Unilever: Operations and Project Management Analysis Report

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Unilever's operations and project management strategies. It begins with an introduction to Unilever and differentiates between operations and operations management, followed by a review and critique of the implementation of operations management principles within the organization. The report assesses how well Unilever's operations management meets organizational requirements, explores continuous improvement as a philosophy, describes Lean principles, and applies Six Sigma to evaluate its effectiveness. The second part of the report focuses on project management, explaining the stages of the Project Life Cycle (PLC) applied to a selected project, analyzing methodologies, and critically evaluating the PLC's effectiveness using relevant theories and models. The report emphasizes Unilever's focus on innovation, resource optimization, and adapting to market changes to maintain a competitive edge and ensure customer satisfaction.

OPERATIONS AND
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
Introduction of organization........................................................................................................3
Explanation of operation vs operations management..................................................................4
Review and critique of the implementation of operation management principles......................4
An analysis of the extent to which the operations management of the organization meets the
requirements of the organization.................................................................................................6
Continuous improvement as a philosophy and describe the Lean principles .............................7
Apply six Sigma and its effectiveness ........................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
PART 2..........................................................................................................................................10
Project Title................................................................................................................................10
An explanation of each stage of the PLC that applies to selected project, including supporting
documentation for each stage ....................................................................................................10
Analysis of the methodologies ..................................................................................................12
Review and critically evaluate the effectiveness of the PLC in application to the project using
the appropriate theories models and concepts...........................................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
This report helps in understanding about importance of operations in any organization and
how operations of organization can help in boosting its productivity and profitability.
Management of operations is defined as the process of managing operations in organization
effectively and efficiently (Ahmad, 2021). This report also helps in understanding about project
management and different elements which are included during completion of project. It is
important for every organization to effectively utilize their resources and it helps them in
managing their operations in effective way. This report is based on organization Unilever and it
helps in understanding about management of operations within organization. Various theories are
also explained in this report which would help in understanding that how organization can
improve its performance and ensure effectiveness and efficiency. Every organization focuses on
its growth and development by understanding opportunities in environment and implementing
plans and strategies which can help organization in achieving its desired goals and objectives.
Project management involves various stages of project life cycle which helps organization in
determining time under which project can be completed. Unilever is one of the multinational
organization in global environment and key to its success is effective manageable of operations.
MAIN BODY
PART 1
Introduction of organization
Unilever is one of the famous and multi-national organization which operates globally
and sell its products and services. Unilever provides wide range of products and services to its
consumers which helps in satisfying their needs and preference. It is based in UK and product
provided by them includes beauty products, tea, coffee etc. This report would help in
understanding about effectively managing operations of organization which would help in
achieving desired goals and objectives of organization.
Explanation of operation vs operations management
Operations within organization are explained as activities which are important for
functioning of organization. Effective operations of organization helps in boosting productivity
and profitability of organization. Managers of Unilever focuses on utilizing effective approaches
for organization which can help in optimizing operations of organization. Effective operations of

organization helps in maximizing performance of organization and assists in effective utilization
of resources (Wilson, Bhakoo and Samson, 2018). Operations are vital for functioning of every
business and it should be optimized effectively according to need of business. Managers of
Unilever focuses on taking decision which are fruitful for organization and can contribute in
growth and development of organization.
Review and critique of the implementation of operation management principles
Operations of organization helps in boosting performance and helps in making decisions
related to business which is crucial for growth and development of organization. There are
various approaches which are utilized by managers of Unilever to ensure that its operations
should be effective and ensure that it should boost productivity and profitability of organization.
Managers focuses on proposing effective plans and strategies which can help in making
operations effective and smooth (Babich and Birge, 2021). Management of operations in
organization helps in achieving goals and objectives which are desired by organization.
Managers ensure that its operations wouldn't affect their performance in terms of finance and can
help them in making procedure of operations smooth. There are various principles which are
utilized by Unilever and focuses on implementing such principles. Such principles helps in
making strategies to perform effective operations and managers focuses on effectively
implementing such principles and strategies.
Strengths of Unilever operations process
It helps Unilever in making its production process effective and focus on effectively
communicating information within organization.
Limitations of Unilever operations process
Unilever have to ensure that products should satisfy needs of consumers and it should be
affordable and satisfy expectations of consumers.
Next part of this report focuses upon theories which are used by managers to make its operations
of Unilever effective.
Taylor theory of scientific management
This part of report focuses on principle of Taylor and how such principle is utilized by
Unilever:
Science, Not rule of thumb – This part focuses upon using innovative methods and
approaches which are used by organization as it would help them in implementing changes

