Operations and Project Management Report: Next Plc Case Study Analysis

This report provides a detailed analysis of operations and project management, focusing on Next Plc as a case study. It begins with an introduction to the organization, defining operations and management, and assessing key principles. The report evaluates how operations management meets organizational requirements and elaborates on continuous improvement plans and lean principles. It then presents a continuous improvement plan based on the review and critique of operations management principles. The report includes recommendations for amending operations functions and the continuous improvement plan. Part B focuses on a project assignment regarding the project life cycle for developing a new product. It evaluates methodologies, tools, and techniques essential for project success, including the critical evaluation of project life cycle efficiency, the role of project life cycle design and implementation, cost-saving techniques, and the use of various tools and techniques to ensure quality, scope, and time. The report concludes with an analysis of how different tools and techniques and models are used differently in small and large-scale projects, along with a critical analysis of the project life cycle using practical and theoretical frameworks.

Operations & Project
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
1. Introduction to chosen organization...................................................................................3
2.Define operation and management of operations................................................................3
3. Assessment of principles of operation management principles. .......................................4
4. Evaluate how the operations management helps to meet the requirements of organisation...5
5. Elaborate continuous improvement plan and lean principles. .........................................5
6. Elaborate continuous improvement plan based on the review and critique of operation
management principles. .........................................................................................................6
7.Recommendations to amend operations functions and continuous improvement plan. ....7
PART B............................................................................................................................................7
Build a project assignment on Project life cycle for developing a new product into
marketplace.............................................................................................................................7
With help of both theoretical and conceptual framework evaluate or justify the methodologies,
tools and techniques which is essential for a specified project. ..........................................11
B) ...................................................................................................................................................11
1. Critical evaluation of efficiency of project life cycle. .....................................................11
2. To complete a project in successful manner, role of designing and implementing the project
life cycle. .............................................................................................................................12
3.Way to implement cost saving techniques within the project life cycle in successful way.12
4. What are the various kinds of tools and techniques to assure quality, scope and time period
to implement a project successfully.....................................................................................12
5. How different tools and techniques and models used differently in between the small and
large scale projects. .............................................................................................................13
6. Critically analyse with help of practical and theoretical framework regarding project life
cycle......................................................................................................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Project and operation management is an crucial administration related to business
practices for building higher level of efficiency possible within the administration. It is majorly
concerned with transforming raw material into finished goods and services into correct way. It is
related with delivering the products after ensuring that organisation successfully turns inputs into
outputs in desirable manner. This assignment based on the Next Plc which is an British
Multinational clothing, footwear and home product retailer in the market of UK. It has around
700 stores in the market of UK and headquarters is in Leicestershire. This assignment covers the
major aspects of project with its review and critique of operations management principles in
context of organisation. It also includes the continuous improvement plan with the review and
critical evaluation to gain optimum outcomes. At last it includes each and every level of project
life cycle with various supporting document to deliver desirable outcomes.
1. Introduction to chosen organization.
Next Plc is an British large merchandise dealing in clothing, footwear and home
appliances in the whole UK. It covers almost 200 circa in Europe, Asia and middle east to
enlarge business opportunities in positive manner. It is one of largest clothing retailer in context
of sales in the UK after overtaken the Marks & Spencer in year 2012. it listed in the London
stock exchange and FTSE 100 index.
2.Define operation and management of operations.
Operations management is majorly obsessed with planning, organising and directing the
various works and activities in context of manufacturing or provision of services to gain
optimum kinds of outputs (Binder, 2016.). It focus on delivering right kind of products and
services to the ultimate consumers by ensuring the inputs to outputs in effective manner. By
transforming goods and services into finished goods they compensate the current and emerging
needs and wants of consumers.
Operational management:
Operational management which previously known as production management which
shows its origin in manufacturing of products and services. It by adjusting in day to day
operations to support organisational strategic goals and objectives by preceded through analysis

