Operations and Project Management Report: TESCO & Crossrail Case Study

This report delves into the realms of operations and project management, utilizing TESCO, a multinational retailer, and Crossrail, a major railway infrastructure project in the UK, as primary case studies. The report begins by examining the implementation of operations management principles within TESCO, critically reviewing aspects such as reality, education and training, strategic planning, accountability, and success principles. It further analyzes the application of six sigma methodologies and lean principles within TESCO. A continuous improvement plan is proposed and evaluated using the Kaizen model. The report then shifts its focus to project management, applying the stages of the project life cycle (PLC) to the Crossrail project, including necessary documentation. It analyzes project methodologies, tools, and leadership within the PLC, followed by a critique of the PLC's effectiveness, comparing large and small-scale projects and offering recommendations for improvement.

Operations and Project
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles within an
organisational context.................................................................................................................1
M1 Review and critique the implementation of operations management in relation to six
sigma methodology and lean principles......................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Prepare a continuous improvement plan based on the review and critique of operations
management principles within an organisational context...........................................................3
M2 Analyse the effectiveness of a continuous improvement plan using appropriate theories
concepts or models......................................................................................................................4
D1 Apply appropriate theories concepts or models to justify strategies of a continuous
improvement plan for achieving improved efficiency...............................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P3 Apply each stage of the PLC to a given project, producing necessary supporting
documentation for completing the project .................................................................................6
P3)Stage of the PLC to a given project, producing necessary supporting documentation for
completing the project ................................................................................................................6
M3 Analyse the rationale for the project methodologies tools and leadership within the PLC
for a given project.......................................................................................................................7
TASK 4 ...........................................................................................................................................8
P4 Review and critique the effectiveness of the PLC in application to the chosen project using
appropriate theories, concepts and models..................................................................................8
M4 Critically analyse how the use of appropriate theories, concepts and models in the PLC
will differentiate between large and small scale projects............................................................9
D2 Critically evaluate the PLC through a practical and theoretical exploration of its
effectiveness to draw valid conclusions and recommendations for improvement......................9
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................10

REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
The term “ Operations Management” refers to the administration of business practices
which creates the highest level of the efficiency and effectiveness that can be possible in
business organisations and the term project management is defined as the combination of all the
steps which are included in the execution and implementation of a specific project in a business
organisations(Lu and Shen, 2020). Operations management and the project management is very
important part of any business organisation that allows the organisation to manage their projects
and the tasks in an efficient and effective ways in a sustainable manner. The below report is
based on the operation management to TESCO plc, which is a British multinational retailer that
deals in the merchandised products and the groceries in the corporate markets to the customers.
TESCO plc is one of the largest retailer in the global world. The report includes the
implementation of operations management principles in TESCO plc, implementation of
operations management in relation to six sigma and continuous improvement plan based on the
review and and critique, with the appropriate models and theories to justify the improvement
plan. And the second part is based on the project management of the organisation Crossrail
which is the railway infrastructure project of Europe and which is one of the biggest single
investment that is undertaken in UK. The report includes the stages of PLC,the project
methodologies tools and leaderships in PLC, critique and review of the effectiveness of the PLC
in the application to Crossrail, analysis of the appropriate models, concepts and the models in the
PLC which differentiates the large and small scale projects, evaluation of the PLC through a
exploration of its recommendations along with its conclusion.
MAIN BODY
TASK 1
P1 Critique and review of the implementation of operations management principles within
TESCO.