which can help them in gaining upper hand over its competitors. Unilever focuses on
implementing changes in organization after analysis of trends and patterns in business
environment. Implementing such changes help organization in boosting its productivity and also
encourages them to adapt new methods and approaches. Unilever believes that using new
techniques help them to deal in better manner. The situations of the company keeps on changing
so they must use new and innovative ways of coming out of situation (Ochieng and et.al., 2018).
Harmony, not discord – This principle focuses on providing environment to employees
where they can feel safe and healthy. Positive environment in organization assists employees in
achieving goals and objectives desired by organization. Unilever focuses on making environment
of organization peaceful and motivating. It helps in boosting performance of employees and
helps in achieving outcome desired by organization.
Cooperation, not individualism – It focuses on understanding the importance of working
as a team towards organization goal and focusing on effectively communicating goals and
objectives among employees. Unilever ensures that employees should work as a team and
collaborate effectively to achieve goals and objectives. By focusing on overall development of
organization all the individual goals of the employees are fulfilled.
Development of every individual – Providing appropriate training to employees can help
in development of their skill and knowledge. Skilled employees are considered as asset to every
organization as it helps in achieving organization goals and objectives (Arbabi Salehi-Taleshi
and Ghods, 2020). In Unilever, training the employees also helps organization in boosting its
productivity and it also help employees in boosting their overall performance.
Lean Production
This principle focuses on reducing the wastage during production and focusing on
utilizing resources effectively and efficiently during production. It could help organization in
reducing overall cost of resources and providing products according to need of consumer.
Reducing wastage of resources help Unilever in achieving efficiency and it also help in
production of quality products (Besiou and Van Wassenhove, 2020). Such theory is implemented
by every business because it helps in achieving efficiency during production. Providing quality
products help organization in satisfying its consumers. It assist Unilever in eliminating waste and
providing best products to the customers. They provide value to the customers and that enhances
their brand image in the market.

Agile Manufacturing
This theory focuses on adapting to new technologies and approaches which can be used
for production of products. It focuses on adapting changes according to need and understanding
trends and patterns of market and implementing changes according to need of business (Bari,
2018). It is analyzed that Unilever must use agile manufacturing as it enable the company to
respond quickly to customer needs and market changes and still controlling costs and quality.
This principle would help Unilever in delivering quality products to consumers and Unilever
focuses on providing products which can satisfy their needs. Adapting changes in business would
help organization in its growth and development, it also help organization in expanding their
business and also expanding their consumer base.
An analysis of the extent to which the operations management of the organization meets the
requirements of the organization
Every business focuses on using operation management principles as an effective tool to
manage their operations effectively and efficiently. Effective management of operations helps
organization in achieving its desired goals and objectives. Unilever focuses on utilizing these
principles to make their operations procedure effective (Papachristos and et.al., 2018).
Organization focuses on satisfying its consumer by providing them products according to their
needs. There are some aspects which helps in understanding about Unilever and their strategies
to achieve its goals:
 Unilever operates in global market and it is crucial for them to deliver quality products to
its consumers. Unilever focuses on understanding the need of consumer and provide
quality products at affordable prices (Cahill, 2021). It helps Unilever in boosting its
profits and also help in retaining its consumers.
 Unilever ensures that consumers have good experience with their products as it helps
organization in retaining its consumers. Providing products according to need of
consumer is very important and Unilever ensures that resources of organization should be
effectively utilized during production. It helps organization in expanding their business
and reaching out to more number of consumers.
 Unilever also focuses on managing their supply chain by taking effective steps.
Successful supply chain helps organization in gaining competitor advantage over its

