Review of Operations and Project Management for XYZ's TV Project

This report comprehensively examines the operations and project management strategies employed by XYZ, a UK-based home appliance company, in its venture into the large-screen television market. It begins with a review and critique of operations management principles, including Six Sigma, ...Read More

OPERATIONS AND
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Review and Critique of Operations Management Principles...........................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P2. XYZ's Continuous Improvement Plan.............................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P3. Application of Project Life-cycle in XYZ........................................................................7
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................12
P4. Review and Critique the effectiveness in the Project Life-cycle (PLC)........................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Project Management is an area of practice which emphasises upon completion and
management of a certain project. This activity is of vital importance to gain assurance of
successful accomplishments of various operations as well as project (What is Project
Management?, 2019). It undertakes initiation, effective planning, systematic execution as well as
monitoring and management of all the aspects of a specific task. The following report consists of
inception and execution of a project surrounding XYZ, which is a company within the UK
dealing in home appliances. The current project has the firm moving in Large Screen Television
Market with minimum screen size of 58 inches. The assignment covers review and critique of
implementation of operations management principles, preparation of continuous improvement
plan, application of PLC to the television project and review and critique of effectiveness of PLC
using various different techniques and theories.
TASK 1
P1. Review and Critique of Operations Management Principles
Operations Management is the overall planning and implementation of various
organisational procedures concerning production and other activities of a company (Xu, Ma and
Ding, 2014). For XYZ, such management is very crucial as it would increase its capabilities to
utilise each resource like labour or material in the most optimal way possible. Another advantage
of operations management is that it assists in enhancing the overall productivity of an
organisation. There are various methodologies and principles which could be helpful for XYZ in
its Large Screen Television production. These methodologies and principles are briefly reviewed
below:
SIX SIGMA:
This methodology incepted from a certain mathematical theory back in 19th Century. It is
currently being used effectively by major mainstream organisations as a regular practice in their
business. This is because the sole agenda of this method is to increase the effectiveness of
organisations' processes and its services and products. Six Sigma deconstructs the overall
manufacturing process down to its important aspects and its major goal is to improvise the
commodities offered by any company (Wu, 2012). It has various methodologies, namely
1

DMAIC and DMADV. While the former is considered with improving existing offerings of the
company, the latter is considered while developing a new product (Sears and et. al., 2015). For
Televisions developed by XYZ, the firm would adopt the latter approach which is mentioned
below: Define: The first process of this methodology defines the goals and objectives of a
project and various customer deliverables. It is the most crucial aspect as it helps in
initialisation of the project and give it necessary standards beforehand. XYZ could
appropriately determine customer needs effectively. Measure: The second stage of this methodology requires XYZ to appropriately measure
the required capabilities of its televisions and specifications for collection of vital
information for the project. As an example, a more robust and imperative approach for
XYZ would be that certain performance measurements tools be applied such as Apache
JMeter or Appvance that would allow the organisation in measuring these required
capabilities effectively. Analyse: The third step requires XYZ to analyse the overall manufacturing procedure in
ways which gives utmost assurance to the company to adopt processes which satisfy
buyer demands effectively. This requires the company to oversee all the equipments and
processes that adds to the value of their product development. Design: After analysis, the company must design the process as per customer needs this
step also requires XYZ to test these details as per the needed standards. Furthermore,
several parameters must be set by this company to ensure that design adopted by their
products match the requirements of the market.
 Verify: In this last step, the organisation must ensure verification in the design via pilot
programs and stimulations as per needs of buyers.
Critique of Six Sigma Implementation:
 Six Sigma approach is very crucial for organisation to be applied accurately or else, XYZ
might experience more shortcomings than benefits. Despite of being customer-oriented,
this principle is not quite adaptable and flexible.
2

