Operations and Project Management Strategies for Unilever & Cromwell

This report provides an analysis of operations and project management principles, focusing on Unilever and Cromwell Tools Ltd. For Unilever, the report examines the implementation of operations management principles, the extent to which operations management meets organizational requirements, continuous improvement philosophies like Lean, and the application of Six Sigma. It includes a continuous improvement plan and recommendations for improvement. For Cromwell Tools Ltd., the report includes a case study overview, an analysis of project methodologies and tools used, and a review of the effectiveness of the project life cycle in addressing employee absenteeism through the introduction of an on-site catering system. The report also covers the business case, vision, mission, objectives, strategies, innovation, opportunities, improvements, resources, risk benefits, and cash flow considerations for Cromwell Tools Ltd.'s project.

OPERATIONS AND
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
Introduction of organisation...................................................................................................3
Explanation of operation vs operations management.............................................................3
Review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles...............4
An analysis of the extent to which the operations management of the organization meets the
requirements of the organization............................................................................................6
Continuous improvement as a philosophy and describe the Lean principles ........................6
Apply six Sigma and its effectiveness ...................................................................................7
Prepare a Continuous improvement plan...............................................................................9
Analysis of effectiveness of continuous improvement plan.................................................11
Recommendations for improvement....................................................................................11
PART 2.........................................................................................................................................12
Project title............................................................................................................................12
Overview of the case study...................................................................................................12
Analysis of the project methodologies and tools used.........................................................16
Review and critique the effectiveness of the PLC................................................................17
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES:.............................................................................................................................19
Books and Journals:..............................................................................................................19

INTRODUCTION
This report helps in understanding about importance of operations for an organisation and
how does it contributes in maximizing productivity and profitability of organisation (Glock and
et. al., 2019). Operations management is defined as process of effectively managing operations
of organisation. This report is based on Unilever and focuses on understanding its operations
management. This report also focuses on various theories which are utilized by managers to
ensure effective operations in organisation. Organisation growth and development depends on its
effective and efficient utilisation of resources. This report also includes information about project
management which can help in completing project within desired deadline. It also includes
information about different stages of project life cycle and importance of these stages in
completion of project.
MAIN BODY
PART 1
Introduction of organisation
Unilever is the multinational company which operates in various countries and sells its
products and services globally. Unilever provides numerous products and services which helps
them in satisfying needs and wants of consumers. It is based in UK and its product range
includes varieties of products such as tea, coffee, beauty products etc. Unilever focuses on
effectively managing its operations which helps them in boosting their profits and also assists in
effective utilisation of resources.
Explanation of operation vs operations management
Operation are explained as activities which are performed within organization on daily
basis and which helps organization in boosting its profits and maximizing productivity and
profitability of organization (Torlak, Demir and Budur, 2019). Unilever focuses on performing
their regular activities by understanding importance of optimization during their activities and
focuses on utilizing effective and efficient approach for organization. Operation management is
explained as process of managing operations in organization. Operations are considered as
activities which are important for functioning of business and it helps Unilever in boosting their
profits.

Operation management is the process of management and it focuses on daily operations
within an organization. Unilever focuses on making effective decision during operations of
organization.
Review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles
Operations in organization helps in making functioning of business smooth and also helps
in maximizing productivity and profitability of organization. Unilever managers focuses on
making their operations management effectively and focuses on providing quality products to
their consumers (Anand and Gray, 2017). Managers of Unilever focuses on developing effective
strategies and procedures which can help organization in performing effective and smooth
operations. Effective management of operations helps in achieving desired goals and objectives.
Effective operational performance of Unilever helps in boosting financial performance of
organization and also assists in making operational process smooth. There are various principles
of operations management which are utilized by various organization and Unilever also focuses
on implementing these principles. These principles help Unilever in making effective strategy for
its operations and managers ensure that such principles should be utilized effectively by
Unilever.
An analysis of the extent to which the operations management of the organization meets the
requirements of the organization
Organization should focus on utilizing the principles of operations management as it helps in
achieving desired goals and objectives of organization. Unilever operates at global level and it
makes them a leading global organization (de Jesus Pacheco and et. al., 2019). Unilever have to
focus on understanding needs and preference of consumers and ensure that products which are
provided should be affordable and good in quality. There are some points which helps in
understanding about Unilever and how it achieve its goals:
Unilever focuses on maintaining quality of their products and services. It is important for
organization to provide products and services according to need of consumers because it
helps in satisfying its consumers. This could help help organization in boosting its profits
and utilizing their resources effectively and efficiently.
Unilever focuses on understanding about experience of consumer regarding their products.
Managers of Unilever focuses on utilizing their resources and ensure that products should