competitors. Unilever focuses on delivering quality products to its consumer while
assuring its performance and durability.
 Unilever operates at global level and in order to effectively compete against global
companies, they need to boost their production. Organization focuses on boosting their
production by using innovative methods and approaches.
Continuous improvement as a philosophy and describe the Lean principles
This part of report focuses on importance of innovation in products and services of
Unilever. Innovation is considered as key to success for organization. Continuous improvements
in products and services of organization helps in boosting productivity and profitability of
organization (Oliveira and Martins, 2017). Unilever focuses on making improvements in its
products and services as it helps them in gaining upper hand over its competitors and boosting its
performance.
Lean principles
 Such principles are associated with reduction in wastage of resources during production
and ensuring that quality products should be provided by effective utilization of resources
(Ferreira, Viegas and Trento, 2017). This part focuses on various principles which are
utilized by Unilever and these principles are mentioned below:
 Value Defining – Unilever focuses on creating value to consumers by providing products
and services according to need of consumers. Creating value among consumers help in
retaining its existing consumers and engaging new consumers with organization (Levy,
2018). Value can also be created among consumers by improving customer service.
 Mapping of value stream – It focuses on understanding different aspects and elements
which helps an organization in enhancing value of business among consumers. Unilever
focuses on creating value among consumers as it helps in boosting profits of organization
and also helps in boosting organization performance.
 Creating flow – Unilever focuses on understanding need of resources and then effectively
utilize their resources (de Nadae and de Carvalho, 2017). Utilization of resources also
help organization in achieving goals and objectives. Unilever focuses on managing
performance of its employees by providing them environment which is healthy and safe
from them.

 Pull Establishment – This part focuses on management of resources in effective manner
during production of products (Eyers and Naim, 2019). Inventory management is
considered important for every organization as it helps in determining the effectiveness
and efficiency of organization.
Every organization focuses on following the standards which is set by the top management and it
helps in providing direction to employees which can help them in understanding about goals and
objectives of organization. Unilever managers ensures that every employee should understand its
roles and responsibilities which helps in achieving the final outcome. Principles which are
mentioned above help organization in setting the standards of its products and also help in
boosting productivity and profitability of organization. It also helps organization in
understanding about need of changes in its products and providing products to consumers which
can help in satisfying its consumer base.
A continuous improvement plan, including your justified recommendations for improvement,
based on your review and critique of operations management principles within your
organizationContinuous Improvement Plan
Continuous improvement plan of IKEA is going to be discussed as follows:Improvement
Expected outcome Current performance
level
Development in
strategies
Quality Unilever is an
organisation which is
operating its business
functioning in
consumer court
industry sector and
offer a wide range of
products which include
well-being vitamins,
coffee, minerals and
supplements, water and
This is a business
company which
provide high quality
products and services
to consumers and add
value to the product by
making introduction of
new and unique
features in the
products in order to
serve consumers needs
Higher authorities of
Unilever is required to
take advantage of
advanced technology
in order to evaluate
consumer needs and
demands. In addition
to this highly advanced
techniques will
significantly aid
Unilever to enhance

air purifier products,
breakfast, cereals,
personal care, pet
foods extra. In this it is
essential for store
manager to ensure that
they provide high
quality products to
consumer with
satisfactory services, as
if these standards are
not maintained then it
will directly and
indirectly impact upon
organisation overall
profitability of firm.
and wants accordingly. staff members
efficiency.
Promotional events Unilever is an
organisation which is
majorly well known
across the globe in
which it is important
for company manager
to take advantage of
online advertisements
and promotion
methods, as it will help
them to enhance
organisation product
and services awareness
among consumer
At present Unilever
have implemented
digital print media and
social media as to
promote their products
and services in market
segment. With the help
of these techniques’
organisation attract
large base of
consumers which
helps them to enhance
their sales.
Unilever is required to
make improvement in
their marketing
strategy as per the
changes in
environment as to
enhance consumers
attention towards
organisational
offering. With the
assistance of
continuous
improvement of
organisation manager