and measurement regarding current processes. So it is very much effective to gain important
kinds of outcomes by managing each and every event in proper manner.
3. Assessment of principles of operation management principles.
Case study:
Operational management is very much crucial majorly when an organisation aimed to
enlarge business opportunities in positive manner (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016). In context
of Next Plc which aimed to enlarge business opportunities in Africa at Sudan after conducting
proper research and development they accumulate necessary information regarding the taste and
preferences of consumers to deliver right kind of worth to ultimate consumers.
To evaluate and measure each and every aspect organisation avails principles of operation
management that are as follows:
Reality:
Respective principle of OM states that administration not only just centering on the
overall problem or concern but also on the tools and techniques (Harrison and Lock, 2017). The
reason behind that no tool is self sufficient in itself to solve the universal problems. In context
of Next Plc while operating in the market of Sudan they have to evaluate tools and techniques
that are technologically advance in nature.
Organisation:
In context of Next Plc at time of expanding into market of Sudan they have to
interconnect each activity with one another. All elements are interconnected and persistent in
nature (Heizer, Render and Munson, 2017). Without interconnection in various works and
activities respective organisation can not be able to achieve optimum outcomes.
Humility:
Respective principle states that for an organisation trial and error process proved very
much costly so it is very much important for Next Plc that aimed to expand in market of Sudan
that they have some limitations. So by building some strategies and tactics they save cost of trail
and error to gain sustainability in marketplace after accessing their limitations.
Success:
The definition of success vary from each and every individual, in context of Next Plc
while planned to enter into new market with existing products they have to plan and coordinate

each and every aspect such as interest of consumers, production facility and many more by
setting goals as an success for them.
Accountability:
To be accountable is one of the key operations to run business activities in a very smooth
manner. In context of Next Plc aimed to enlarge business opportunities in market of Sudan as per
respective principle states that they have to set rules and metrics on regular or frequent basis to
measure their performance to gain crucial outcomes.
Flexible specialisation:
Flexible specialisation is a business strategy which is adopted by the company to make
itself most competitive by recruiting and selecting who possess multiple skills and capabilities.
They also able to use simultaneously kinds of machinery and equipments. In context of Next Plc
they by shift job of their employees from one department to other provide all over excellence in
order to reduce dependency to remain always competitive in business environment.
Mass customisation:
Mass customisation is one of the most effective kind of marketing and manufacturing
tool and techniques that helps to merge or combine the flexibility and personalisation by making
custom made products by using low cost techniques to produce at mass level. In context of Next
Plc they by using mass customisation by using one of most effective tool of marketing by
accessing the needs and wants of consumers in cost effective manner.
Lean production in Next PLC:
Lean production is one of foremost approach of management which focus on the cutting
out wastage by ensuring the quality of products and services. Respective approach of lean
production applied in all aspects of a business from the design through out the distribution of
same. In it cost should be cut with the help of making business most effective and responsive as
per the needs of consumers. In context of Next Plc they use lean production in which they adopt
advance tools and techniques in order to reduce wastage to provide products that are best in
quality to build consumer loyalty.
4. Evaluate how the operations management helps to meet the requirements of organisation.
Operation management is very much important for an organisation to coordinate and
manage each and every aspect in context of an organisation to attain desirable objectives
(Kerzner, 2017. ). In regards of Next Plc which aimed to enlarge business opportunities by

expanding into marketplace of Sudan so with help of OM they control operations, plan and
improve in their performance by assigning roles and responsibilities in proper manner. By
communicating and by delivering right kind of value to subordinates to accept changes in
positive way. Along with this principles of operations management which are adopted by respect
company i.e. reality, organisation, humility, success and accountability are effective because
through it they able to conduct their operations and functions in effective manner. This is so
because they develop proper strategies as well as their employees are also accountable and
responsible for their work. Moreover they are also very organized which help them in conducting
work accordingly and effectually.
5. Elaborate continuous improvement plan and lean principles.
Lean comes from the manufacturing practices, in return it transformed the world
knowledge and management (Lientz and Rea, 2016. ). It encourage the tendency to bring
continuous improvement and core concept regarding respect for people. In context of Next Plc
before going into the new marketplace with motive of bring improvement in their products and
services they evaluate the Lean principles to improve quality of products and services that are as
follows:
Define value:
Respective principle of Lean for continuous improvement states that organisation have to
evaluate in proper manner regarding major aspects for which consumer is willing to pay. In
context of Next Plc to accord with principle they conduct structured research and development to
gain significant insights about consumers taste and preferences, their buying patterns and
capabilities.
Map the value stream:
The second step of Lean principles states that after accessing the value for consumers
organisation have to evaluate or identify value stream. In that regards goal considers as an tool to
provide value to consumers and if activities not contributed towards enhancing consumers
experience then it come under waste.
Create flow:
Respective principle of Lean which focus on removing the wastage to enhance value of
products and services offer to consumers (Meredith, Mantel Jr and Shafer, 2017.). It ensure
that all activities run without any kind of interruption or hindrance. In context of Next Plc they

