Operations and Project Management Report: Vectair and HS2 Project

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of operations and project management principles, using Vectair Systems and the HS2 project as case studies. Part 1 focuses on operations management, reviewing and critiquing its implementation within Vectair Systems, and developing a continuous improvement plan based on lean principles. Part 2 applies the project life cycle to the HS2 project, including an overview, business case, project plan, work breakdown structure, and Gantt chart. The report then reviews and critiques the effectiveness of the project life cycle within the HS2 project, considering different methodologies and techniques to ensure quality and scope. The report concludes with recommendations for enhancing operations and project management functions, drawing on theoretical frameworks and practical applications to provide valuable insights into improving business operations and project success.

Operations & Project
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1: Conduct a review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles
within an organisational context.................................................................................................1
Introduction to chosen organisation............................................................................................1
Operations Vs. Operation management......................................................................................1
Conduct review and critique for better implementation of operation management ...................2
Principles of operations management that meets the requirements............................................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
Continuous improvement plan as a philosophy and discussion of lean principles.....................3
Continuous improvement plan ...................................................................................................4
Recommendations to enhance operation function......................................................................4
PART 2............................................................................................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
P3: Apply the different stages of the project life cycle to a HS2 project....................................5
Overview of the HS2 project .....................................................................................................5
Business Case..............................................................................................................................5
Project plan .................................................................................................................................6
Work Breakdown Structure.........................................................................................................7
Gantt Chart..................................................................................................................................8
.....................................................................................................................................................9
Justification of use of project methodology and requirement of leadership...............................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P4: Review and critique the effectiveness of the project life cycle in application to the HS2
project following useful theories, concepts and models...........................................................10
Effectiveness of PLC.................................................................................................................10

Different uses of methodologies for Small and Large Scale project .......................................11
Techniques to ensure quality, tenure and scope in the project implementation........................11
Critically evaluate the PLC you have prepared within practical and theoretical frameworks..12
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................13
.......................................................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Operations management mainly deals with approaching strategic as well as day-to-day
business issues in systematic manner. Project management usually deals with planning,
motivating, organising and controlling resources to accomplish specific goals. Main purpose of
conducting this report is to find out importance of operations and project management in growth
and success of an organisation (Artto, Ahola and Vartiainen, 2016). This report is based on two
parts which includes two different scenario. For first scenario,Vectair Systems is a chosen
organisation that are experts and innovators in aircare, skincare etc. Second scenario is based on
HS2 project which is made for the full speed railway transportation in UK. Along with this, both
scenarios also includes number of tasks which will be related with the effectiveness of operations
management principles and concept of continuous improvement in an operational context.
Second scenario is completely based on project life cycle and its application in HS2 project.
PART 1
TASK 1
P1: Conduct a review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles
within an organisational context
Introduction to chosen organisation
Vectair system is one among the leading technological innovator as well as supplier of
aircare & hygiene products within number of sectors worldwide. It is a medium size company
which operates as a manufacturer, innovator and supplier of hygiene and aircare product within
number of sectors worldwide. It is operating from around 30 years by delivering the sanitary and
scent solution to over 130 countries. Its product mainly focuses over the odour control and
aircare, hand washing, sanitary disposal, surface care, infant care and product that are specially
designed for away from home spaces.
Operations Vs. Operation management
Operations Operation management
Operations is defined as the process of
performing certain set of activities such as
The operation management consists of set of
activities performed for the administration of
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manufacturing, planning and distribution of
appliances to the final client.
overall operational activities (Binder, 2016). The
manager of Vectair system is responsible to
determine, plan and manage the project as well as
each and every activities effectively.
It is consists of set of business activities. The operation management is a broader term
which is mainly used to practices like evaluating,
overseeing and controlling the process.
Under this the employees are responsible to
perform set of operations.
Under this the manager are responsible to several
activities that are related with the operation
management.
Conduct review and critique for better implementation of operation management
Operations management defined as the administration of business practices in order to
create the higher level of efficiency which is possible within the organisation. It basically
consists of transforming the efforts of employees into the final product or services for
maximizing the organisational profit (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016). Within an organisation,
there are number of critique that have been faced by Vectair system. Lack of employee
performance in improvement of business operations and quantity of raw material is also lack.
This are main issue that faced by company. In order to improve this issues, CPD plan will be
require to make by company. Under this managers plays a significant role for managing and
directing the employees efforts in right direction. In context of Vectair system, the manger put
more emphasize toward the improving the efficiency as well as productivity of employees in
order to further improve the organisational profitability. For this it work toward 'brining more
innovative and unique product for fulfilling the hygiene need of its customers. Despite of this for
better application of operational activities a manager is required to follow certain steps that are
mentioned below:
Identify value: In this the manager mainly focuses toward determining the requirement of
customers in order to make changes within its product and identifying the amount they are
willing to pay.
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Mapping value stream: The next step is to map all the activities that are required to
perform for enhancing performance. Additionally it also map out the activities that are required
to drop in order to reduce expenses and wastage.