 Entire process is taken into consideration rather than the development of the product.
However, despite such factor, it limits the inclusion of creativity and discourage
innovation in the process and methods (Verzuh, 2015). This process is effective where continuous improvements are concerned and effectiveness
is maximised, however, due to its rigidity, major changes might be induced which could
add to the cost.
LEAN PRINCIPLES:
This principle is focused absolutely upon minimisation of waste without any compromise
on the productivity. The major concern of these principles is upon eradication of inconsistencies
of any sort. Performance of each resource is taken into consideration and the overall agenda of
these principles is to derive maximum value in production processes and offerings of an
organisation. There are various principles of lean which could be very well contributing to
development of Televisions by XYZ. These are reviewed as under: Value Defining: Just like Six Sigma, the first principle of lean considers defining buyer
value (Nicholas and Steyn, 2017). For this, XYZ must analyse the current trends and
immediate market needs for its Large Screen TVs. There are various methods like
questionnaires, interviews, etc. which could assist XYZ in deciphering what customers
seek and consider valuable. Mapping of Value Stream: In this stage, XYZ must consider buyer value as the most
important aspect and determine all the tasks and operations that fulfil in accomplishment
of these values. For instance, to attain what they find valuable and map the same, surveys
or questionnaires must be used for the same. In this, only those activities are included
which contributes to maximising the value. All those processes, resources and tasks are
removed which fails to provide customer value or limits their scope. Creating Flow: All the resources, material and labour are aligned in this stage to
determine and establish a workflow regarding completion of project, in XYZ's case,
development of Large Screen TVs. All the necessary steps are carved out and standards
are set along with reconfiguration of production stages which contributes in creation of a
contributing stream. XYZ must also train their employees effectively regarding new
equipments and technologies to enhance their performance effectiveness.
3

 Pull Establishment: Production system is effectively analysed which is essential for to
minimise the work in progress resources. This step is very crucial for XYZ to in order to
complete the whole development of televisions within the set time schedule and its timely
delivery.
 Pursuing Perfection: This principle of lean is solely based on ensuring perfect standards
for every aspect of the television development whether it is resource or performance of
employees (Rolstadås and et. al., 2014).
Critique of implementation of Lean Principles:
 These principles could enhance capabilities of XYZ through which it could gain
competitive advantage. However, it might induce internal frustrations in employees
seeing that it discourages inconsistencies.
 In case XYZ employees equipments that enhances the production per day and reduce
overall cost of production, it would however depend on the demand of their products
which might cause wastage of televisions not being sold.
 This aspect would assist the company in facilitating manufacturing effectively, however,
due to limited inventory and various uncertainties like employee strikes or delays, lean
principles could be quite disadvantageous for the company.
TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT:
TQM or Total Quality Management is a technique and procedure that could assist XYZ
to achieve topmost quality of their televisions. Apart from the product, TQM also helps
employees to ensure that their performances are competent and as per organisational standards.
Thus, XYZ could use this methodology to achieve utmost quality in its televisions and its
development processes.
Critique of Total Quality Management
 Total quality management works on the concept of maximum improvements, which
requires immense changes and thus, might be resisted by the workers thus, reducing their
efficiencies.
 Benefits of TQM might not be witnessed for a long period of time which could be
harmful for the firm in case XYZ seeks instant improvement.
4

 If XYZ would fail to implement this aspect completely, chances are there that its
commitment to quality might not be attained.
TASK 2
P2. XYZ's Continuous Improvement Plan
While developing a certain product, it is of vital importance of a company to monitor the
effectiveness of the overall production process and apply necessary methodologies which makes
an organisation capable of attaining quality and timely success. However, it is also necessary that
companies ensure continuous improvement in their product as well as processes to stand up to
current market needs and customer expectation (Muller, 2017).
XYZ, on its verge to enter Large Screen Television Market, is required to ensure
continuous improvement to keep up with the consistency to achieve better standards. The
Continuous Improvement Plan for XYZ is described below:
BASIS PRINCIPLES/APPROACHES IMPLEMENTATION
COST
The principle which could be applied
by XYZ to manage the cost is
Causality. This would help the
company in reducing the overall cost
of production.
Causality would allow XYZ to focus on
symptoms that could possibly increase
the cost of production. Moreover, the
underlying issues that could cause the
same would be identified by this
principle as well and thus, managers
could eradicate those systems and
reduce cost (Nenonen and Vasara,
2013).
QUALITY
To enhance the quality of television
and processes, the company could use
Total Quality Management (TQM) as
an approach (Leach, 2014).
Implementing TQM could enable XYZ
in focusing on the production of Large
TVs and its overall quality as per set
standards. Each factor and resources
would be analysed and evaluated to
maximise the achievement of quality
according to the pre set standards.
5