opt some kinds of strategies such as breaking down steps, reconfiguring manufacturing steps and
many more.
Establish Pull:
For an organisation inventory considers one of hazardous waste in production system.
The major goal is to boundary inventory and work in process to eliminate wastage at maximum
level to remain always competitive in the marketplace. In context of Next Plc they use Just in
time delivery system that helps to keep inventory at minimum extent.
Pursue perfection:
An organisation can be able to eliminate wastage by using the above four stages in
systematic manner as last and fifth stage is very significant for an organisation (Nicholas and
Steyn, 2017.). In context of Next Plc they strive for achieving perfection so by utilising
respective principles can achieve perfection at maximum level.
6. Elaborate continuous improvement plan based on the review and critique of operation
management principles.
Continuous improvement plan is an structured activities planned in an organisation for
ongoing improvements in products, services or various processes by review constantly to
measure desirable results. Here are the continuous improvement plan in context of Next Plc:
Plan Do Check Act
Market analysis For an organisation it
is very much
important to conduct
proper research and
development to
accumulate necessary
knowledge such as
consumers taste and
preferences, market
share and many more
attributes.
To conduct research
and development
organisation have to
take help of expert
teams to gain accurate
results. To save cost
and time they not use
trial and error but
accumulate necessary
information
previously.
By using the Operation
management principle
Humility which focus
on eliminating the hit
and error cost to gain
optimum outcomes.
After sale service After sale services are In order to For giving one of best

very much important
for an organisation to
satisfy consumers
needs and wants not
before sale of product
but after it also.
organisation have to
plan and coordinate
each and every aspect
in structured way
which helps to find
gaps in performing
well.
services organisation
frame the definition of
success as their major
goal is to serve
consumer in best
manner.
7.Recommendations to amend operations functions and continuous improvement plan.
It is very much important for an organisation to improve in their performance by focusing
on major aspects by eliminate gaps in performing well within the organisation (Schwalbe,
2015.). In context of Next Plc they to bring improvement in their products and services firstly
conduct the research in proper manner which helps to accumulate necessary knowledge and
information regarding consumer buying patterns of Sudan.
PART B
Build a project assignment on Project life cycle for developing a new product into marketplace.
Overview of the Portakabin case study:
Portakabin is a leading modular building innovator in the market of UK from more than
50 years. They operates in the one off portable buildings for doctor's surgeries to modular
schools, hospitals and office premises. They supplying the first portable PK16 building and now
aimed to launch the latest product named as Yorkon building system. In order to develop the
product which mentioned above Yorkon building system for that organisation have to properly
plan and execute the strategies such as cost, time and benefits out of it and many more.
Business case:
Business case is a in writing or communicative proposition of value which framed to
educate decision maker (Sears And et.al ., 2015. ). In context of Portakabin aimed to launch a
new product into marketplace so they have to accumulate necessary information with help of
business case that are as follows:
Executive summary:

It is very much obligatory for an organisation to carry creation in their products and
services time to time (Todorović And et.al ., 2015.). In that series Portakabin aimed to launch
new product into the marketplace for getting success in respective project they accumulate all
necessary knowledge and information to eliminate risk at maximum level by improving in
quality.
Challenge or goal:
The major goal of organisation to gain sustainability in the marketplace by add some new
features or launch a new product in market.
Solution:
To accomplish respective goal organisation build systematic plan and policies and after
that aimed to launch new product named as Yorkon building system.
Cost:
Every project occurs some cost, respective project till its accomplishment takes almost
£200.
Benefits:
The major benefit of respective project that after launching it into marketplace
organisation can be able to gain profitability and sustainability to remain always competitive.
Execution time:
To accomplish the project in proper manner the required time duration approximately one
and half year.
Project plan
Project plan is an kind of written document which designed and developed to control and
execute the project in a specified time limit (Swin and et.al ., 2017.). It is a key to a successful
project and helps in taking important decisions while starting a project till wind up it. There are
some steps of project plan that are as follows:
 Project initiation: In respective stage of a project organisation plan and coordinate each
and every aspect to check the feasibility of it so that they can take decisions
appropriately.
 Project planning: It is one of most important stage of project in which project manager
work on major areas such as their target budget, time frame and deliverables to execute

