Unit 16: Operations and Project Management Report - Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of operations and project management, using Sainsbury's as a case study. It begins with an overview of the organization, differentiating between operations and operations management, and then critiques the implementation of operational management principles. The report delves into lean management principles, including value stream mapping and continuous improvement, and evaluates their application within Sainsbury's. It assesses the extent to which Sainsbury's operations meet organizational requirements, discussing both positive and negative aspects. The report also formulates a continuous improvement plan aligned with the critique of operations management principles. The report concludes with recommendations for improving operation functions and includes a business case, executive summary, and project life cycle analysis.

Unit 16 - Operations &
Project Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
Organisation overview ...........................................................................................................1
Explanation for differences between operations and operations management......................1
Review & critique about how there is implementation of operational management principle in
organisation............................................................................................................................2
Extent up to which operation management in a company is meeting their organisational
requirements...........................................................................................................................3
Mention continuous improvement plan as a philosophical structure & lean principles.........3
Formulation of an appropriate plan of continuous improvement in accordance with critique
and review of operations management principles..................................................................5

Recommendations for improving operation function.............................................................8
PART 2............................................................................................................................................8
Overview................................................................................................................................8
Business case..........................................................................................................................8
Executive summary:...............................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCE.................................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Operation and project management is termed as a procedure in which different types of
functions related to planning, managing, organizing, supervising and controlling are included
that direct business organisation to conduct their manufacturing process in a well defined manner
(Binder, 2016). In simple terms, in this process conversion of raw material into finished goods
and services are done as to maximize profitability of organisation. Project is being done on
Sainsbury. Company operate their services in retailing segment and was founded in the year
1869. Main products of company include superstore, forecourt shop, hypermarket, supermarket
and convenience shop. In this report formative discussions has been made on, review of different
principles connected with principles of operation's management. Along with this report include
continuous development plan and project life cycle. In addition to this, project include WBS,
business case ad project plan. Lastly, PLC has been discussed in this report that aid to understand
different models as well as concept of project.
PART 1
Organisation overview
Sainsbury's operate their business activities as second largest chain of supermarkets in the
provinces of United Kingdom. Organisation established their business in the year 1869 and have
headquarter in London, UK.
Explanation for differences between operations and operations management
Operation is termed as a procedure which is related to individual, process, procedure
those who put together as to fulfil requirements of products and services in best effective manner
(Joslin and Müller, 2015). While operation management is related to the process of transforming
labour, material, energy into final products and services as to create value for organisation. By
undertaking this process Sainsbury's can effectively able to perform their operations in a well
defined manner and can further ensure high profitability and productivity in best effective
manner.
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Review & critique about how there is implementation of operational management principle in
organisation
Operations management include some certain form of principles that duly aid business
organisation to perform their operations in a well defined manner. It has been identified that
within Sainsbury major functions are related to logistics and supply chain management thus,
with the application of operation management organisation can significantly able to increase
their productivity in effective way. Certain application of operations management principles is
being defined below:
Variance:
This principle is an integral part of every procedure in operation management within
entity. With the formative assistance of this process organisation can make significant reduction
in their cost and other unnecessary expenses. By undertaking variance Sainsbury's management
can effectively able to measure and control their cost in specific period of time.
Organisation:
As to make significant rise in organisational efficiency operations and further make
significant increase in company overall revenue and profitability company is required to have
organized set of operations as well as activities. In this Sainsbury's by taking use of different
innovative designs can increase efficiency of their manufacturing process. This will help entity to
gain more competitive advancements in marketplace.
Change:
This principle can be undertaken by Sainsbury's within their partitioner this will aid them
to to ensure that management of company have efficiency in their logistics and operations. In
addition to this, company is required to implement technological change in their organisational
structure as to deliver timely products and services with high quality. Sainsbury's operate their
services by having collaboration with big retailing organisations like TESCO, ASDA and more.
Fundamentals:
As per according to this principle, there are number of norms as well as fundamentals that
aid entity to operate their functioning in a well defined manner. In context with Sainsbury's
company is undertaking use of green policy as to operate their organisational functions in a
sustainable manner.
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Lean management principles
Identify customers and specify value:
In this, it is essential for customers to have constant review on services and product from
eyes consumers. With the help of this entity can effectively able to determine unique value of
their services and products that are provide to them. Sainsbury's by taking advantage of different
techniques like web analytics, interviews, demographic information and surveys can effectively
able to find the value for what consumer is looking for.
Identify and map the value stream
This is second lean principle that relates to identification and mapping value stream.
