Project Life Cycle and Operations Management Report: Morphy Richards

This report provides a critical review of operations management principles within the context of Morphy Richards, a UK-based manufacturer of home appliances. The analysis encompasses the implementation of operations principles, continuity in improvement plans, and the stages of the Project Life Cycle (PLC) with a business case. The report explores the application of DMAIC and Lean principles for continuous improvement, focusing on the company's strategic move to enter the TV sector. It examines the effectiveness of PLC in project application, including the use of Six Sigma and Lean methodologies. The report also includes a continuous improvement plan and addresses various aspects such as promotional events and after-sales services. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the operational and project management strategies employed by Morphy Richards to achieve its business objectives.

OPERATION AND PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Critical review regarding implementation of operations principle in organisation context. .1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P2 Continuity in improvement plan based on review and analysis............................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P3 Stages of PLC with business case, project plan and work breakdown structure...................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P4. Effectiveness of PLC in application of project.....................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Operational management of an enterprise concerned with main function i.e. controlling
and designing the whole process of production. Managers in this department provides essential
facilities to all departments of a company in a proper way. This would help in carrying out entire
operations. Along with this, they help in utilising available resources of organisation like raw
materials, manpower, capital, labour and more (Robichaud and Anantatmula, 2010.). All these
procedures help in making continuous improvement in organisational system through which
better outcomes can be occurred. The main function of operational manager is to make better
products by converting raw materials into finished one. Present assignment focuses on how
employers of a firm make project and complete assignment in a given time period. For this
assistance, Morphy Richards Company has been taken. It is a UK based organisation which deals
in electronic market and sells home appliances like refrigerator, washing machine, heater and
more. This time it wants to enter into TV sector, so a Project Life Cycle has discussed in report
also.
TASK 1
P1 Critical review regarding implementation of operations principle in organisation context
In an organisation, the main function of operational management is to formulate an action
plan in a proper way. Along with this, they build strong strategies and policies in order to
execute plan appropriately. They use special techniques and approaches which helps in
completing a project successfully (Ramasesh and Browning, 2014) . Since all departments of a
company are interrelated with each other, therefore, operational managers used to discuss about
current situations of association to them. They organise a conference meeting with managers of
all divisions and discuss with them about new project as well as strategies and policies used to
accomplish the same. After then, all divisions inform workers of their section with proper
communication so that they can understand new objective of organisation. Through this,
employees can support efforts of them in higher manner to accomplish desired goal.
In context with Morphy Richards Organisation, it is a manufacturing company of UK
which provides domestic products like refrigerator, juicer, washing machine and more. For
achievement of better profitability, this firm wants to manufacture TV products of large screen
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i.e. 58 inches at marketplace. For this assistance, managers of operation department make a
proper plan by concerning on following points:-
Operation Management Principles:-
Reality- Managers of operation department used to concern on present situation of
company first by surveying at marketplace like how its products going on. This would help in
identifying the area where problems are persisting more and which affect profitability of
association. After identification, they find solution to resolve such issues instead of back out
from them.
Organization – As stated out before, an association has various departments whose
functions are interrelated, therefore, managers of all divisions need to work in collaboration to
resolve such problems (Pemsel and Wiewiora, 2013) . This would help in finding a perfect
solution of issues which could be cost effectiveness also.
Fundamentals – When fundamentals of an organisation are in favour of humanitarian as
well as based on ethical business, then such organisation has gained higher productivity of
workers. Along with this, it would support management in keeping proper discipline in office
area.
Accountability- Without proper accounts, an enterprise cannot measure its profit or loss.
Along with this, employers also fail in controlling finance (Ogunlana, 2010). Therefore, accounts
departments of enterprise set rules and obligations in a proper order. For this process, they used
to compare metrics of actual outcomes with expected result. This would help in analysing
business structure in a proper manner through which they can take actions accordingly.
Variance – This part reflects differences occur between expected outcomes to occurred
one. Therefore, operational managers are used to obtain less variation which will help in
promoting creativity. But if they fail in doing so, they have to modify entire system.
Causality – Normally, person associated with organisation faces various issues like
shortage in capital, urgent shipments, expenditures and more. All these aspects demanded them
to pay more attention in order to carry out operations in a proper manner. Along with this, for
resolving such issues, they should take proper actions.
Managed passion – People who are anyhow associated with business of a company like
as employees, employers, stakeholders, shareholders etc. give their support in running operations
in a desired manner (Pade-Khene, Mallinson and Sewry, 2011). Therefore, Human resource
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management of firm are used to recruit best talented workforce in workplace so that higher
outcomes can be obtained.
Humility – In order to obtain productivity of workers, managers should provide them
healthy and safe working environment as well as discrimination free atmosphere. Instead of look
out their weaknesses, HR managers are required to motivate them and appraise their part of
work. This would help in building enthusiasm among them as in a firm which helps people to
work well.