the plan in proper manner. In context of Portakabin they by using business plan
accumulate necessary information to execute it in desirable manner.
 Project execution: In respective stage project manager after checking the feasibility of a
project takes the decision regarding continuation of a project or not.
 Project closure: In that project manager supervise each and every activity in proper
manner that it satisfy consumer needs and demands properly then close it.
To elaborate majorly on each and every aspect of a project life cycle it is very much essential to
critically evaluate it.
Work break down structure:
WBS is a key project deliverable that optimise and organise the team's work into
manageable manner (Turner, 2016.). It helps to breakdown various structure that helps to project
manager to execute within the project team in systematic manner. In context of Portakabin they
divide works and activities in structured way to gain optimum outcomes.
Gantt chart:
Gantt chart commonly used in project management one of useful way to show various
works and activities which showcase against time (Uhl and Gollenia, 2016. ). It proved
beneficial for project manager to assign roles and responsibilities to each and every team
member to gain potential outcomes in systematic manner.

With help of both theoretical and conceptual framework evaluate or justify the methodologies,
tools and techniques which is essential for a specified project.
To achieve desired goals and objectives administration have to apply various tools and
methodologies, leadership styles which are very much obligatory for an organisation to execute
plan in successful manner (Verzuh, 2015). There are different kinds of tools and techniques that
proved beneficial for project manager such as Lean principles, six sigma focus on elimination of
wastages by improving quality. Respective project required leadership styles and tactics such as
contingency and situational leadership to plan for future in better manner.
B)
1. Critical evaluation of efficiency of project life cycle.
For an organisation application of project life cycle is very much crucial, in context of
Portakabin which aimed to launch a new product named as Yorkon building system. To review
complete project plan organisation use waterfall model that are as follows:
 Requirements: Respective step of waterfall model states that accumulate needs that are
design in respective product and its function, purpose to optimise the ratio of input and
outputs (Todorović And et.al ., 2015). Before aimed to launch Yorkon building system
the access needs and decide design of their product.
 System design: In that stage the whole structure of the product framed in systematic
manner after evaluating needs and wants of consumers (Uhl and Gollenia, 2016).
Respective organisation build financial and technical framework to optimise
opportunities.
 Implementation: In that stage organisation design the whole framework and implement
it in systematic manner to achieve desirable goals.
 Integration and testing: In that organisation integrate the whole plan by delivering right
kind of value to each and every individual by testing the feasibility of new product into
the marketplace to gain profitability and sustainability.
 Deployment of system: After completion of functional and non functional testing
organisation released product into marketplace as per the consumer needs and demand in
proper manner.

 Maintenance: In that stage the new product installed into marketplace and some
modifications also occurs in system by individual contributes in improving work and
performance in positive manner.
Here are the critical evaluation of the Water fall model that are as follows:
Advantages and disadvantages of water fall model in context of organisation:
There are some potential kinds of advantages in context of organisation that are as
follows:
respective model helps to organisation that it allows departmentalization and control of products
and services in order to remain always competitive in the marketplace. It helps to schedule of
whole project as per the each stage of model to proceed product in successful manner.
On other hand there are some disadvantages also of the water fall model that it not helps
in reflection or revision of business activities and procedures. Once starting the application of
project it is very much difficult to go back on previous stage as changes are not documented in
proper manner.
Moreover there are various method which can be adopted by a company in order to
evaluate effectiveness of the project life cycle, from that some major which are adopted by Next
Plc are given below:-
 Milestones: It is define as a particular stage or standard which is developed for
conducting a particular work. Through this employees able to get proper guidelines or
frameworks according to which they have to conduct their work in order to attain
objective or target. In respect of Portakabin they have to launch and promote their new
product so it is necessary for them to develop milestones related to target so that
employees work accordingly.
 Target: It is define as specific point which a company or their employees want to attain
in order to fulfil or achieve their goal and objective. In this each and every staff or
member of a company conduct their work accordingly for attaining the target which help
them in gaining more and more profit. In respect of respective company their manager
must set target related to the sales so that employees can work accordingly.
 Benchmarks: It is define as standard point or reference point which a company need to
achieve in order to attain their goal in effective manner. This will also provide them a