Operations refers to activity which is used by the business organisations to accomplish its
goals and objectives effectively and efficiently in the organisation. Whereas operations
management defined as the overall planning the management and implementing the execution of
the planned actions in the organisations(Moynihan, 2018). There are various kinds of the
operations management principles that are essential in order to have the effectiveness in the
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conduction and keeping the management operations in the organisation. In context to TESCO plc
the different operation management principle are as follows: Principle of reality : The principle of reality in the operations management is defined that
all the managers should focus on the the problems of the organisation as there are less
effective tools which focuses on the solutions of the problems globally. In context to
TESCO plc the business organisation is facing many problems in retailing and designing
products and services according to the customer 's preferences and choices. The
organisations faces the problems of identifying the tastes and the preferences of different
segments of the customers of different countries. TESCO is applying principle to
determine various problems that could be present in their operations and resolved them
on time in order to avoid conflicts and losses. Principle of education and training management : The principle of education and
training and education in the operation management defines that the improving
management is to be considered as an important part of the organisation and it is
necessary to consider the education and the training aspects of its employees (Khan,
2019). As there are various operations that are required to educate and enhance the skills
of he employees and the workers. In terms of TESCO, organisation is using principle of
education and training to provide their employees and staff members training and
enhancing their performance and skills by making them aware about their job roles and
duties so that they can be able to work with their higher efficiency. Principle of strategic planning management : The strategic planning management
principle in the operation management of TESCO plc is focuses to have managing
planned improvement in an organisation that requires a strategic vision in their business
organisation. The management of any organisation needs to have a evaluation of effects
of the planned improvements in the organisation. As organisation is required to have a
proper planning in order to achieve their desired goals on time. It is essentials for
company to have a strategic planning done before so it will be beneficial for TESCO to
perform their operations on time and avoid any confusion. Principle of accountability : The principle of accountability in the operation
management in TESCO plc defines that the management system of the organisation
should direct all the roles and the responsibilities of the associates in the organisation and
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ensure that the objectives and the goals of the organisations are accomplished effectively
and efficiently. TESCO keeps ensuring that the objective of the organisation to serve the
quality products and services to the customers are achieved properly.
 Principle of success : The principle of success in the operation management refers that
for being successful every business organisation should planned its goals and objectives
properly and should achieve the targets of he organisation efficiently and effectively.
TESCO plc has set the planned objective of serving the customers the quality products
and services to gain their customer 's loyalty in the corporate market (Cole, Stevenson
and Aitken, 2019). As TESCO is applying principle of success their business operations
to achieve their desired and planned objectives that can lead to success.
M1 Critique and review implementation of operations management in context to lean
principles and six sigma methodologies.
Six sigma is defined as process that provides the various organisational tools to improve
the potential of the business processes of the organisation. The various increase in the
performance and the decrease in the process variations helps the business organisation that
creates to defect decrease and to have enhancement in the employee 's morale, the quality of the
services and products and in the profitability of the organisation (Derenska, 2018).The six sigma
methodology generally refers to improve the operations management by deleting various errors,
reducing the cost and saves the times. The six sigma methodology consists of all the types of the
tools and the techniques to improve the operations of the organisation. The six sigma method in
the organisation it consists and uses the statistical method and quality management method in
the management system of the organisation. The six sigma method in the operation and the
project management is used in the business organisation to have the efficiency and effectiveness
in the organisation. There are various methods and the processes that are involved in the six
sigma methodology such as the use of whole data with efficiency to increase the amount of
productivity and to identify the reasons of the problems. In terms of TESCO, organisation is
using six sigma methodologies in their operations in order to maintain a flow of activities and
manufacturing various products and services according to customer's needs and demands. Their
main focus is to serve quality products and services to customers in order to generate customer
satisfaction and build competitive advantage to deal with competition in markets.
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Critique: As success brings its own barriers as customers are facing problems of delivery of
products and its manufacturing. So in order to maintain a flow of operations and activities in
their company to maintain a flow of activities and operations to have high performance and
generate revenues.
TASK 2
P2 Continuous improvement plan based on critique and review of operations management
principles within TESCO.
For an organisation like TESCO plc, it is essential for the organisation to ensure the
effective performance in terms of the delivery actions and the manufacturing of the products and
services in the corporate markets (Burns, 2018). Therefore it is necessary for TESCO plc to
determine its continuous improvement plan in its system. In context to operations management
principles and TESCO plc the continuous improvement plan of the organisation is as follows:
Basis Current methodologies Proposed methodologies
Delivery Principle of reliability has been
ineffectively been implemented by
use of innovation again in the
delivery processes
This principle must be implemented by
organisation to ensure appropriate solution
to the issue of timely delivery. For the
same, company should use tools like Just-
In-Time Inventory methods that would
help the firm in storing and delivering
their products with ease and without
adding up to the cost.