meet quality standards. It also helps an organization in satisfying their consumer and helps
in retaining consumer and engaging new consume with organization.
Organization focuses on effectively managing their supply chain and manager focuses on
maintaining effective relationship with suppliers which can help in delivering products on
time and assuring quality of products.
Unilever operates at global level and it makes organization to produce goods at large scale. It
helps them in making their operations effective and ensure that products provided by
organization should be good in quality.
Continuous improvement as a philosophy and describe the Lean principles
This part focuses on continuous improvement in products and services of organization in
terms of quality and price (Patel, Guedes and Pearce II, 2017). It assists Unilever in boosting
their profits and also focuses on maximizing its productivity and profitability. Continuous
improvement in products of organization also helps in boosting its performance and helps in
gaining competitive advantage over its competitors.
Organization focuses on following the standards which are set by the top management.
Unilever focuses on operating in such a way that it helps them in achieving desired goals and
objectives (Orgut and et. al., 2020).
Principles mentioned above help organization in maintaining quality of its products and ensure
that organization should perform effectively according to expectation of consumers.
Analysis of effectiveness of continuous improvement plan
It is necessary for an organization that they should understand the importance of
continuous improvement plan. With the help of above analysis, it is found that an organisation
can easily achieve their goals and able to reduce excess cost (Naderi and et. al., 2019). This will
assists Unilever to reduce cost of production as well as customers are able to purchase their
products and services. For that purpose, there are many theories which are discussed.
Recommendations for improvement
 It is recommended to Unilever that they should prepare for changes so that their
employees ca accept changes.

 For acceptance of change it is necessary for an organisation to make their culture
accordingly.
 It is recommended to Unilever that they need to select appropriate theory after reviewing
or evaluating them.

PART 2
Project title
“Healthy food healthy lifestyle”
Overview of the case study
Cromwell Tools Ltd. was founded in August, 1970 by Michael Gregory at Wilberforce
Road, Leicester. Company is deal in suppliers of industrial tools such as cutting tools, power
tools, hand and safety tools, etc. It is the supplier from 50 years that offers unrivaled choice of
products. They have a expertise team in with technical members. They are focusing on cost
effective and customer focused approach. They are operating their business in Midlands with
around 1250 employees. They are currently facing a issue of absenteeism as their employees
have a health related issue. Other employees who are working on organisation have excess
movement which reduces productivity (Cha and Maytorena-Sanchez, 2019). This is necessary
for an organisation that they should focus on the catering system of food in which they need to
make sure about the food quality and hygienes. Currently they has no on-site catering and that's
why it is vital for them to start a catering in order to solve the issues. For that purpose, company
need to develop project which can be done with the help of following PLC.
Project life cycle
It defined as the life cycle that shows stages of project from which it undergoes. It is
necessary for an organisation that they should understand all the stages effectively in order to
complete their project on time (Wilson, 2018). It consists of four important stages that are
mentioned below:
Project Initiation
It is the first stage in which Cromwell Tools Ltd. needs to initiate their project by setting
goals and objectives. In this project, Cromwell Tools Ltd. set a goal that they will launch on-site

catering system so that their employees does not face any issue. For that purpose, they invite
their employees in order to participate in decision making process as they believe that employees
engagement is necessary for achievement of goals and objectives.
Project Planning
This is the second stage in which an organisation is focusing formulating a plan in order
to achieve set objectives. For that purpose, it is necessary for Cromwell Tools Ltd. needs to use
lean principles so that they are able to reduce absenteeism and increase productivity (Metters,
2017). They should involve some important elements in their planning process that are cost,
resources, budget, etc. Cromwell Tools Ltd. should involve the engagement of employees.
Project Execution
In this stage, Cromwell Tools Ltd. should execute their plan so that they are bale to
achieve their goals. In this case, company should ensure that their planning should be effectively
executed so that they will not face any problem or issues in the organisation. Execution of plan
decide the result. For the effective implementation of plan, company can use total quality
management approach which ensures the effectiveness.
Project Closure
This the last stage in which Cromwell Tools Ltd. need to successfully close the project. It
is necessary for an organisation that they should check that their project is successfully close.
They should reduce wastage at the time of closure of project.
Some important evidence are mentioned below that shows how an organisation
implement their plan.
Business case
Executive
summary
This case is based on Cromwell Tools Ltd. which is dealing with the tools that
sued in repair machineries, etc. They are currently facing a issue of absenteeism
which is necessary to resolve them and that's why the organisation need to use
some important theories or models.
Vision The vision of Cromwell Tools Ltd. is to become the market leader in global
market.
Mission The mission of Cromwell Tools Ltd. is to offer best goods and services to their
customers in order to satisfy their wants and needs.