SAFETY
To ensure safety, XYZ could adopt
Six Sigma methodology to implement
and develop effective safety measures
in the production process as well as
the Televisions.
Six Sigma Methodology is suitable for
XYZ to achieve the needed safety
standards. This is because its principles
would set up practices which would
create an analysed safe environment
within the infrastructure for the
employees and implementation of
safety equipments in the TVs.
DELIVERY
For delivery of Televisions, the most
apt strategy for XYZ would be Lean
Principles.
Principles within Lean would enhance
the growth of effective measures and
procedures and eradicate
inconsistencies which would help in
timely execution of product
development for the organisation.
As per the above description, implementation of all these principles and methodologies
are essential and imperative to ensure continuous improvement. Using the same appropriately
would help in accomplishing the set standards through necessary modifications and effective
alterations to reach standards appropriately.
Analysis of Continuous Improvement Plan:
Continuous Improvement is a crucial strategy in product development and managers of
any organisation must focus on developing a culture where such aspects are respected and
followed flawlessly (Mubin and Mubin, 2016). XYZ must also analyse the effectiveness of their
CIP which would increase the level of consistencies in their overall project and operations. The
effectiveness of CIP for XYZ is analysed on the basis of various operations management
principles mentioned below: Causality: Where the cost is concerned, the main agenda of the company as per the
required customer value must be to reduce the cost of production to gain maximum
profitability from their venture. Principle of causality would allow the company to ensure
maximum improvement in their processes. This could be achieved through removing all
the symptoms that could cause redundancies and add to the cost. As an example,
6

unnecessary features would be overutilisation of technology and would add to cost. This
principle would help in achieving improvement and hence, cost reduction could be
achieved (Jacobs, Chase and Lummus, 2014). Fundamentals: Application of Six Sigma would create an environment within XYZ
where safety of employees as well as customers would be given top priority. As per this
principle, Six Sigma too works upon set principles and disciplines that are necessary to
ensure safety. Moreover, implementation of new and advanced techniques could further
simplify attainment of the same. Humility: TQM could ensure continuous improvement in the processes and offerings of
the company. This is because it undertakes not only the material resources, but also
human resources. Each employee and in fact managers would be working towards
attaining maximum productivity through their actions. This approach would also help
managers in seeking and consulting their subordinates regarding inconsistencies in their
performances. Thus, TQM would cause continuous improvement by achievement of
Principle of Humility. Organisation: The principle adopts the concept that in order to make profits consistent
and predictable, the tasks too must be aligned in ways which are consistent. Lean
Principles would eradicate sources that induce waste and would promote tasks in ways
which could contribute to a consistent and timely development and delivery of televisions
which would ensure them effective customer relationship management and profitability. Flexibility: This principle within the operations management states that flexibility must
be within the project as to effectively modify the same as per changing needs. This would
help in extension of life cycle of the project, moreover, would make it more useful. Lean
Principles as well as TQM would effectively fulfil this principle as there is a wide scope
of modifications as per reducing waste and enhancing quality.
 Mass Customisation: This principle means that wide range of commodities must be
delivered to satisfy market needs. This principle would be well served with six sigma
which would allow the firm to open the spectrum of wide scale production through
improvement in processes.
7