Quality Principle of Organisation has not
being effectively implemented by
TESCO, which is affecting the
interconnectivity of the activities,
hence, failing to enhance quality.
TESCO must ensure that each activity is
connected and consistent to one another to
produce desired results. For the same, the
company must utilise modifications in
their design process, and must use
methods like Total Quality Management.
Cost TESCO is applying principle of
variance which is used to cut up
Principle of variance could be used by the
TESCO to implement techniques that help
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costs. While this principle is
currently being applied by the firm
to enhance their diversity rather
than decreasing costs.
them in cutting up the cost of producing
and organisation should adapt
technological advancements like using
machine to manufacture products and
services, various software to handle
customer's queries.
M2 Analysis of effectiveness of continuous improvement plan.
To determine and identify the effectiveness and efficiency of the continuous
improvement plan different models can be used and measured in the organisation. For having the
effectiveness of continuous improvement plan Kaizen model of operation management can be
used (Jeffery, 2018). As Kaizen model refers to the approach of creating and designing the
continuous improvement plan that can be based on the idea which small, positive changes can be
leaded to have improvement in the organisation. The purpose of the Kaizen model in the
organisation is to reduce and delete all the waste and the repetitiveness in the organisation. There
are five components that can used in Kaizen model that can be used to have the improved
morale, quality circles, discipline in the organisation, proposals of improvement and the
improvement in the morale of the company. With the Kaizen approach in TESCO plc, they
reduced the dissatisfaction of the customers by identifying the needs of the customers. With this
approach in continuous improvement plan the management system of the organisation are
allowed for having the evolution of infrastructure for transportation of the products and services
of the organisation. It can be analysed that the different segments of the markets are still left to
be targetted by the organisation. The strategy to reducing the dissatisfaction of the customers and
serving the quality content to the customers can lead to efficiency and effectiveness in the
organisation.
D1 Apply appropriate theories concepts or models to justify strategies.
The organisation can use different effective models and theories that can used as a
continuous improvement plan in the organisation in order to achieve the effectiveness and
efficiency of the organisation. Kaizen model can be analysed and used to have efficiency and
effectiveness in the organisation as it leads to have cooperation and commitment to have the
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efficiency and effectiveness in the operations management of the organisation (Alfaro-Tanco,
Roothooft and Breeze, 2020). To have better operation management in the organisation it is
essential to carry out the different principles of accountability, success, reliability and problem
solving so that the roles and the duties in the organisation can be performed by the employees
and the workers smoothly in the organisation without having any doubts.
TASK 3
P3 Stages of the PLC to a given project.
(Source: Project management life cycle, 2020)
 Initiating:
This process relates with or assist in visualization of what have to be accomplished, this
relates with what sort of target that has to be accomplished in the project, this stage involves
where the project is formally approved by their sponsors and clients here initial scope will going
to be determine and defined with stakes holders identified, this project perform on the basis of
aligned with the strategic objectives comes under that not only by the process which is
performed by the sponsoring bodies in the context of Cross rail the project needed to be defined
through initial stage where the term objectives are considered what is to be accomplished
(Losekoot and Theresa, 2018). It was started with tunnelling for London's Cross rail project was
completed in may2012, resources relates with tunnelling machines have bored 42 km of 6.2
diameter rail tunnel Under London then shifting it to the stations is that ten new station are being
built in central and south east fro new Elizabeth line.
Scope of cross rail project:
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Illustration 1: https://www.educba.com/project-management-life-cycle/

Cross rail is a capacity enhancement train project on London. As it consists a laying of
new 118km train track from Maidenhead and Heathrow in west. This project allows an
additional 1.5 million people to travel between London's key business districts in approx 45
minutes. Project cross rail aims to provide transport capability to deal with London's forecast
population and economic growth. Through cross rail services there are many routes that are to be
taking over into terminals with a capacity that should be freed at existing terminal like liverpool
street and paddington.
 Planning:
In the context of Cross rail, planning will be the crucial process which defines the what
sort of requirement is needed by the project manager in respect of the equipment which deals
with heavy machines, the planning process involves with the railway construction project its aim
to provide high frequency sub urban passengers service crossing London form west to east , the
planning stage defines where the project plans are documented and project scheduling will be
implemented. This stage relates with time, cost , quality , changes ,risk and project related
resources.
