of all above functions discussed is carried out by
Tesco through managers. Operation's management deals with maintaining coordination of all
activities such as monitoring of various departments that conducts operations. Also managers of
respective organisation make sure that employees are performing every operation as per set
standards or not. It is important to review all functions performed during operations to make sure
quality goods & services are delivered to end customers in industry.
Operations management principles in relevance with Six sigma & lean production tools
Corporations implement six sigma principles to improve overall operations at workplace.
This methodology consist of identifying various mistakes in process of operations with
eliminating additional cost expenditures as well as delayed hierarchy of work layers. Chosen
firm use different methods that are applied through implementation of six sigma methodology.
These include following steps that are quality management tools, statistical method analysis etc.
within organization.
Lean production method also includes various principles to cut out wastage of resources
during manufacturing & production processes at workplace. Lean principles mainly comprise of
value defining or identification, creating flow, value stream mapping, establishment of pull &
perfection (Nicholas and Steyn, 2017). In context with Tesco, uses both these methodologies in
accurately improving performances as well as reduce wastage of resources discussed in
following below points:
Value defining: This step bring up a concept of knowing what vale does consumer have
for a certain service or product. This help identify willingness of a buyer to pay as per his or her
needs. Here are various ways by which Tesco can identify its consumer wants or satisfaction
drivers.
Identification of value streams: This is important to identify that particular value steam
is useful to fulfil customer demand & expectations from a corporation. These include conducting

interviews, surveys, online campaigns etc, to know value derived form company goods &
services to buyers in market.
Creating flows: This step deals with considering that various flow of activities run
within organisation in a smooth manner or not (Azhar, Riaz and Robinson, 2019). Managers of
Tesco, formulate different type of strategies to make sure effective flows are created for
conducting operations. These include creation of cross functional departments as well as
conducting employee training programmes etc.
Pull & Perfection: Majorly waste created in firms is created through large accumulation
of stocks or inventories. Main objective behind this step is to reduce that wastage of resources or
material. This step is useful in lean production of final goods of Tesco as there is a proper
hierarchy of operations carried out systematically in manufacturing & production department.
Also perfection is important at every stage of lean production . Therefore managers do consistent
review testing over various activities to minimize wastages as well as cut cost of unwanted
procedures.
TASK 2
P2 Preparation of a continuous improvement plan based on above conducted review & critique
on operations management principles
A continuous improvement plan play a significant role in various aspects such as
managing finances, overall budgets, allocation of resources etc. In context with Tesco, managers
have created an appropriate plan for consistent improvements in organisational performances as
follows:
Basis Current methodologies Proposed Methodologies
Quality It has been observed that
quality was majorly affected
within organisation as
operations management
principles are not
systematically applied by
management & followed by
employees at workplace. In
Keeping into consideration
future aspect of business
growth, there were various
projects created to make sure
activities of particular task are
carried out as per set budget or
not. Tesco have been
continuously practising various

relevance with Tesco,
conducted various
improvement training
programs to maintain quality
standards of their products &
services.
methods such as l;ean
production of its goods, six
sigma methodology for
operations improvements as
well as performance appraisal
technique to enhance employee
performance in manufacturing
& production department.
Cost Principle of variance is used
by organisation to cut cost
expenditures . In relevance
with Tesco has been applying
this principle of operations
management to to improve
diversity of performance
rather than just cost cutting of
resource or processes.
Following entity should also
use lean principle with
variance analysis to generate
effective strategies for
improvement & cost cutting
within production or
manufacturing processes
within organisation
Application of above principles may lead firm to cause failure or disappointment
Therefore, this plan is a continuous one that can generally be helpful to make quick
improvements in existing principles or approaches towards work procedures at organisation. In
context with Tesco, leaders appoint checking teams who regularly keep on checking
manufacturing & production processes of goods or services corporation offer to consumer in
market. This is to make sure that consumers are provided with quality products or not on a
consistent basis. Major issue identified by firm was miscommunication amongst different
departments that needed to be improved to carry on fast processes of delivery of groceries as
well as other retail items.
Efficiency & effectiveness of continuous improvement plan through use of appropriate
principles, theories & methods
In order to check or test efficiency of departments through assistance of continuous
improvement plan, model or principles of Six sigma are applied. This includes different tools