TASK 3
P3. Application of Project Life-cycle in XYZ
Every organisation has various projects and each of them has a life cycle which consists
all the stages right from its initiation to closure. Within a company, project life-cycle determines
the required essentials for the company and set standards needed to be followed at every stage of
the life-cycle (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). Since XYZ's planning to enter Large Screen TV
market, it is crucial for the company to accomplish each step effectively. The project life-cycle
for XYZ is as follows: Initiation: The very first step of the project life-cycle is the initiation stage. XYZ is
needed to brainstorm aspects and factors which enables them to develop Large-screen
Televisions effectively. The managers must identify and figure out objectives that are
required to be accomplished. In this step, XYZ must undertake appropriate feasibility
study regarding the project and must identify the stakeholders and their needs. In this
point, Democratic leadership would serve well for the company in this phase as managers
are required to consult with the employees regarding the objectives and methods that
could be utilised to achieve the same. Google Docs could be used as a strategic tool for
XYZ to develop project charter after approval from various project stakeholders.
Suggestions and modifications could be done in a single document which would be
beneficial for the company. The methodology which could be used in this stage is Six
Sigma which would help the company in determining consumer deliverables and aspects
that are required by XYZ to achieve in order to fulfil market needs. Planning: In the second stage of new product development, XYZ's managers are
required to establish communication with each department within the organisation which
would help them plan the further stages with desired documentations. Budgets must be
finalised, dependencies must be identified and a detailed project plan must be developed.
Also, XYZ must anticipate the risk, prepare a risk management plan and acquire
resources to develop top quality Large Screen TVs. Lean Principles are vital
methodologies and approaches that would allow the company to plan its project through
the most contributing tasks and equipments. Strategic Leadership is appropriate in
planning stage for XYZ as it would allow managers as well as employees in determining
maximum opportunities through this project and adopt directions that could help them in
8

achieving their targets in a competent manner. XYZ could use Jive as its tool for planning
as it is user friendly and could allow internal management of Large Screen TV production
in a more efficient manner. Execution: The most important step of project life-cycle, execution is the stage where
plans are transformed into actions. XYZ, in this stage is required to set up flow of work
to attain each objective laid down in initiation phase and structure decided in the planning
stage. Managers of the firm must allot activities and tasks to group members and quality
of operations must be effectively set out. Total Quality Management must be applied in
here to effectively maintain the quality standards of the project and the television.
Transactional Leadership could be applied by XYZ which would help the company in
maintaining top quality performance in the employees and giving them necessary
motivation. XYZ could also apply Trello as tools to analyse the effectiveness of the
project of Television production.
 Closure: The final stage is when televisions would be provided in the marketplace to
customers (Binder, 2016). This step would need XYZ to follow a round-up approach and
remove any defects or inconsistencies from the overall product. Basecamp is an efficient
tool for XYZ to be used effectively in the closure stage.
Business Case:
Organisational
Overview
XYZ Ltd. is a technology organisation headquartered Wiltshire,
United Kingdom, which manufactures and distributes home and
electrical appliances. The organisation is working on a new plan to
enter Large Screen TV market.
Vision and Mission
The vision of XYZ through these television is to establish an
effective place in the television market along with other electronic
markets. To achieve this, the mission of the company is to apply
efficient, innovative and technologically advanced methods to
address ongoing market needs related to television.
Objectives XYZ's objective is to enhance its customer base of Large Screen TVs
within the UK and beyond. Another objective of this company is to
9

increase television viewing for all its customers by applying latest
technologies in their televisions.
Strategies
Enhanced business processes, robust planning and advanced
technology would be applied in development of these televisions.
The firm also would be using Automation and AI to make it energy
efficient.
Project Plan:
Cost
The overall cost including processes, resources, distribution and
overall development of these televisions would be around £1,00,000
- £1,20,000
Communication
Internal, external, linear as well as vertical communication would be
utilised as effective strategy for production and distribution of Large
Screen Televisions.
Quality
Since advanced technology and effective products are being used to
produce these televisions, the company promises high quality
production and effective television quality.
Scope
To develop the scope, XYZ will be employing skilled and talented
employees, high quality production equipments, effective software
and technologically advanced processing.
Gantt Chart:
10

