Analysis of Operations and Project Management for Sunshine Drinks

This report examines the operations and project management strategies of Sunshine Drinks, a beverage company. It begins with an introduction to operations and operations management, differentiating between the two and exploring the execution of operations management principles within the firm. The report analyzes the extent to which Sunshine Drinks' operations management fulfills the enterprise's needs, particularly in the context of launching a new energy drink, Lucka. It then delves into continuous improvement and lean principles, proposing a plan for continuous improvement within the organization. The report further outlines the project life cycle for developing the new product, including initiation, planning, execution, and closure phases. It also evaluates the effectiveness of applying project life cycle theories and models to this project. The report concludes with recommendations for improving operations functions, emphasizing customer focus and market trends, and the adoption of the latest techniques. The analysis covers various aspects of operations, including production, human resources, logistics, and inventory management, highlighting the importance of coordination and continuous improvement for the success of the company's new product launch.

Operation & Project
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART B............................................................................................................................................1
Introduction of the organization..................................................................................................1
Explaining the difference between the operations and the operation management....................1
Conducting the review in relation to the execution of principles in context of operations
management within the firm. .....................................................................................................2
Analysing the extent up-to which operations management of an entity in case fulfils the needs
of enterprise. ...............................................................................................................................3
Discussion regarding the continuous improvement and the lean principles. .............................3
Preparation of the plan in respect of continuous improvement in the organization....................4
Recommendations relating to the improvement in the operation functions. .............................5
PART 2............................................................................................................................................5
a) Project life cycle of the project of developing new product ..................................................5
b) Effectiveness of PLC application to this project utilising the theories and models.............11
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Operations management relates with approaching the routine and the strategic issues of
the business in the systematic way. It deals with planning, motivating, controlling, organizing the
resources for achieving the set goals. Operations and the project management helps in assessing
the control, design and the improvement of the projects, logistics, operations and issues relating
to supply chain management. The present study is based on Sunshine Drinks that manufactures,
sells and market for the drinks based on the fruit flavours. Furthermore, the study involves the
introduction and the description of the operations against the operation's management. Moreover,
it includes the execution of the operation's management principles in the enterprise and the
measures relating to continuous improvement. The report provides the detailed plan of the
project life-cycle.
PART B
Introduction of the organization.
Sunshine drinks is the beverages company that produces, sells and market the energy
beverages in United states. It delivers its products from grocery stores, independent retailers,
craft breweries and the convenience stores. Sunshine beverages was founded during the year
2013 and based on the Winston Salem, North Carolina (Yi, Shen and Lei, 2019). The company
has the very good reputations in the overall market and enjoys the excellent confidence of the
customers towards its products. The product mix of the enterprise involves the wide range of the
soft drinks with the flavour of tropical fruits and the summer fruits. Spring water is also been
offered by it through the naturally filtered sources. Presently, the organization has decided to
diversify its product range and planned for introducing the new energy drink that is Lucka which
will be made as the natural spring water.
Explaining the difference between the operations and the operation management.
Operations Operation management
Operations means transforming the resources
or the inputs into the finished products for
creating and delivering the value to the
ultimate customers.
Operations management means managing the
process that in the operations and in delivering
the goods and the services.
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Operations focuses on the decision making in
relation to the production aspects.
Decision made by the operation's management
relates with the routine activities of the
business.
Operations are found in the manufacturing
business or where the production is been
carried on. Likewise, in Sunshine drinks,
operation of the energy drinks is made.
It is been applied by all the companies, banks,
agencies and the hospitals for attaining the
effective and the efficient functioning.
The major purpose of the operations is produce
the quality products in optimum quantity and
in the right time with minimum cost.
The main objective or purpose of operation
management is to utilize the resources for
satisfying the wants of the customers.
Conducting the review in relation to the execution of principles in context of operations
management within the firm.
`In accordance with the author it has been reviewed that execution of the operation
management guidelines or principles helps in managing the resources effectively within the
business environment of Sunshine drinks. On the other hand it has also been identified by the
author that, sometimes operation management get failed when the plan is not been carried in
proper manner (Ando and et.al., 2018). However, according to the author it is viewed that it
benefits Sunshine drinks in managing several areas of operations like production, human
resources, logistics, material management and the inventory. Moreover, the operation
management involve the dependency on utilization of different components for working together
and for reaching the success. Author also analysed that principles of operation management acts
as the key factors in the manufacturing sector of the Sunshine drinks which means that it helps in
taking the operations to next level. It has also been viewed that absence of coordination principle
in the operation management lead to ineffectiveness in all the areas within the organization.