Main motive of this is to use consumers value as a reference point that lead towards proper
identification of activities that significantly contributes towards values. In this, Sainsbury's can
effectively able to eliminate waste and can further eliminate unnecessary waste as to make
significant reduction in cost of production.
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Illustration 1: Key principles of lean management

Create flow by eliminating waste
After making reduction of wastage from value stream, organisation is required to make
sure remaining steps flow must be undertaken in a smooth without facing any delays and
interruptions. In this Sainsbury's can take advantage of value-adding activities like levelling out
the workload, breaking down steps, reconfiguring of production steps, training to employees can
more as to ensure effectively work flow.
Respond to customer pull
In this organisation is required to limit work in process ( WIP) and inventory. This will
allow them to ensure Just-in-tome delivery. In addition to this, it has been identified that
Sainsbury's effectively responding to consumer pull company can make sire that produced
products are delivered to customers as to satisfy their needs in a well defined manner.
Pursue Perfection
This has been evaluated that with the achievement of all the above mentioned steps,
entity can effectively able to pursue perfection. It is essential for company to make sure that each
and every employee strive towards perfection in order to deliver products and services to
customers in a well defined manner. In addition to this, Sainsbury's should be learning
organisation in order to identify ways to get a little better each and every day.
With the application of all the lean principles Sainsbury's can effectively able to create
well effective and efficient organisation. In addition to this, it also helps entity to encourage
better flow in their work processes while developing continuous improvement culture. This will
significantly help entity to deliver effective consumer satisfaction as to increase profitability.
Extent up to which operation management in a company is meeting their organisational
requirements
Sainsbury is required to manage each and every principle in operation management are
effectively implemented and provide benefits to organisation. Mentioned below evaluation of
these principle are being done:
 It is essential for Sainsbury to make reduction in their unnecessary expenses in order to
ensure that overall expenses of organisational structure reduced. By undertaking this
principle into consideration company can effectively able to decrease their operational
cost that further aid them to make significant increase in organisation product line (Serra
and Kunc, 2015). This principle is not able to meet requirement of Sainsbury.
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 In addition to this, Sainsbury is also required to ensure that they conduct operations on
consistent basis. In context with logistic and management of supply chain there are some
certain set of activities that lead functions of organisation towards inconsistent (Takey
and de Carvalho, 2015). For instance, in order to install machines in accordance with
latest technology company require to invest high investments.
 It is important for Sainsbury to make sure that updated technology is being undertaken in
operations of company. It has been identified that company is taking advantage of
principles of change that duly aid them to ensure effective management of logistics. This
has been evaluated that this principles is causing ineffectiveness in the distribution
process.
 Sainsbury is required to make sure that there is proper safety measures implemented
within organisational structure. Along with this safety standards that are mainly related to
staff are also required to be undertaken by entity as to ensure effectiveness in system of
supply chain as well distribution within company.
Mention continuous improvement plan as a philosophical structure & lean principles
It is important for Sainsbury to formulate well effective continuous improvement plan
through which they can effectively able to fulfil their goals and objectives. In addition to this, it
also benefit them to undertake their process of supply chain by ensuring continuous
improvement in best effective manner. It has been continuous improvement plan is basically a
informative plan that include different types of activities and functions that aid entity to
maximise efficiency of their overall outputs. It has been identified that there are mainly five
basic principles that are linked with lean methodology that include value stream, pull & flow,
perfection. All these are being discussed below:
Defining of value According to this principle, organisation is looking forward to
create value for their organisational offerings. This will allow
company to attract attention of large base of customers.
Mapping of value streams In this, organisation set value of their products and services
as to provide maximum satisfaction to their customers. In this
Sainsbury's manager are required to evaluate actual level of
customer satisfactions after goods and services are delivered
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in marketplace.
Flow creation In this, company is required to have proper evaluation of their
wastage level as to effectively overcome any form of
uncertainty in future. This will allow entity to make reduction
is unnecessary workload and can further offer more efficient
end outcomes. In addition to this by taking use of breakdown
structure company can make significant increase in overall
production level of entity.
Pull establishment As to offer more effective outcomes in a specific budget
Sainsbury manager is required to measure organisation
inventory factor. Company operational manager is required to
analyse entity inventory section and can further ensure
effective maintenance of raw material. This will benefit
company to make significant reduction in their wastage level
and can further produce effective end outcomes in a proper
estimated budget.
Pursuing perfection It has been determined that it is hard of an entity to undertake
manufacturing of all products in time effective manner. Thus,
it is essential for Sainsbury's operation manager to undertake
use of different types of innovative techniques within their
workplace structure as to deliver qualitative end outcomes.