that enable constant improvement of procedures in operations management. Six sigma
methodology assist chosen firm adopt various ways by which efficiency can be increased as well
as quality can be improved (Aćimović, Mijušković and Obradović, 2021). In context with Tesco,
managers or top management brought improvements in their project by establishing strong
supply chains for distribution of their grocery items at all stores in different origin places.
Appropriate Recommendations:
Chosen firm can utilise concept of six sigma methodology for gaining benefit of
allocation of scarce resources with minimizing costs through set budgets or plans. This majorly
may help chosen entity with analysis of different field projects effectively. The technique also
can assist managers provide resolutions for many issues or challenges like transfer of items from
one place to another with quality maintenance.
Project 2
TASK 3
P3 Application of various project life cycle stages with supporting documentations at workplace
Project life cycle consist of mainly four prime stages that includes project initiation,
planning, execution and closure. These are basically project management documents that
contains portfolio of evidences summarizing above stages.
Overview of Case study
This case study explains about a large scale organisation with around 1250 employees on
site. There are different roles defined within organisation to staff members that include both
office & factory workers. Following entity currently does not provide any of on-site catering
services because of extensive sites of both factory & office buildings. With help of project
management life cycle stages, there is a requirement for a theoretical in-house project plan that
can give useful insights about real terms or objective of large scale organisation.
Major objectives of case study
 To remove lunch break movement of employees at different areas that is creating
difficulty for local areas of congestion.
 Guiding staff workers to create healthy life style to complete corporate social
responsibilities as well as control employee turnover or absenteeism at workplace.

As per the set objectives, appropriate project are to be formulated by application of life cycle
process (Kim and Irizarry, 2019). Also use of applicable tills, methodologies or methods are to
be used within project to achieve desired goals.
Stages of Project life cycle
Project initiation:This is first stage of project life cycle which deals with starting up a
new project or start implementation of a particular plan constructed. During this stage various
methods that can be used to complete a project are identified by top authority or respective
managers of firm established in Midlands. This phase of initiating project consist of many
elements that is identification of stakeholders, scope, resources required during project etc. In
terms of Midlands firms project of around 300 employees who are visiting different local areas
nearby during lunch breaks are identified. This will help firm determine what are actual locations
that are actually being affected by their staff workers during breaks . Also this will help them
keep track of employee functions.
Project planning: This is second stage of project lifer cycle that deals with creating
effective plans before execution of any project. Also this stage determines different roles of
employees in project so that there is no duplication of work & activities while executing plan.
This phase of planning includes creation of workflow files, allocation of appropriate resources,
creating blueprint of whole project through plan formulation, set up financial budget and final
evaluation of risks that may incur in future . In context with Midlands organisation project, while
creating a canteen for employees that provides reasonable foods facilities with good seating
arrangements can retain them form leaving workplace during breaks & roam around at local
areas nearby. Project can be created also to focus upon determining various reasons why
employees visit those local areas creating congestion to give appropriate solutions to rising
issues in society.
Project execution: This is third phase that includes process of execution where managers
who created plans in previous step now apply those in form of procedures. These procedures
include delegation of work to suitable candidates or workforce of organisation as well as
implementation of various strategies to regulate operations within business (Wedel and
Behnezhad, 2019). This process of project execution comprise of various factors that determines
either success or loss of organisational plans for project implementation. In relevance with
Midlands large scale firm, use of following method is done to execute various functions of

planning. Performance appraisals to those employees who created a positive environment at
workspace with checking up on other colleagues at workplace during breaks of lunch were
rewarded.
Project closure: This is last stage of project life cycle which denotes that project is
actually ready as well as it will be closed through a quick follow-up of all activities involved
during execution. This stage includes two causes behind closure of project (Bjorvatn and Wald,
2018). First reason why project got finished can be success or task completion that was set up
during initiation stage. On other hand, it may be possible that following project did not give
positive outcomes to organisation. Hence, failure to ultimate purpose behind creation of project
may lead to closure. This step also involves reviewing of all other stages performed while
accomplishing goal of organisation so that appropriate improvement strategies can be created to
deal with future circumstances or situations.
Rationales for project methodologies used to execute procedure for project life cycle
There are mainly following two rationales included in below methodologies of project
management. These include various leadership methods applied by Midland organisation to
monitor & control activities of employees discussed below:
Coercive leadership method: This method is useful when only one person is in
authority to tale decisions for others at workplace (Medini,2018). In context with large-scale firm
in Midlands, managers can use their coercive power to control situation of crisis by setting up
strict policies for employees. This may include limited time given for lunch time, restrictive
space given to all staff for having their lunch & prohibition to go out or roam around in local
areas.
Authoritative method: This method is useful when employees are given a clear vision
about how to perform work or function within organisation. In this method, employees can easily
be instructed to follow certain guidelines of firm as well as accomplish tasks.
Affliative leadership methods: This method is used by project manager to create a
positive impact on business environment. This method deals with creating mutual understanding
between employees & employers of organisation (Ozcan, 2017). In relation to above case study,
a good solution to motivate employees in following or obeying company rules can be creation of
strong bonds with staff workers. This will help managers convince them create a healthy life
style by completing their corporate social responsibilities towards local areas. This method of

leadership will also encourage them towards company gaols helping managers reduce
absenteeism of employees.
Supporting documentations for individuals at workplace
Business case: This is a useful document provided by employers to staff members at
workplace consisting of programmes, portfolio and justifications for project undertaken to
establish goal of organisation (Anand and Gray, 2017). This is useful for managers to identify
risks from alternative situations, evaluate costs as well as provide preferable solutions to
problems identified. In context with chosen large scale firm, issues faced are employee
absenteeism, congestion issues during lunch time breaks caused by staff etc.
Project plan: The following stages described above of project life cycle determines
various stages of project creation to resolve organisational problems consisting of both short
term & large scale projects.
Cost benefit analysis: This analysis deals with analysing various benefits due to
different decisions or actions undertaken related to costs or expenditure incurred at the time of
project execution (Silvius, 2017). In relation to chosen large scale enterprise, line manager uses
financial metric to measure different forms of costs incurred & revenues earned to complete a
certain project goal.