Illustration 1: Gantt Chart
Illustration 2: Gantt Chart
Work Breakdown Structure:
11

Illustration 3: Work Breakdown Structure
TASK 4
P4. Review and Critique the effectiveness in the Project Life-cycle (PLC)
After establishment of a detailed project life-cycle, XYZ must also review and critique its
effectiveness to determine any limitations that could reduce its scope of success. PLC of XYZ is
reviewed and critiqued below:
 The initiation phase uses Six Sigma as well as Democratic Leadership to set up a
framework and identify objectives of the project. While Six Sigma could determine
principles to be set out for this project, yet, these principles might be too rigid to be
modified later. Even Democratic Leadership might create ambiguity while setting up the
core objectives of the company. It is necessary for XYZ at this stage to set out policies
which are flexible and power for authorisation of objectives must be with the project
managers (Floricel and et. al., 2014).
 Planning step has XYZ utilising Lean Principles and Strategic Leadership as the
methodology for this stage. Lean Principles might bound the firm to choose methods and
processes that are very much contributing and might overlook aspects that are cost
effective. To improve, XYZ must undertake a 360-degree analysis of every method and
procedure to be used to determine what could provide the project with long-term benefits.
12

 In execution, the company is using transactional leadership as well as TQM to carry out
necessary activities of this step and manage the overall execution. However, along with
these, the firm must also set up standards for performance measurement to amplify the
quality of work and processes.
Different Application of methodologies in Small and Large-scale projects
METHODOLOGIES SMALL-SCALE
PROJECTS
LARGE-SCALE
PROJECTS
TOTAL QUALITY
MANAGEMENT
For example, in case the
company would be providing
cleaning equipments with their
televisions, then XYZ will
only require to measure quality
in their cleanliness and
durability.
XYZ in order to manage the
overall quality of their Large
Screen TV would be
implementing TQM in a more
extensive manner where each
aspect would be considered to
provide effective clarity, high
definition viewing and
extensive safety measures in
these products using advanced
technology and equipments.
LEAN PRINCIPLES
Implementation of these
principles in a small-scale
project like that of
performance reviewing of the
clients during a project would
just require the managers to set
out grading criteria on which
performance would be judged
(Heldman, 2018).
With Large Screen TV
production, the firm would be
implementing these principles
in the processes and all
resources to ensure reduction
of waste elements and
increasing the overall quality
of production by employing
top-quality processes and
production equipments.
SIX SIGMA XYZ might implement
methodologies of Six Sigma to
Implementation of this
methodology would be on vast
13

carve out policies for
employees working on the
project to improve their
performances. This requires a
simple measuring and analysis
of existing standards and
objectives which could
improve the same.
scale where each aspect
regarding the production of
televisions and especially their
safety standards would be
taken into consideration. All
the processes applied via Six
Sigma would take customer
needs and effective analysis to
carry out the best prospects for
such a large-scale project.
All these methodologies could be utilised effectively by XYZ however, their
implementation depends upon the nature of projects. No methodology could be unanimously and
constantly applied in each project. For instance, the intensity of implementation of TQM could
be applied at a very minor state within small projects however, its implementation would be
severe in case of a large project like development of Large screen TV's. In addition to this, Six
Sigma and Lean Principles too apply differently as per the projects. Thus, each project must be
evaluated and methodologies be applied thereafter, else, the firm might lose its resources and
cost increases. Moreover, each facet of the project must also be determined in order to apply the
right type of methodology within large and small projects.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above information that project management is crucial for
organisations and must be used appropriately to carry out different operations and accomplish
different projects within due time and requisite standards. Lean Principles, Total Quality
Management and Six Sigma enhances capabilities of a company to ensure proper standards and
effective project management. Factors like Continuous improvement Plan is also important to as
per uniformity and progressed growth is required to be achieved. Project-life cycle is also
important for companies to determine each step of effective execution of the overall project. It is
also imperative for organisations to analyse each methodology utilised throughout the project to
accomplish the same as per required standards and systematic attainment of objectives.
14

15