 Execution:
After analysing and determining the sort of requirement in the phase of developing the
project stage of Cross rail railway in respect to their construction they have to be properly
implement by put this plan into action by bring about the project expected results, this stage of
project management relates with the longest activities which have to be completed with putting
certain resources in project work , project execution team utilises all the schedules procedure and
templates which are to be done by the workforce into the project. By initial stage this project
assigned through proper implementation of work in respect to their project initials like formation
of tunnels to stations built. Cross rail project development agreement and associated with
sponsor requirements. Having the design related with Cross-rail programme functional
requirements. This project develops the delivery model that are handle and implement by CRL
and its supply chain was worked by lots of key inputs in it which includes with accountabilities
and authority.
 Monitoring and controlling:
In the context of Cross rail , all the process which are to be undertaken in the execution
have to be monitored by the project manager which will leads the project in more effective
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manner through changing the aspect of any problem arises during the completion of the project
(Galiano-Garrigós and Andújar-Montoya, 2018). Cross rail project because of the large nature
of size in respect of the project that is time consuming have to be relatively controlled by their
project manger or team leaders so as to attain the ease operations of the project. They are
relatively implement a coherent line-wide design language, establish through a modern and
relates with contemporary transport mode responsive to its local contexts. By creating the
understanding environment they will contribute in the controlling and monitoring by handling
customers through appointing capable employees having experiences of field transport works.
Maintaining a commitment by responsible procurement , by understanding the supply chain of
the industry,s. This value will maintain through delivery of both central operating section and on-
network works.
 Closing:
This stage of project life cycle will be the last stage which relates with the project is formally
closed and then after the completion of the project is that of Cross rail project the next step is to
develop the project report on that particular project to their sponsor clients on the overall stages
involves in the project, handing over the deliverables to the client and handing the
documentation to the owners and after that cancel the suppliers contracts too.
Break-Down structure
This process relates with deliverables-oriented breakdown of project into smaller
components, this structure depends upon the workforce categorization according to the working
activities relates to the project. In the context of cross-rail deals in building 2 railways; 1 physical
and virtual. These ranges from structure in large, power and ventilation systems, to complex
signalling and communication assets.
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M3 Analysis of rationale for project methodologies tools and leadership within the PLC for
a given project.
The project like Crossrail which is the biggest railway infrastructure project. Crossrail is
a railway construction project that is undertaking in central London. The focus project is to
provide a high frequency suburban customers service crossing London from the west to east. The
Crossrail in the project management has using different tools and techniques and the
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methodologies that can be used to achieve the desired success. The different tools and techniques
that leads to have success are as follows : Communication and signalling : The communication and signalling strategy is used the
management system Crossrail when they are pursuing the constructing project (Cross,
2019). The model of signalling consists traffic which can be present on its line as the
tunnel is deep so there is a need of high security precautions and the emergency services
and proper communication channels that are to be present. Utilize visualisation : By having a proper visualisation through the way it is beneficial
for the project. With the proper utilization of the visualisation, the visuals boards can
helps the passengers to direct their ways through the tunnel.
 Crossrail fleet : The Crossrail fleet presents and focuses on the built energy and
sustainability that can be efficient and effective for the high performance of the trains.
Thee is twin five car dual voltage and with that the project is able to deliver the its high
performance which the management can deliver the rain in every two minutes in central
London(Kozjek, Rihtaršič and Butala,2018). The project management team can
implemented the carriage design which can lead to the fast entry and the exits of the
passengers.
TASK 4
P4 Critique and review of effectiveness of the PLC.