proper guidelines in order to conduct activities impressively and according to the
standard so that company as well as employees both can attain objective. In respect of
respective company they must develop benchmark of all activities so that employees
conduct their work in effective as well as successful manner.
Project life cycle adopted by respective company have both positive and negative aspect
so it is necessary for management to consider both the aspect. Positive aspect of it is effective for
developing software, help in conducting innovation, effectively attainment of goal, enhance
communication and so on. On the other hand it also have some limitation such as it is expensive
to adopt, it will also enhance competition, this will lead to lack of creativity and many others. So
it is essential for company management to develop their strategies by considering both pros and
corns of respective model.
2. To complete a project in successful manner, role of designing and implementing the project
life cycle.
PLC is very much significant for an organisation to execute project in systematic manner
it proved beneficial to coordinate and measure the results from each stage of it. It helps in
delegating roles and responsibilities to each and every individual after accessing their skills and
capabilities to gain important results. So in context of Portakabin they assign roles and
responsibilities by affix budget, time duration and many more activities with help of it.
3.Way to implement cost saving techniques within the project life cycle in successful way.
To execute the project in properly organisation have to plan cost of products and services
in proper manner. There are kinds of cost associated with a project such as total cost control,
value analysis and many more so balance of all cost are very crucial. In respective organisation
they manage various kinds of cost which affiliated with project to gain crucial results.
4. What are the various kinds of tools and techniques to assure quality, scope and time period to
implement a project successfully.
For an organisation while they aimed to establish a new product into marketplace quality
and scope matter a lot (Meredith, Mantel Jr and Shafer, 2017).In respective organisation while
they aimed to launch a new product they use Lean principles to reduce wastage that saves time
and cost. To maintain quality avail Total quality management that helps to verify viability of a

project in a proper manner. They use WBS and Gantt chart to break down works and activities in
small segments.
5. How different tools and techniques and models used differently in between the small and large
scale projects.
To execute plan and policies there are various kinds of methods and tools that are differ
from each other in context of large and small project that are as follows:
Model Small project Large project
Total quality management To initiate the project at small
scale, TQM proved helpful in
maintaining the quality of a
project by reducing wastage to
gain optimum outcomes.
In context of large projects
TQM helps to project out
primarily at small level to save
cost of trial and error. They
after verifying the quality of
product launch it into
marketplace.
6. Critically analyse with help of practical and theoretical framework regarding project life cycle.
Project life cycle proved beneficial for an organisation which aimed to launch a new
project into marketplace by obtaining important insights and knowledge (Uhl and Gollenia,
2016. ). .. In respective organisation they use it in both practical and theoretical framework as
they plan it in proper way then apply it after verify each aspects properly.
CONCLUSION
From the above assignment it has been summarized that operations and project is very
much significant for an organisation. By planning and executing each and every step they can
assign the works and responsibilities that helps to attain desirable objectives. By using various
models and tools such as TQM, six sigma and lean principles organisation can save cost and time
of accomplishing project in proper manner. By using project life cycle organisation can plan and
coordinate each and every aspect related to the project to gain important insights and knowledge.

REFERENCES
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Heizer, J., Render, B. and Munson, C., 2017. Operations management. Pearson Education
Limited.
Kerzner, H., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Lientz, B. and Rea, K., 2016. Breakthrough technology project management. Routledge.
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approach. John Wiley & Sons.
Nicholas, J.M. and Steyn, H., 2017. Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Routledge.
Schwalbe, K., 2015. Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
Sears, S.K. And et.al ., 2015. Construction project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Swink, M. and et.al ., 2017. Managing operations across the supply chain. New York, NY:
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Todorović, M.L. And et.al ., 2015. Project success analysis framework: A knowledge-based
approach in project management. International Journal of Project Management. 33(4).
pp.772-783.
Turner, R., 2016. Gower handbook of project management. Routledge.
Uhl, A. and Gollenia, L.A. eds., 2016. A handbook of business transformation management
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Verzuh, E., 2015. The fast forward MBA in project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Online:
SDLC - Waterfall Model, 2019. [Online]. Available through.
<https://www.tutorialspoint.com/sdlc/sdlc_waterfall_model.htm>.