Success – While success of an organisation can only be measured by number of
customers who consume its products or services. Therefore, managers are needed to provide
them high qualitative services along with give them products on affordable prices rates with
various type of discounts. In electrical business, customers are always looked out on getting
appliances on discounts with different type of offer. Thus, Morphy Richards Company used to
provide timely coupons and discounts to people in order to attract them and gain their retention
for longer period of time.
SIX SIGMA:
This approach is used by managers of Morphy Richards in order to detect issues in
productions by using various methodologies. Along with identification, it gives proper
techniques to remove errors in products and make them defect free (Mir and Pinnington, 2014).
This would aid organisations like Morphy Richards to improve quality of commodities in a better
manner. Therefore, six sigma approach is more useful in manufacturing sector which is
beneficial in reducing cost and time to produce high qualitative product. The elements of this
tool includes Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control (DMAIC), procedure of all these
can be explained as:-
Define – It is the first step of improvisation, in which demand and need of customers are
defined in a precise manner. Along with this, it also gives proper direction used to complete the
same.
Measure – This stage used to measure current state of production along with
modification happen from starting to real state. In addition to this, it also evaluate requirement of
resources used to make production better.
Analyse – This part identifies problems occur in operations of a company which further
aids in examining needs of alterations in the same (Burke, 2013).
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Improve – Under this phase, managers analyse requirement for changes and possibilities
of improvisation.
Control – It is the last phase which provides better solution to control entire activities of
production in a better way (Chen, and et. al., 2011). Through this process, operational manager
can meet demand of people in a given period of time.
Lean principle:
By following this principle, operational managers of Morphy Richards Company
generate new idea in improving the production in a better manner. This approach gives five
principles as- Define Value, Map value stream, Create flow, Establish pull and Pursuit
perfection. All these things helps in manufacturing new products as well as launch the same in a
proper way. As per current scenario, this enterprise seeks to enter into new market area by
manufacturing TV appliances of big size. Therefore, lean principle helps in achieving the same
in following way:-
Define Value – This phase of lean principle defines desires and needs of customers living
at a particular place. Along with this, it also identifies income level of consumers which helps in
determining at which level they can buy products. With this assistance, managers of Morphy
Richards requires to focus on utilising the resources as well. This would aid in reducing cost of
manufacture and wastage also.
Map Value Stream – This principle provides an idea and a proper direction which
construct on map and process flow. This would help in necessary steps in each stage of PLC for
accomplishment of desired goals (Corder, McLellan and Green, 2010). These phases include
buying raw materials and resources to deliver finished product to customers. This would aid
managers of Morphy Richards in reviewing entire process of designing, manufacturing,
allocating work to human resources, providing effective services to people at marketplace and
more.
Create Flow – Under this phase, all physical process of new production flows in a
systematic manner. This would help in eliminating barrier which comes usually in such type of
operation so that demand of customers can meet in a proper way.
Establish Pull – Procedure of this principle is same like just-in-time approach i.e. all
services are provided in a precise manner as per demand of customers. This would help in
satisfying needs of customers on time.
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Pursue Perfection- As all products of a company cannot manufacture in same order,
therefore, managers of Morphy Richards are required to make some modification in technology.
Through which perfection among commodities can be pursued.
TASK 2
P2 Continuity in improvement plan based on review and analysis
Continuous Improvement And Its Meaning
Every enterprise needs to make changes in system, production, operational activity and
other part of organisation (Cruz and Marques, 2011). Through continuous improvement, it will
manufacture and provide high quality of products as well which satisfies the needs of customers
in a proper manner. Therefore, for making modification in business structure, managers of
Morphy Richard need to analyse situation of marketplace, demand of customers as well as
perception of them regarding with features of existing commodities and more. Along with this,
for creating alterations, they should make a proper plan and discuss aspect of all elements with
employers and employees with proper communication. Through this process, managers can
achieve success of desired goals in a proper manner.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Provider
Date
Source Anticipated Outcome Recent performance
level
Improvement in
strategies
Promotional events Lack of promotional
activity has impacted a
lot on sales
performance of
Morphy Richards
Company (Fleming
and Koppelman,
2016). As due to less
Due to less
advertisement, people
at marketplace didn't
know much about new
products of a
company. Especially
in context with TV
products, generally
In order to launch new
product at
marketplace,
marketing manager of
Morphy Richard needs
to properly advertise
the same in a proper
manner. They can
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marketing, it fails to
gain attraction of more
customers towards its
products and services
which is necessary for
increasing profitability
of firm.
people used to make
proper survey before
purchasing such
commodities.
promote commodities
using various sources
like advertising on TV
and social sites. Along
with this, give details
of new features of
products on website of
company and other
applications
appropriately.