Create flow: After coordinating all activities and eliminating the waste, it support in
bringing a systematic flow of activities. This is implemented by Vectair system to enhance the
performance by reducing the wastage (Harrison and Lock, 2017).
Establish pull: Under this the manager is required to align its product as per the market
situation. For this the Vectair system can use Just in time method that will lead to delivery of
products on time and as per demand without wastage.
Seek constant improvement: Under this the manager Vectair system mainly focuses
toward regularly evaluating the work and then seeking for future improvement.
Six Sigma: It is a crucial operations management techniques that help in increasing the
capability of a company by enhancing the performance. It further contribute toward enhancing
the quality of product by minimising the defect as it involve more supervision which usually take
time but maintain quality of product. The managers of Vectair system must emphasize toward
this for improvement and development of business (Heizer, Render and Munson, 2017).
Principles of operations management that meets the requirements
There are some principles of operations management that are require by company to
successfully develop new product and improve their business operations. Some principles will be
deter as below:
Reality: It is a principle of operation management and in this company mainly emphasis
over the issue, rather than methods and techniques that could be applied for the same.
Accountability: Mangers of the Vectair system must set up metrics in effective manner
for this staff members to work on and measure is the objectives and goals are being met
effectively.
Positive aspect: One of the main positive aspect of operation management principles is it provide
appropriate guidance to their all staff member to work towards improvement of operations.
Negative aspect: This will create conflict among employees that turn to impact on business
operations in negative manner (Heldman, 2018).
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TASK 2
P2: Prepare a continuous improvement plan based on the review and critique of operations
management principles within an organisational context
Continuous improvement plan as a philosophy and discussion of lean principles
Continuous improvement plan introduces as an ongoing effort to enhance services,
processes or products. It is an effective framework for Vectair system to ensure that consistence
and effective improvement is accomplished. Lean principles is one of the main methodology that
help company in improvement of its operations. There are five principles of lean which are
value, value stream, flow, pull and perfection. These are main principles that support an
enterprise by minimising waste and increasing productivity (Kerzner, 2017).
Continuous improvement plan
It is an essential framework that help an organisation in continuous improvement of its
business operations. For this, PDCA model could use by company with aim to ensuring a
consistent and effective execution of continuous improvement in the organisation. There are
certain aspects that will be require by company to enhance their operations continuously such as
cost, quality, safety and delivery. This model includes some steps which will be determined as
below:
Plan: It is a fist part of PDCA model that includes planning regarding the initial factors.
This output into the development of the variation in the various determinants. In order to
improve employee’s performance, there is need of effective implementation of the operational
management principles. The main three principles which were not applied by the organisation
properly that creates the issue includes Mapping value stream, create flow and Seek constant
improvement. In this step of planning, needed to focus over selection of the approaches that will
help to improve the application of these three principles. Mapping value stream improves
through creation of separate team that focus over activities of all important areas. This will help
in enhancement of the employee’s performance belong from the different department.
Continuous flow will be created with the aid of ascertaining support of inventory software. Thus
improves the availability of raw materials. In last, constant improvement will be ascertained
through the application of the technique of 360-degree appraisal of employees and usage of
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methods to overcome deviations. The impact of this exercise is also have over improving
employee’s performance.
Do: This includes the implementation process which can be know from the point that
planning support in making programs. This is the process of applying the aspects that are
planned in the above step. Here, team of 5 individuals is build that focus over the performance of
all important activities on time so, each and every one get motivated to complete the work on
time for ascertaining rewards and appreciation. To improve flow of raw materials the system of
JIT is implemented. This not help to regulate the materials but also provides an opportunity to
utilise all of them in optimal manner. In last, the technique of 360 degree-appraisal is applied to
know about deviations and effective assistance so they can improve the knowledge and
performance. (Krishnan, 2013).
Check: This phase will include regarding the determination of effectiveness of working.
It can be analysis by the company by using gap analysis. This is the step which includes the
review of all techniques and procedures adopted in the above section. The fair working of team
will be checked through high authority’s surveillance and departmental feedbacks. Working of
JIT will be checked through comparing the results and employee’s feedback about the continuity
of raw materials. In last, the working of appraisal technique ascertained with the aid of training
programmes started within an organisation and improvement of performances that will be
reflected in their work.
Act: This introduces to the last phase which includes action development that are
ascertained above and goes towards the continuous development process. This is the last step
where measures taken from the side of higher authorities if they find any kind of discrepancies in
the working of improvement techniques. Here, they also ensure about the application of
alternative measures that will provides the opportunity to bring improvements in current state of
techniques and working. For ex., to improve the working of team they can ask for periodic
report, in case of JIT they can check the monthly level of productivity and in last case of
appraisal they can see over the working environment.
