Operations and Process Management
Task Description:
An individual report of 2200 words, based on an organisation of choice, which develops an analysis of an operation and how the design, planning, improvement and workforce issues interrelate and how each can contribute to achieving operations objectives. This should draw on operations management theory to justify the positions adopted.
Learning Outcomes Assessed:
LO1 Critically evaluate the strategic role of operations in creating and enhancing a firm’s capabilities and competitive advantages
LO2 Critically analyse the concepts and practices of operations management in different contexts and how an organisation’s innovation can support operational and strategic agility.
LO3 Evaluate approaches to problem solving and process improvement in production settings.
LO4 Apply operations management principles, analytical skills and problem-solving tools to the analysis of operations problems, utilising a systems and process approach.
Additional Information for Completion of Assessment:
Your report must have the following 3 sections:
Introduction (15%)
Critically analyse an existing process, applying various problem-solving tools and techniques to evaluate the current situation and devise possible solutions to identified problems (70%)
Conclusion (15%)
The percentages above indicate how much of the report should be dedicated to each section.
Introduction
This section should be 15% of the report (~300 words). This must present the following:
Brief background the organisation and your selected operations
Brief overview of the importance of how the specific operations of your attention enhance the firm’s capabilities and helps achieve its competitive advantage.
Set the scene for the reader
Critically analyse an operation, applying various tools and techniques to evaluate the current situation and devise improvements to identified problems.
This section should be 60% of the report (~1,600 words).
Your analysis of the process should cover the applicable areas of operations and process management. Examples of analysis might include such items as:
A detailed process flow chart including process inputs, process outputs, activities, activity times, processing and labour requirements.
Capacity analysis of the process, including the strategies used to address expected customer demand.
Suggested metrics used to measure the process, and how a changed process may improve these.
Address other relevant issues as appropriate; examples, might include:
Customer demand and process capacity relationships
How production is planned, from customer demand to production schedules
Quality Management issues
Product delivery issues
The interfaces of the process with both the external and internal customers
Waiting line issues and related staffing decisions
Other applicable process issues or concerns
Conclusion
This section should be 15% of the report (~300 words).
This section will conclude the report. Your conclusion should be consistent with the evaluation presented in section 2.