Work breakdown structure:
TASK 4
P4 Determining effectiveness of applying product life cycle by using appropriate theories,
models & concepts
An effective project life cycle have several benefits to organisation as it helps manager
with providing a structure for delivery of project. This also help managers with improving

effective communication amongst team members. Managers use various models and theories to
track progress of firm during project life cycle. The last stage is effective in terms of reviewing
all activities in carrying out various operations.
In relation with both large & small scale businesses, various theories and models are used
in project life cycle described below:
Iterative SDLC model: This model mainly lay emphasis on implementation of project
life cycle through software development. Initially this model showcases simple ways of
executing a project ans then later on breaks down into a complex structure providing broader
features in final system (Picciotto,2020). This stage when evolving versions of system are
implemented to complete project, it is stated as complete or ready to be deployed finally. In
relation to Chosen large scale organisation, this software is helpful to use various dynamic
versions of a simplified software that is easy to implement at first.
Waterfall SDLC model: This was one of first processes that was introduced in
completing particular project through software development procedure. This development
process in project life cycle demonstrates a linear sequence flow. This means another phase of
life cycle can only be started after completing first one to avoid any overlapping of activities in
process. Primary stages of this model are analysis, designing, implementation, checking or
testing and finally executing operations through systematic management.
Spiral SDLC model: This is known as combining model of software development
project life cycle. This model is link between application of feature of both above discussed
model that are iterative & waterfall SDLC models (Ravinder and Kollikkathara, 2017). This is
very important model as it deals with risk handling. The spiral model has effective features that
can follow more than one process including incremental, evolutionary & waterfall processes.
This software has ability to identify various risk patterns that can be identifies in a project as well
as provide appropriate solutions to handle them.
In context with large scale entity in Midlands, there are cvariosu importnacesor key
benefits to implememntatio of Sdlc models into projects undertaken . These

CONCLUSION
The above report concludes various aspects of both operations & project management
within an organisation. The report consist of basically two different projects. The first project
covers various operation management principles adopted by large scale organisations such as
Tesco. Application of these principles help firms cut out wastage of resource as well as perform
tasks within effective time. Also these principles consist of six sigma methodology and lean
production. Organisations with help of these principles are able to develop a continuous
improvement plan for firm to carry out operations in an efficient manner. Second project of
assessment is about a case study analysis that describe about employee absenteeism, their
corporate social responsibility and congestion issues at lunch breaks in nearby local areas.
G8Iven report gives an overview of case study, with application of project life cycle to it. Also
various models of SDLC are described in assessment to show how effectiveness of project life
cycle stages can be implemented.

REFERENCES
(Books & Journals)
Ravinder, H. and Kollikkathara, N., 2017. Project management in operations management
textbooks: Closing the gap. Journal of the Academy of Business Education. 18.
Picciotto, R., 2020. Towards a ‘New Project Management’movement? An international
development perspective. International Journal of Project Management. 38(8). pp.474-485.
Silvius, G., 2017. Sustainability as a new school of thought in project management. Journal of
Cleaner Production. 166. pp.1479-1493.
Anand, G. and Gray, J. V., 2017. Strategy and organization research in operations
management. Journal of Operations Management.53. pp.1-8.
Ozcan, Y. A., 2017. Analytics and decision support in health care operations management. John
Wiley & Sons.
Medini, K., 2018. Teaching customer-centric operations management–evidence from an
experiential learning-oriented mass customisation class. European Journal of Engineering
Education. 43(1). pp.65-78.
Bjorvatn, T. and Wald, A., 2018. Project complexity and team-level absorptive capacity as
drivers of project management performance. International Journal of Project Management. 36(6).
pp.876-888.
Wedel, T. and Behnezhad, A., 2019. Precision Auto Clone: an integrated quantitative operations
management case. International Journal of Teaching and Case Studies. 10(3). pp.209-234.
Nicholas, J. M. and Steyn, H., 2017. Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Taylor & Francis.
Kim, S. and Irizarry, J., 2019. Human performance in UAS operations in construction and
infrastructure environments. Journal of Management in Engineering.35(6). p.04019026.
Aćimović, S., Mijušković, V. M. and Obradović, J., 2021. Standardization of Global Logistics
Business Operations. In Eurasian Business Perspectives: Proceedings of the 29th Eurasia
Business and Economics Society Conference (p. 87). Springer Nature.
Azhar, S., Riaz, Z. and Robinson, D., 2019. Integration of social media in day-to-day operations
of construction firms. Journal of Management in Engineering. 35(1).p.06018003.