Recommendations to enhance operation function
From the above mentioned information it has been recommended that Vectair system
must apply the lean production that will help them to increase profitability. Along with this, it
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will also support an organisation in reducing the unnecessary amount of capital by using useful
production activities. Apart from this, company could also used digital technology in their
business operations that turn to assist them by improving their operations and also enhancing
their market growth easily (Lientz and Rea, 2016).
PART 2
TASK 3
P3: Apply the different stages of the project life cycle to a HS2 project.
Overview of the HS2 project
HS2 is a project that is mainly develop for the high speed railway transportation in
United Kingdom. This project is established with latest technology that leads to less or zero
emission of carbon. Use of upgraded network and application of modern technology help an
organisation to use sustainable method (Maylor, Turner and Murray-Webster, 2015). HS2 has
the more capacity to carry around 2 million people in a week that minimise the problem of
overcrowd as the large number of person can reach to their destination or goal peacefully. Thus,
it is the more convenient way in order to deflect congestion as well as make desirable journey.
Business Case
Business case introduces as a verbal and written value proposition or statement that is
supposed to educate a decision maker as well as convince them to develop certain type of action.
In business case, number of informations related to the organisation will be included which are
define as below:
Overview of the company High speed 2 is the national rail of UK which is now planning
to bring innovation so as to decrease carbon footprint which
can damage the environment. Thus, working on a new project
of bringing innovative product minimizing the overcrowding
issue by making an effective designing the technology for
convenience of people.
Vision Vision of company is to enhance its operation and diverse its
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network for better convenience of customer and generate huge
amount of profits (Müller and et. al., 2014).
Mission Mission of chosen company is to enhance the public image by
making contribution towards Corporate Social Responsibility.
Strategic objective The main objective behind working on HS2 project is the
increase profitability of company by atleast 15% within one
year which can be possible through spreading the awareness
about innovation.
Strategy It includes principles such as lean product which can be
followed by chosen company so as to improve performance of
activities. Furthermore, while functioning within large scale
project like HS2 strategies are prepared for organizational
success (Nicholas and Steyn, 2017).
Budget To execute better programme, it is important for project
manager to make buyer more educated in order to spend their
income on diverse activities
Particular Amount
Cost of program 11000
Salaries to staff 7000
Investment in raw material 2000
Extra expenses 2500
Total budget 22500
Thus, the company need to invest 22500 for the effective and
efficient completion of project.
Follow Up All the pre-determined plans and strategies framed by project
manager so as to avoid any deviation so that project activities
cannot be hurdled (Reid and Sanders, 2019).
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Project plan
Project life cycle: It consists of various stages involved in execution of project due to
which it is important for project manager to consider and follow each stage so as to receive better
results. For this, the project manager is held responsible to allot roles and responsibilities
according to the available resources. Project life cycle starts with project initiation and ends with
closure or completion of project. As a junior project manager working under HS2 project, such
project life cycle is prepared with an aim of achieving desired aims and objectives. These are
described as under:
Initiation: In this stage, ideas are developed as it includes brainstorming method under
which new programs and procedure are developed. It requires support from team members to
think new and innovative so that it will bring more profitable impact to company. Generating
ideas is not enough as risk involved in execution of ideas must also considered so that no
breakdown or difficulties can be faced by project team members. Along with this, appropriate
brainstorming is required for organisation to meet the factors and needs contributing in
assessment of opportunity.
Planning: After initiating or generating new ideas, the next stage is framing plans which
ensures that every project member can perform in right guidance and direction. In the context of
HS2 project, the project manager is responsible to take opinions from their team members and
frame plans accordingly after getting feedbacks on it. Getting approval from all involved
members helps in better execution of desired project (Schwalbe, 2015).
Execution: It includes the implementation process in which the generated ideas will
converted into action by using pre-determined plans and strategies. It can be possible through
better communication between project manager and team members. The main action that project
manager of HS2 need to adopt is giving training to their staff members so that wastages of
limited resources can be utilized in an optimum manner. Along with this, the company may
adopt six sigma and lean management for better quality work.
Closure: This is a last phase of PLC that mainly focuses on the output of entire project.
HS2 is a project that is evaluated and introduced whether it was more capable to accomplish the
desired outcomes. If project manager face issues in completion of this project that they can try to
rake better action for achieving better results. Adoption of autocratic leadership style is useful for
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project manager in execution of predetermined plan effectively and efficiently (Sears and et. al.,
2015). HS2 could apply Basecamp tool for determining entire closure and quality of project. In
this, strategic leadership could be useful and essential for the HS2 in assessing effectiveness as
well as modify plan.
Work Breakdown Structure
In project management, WBS is a deliverable-oriented breakdown of work into smaller
elements. HS2 is a given project and for completing this, project manager need divide all work
into different parts. WBS of HS2 project will be shown as below:
Gantt Chart
Gantt chart introduces as a graphical presentation tool that will be beneficial for project
manager to use and identify starting and ending time of project. HS2 is a given project and for
this project, number of activities will be require to complete by project manger (Takey and de
Carvalho, 2015). These activities will be shown as below:
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