Thus, implementation of the principle in relation to operation management within the business of
Sunshine drinks includes both benefits and the limitations relating to the aspects of different
areas of business.
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Analysing the extent up-to which operations management of an entity in case fulfils the needs of
enterprise.
Operation management plays a vital role in meeting the requirements of Sunshine drinks
in context launching its new product. Operation management helps in evaluating the ability of
the managers in relation to the understanding of the business objectives, executing the strategic
plans and supporting the plan in the direction to achieve the goals. It enables the organization in
making the evaluating the progress of the particular activities of the Sunshine drinks towards the
set goals and outcomes (Ramanathan, Subramanian and Parrott, 2017). Bench-marking and
reviewing the operations on a consistent basis eliminates the inefficiencies like lack of raw
material, over-staffing, excess of inventory etc. Operation management helps Sunshine company
in meeting the requirements of its resources as it identifies and schedule resources that are
required by the business for meeting its business targets. It assists the firm in matching its input
resources with that to the set target in order to achieve efficiency in the working of the
organization. This in turn helps in regulating the quality, flexibility, speed and dependability of
the operations.
Discussion regarding the continuous improvement and the lean principles.
Continuous improvement is the philosophy that reflects consistently seeking the ways for
improving the operations. It includes determining the benchmarks for excellence practices and
developing the senses of the employee ownership within the process of the Sunshine drinks. This
philosophy emphasizes on reducing the time length needed in processing the request for the
loans in the bank (Zhang and et.al., 2016). It also focuses on the problems that are faced by the
companies with the customers or the suppliers like the customers that request for the constant
changes in the shipping quantities and the suppliers towards maintaining the high level of the
quality. Continuous improvement philosophy is based on the beliefs that involves the virtual
improvement in any of the aspect of operation that the people are more closely attached with the
operation and are the major source for determining the changes that are required to be made.
Lean principles-
Defining the value- It relates with defining the value of the customers that means the
willingness and desire of the customers towards the products. This aspect is very important for
Sunshine drinks in bringing its new product that by understanding the needs of the customers it
could achieve the success in the overall market. This principle helps the organization in
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discovering the type of the product for which the customer is ready to pay and creating such
product so that large customer base could be attained.
Mapping the stream of the value- Second lean principle refers to determine and mapping
out value stream. According to this the objective is to use the customer value as reference basis
and to identify all activities that are contributing towards creating values.
Create flow- After the removal of the waste from value stream, this principle ensures the
flow of remaining steps that runs smoothly without the delay or the interruptions.
Establish pull- The goal of this pull based value system is for limiting the inventory and
the work in progress items with ensuring that the needed material and the information are
available for the smooth functioning of work within the premises of Sunshine drinks.
Pursue perfection- After following the above steps effectively, this principle assist in
lean thinking and the continuous improvement in the processes as the part of organizational
culture.
Preparation of the plan in respect of continuous improvement in the organization.
There are five steps that are involved for reaching the continuous improvement within the
Sunshine drinks as follows-
Involvement of Executive management- In this step, support and the encouragement
from an entity's leadership group is been cited or considered as primary step for achieving
success factor relating to the initiative of continuous improvement (Zare and et.al., 2016).
Starting small-As Sunshine drinks is going for launching the new product named as
lucka must start with the smaller point of scale project before engaging entire enterprise
involved.
Encouraging participation- For achieving continuous improvement it is important that
employees are encouraged for participating in suggesting ideas and in decision making which in
turn leads to the continuous improvement as they will work with high morale and satisfaction.
Reviewing- Timely reviewing helps in better controlling function so that corrective
measures can be taken for any deviation and in resolving the errors.
Showing difference- Determining the difference between the actual and the budgeted or
the set strategies helps in making the process more improved.
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Recommendations relating to the improvement in the operation functions.
The major aspect that should be focused by the organization is the customer, by
determining the p-reference and the tastes of the customer improved operations could be attained
which in turn improves the profitability of the company and in reaching the competitive edge.
Understanding the key elements that values the customers such as price, quality, utility, time and
the function allows for the substantial improvements in the work processes of the Sunshine
drinks. Knowing the trends in the market and adopting the latest technique helps in improving
the operations of the business as low cost products can be produced with maximum profits.