segment (Paton and
Andrew, 2019). This
will help company to
enhance awareness of
organisation offerings
through which the can
maximize their overall
place of consumers.
can influence mind set
of consumers at
international scale.
After sales service Unilever is
emphasising upon
offering high quality
after sales services to
consumer segment that
will help them to
enhance loyalty of
customers for long
period of time. It will
also add organisation
to retain consumers for
longer period of time
which will enhance
organisation long term
sustainability in
industry.
Currently Unilever is
providing various
forms of refund and
return policies to
consumer segment.
Along with this they
also offer guarantee to
consumers if they are
not satisfied with
product quality. It will
help organisation to
enhance consumer
loyalty towards
organisation.
Unilever top
management is
required to maximize
warranty period so that
it will be convenient
for their international
consumer base. With
the help of this
organisation can
significantly enhance
overall goodwill of
company which will
maximize
competitiveness of
company in industry.
From the analysis of continuous improvement, it has been evaluated and in order to make
improvement in efficiency and quality of products and services produced by Unilever it is
essential for them to implement upgraded technology. This can be adopted within the workplace

by gathering maximum data from both consumers on staff members as to enhance production
services quality.
Apply six Sigma and its effectiveness
Six Sigma focuses upon various techniques of operation management which is utilized by
an organization for better and effective results. Six Sigma is also used by organization to
understand need and preference of consumers in terms of products and identifying areas which
needs improvement (Chavan and Scavarda, 2021). Unilever focuses on utilizing these principles
to manage their operations effectively and identify potential changes in operations.
 Define: The first and foremost deal is to define the goals clearly.
 Measure: The next principle is based on measuring the quality of product and process.
 Analyze: It is important to analyses the result and know about the defects that iccured in
the process.
 Design: In this point eliminate all the sources that causes defect.
 Verify: It is the last step in which the organization verifies that the is design is suitable or
not.
Principles of six sigma are mentioned below:
 Customer Focus: It is seen that Unilever focuses on customers and the quality that is
required by them.
 Identify Root Causes: If there is any problem in the organization that it becomes
necessary to know about the route cause of such problem. This principle helps Unilever
to come out of problems that are faced by them.
 It is seen that the organization deal with all the challenges but they do not believe in
variation. The focus is to improvise the process.
Advantages of six sigma
This principle helps organization in understanding about boosting sales of organization
and ensures that consumer should be satisfied by providing quality products to them and
ensuring that value of products should be remained effective in market.
It also helps in adding value to organization name and managers utilizes this framework
to achieve desired outcome effectively and efficiently. It also assists organization in optimising
supply chain which is helpful in effective production and increasing level of consumer
satisfaction.

It assists organisation in reducing the wastage of resources which is considered as key in
achieving the goals. Every project efficiency depends upon utilization of resources and this
approach is helpful in making effective decision for resource utilization. It also helps in making
production process of organization effective and efficient.
Disadvantages of Six sigma
This approach takes long time for implementation and this approach is considered as time
consuming. This approach can only be successful when there is participation from every
employee.
This approach is also considered complicated due to its nature. In this approach lot of
statistical information is required which makes this approach complicated.
It can be understood that from above discussion that every organization focuses on
implementing changes which are required to boost productivity and profitability of organization.
This would help in resolving issues and problems in organization (Ershadi and et.al., 2021).
Continuous changes in organization might affect employee productivity but effective leadership
can help employees in understanding about need of change and its importance for an
organization. In context of Unilever, managers always focus on making changes in its products
and services according to need of consumers as it help organization fulfilling their expectations.
It also helps them in retaining its existing consumer and engaging new consumers with
organization.
Operations management principles within an organisation.
There are different types of principles which have been described above. Thus, operation
management is the combination of different types of goods and services used by firms. There are
few elements in regards with operational management and followed by Unilever, those are
mentioned below:
Planning:
It is defined as combination of different thoughts and ideas that can be utilised by any
individual for their business as well as firm (Raharjo and et.al., 2018). In this Unilever manager
with large number of Ideas and thoughts to plan something better can fulfil organisational goals
in effective way
Do: