Project Life Cycle Analysis: Toyota and Leisure Centre Expansion

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Project Life Cycle (PLC) management, utilizing Toyota Motors and a Leisure Centre expansion as case studies. The report explores the application of PLC principles, various project management tools and techniques, and different leadership styles within the context of these organizations. It examines the stages of PLC, including project initiation, planning, execution, and closure, and how these stages are applied to the expansion project of the leisure centre. Key tools like Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Gantt charts are analyzed for their effectiveness in project management. The report further investigates the rationale behind using these tools and different leadership styles in each stage of the PLC, along with a continuous improvement plan for Toyota. It also assesses the effectiveness of applying various theories, models, and concepts in both large and small-scale projects, and provides a critical evaluation of the practical and theoretical effectiveness of PLC in the context of the case studies.

Operations and Project
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
ACTIVITY 1 & 2.............................................................................................................................3
Covered in PPT...........................................................................................................................3
ACTIVITY 3....................................................................................................................................3
3.1 Applying PLC to a project with supporting documentation.................................................3
3.2 Analysis of rationale for using WBS, Gantt Chart and leadership for the project................9
3.3 Effectiveness of using PLC in project using appropriate models, concepts and theories...10
3.4 Analysis and critique of how appropriate theories, models and concepts are applied for
large and small scale projects....................................................................................................11
3.5 Critical evaluation of practical and theoretical effectiveness of PLC.................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is concerned with designing and controlling the processes of the
production and managing the operations of the business which are associated with production of
goods and services. To achieve efficiency in the operations various principles of operations are
used along with various tools and techniques that helps in improving the processes. While
project management is concerned with managing a specific project irrespective of the nature and
the activity it is related with. The project life cycle is used by the project managers which helps
them to effectively undertake the process by following various steps. For this report the
organisation that is taken into consideration is Toyota Motors manufacturing, UK. The managers
of the company seeks to achieve the effectiveness in the the Toyota production system with the
helps of continuous improvement plan. The another case which is considered is of Leisure centre
which is planning to expand their business by renovating the site. In this report various models,
concepts, theories, methodologies, leadership styles will be identified that will support them to
achieve their goals. Also a continuous improvement plan is prepared for the Toyota company
along with that various stages of PLC are studied in context of Leisure centre which is planning
to expand their businesses.
Overview of the case : In this case the organisation that is considered is Toyota Motor
manufacturing UK. It is one of the leading organisation which ha strong operation management
system as they can effectively conduct and implement all of their policies and the techniques. In
this case the effectiveness of the Toyota production system will be identified and a continuous
improvement plan will be prepared for them. Such analysis will be done on the basis of various
models, theories and the principles.
ACTIVITY 1 & 2
Covered in PPT
ACTIVITY 3
3.1 Applying PLC to a project with supporting documentation
Overview of the case : Paul and Penny run an established and successful Leisure Centre
in Clapham, UK. The increased awareness of people about the health benefits of exercising,
growing initiatives for Public Health taken by the Borough Council and government, mixed

demographics of the city due to presence of many schools, businesses and families contributed
largely to the success of their business. Also the previous good and relevant work experience of
Paul and Penny along with their qualifications and business sense led them to manage the
business successfully. Now they want to expand their business in Croydon, London, UK at a
suitable site with some renovation in their Leisure Centre so that they can spread public
awareness of health benefits in the city and increase their business profits (Cheng and et. al.,
2015).
Business case for the project : Paul and Penny want to expand their business of Leisure
Centre in Croydon, UK so that health benefits can be given to public which will help in
increasing their profits.
Vision and Mission The vision is to inspire people belonging to different communities into
active, healthy and fulfilling lifestyles by providing them with
recreational activities (Collins, Muthusamy and Carr, 2015).
The mission is to provide affordable recreational opportunities to
everyone in the community so that health and fitness is ensured.
Target market Their target market is people belonging to all demographics so that health
and fitness can be ensured for everyone at affordable prices. This can be
done through increasing awareness of health benefits of exercising.
Objectives Their objective is to provide affordable health benefits along with
recreational activities and also become the leader in leisure segment.
Strategies Their strategy is to build a Leisure Centre at Croydon at a site that they
think is suitable so that people from different demographics can easily
access their services (Harrison and Lock, 2017).
Project Life Cycle : The project life cycle describes various stages through which a
project passes from starting point to the completion of project. It is formed before initiating a
project so that the stages can be well defined and the tasks, tools, people associated with each
stage, budget required for each stage etc. can be well defined. A well defined PLC brings order
and structure to the project and keeps the people involved motivated throughout the process. The
management can also well manage the project through all the stages and confusion can be

avoided so that the project gets completed on time and within stipulated budget (Hicks and et.
al., 2015).
Illustration 1: Project life cycle .2019
Source : Project life cycle, 2019 Project initiation : In this stage of PLC a business need, problem or opportunity is
identified through feasibility study so that the major deliverables of the project can be
identified. At this stage various other aspects are also identified such as the scope of the
project, the stakeholders involved and a business case is formed which defines the vision
and mission of the project, its objectives, tools, strategies, target market etc. Paul and
Penny needs to develop a business case so that a correct strategy can be formulated
before initiating the project (Jasti and Kodali, 2016).
Methodology used : Business case to identify all the aspects related to project.
Tools used : RASCI tool can be used which will determine responsibilities,
accountability, sign-offs, consultation and information.
Leadership style used : Visionary style of leadership is used to create and provide a vision to
team members making them comfortable about working on the project (Kliem and Ludin, 2019).
 Project planning : At this stage appropriate plans are formed regarding formation of
teams, delegation of roles and responsibilities among all the members, preparation of a
schedule for completion of assignments, breakdown of the project into smaller and
achievable tasks etc. This stage is most important as it provides the direction to all the
team members about how activities will be executed from gathering of resources and
information required to finally executing all the activities (Lim and et. al., 2016). Paul

and Penny can take the help of Work Breakdown Structure and Gantt chart so that the
project can be broken down into smaller tasks so that the project gets completed on time
and within the stipulated budget. It will also include deciding a suitable location for
expanding their business, identifying the team members, allocation of costs, identifying
cost of raw materials and labour involved etc. A project plan is given below:
Cost The estimated cost of opening a Leisure Centre in Croydon is around £2m.
Communication A matrix communication structure can be adopted by Paul and Penny
because it is an effective way to inform all the team members and upgrading
them about the progress of various stages of the project (Love and et. al.,
2015).
Quality To ensure quality of the project safety measures will be adopted so that the
services given by their Leisure Centre can ensure safe exercising machines
along with recreational activities that will be used by public for being fit and
healthy.
Scope The scope of the project is huge as the public awareness related to health
benefits is increasing and more people are joining Leisure centres to stay fit.
Also public health initiatives are being taken by the Borough council and
government which has increased public preference towards exercising daily.
Methodology used : Project plan
Tools used : WBS and Gantt chart so that the project can be divided into small
manageable tasks and project can be completed on time.
Leadership style used : Democratic leadership style can be used so that all the members
can be involved in decision-making process and their views and opinions can be
considered (Luo and et. al., 2016).
 Project execution : At this stage the plans that are formed in the above stage is finally
put into action. All the deliverables that are required to complete the project will perform
their tasks and monitoring will be done so the quality of work can be ensured. All the
activities that are carried out will be coordinated and integrated so that desired results can
be obtained. Paul and Penny will ned to communicate with team members, monitor their

work quality, manage budget and organise workflow so that the establishment of Leisure
centre at Croydon can be successfully done (Macpherson and et. al., 2015).
Methodology used : The company can use six sigma methodology to understand the
actual requirements of the project and eliminate defects and waste process so that the cost
of project can be monitored.
Tools used : Critical path management and PERT can be used so that the project can be
scheduled and managed along with identification of the minimum length of time that is
needed to complete the project.
Leadership style used : Coaching style of leadership can be used so the the leader can
correct the mistakes of team members simultaneously encouraging them so that their
performance can be enhanced and quality of work can be ensured. Closure : This the final stage of PLC where the project is put to an end. Project
performance and team performance are analysed, final deliverables are delivered to
clients, resources are released and profits/losses are determined. Paul and Penny can close
their project and realise their final profits and losses at this stage.
Methodology used : No specific method is used at this stage but the success of project can be
measured by evaluating the goals and objectives that are achieved through the project.
Tools used : Formal customer sign-off, releasing the resources, documentation of all the records
and celebration after the success of the project.
Leadership style : Democratic style of leadership can be used so that the reviews and feedbacks
from team members can be collected about lessons learned and how future projects can be
improved.
Work breakdown structure : It is tool that is used in project management so that complete
project can be broken down into small and manageable tasks which can be finished within time.
This helps in managing the project as the small tasks can be well managed and monitored (Work
Breakdown Structure (WBS) .2019).

Gantt Chart : It is type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule. This chart helps in
evaluating the time that is required to finish each task associated with the project. It helps in
summarizing what has to be done and when.

3.2 Analysis of rationale for using WBS, Gantt Chart and leadership for the project
The WBS, Gantt chart, critical path and leadership styles that are used at various stages
of the project are useful in monitoring and controlling each stage efficiently and effectively.
WBS helps in breaking down the complete project into smaller tasks which are easier to manage
and finish within a stipulated time. This helps the team members in being clear about the goals
that are to be achieved. Gantt Chart helps in determining the time that will be required to finish
each stage. This helps in completing the project on time and also budget can be monitored
efficiently at each stage. Critical path helps in determining the minimum time that is needed to

complete the project. This helps in eliminating waste processes from the PLC so that project gets
completed in the shortest time possible, with greatest efficiency and quality as the defective or
waste processes can be eliminated. Different leadership styles used at different stages in PLC
helps the leaders of the team in directing, monitoring and controlling the activities of the team
members so that they can be given clear instructions as to how to move forward with the project.
This also helps in avoiding conflicts and integrating and coordinating the work of all the team
members involved (Nam and et. al., 2016).
3.3 Effectiveness of using PLC in project using appropriate models, concepts and theories
The use of project life cycle provides a framework for managing and completing a project
by providing clearly defined activities that are to be done at each stage of the project. The PLC
uses various models, concepts and theories so that effective completion of project can be
achieved. PERT-CPM, WBS, Gantt Chart etc. which are applied at different stages of PLC helps
in achieving the desired results from the project (Vladimirovich and Viktorovna, 2016). The
effectiveness of PLC for the above mentioned project can be both positive and negative :
Positive Negative
 It is an effective way of completing the
project on time.
 It clearly defines the roles and
responsibilities of all the team members
which enables them to execute their
roles effectively.
 It helps in managing and controlling the
budget so that the project gets
completed on time and within
stipulated budget.
 The workers will depend highly on
leaders and managers for delegation of
their roles and responsibilities. This
will reduce their creative and
innovative thought process.
 Various methods, tools and techniques
used in the PLC makes the project
expensive.
 The models, concepts and theories that
are to be applied at each stage makes
the task of managers more hectic which
increases stress and tension.

3.4 Analysis and critique of how appropriate theories, models and concepts are applied for large
and small scale projects
Large scale projects are the projects that require huge number of resources, assets and
money and is generally initiated so as to benefit large number of people. Small scale projects
involves comparatively less amount of resources, cost and assets involved and is usually
employed by companies to achieve small-order tasks. However, a PLC can be used in both the
type of projects which uses various theories, models and concepts so that the project gets
completed on time and within a predetermined budget (Wang and et. al., 2015). Efficiency of a
project will improve in both the cases and the objectives will be achieved. The use of Plc for
small scale and large scale projects can be analysed as below :
Basis Positive Negative
Small scale project  Helps in directing the team
members about the path that
is to be followed to achieve
the project objectives.
 Helps in completion of the
project on time.
 Use of various methods,
tools and techniques make
the project more
expensive.
 Managers of small scale
projects might find it
difficult to apply various
theories, models and
concepts.
Large scale project  The feasibility of the project
and its usefulness for the
targeted large number of
people can be determined.
 Helps in dividing the large
and complex project into
smaller manageable tasks so
that the project gets
completed on time.
 The teams cannot start
their work unless the work
of previous stage is not
completed.
 Practical application of
PLC is difficult as the
division of complex
project cannot be easily
done.

3.5 Critical evaluation of practical and theoretical effectiveness of PLC
PLC helps an organisation to divide the project into four stages which have to be
managed and controlled so that the project can be completed within time and budget and desired
quality of products and services are delivered to the target markets. A project life cycle is both
theoretically and practically viable in the above mentioned project i.e. expansion of business by
Paul and Penny by opening a Leisure Centre in Croydon, UK. This will help them in analysing
the total costs that will be required for successfully completing the project and also the time
required can also be analysed. This will help them in developing an effective team so that they
can work towards achieving the desired goals. A business case, project plan, WBS, Gantt Chart,
critical path etc. can be theoretically developed so that team members can be clear about their
roles and responsibilities and the path that they need to take so that the project can be completed
as desired. The practical application of the PLC is also easy as simple steps are defined to
complete the project. PLC can also ensure quality of services that are delivered to final
customers as the waste processes are eliminated in PLC which also reduces cost of the project.
This will help in delivering affordable services through the Leisure where people can use the safe
exercising machines and other recreational activities to stay fit and healthy (Zhou, 2016).