PART 2
a) Project life cycle of the project of developing new product
Project Life Cycle:
Project management life cycle is defines large level procedures for delivering successful
project. The life cycle is generally broken down into four stages like initiation, planning,
execution and closure (Nunes and et.al., 2018). These create the route which takes project from
starting to the finish. The project life cycle is standard procedure by which groups accomplish
project success.
Initiation Stage:
The starting point of any project or thought which is called as initiation phase. Strategic
need for the project or services can be identified by top level management for the concept stage
to start. Sunshine Drinks is the company which sells the different variety of soft drinks and
natural spring water. Now they has decided to sell the energy drink (lucka) which is made with
natural spring water (Cheng and et.al., 2019). The objective of company is to develop the new
product in the marketplace as well as increase sales of business. For supporting of the new
products, comp-any utilise the sources like marketing techniques and strategies within the
initiation phase of project life cycle.
Planning Stage:
The second stage of the project management life cycle is meant to as planning stage.
Management has given to done to introduce project and established formal set of plans
highlighting initial objectives. The project is to introduced the new products energy drink (lucka)
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by the Sunshine Drinks firm. The purpose of project is to provide the natural energy drinks in
relation to healthcare of people (The 4 Phases of the Project Management Life Cycle, 2017).
Also, company needs to determine availability of resources, estimating the budget and making
financial plan within the planning phases. In this stage, company needs to break down larger task
into small project, build team and prepare schedule for the completion of tasks. Also, company
needs to determine the different risks like financial, human resource, timeline, resource and
quality.
Budget:
Particular Cost (£)
Marketing Research £20000
Advertisement £35000
Technological Expenditure £25000
Design and Packaging products £15000
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Illustration 1: The 4 Phases of the Project Management Life Cycle
Source: (The 4 Phases of the Project Management Life Cycle, 2017)

Execution Stage:
The labelled Execution is the third stage of project life cycle. In this phase, the actual
work of the task is performed. The requirement of materials, tools and resources are changed to
accomplish objectives of project. Performance is constantly assessed to assure the task is
successful during execution stage. Strategic and implementation planning are involved in this
phase. In this, project manager of Sunshine Drinks needs to preparing activities and organizing
workflows, informing tasks to team members as well as communicating with them (Meredith,
Mantel Jr and Shafer, 2017). Also, they needs manage budget and monitor quality of work which
can help to development of new product (lucka) that is energy drink in the marketplace.
Closure Stage:
This phase is also called as termination phase which refers to as project closure. This
stage start one the project has been completed. The project manager of Sunshine Drink needs to
give final deliverable, release resources of projects and define the success of the project. The
project closure stage involves evaluating project, team performance and representation project
closure and accounting for utilised and unused budget. It is the important things to do involving
analysing what did and did not work with the project.
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Illustration 3: Gantt Chart

b) Effectiveness of PLC application to this project utilising the theories and models
The Sunshine Drinks is the feel good with not artificial flavour or sweeteners and organic
caffeine. Company sells the different range of soft drinks with tropical fruit and summer fruit
flavours as well as spring water drinks from naturally filtered sources. Now the organization has
decided to mixture of range of drinks to involve new variety of energy drink that is lucka which
is made with natural spring water. Therefore, company has to follow different phases of project
management life cycle as the theory or model for accomplishing the projects as per timeline
(Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017).
Importance of Project life cycle:
PLC is the essential to assure that project of company is proper to work being carried out
and divided into clear and manageable stages. It is essential to understand that project life cycle
for each tasks can be differentiated in both number of stages.
 It can have and detail within each of these stages. Project life cycle displays logical series
of all the actions to be carried out to accomplish the goals and purposes.
 The knowledge of this series is essential in principle that is way company will be capable
to successfully plan all the resources that they require to involve in the utilisation of each
tasks like time, money, workforce, subcontractors etc (WHAT IS A PROJECT CYCLE
AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT, 2015).
 With the help of PLC, organization has decided to mixture of range of drinks to involve
new variety of energy drink that is lucka which is made with natural spring water in the
marketplace.
Cost Saving Techniques:
Cost saving is formed positive concept to decrease expenses. It is the bettering operation
through constant procedure of evaluate of prices, operations and so on for further economy in
implementation of elements of production.
 When company make project life cycle, so that they will need to determine the different
costs which are occurred in the new products development that is lucka energy drink in
the marketplace (Zhang and et.al., 2016).
 For that, project manager of Sunshine will require to follow the various techniques for
saving of costs for successfully completion of project. It involves cut production prices,
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