After sales services When a company sell
products to customers
then generally it avoid
to listen problems of
them which may
persist after availing
services of such goods.
People at marketplace
usually seeks to get
domestic appliances
on special discounts
and offers as well as
with more than one
year of warranty.
For completing desire
of consumers,
managers of present
firm needs to provide
its new products with
amazing offers. Along
with use some special
techniques to convince
people to buy their
commodities as well.
Continuous improvement plan and its effect
This improvement plan of Morphy Richards, aid in carrying all business operations in a
perfect manner. This plan help employers in generating new ideas as well as way to turn it into
business concept. It also support in making new policies and strategies as well as implement
them on workforce so that better outcome can be obtained. Along with this, managers of this
company needs to analyse situation of marketplace, current trends and requirement of changes
etc. This would help in evaluating what they have to change in business structure and existing
system of organisation. out its production and operation in a better manner (Garel, 2013) . In this
context, Research & Development of this association used various techniques in evaluating
needs and desires of customers, purchasing power as well as techniques for achievement of all.
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Through this plan, it has evaluated that currently Morphy Richards needs to spend more
on promotional activities and use special techniques to attract customers. In addition to this, they
should change tricks of marketing for selling its commodities. In this order they can organise
special campaigning for convincing people to buy products. After selling commodities in desired
way, they should open new outlets at different place of market. These outlets are needed to
provide solution to problems which may perceive by customers who have purchased new
products. Service provider in these outlets should provide proper solution to different queries of
people in an effective way. This would leads to increase brand image of company with high
efficiencies.
Effective strategies for implementation of continuous improvement plan
In order to execute all activities of a plan in a proper way, managers are need to consider
following points:-
Good employee-employer relationship- Changes in any aspect of business structure
mostly impacts on workers and their part of work. It generates insecurity in them which arise
various type of conflicts and resistance. Therefore, managers are required to organise a proper
meeting with employees and inform them about all type of modification, strategies and policies.
Along with this, rather than impose, they should convince them to adopt changes and work on
new system (Gunasekaran and Ngai, 2012) . Further, they should make proper interaction with
investors also who will help in providing funds required to manufacture new products as well as
whole procedure of production.
Proper communication channel- In order to make proper interaction with customers,
managers should open service providing outlets and communication channels. Through this
process, they can connect with consumers and determine their needs as well as retain them also
for longer period of time.
Priority to employees need- Managers should give proper attention to employees who
give their contribution in making improvement plan successfully. They should identify needs of
workers for completing the task as well as provide essential training to complete needs
accordingly. This would help in reducing chance of resistivity as well as retaining high talented
workforce.
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TASK 3
P3 Stages of PLC with business case, project plan and work breakdown structure
As per present scenario, Morphy Richards wants to enter in new television market by
manufacturing TV of size 58'. For completing this wish, its managers have made a proper plan in
which all activities are mentioned required to set up (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). For execution
of such plan, they should determine some techniques which are available in marketplace used to
launch a new product. Since in marketplace various sources are presented, therefore, employers
of this firm require to choose the best one from all.
In context with TV appliances, people always seek to get creative, innovative and unique
features as well as on affordable rates. Therefore, operational managers are required to formulate
strategies and policies by analysing techniques of competitors used to attract customers. This
would help in generating better idea for promotion. In this assistance, they can use following
technique:-
Product Life Cycle (PLC): This cycle includes four stages which starts from
manufacturing to deliver the product to customers. These stages gives complete information of
activities done in marketing plan. It can be described in following way.
Product life cycle stages
Introduction stage- It is first stage of PLC which should be carried in proper way as rest
of the steps are depended on this. In this phase, managers are required to make appropriate plan
used to recognise an overview of new products. For this process, latest tools and technologies
should be used to make it more effective and obtain better outcomes (Lenfle and Loch, 2010).
For production of a TV set, generally it takes 4 to 5 weeks for launching at marketplace.
Growth stage- This stage shows that certain product gains stability at marketplace as well
as shows growth rate of new commodities. Since new product of this company is of bigger size,
therefore, it will take 2-3 weeks to become stable and achieve desired growth rates.
Maturity stage- In this third stage of PLC, it is required by marketers to use special
techniques of advertisement and convince people to buy products. For making new strategies,
usually near about 10 to 20 days.
Decline stage- This is the last phase of life cycle which shows that such commodities are
now failed to acquire more customers towards it. It affects on sales performance as that
commodities become old so people demands something new again.
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Gantt Chart
In order to carry out all activities properly, managers of Morphy Richard can use Gantt
Chart which shows time of completion of each process in a better way:-
Below work down structure is mentioned for a new commodity:
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