Mentioned above there are some certain principles related to lean management that aid
organisation to make reduction in their wastage level and cost. For this, Sainsbury's is required to
evaluate continuous plan in order to increase their production related to supply chain and
logistics. This will help company to ensure high productivity and probability in a well defined
frame work of time.
Positive and negative aspects of Lean Principle
Positive: Lean production is mainly linked with saving unnecessary cost in order to
increase overall productivity. In addition to this, it has been identified that different form of
strategies of lean principle are accompanying to lean production benefits that aid organisation to
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make significant increase in organisational productivity while maintain work performance
efficiency of employees.
Negative: In order to implement continuous improvement plan there are different types
of modifications that are required to be undertaken by organisation in their organisational
structure. It has been identified that some employees resist towards change of continuous basis
that further increase dissatisfaction among them and lead towards effecting overall production
capabilities of entity in many different ways.
Formulation of an appropriate plan of continuous improvement in accordance with
critique and review of operations management principles
Continuous improvement plan benefit an organisation to ensure their sustainability for
long period of time along with this, it will benefit them to make significant improvement in their
organisational production and offer qualitative end outcomes (Serra and Kunc, 2015). In this
operational managers of Sainsbury's must evaluate and analyse current prevailing market
conditions as to undertake operational activities in best effective manner. Continuous
improvement plan in context with Sainsbury's is being mentioned below with the help of which
company can satisfy needs and wants of customers as per in accordance with their requirements.
SOURCES PRINCIPLES OUTCOMES
COST
Six sigma
As to ensure organisational
operations as well as activities
in cost effective manner
Sainsbury's operational
manager enforced principles of
six sigma within their
workplace structure. With the
help of this company can make
less investment of cost and can
further deliver qualitative
results in a proper time frame
as well as budget.
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QUALITY Lean manufacturing
As to offer satisfaction to
consumers it is important to
undertake latest trends as well
as technologies. For this
company must ensure that they
undertake use of new
techniques as well as tools as
to fulfil organisational goals
and objectives in best effective
manner. For this operational
manager of company use lean
manufacturing. This will allow
entity to offer their products in
cost effective manner while
ensuring profitability.
SAFETY
Fundamentals
Sainsbury's operational
manager is required to make
sure that safety concern in each
and every organisational
context are duly ensured.
Along with this, proper and
regular record of inventory are
required to maintain in order to
overcome issues in future in
well-defined manner. In
addition to this, safety of
information are also required to
be ensured by operational
manager of company to operate
their activities in a well defined
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manner.
DELIVERY Organisation
As to offer services and
products in best effective
manner Sainsbury's operational
managers are required to
undertake use of effective
policies as well as strategies in
context with resource
management. With the help of
this they can effectively able to
detect any kind of defect in
time effective manner. It will
help them to deliver
organisational offerings in a
well-defined way.
Continuous improvement plan effectiveness
As to operate activities and functions of organisation it is essential for operational
manager of Sainsbury's to evaluate cause of particular issues in order to find out any loop holes.
As per according to above mentioned continuous management plan company is required to focus
upon cost of services as well as quality of goods. By undertaking use of factors that are
demonstrated in improvement plan Sainsbury's can able to make significant improvement in
their performance level. Along with this, with the help of development plan organisation can
significantly able to lower their input cost as well as time spend while using same to make
increase in organisational products as well as services.
It has been identified that company is currently facing issue related to high cost of
supplies. In order to overcome this PDCA is being undertaken by entity as to ensure low cost
suppliers:
Plan: It has been identified that Sainsbury's is facing high cost of supplies issue. In this
manager of company is taking advantage of The Simplex process as to effectively explore
information, define issue in a significant manner, generate and screen ideas and implement plan
in order to effectively overcome the issue. Activities that are going to be undertaken include
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formulation of plan, selection of team members, formulation of design and risk management and
more. Resources that are required to be undertaken include labor resource and selection of
equipments.
Do: While identifying effective effective solutions Sainsbury's manager test the soultion
of small-scale pilot project as to ensure that it will return with desired outcome. In order to
ensure success project manager formulae plan in which activities as per according to time will be
given.
Check: In this company analyse small-scale project results against desired outcomes in
order to evaluate their idea will work or not. With the help of this Sainsbury's can effectively
able to conduct their operation's in a well defined manner. As to have regular check project
evaluator hold the responsibility to make sure that all the assigned task must be covered in time
effective manner.
Act: At this stage company is required to implement the solution and to effectively
ensure improve process. By analyzing importance of activities that are required to be completed
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in given time project planner is being authorized to implement effectively strategies and policies
as to complete every related task in a well defined manner.