Each and every organisation has to develop a innovation strategy by which the
organisation can accomplish its goals and the objectives effectively and efficiently to build the
brand image of the organisation in the corporate markets and gain the competitive advantage to
deal with the present competitors the markets with different present strategies(Dogru and
Keskin, 2020) . In context to Cross rail project, the project management system of the project
has also developed the strategy of the corporate strategy which refers to the constant changing
potentials and build competitive advantage in the markets. There are certain components which
can identified that are searching, selecting , configuring, deploying and learning. Searching refers
assess all the present opportunities that are present in the market. In Crossrail project, it initiates
information and new ideas in different areas of project. Selecting project refers to involve and
opting for best chosen technology and strategy for project. Configuring stage motives of project
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is to work on coordination so that workers and employees can concentrate on their work properly
with their efficiency and effectiveness of the project. In deploying stage project implements all
phases of innovation that has made by project management team in specific period of time. The
last stage is of learning where the improvement are made in the next coming projects and making
experiments from the outcome of the present projects for having the efficiency and
effectiveness of the project. In cross rail when they were constructing railway line most efficient
technology was used in terms with external as well as internal basis. Process of configuring
involves to keep focus on concept of coordination so that all employees are communicating in an
effective manner as well as proper coordination is there. Process of deploying involve delivering
all innovation being done on exact time within budget been set and cross rail project did this in
an effective way because their project was constructed within their budget only.
M4 Critically analyse how use of appropriate theories, concepts and models in the PLC.
There can be different projects that can be used in the practices in the project life cycle
that can create the difference in the large and the small scale projects(Zwikael and Meredith,
2019). The various models that can be used in the project life cycle that can be applied in the
small and large scale projects that are as follows : Spiral SDLC model : The spiral SDLC model of the project management refers to the
combination of waterfall and the iterative model. As the spiral SDLC models of the
project management determines making the right step that is to be made at the next stage
of the project. The spiral SDLC models is based on the statistic data and different trends
that can be used in large and the small scale projects. In terms of cross rail project, they
are applying this model which is beneficial in identifying various phases of project life
cycle and determine time scale to take project to next phase. This cross rail project this
model helps in identifying different stages of project life cycle and analyse that what is
correct phase to carry project to next level. Waterfall SDLC model : The waterfall SDLC model in the project management of the
Crossrail defines that in this model the process of the development is taken as a step by
step process for having the proper determining the testing and the implementation of the
project actions (De Boer and Andersen, 2019). The waterfall SDLC model of the project
management can be used for having and running the small scale projects effectively and
efficiently. In context to cross rail project this model is used to determine and analyse.In
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terms of cross rail project waterfall SDLC model helps in identifying various stages and
strategies that are used to carry project and according to that implementation of strategies
in project.
 Iterative SDLC model : The iterative model in the project management can be defined as
the development process which starts through the requirements of the projects that can be
enhanced and developed later by the project. The iterative model of the project
management can be used to pursue the large scale projects. In context to cross rail this
model is applied in their project to determine and identify various activities and tasks that
occur to take project efficiently. This model is basically used by large companies to
identify various tasks and activities. In terms of cross rail project iterative model helps in
identifying and determining various task and cost which are incurred to carry project
effectively.
D2 Critically evaluation of PLC through a practical and theoretical exploration.
From the Cross rail project analysis it is evaluated the project is a large scale project in
which different stages of the project life cycle are mentioned which consist of the initiation
stage,where the project is started, planning stage where the different planning of the goals and
the objectives are planned and in order to fulfil the objectives and the goals different strategies
are developed by the project management team to accomplish them with the high efficiency and
high performance (Svensson and Hedman, 2018). The execution stage includes the execution
and implementation of the strategies made the project team to carry on the project. The
monitoring and the controlling phases where the performance can be measured with the help of
using different present models and theories that leads to the efficiency in carrying out the project
along with the closure of the projects with the different evaluation and the analysis and
measuring of the results with the helps of different models in the project to carry it by efficiency
and with effectiveness to make profitability and accountability of the projects.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that the operations management and the
project management is a important part and plays a vital role in the business organisations in
order to have the efficiency and the effectiveness in the projects of the organisations. It is
important for the organisations like TESCO plc and Crossrail to have the critical evaluation of
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the operation management principles to have the effective and efficient implementation in the
business organisation. And it is also essential for a business organisation to have and create a
continuous improvement plan to have consistency to achieve the goals and objectives of the
organisation better with the implementation and evaluation of the project life cycle steps and
stages that allows the organisation to implement a specific project effectively and efficiently with
the sustainability.
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