Objectives Cromwell Tools Ltd. has an objective that they use cost effective and customer
centric approach in order to deal with customers.
Strategies Te problem of Cromwell Tools Ltd. Is to reducing absenteeism of employees in
the organisation and that's why they are formulate their strategy accordingly
which has a main focus on providing healthy lifestyle so that their employees
do not face a issue of lack of health and safety.
Innovation They are focusing on innovative ideas that helps to solve problem as well as
maintain the interest of employees (Santibanez Gonzalez, Koh and Leung,
2019). For that purpose, they are upgrade their health and safety rules which
can be done by using technologies for delivering foods.
Opportunity It is found that there are many opportunities in Cromwell Tools Ltd. during
implementation of plan. They have an opportunity to increase the productivity
and performance by taking feedback from the employees.
Improvement This can be done by explaining the importance of time that taken by employees
in order to perform their duties. Organisation can reduce absenteeism with the
he help of continuous improvement plan.
Resources
required
It is necessary for an organisation that they should allocate all the resources
which are required in order to implement the project such as human resources,
financial resources, etc.
Risk and
benefit
There is an uncertainty in the project that needs to be analyse by organisation as
they have a risk of project failure (Jeffery, 2018). If organisation can find the
risk then they will take precautions in order to minimise these risk.
Cash flow It is necessary for an organisation that they should formulate a cash flow
statement in which they found that how much they can earn cash. It also found
the cash inflow and outflow during project.
Business
strategy
Advantages:
 With the help of a business strategy an organisation is able to achieve
their goals and objectives.

Limitations:
 If organisation is not make a business strategy then they are able to find
risk.
Project Plan:
Cost It is necessary for an organisation that they need to set some cost so that
employees knows what they need to expand. This project requires
approximate £24,995.
Quality The project needs to complete with quality so company can achieve their
objectives. For that purpose, TQM is effective in order to achieve quality.
Scope With the help of this project, an organisation just not only reduce absenteeism
but also set an example for CSR which inspire many organisation.
Work Breakdown Structure:
It is an important tool which is necessary for an organisation to use during project as it
break down the work in small task (Saint-Guillain, 2019). So that Cromwell Tools Ltd. is able to
achieve their goals time and complete their project with efficiency. This is ensures the
effectiveness of plan during the implementation. Members who are involve in project can easily
get to know their roles and duties.

Gantt chart:
Gantt chart is the graphical presentation of work with scheduling of work (Tiedemann,
2020). It is very helpful for an organisation as they know their time in which task should be
performed.
Project plan: Project plan is an important element for organisation as it is the base from
which an organisation is able to formulate a plan.
Pros: it is beneficial for achievement of gaol and provide clear objectives that how employees
perform their work which leads in achievement of objectives.
Cons:
 It cannot provide exact outcome as it is based on assumptions.
Project life cycle pros and cons
Pros:

 It assist in effective execution of plan that ensure the achieving desired result of project.
Cons:
 Sometimes due to dynamic nature of business environment, organisation cannot able to
implement the project life cycle in an effective way.
Analysis of the project methodologies and tools used
The above discussion shows that it is necessary for an organisation to use different
methodologies and tools in the business practices. So that they are able to achieve the desired
objective or project. With the help of tools and techniques an organisation can effectively use
their scare resource optimally (Haksever and Render, 2017). So that's why there are some
important tool and techniques such as agile methodology, project leadership tools, project
management tools, etc. with the help of these methodologies, an organisation can successfully
follow project life cycle. But it is necessary that they should evaluate each option in an effective
way before selection.
Review and critique the effectiveness of the PLC
This is necessary for an organisation that they should include vision, mission, targets, and
objectives in their project management plan. Project management is an important part of project
life cycle. PLC is the process that include four important stage which shows that every project is
undergoes from different stages. It leads to organisational success and growth. For the
accomplishment of goals and objectives, it is necessary for a company that they should use
important model which is waterfall (Van Wassenhove, 2019). It is the appropriate model that
ensure deal with exact situation. Some important consideration are mentioned below:
Requirement: It is the stage in which an organisation need to find out all the
requirements of project so that a manager can effectively manage the project. For that purpose,
they should sue six sigma approach in order to reduce the cost.
Design: It is related to the structure of organisation in which a company decide the design
of their project that how they perform all the activities. It is necessary that they should design the
leadership which should be effective (Wilson, 2018). It also include the use of lean management
so that Cromwell is able to optimally use their resources.
Development: This is necessary for an organisation that they should focus on
development so that they can able to achieve maximum satisfaction. Company needs to use

TQM in order to make development in the project. TQM helps in maintaining the quality of
project.
Maintenance: This is the last stage in which an organisation need to monitor the project
in which they should find out deviation if any. Company need to maintain the project
performance.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above discussion that it is necessary for Unilever that they
should focused on effectiveness of operations. This can be done with the help of continuous
improvement plan and related theories. It assist in achievement of goals and objectives. There are
many theories discussed in which six sigma is necessary to adopt. In addition to this, it is crucial
for an organisation to focus on project life cycle. Every organisation has performed certain
projects and all project are undergoes through four stages of project life cycle. Unilever needs to
implement and apply these four stages in an effective way so that a company is able to achieve
their desired results.

REFERENCES:
Books and Journals:
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