It has been identified that Sainsury's in order to high cost of supplies company undertake
use of Just-in-time inventory management, streamline ordering process as to effectively
overcome this issue in a well defined manner. In addition to this, by monitoring demands of
customers in a well defined manner company ensure effective work functioning.
Recommendations for improving operation function
As per according to operations management principles some certain aspects continuous
improvement. Some recommendations is being recommended to Sainsbury through which they
can improve their operations in best effective manner:
 Sainsbury by taking use of artificial intelligence can fulfill consumer expectations in a
well defined manner while resolving their queries in best effective manner.
 Sainsbury managers are recommended to undertake use of Just In Time techniques with
the help of which they can ensure optimum utilization of organizational resources in best
effective manner. This will lead to optimum usage of products and there will be saving of
cost.
PART 2
Overview
High speed 2 is a speed railway in UK which has been planned. It is analyses that
parliament has approved plans in year 2017. there was a clearance given that work has been
undertaken fir line and stations. After there was successful completion of stage 1 there are some
phases which have to be launched in Britain covering its 21 destinations (High Speed 2 (HS2)
Railway). There are some strategies which are to be followed by managers which will also
involve usage of techniques and tools.
Business case
A Business case is a a document which includes value proposition and is for educating a
decisions maker and convincing them for taking some postie actions. This is one of effective
methods which includes policies developed in a appropriate manner. Some elements in this
business case are mentioned below:
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Executive summary:
In today's modern world technology is updating on continuous manner. It has been analyzed that
H2S project is a very fast speed railway project its initial stage stage going to be start in the year
2038. Company ensured that launching of this project effectively fulfill requirements of current
market. HS2 to management ensure that they collect and maintain information as to evaluate
staff performance in best effective manner.
Goal:
Main motive of HS2 is to duly generate high speed network in order to make reduction of
traveling time from a one particular place to other. By this project company is looking towards
enhancing standardization in communities that will further lead towards prosperous economic
growth that will ensure more advantages.
Solution:
In order to accomplish project requirement in best effective manner manager of company
is required to undertake use of project life cycle. This will ensure organization to accomplish
their goals and objectives in well defined manner. In addition to this, it is important for
organization higher authorities to evaluate customers taste and expectations as to successfully
launch project phase 1 in United Kingdom.
Cost:
As to manage functions in a well defined manner certain sum of cost are required. In
context with HS2 as to manage all the activities in a well defined manner there is need of
estimated cost of £87bn. It will duly include human capital, staff members, tool as well as
techniques.
Project plan
In this organization is required to ensure that they undertake plan with the help of policies
as to fulfill organizational goals. With the assistance of PLC completion of activities can be
undertaken in tome effective manner.
Initial stage: At this stage of PLC, company top manageable is required to evaluate
needs and demands of UK passengers. In addition to this, company must ensure that they offer
high speed services to their customers as to reduce their travelling time.
Planning stage: In this stage top management is required to analyse all the factors and
then frame plan. In addition to this managers are required to formulate policies that will aid
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organisational top authorities to prepare documentation, business case and more. Along with this,
HS2 managers must divide task to each and every staff members as per according to their skills
and capabilities as to fulfil organisational objectives in best effective manner.
Implementation stage: In this stage plan that are framed by organization authorities and
managers are required to implement and execute in a well defined manner. In relation to present
case scenario of HS2 management of company are required to ensure that they segregate task to
every individual within organization and measure their performance as per according to time.
Closure stage: In this stage, subordinates within entity are required to submit all the
related and necessary documents in time effective manner. High authorities associated with HS2
are required to collect and review to ensure all the information are collected by them in a well
defined manner.
Work breakdown structure
In this activities and functions of project are divided into different parts as to manage all
the activities in proper time frame. With the help of this, company ensure effectively fulfillment
of all the essential requirements of project in well defined manner.
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Gantt chart
It is termed as a graphical representation that demotes whole project performance. In this
each and every details of project is being provided.
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15

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It has been identified that HS2 effectively aid government to rebalance and kick-start
growth in a well defined manner. In this as to ensure effective functioning it is essential to
undertake assistance of strategies and measures. As per according to the present scenario, it has
been identified that with the help of current project creation of connection can be ensure by
bringing people closure in a well defined manner. In addition to this, it has been evaluated that
by working as per according to formulated budget project objectives has been effectively
ensured.
Provide justifications in order to use project methodologies, leadership and tools required
within the project
In order to accomplish project requirement company must ensure that they take
advantage of best project methodologies, leadership, tools and technologies such as six sigma,
Lean principles and more (Brink, Madsen and Lutz, 2015). With the help of different strategies,
policies and principles company can effectively able to fulfill project requirement in best
effective manner.
PLC effectiveness
PLC waterfall model is implemented on working structure of HS2. Mentioned below this
model is being discussed:
Requirement: Company at this initiation stage make application of six sigma model. It
has been identified that this principle does not proves to be effectively as it is very rigid.
Design: At this stage, lean principle is being applied as to make reduction in wastage
level. In addition to this formative use of autocracy style of leadership should be avoided as to
reduce organisation unnecessary cost while ensuring proper management of inventory.
Development: In this stage, with the use of TQM quality of products and services can be
maintained. With the help of this decrease in cost and management of inventory within entity can
be ensured.
Testing & maintenance: At this stage of PLC, company is required to take use of best
effective leadership styles as to fulfil organisational operations in best effective manner.
Methodologies Small-Scale Projects Large-Scale Projects
Six Sigma With the use of six sigma
methodology various aspects
of projects like packaging,
In the present view of large
projects, it is a principle which
has to be adopted by the
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delivering, products and
service etc. is being done.
management so that proper
evaluation of project can be
done. This is mostly applied in
case of large projects.
Lean Principles Lean methodology proves to
be effective in order to
complete project. With the
help of this cost and excess
efforts of employees can be
significantly reduced.
Within large-scale projects like
business expansions and
project development this
principle proves to be effective
in order to reduce unnecessary
cost.
Success and failure of the project
As per according to evaluation of the overall project this has been evaluated that by
undertaking use of proper project schedule, project budgeting, teamwork success of project can
be ensured. While it is essential for organization to evaluate and understand measures and
ineffective project management practices as to reduce amount of risk from failure of project.
Effectiveness of the project life cycle:
From the analysis above one can deduct that the majority of the elements are properly
followed within High speed 2 even though there is a gap in the project documentation. This
means that employees believe that proper project planning is followed within the organisation. In
context with present scenario it has been determined that by undertaking of project life cycle
respective organisation can effectively able to design and document overall project in a well
defined manner. Further this has been evaluated that each and every stage of project life cycle
has essential or important decision points. Present entity by taking advantage of Vee model of
project life cycle in order to increase effectiveness of project life cycle stages.
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Figure 1 “Vee” model of project life cycle
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CONCLUSION
According to the report, this is being evaluated that operation management is defined as a
process in which entity engage in the process of converting their raw materials into end producs
in order generate value from them. By undertaking this process organisation can satisfy their
customers in best effective manner. In addition to this, managers must take utilization of policies
and measures to fulfil objectives in signified way. Along with this with the help of continuous
management plan company can effectively able to generate high profitable advantages and
productivity.
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REFERENCE
Books & Journal
Binder, J., 2016. Global project management: communication, collaboration and management
across borders. Routledge.
Brink, T., Madsen, S.O. and Lutz, S., 2015. Perspectives on how operation & maintenance
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offshore wind parks.
Joslin, R. and Müller, R., 2015. Relationships between a project management methodology and
project success in different project governance contexts. International Journal of Project
Management, 33(6), pp.1377-1392.
Kerzner, H., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
McArthur, J.J., 2015. A building information management (BIM) framework and supporting
case study for existing building operations, maintenance and sustainability. Procedia
Engineering, 118, pp.1104-1111.
Meredith, J.R., Mantel Jr, S.J. and Shafer, S.M., 2017. Project management: a managerial
approach. John Wiley & Sons.
Mubin, S. and Mubin, G., 2016. Risk analysis for construction and operation of gas pipeline
projects in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Muller, R., 2017. Project governance. Routledge.
Samset, K. and Volden, G.H., 2016. Front-end definition of projects: Ten paradoxes and some
reflections regarding project management and project governance. International Journal
of Project Management, 34(2), pp.297-313.
Serra, C.E.M. and Kunc, M., 2015. Benefits realisation management and its influence on project
success and on the execution of business strategies. International Journal of Project
Management, 33(1), pp.53-66.
Takey, S.M. and de Carvalho, M.M., 2015. Competency mapping in project management: An
action research study in an engineering company. International Journal of Project
Management, 33(4), pp.784-796.
Thaler, T. and Levin-Keitel, M., 2016. Multi-level stakeholder engagement in flood risk
management—A question of roles and power: Lessons from England. Environmental
science & policy, 55, pp.292-301.
Whyte, J., Stasis, A. and Lindkvist, C., 2016. Managing change in the delivery of complex
projects: Configuration management, asset information and ‘big data’. International
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High Speed 2 (HS2) Railway. 2020. [Online]. Available through<https://www.railway-
technology.com/projects/high-speed-2-hs2/>
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