Nelson College London

ASSIGNMENT BRIEFQualificationUnit number, Code and Title

Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma BusinessUnit 34, R/505/8181, Operations Management in

Business

Module Leader:Lecturers:

Abimbola TaiwoOusman Kolley, Abimbola Taiwo

Distribution dateSubmission deadline

W/C 22/09/147th December 2014

Assignment titleOperations Management in Business

Learning OutcomeLearning outcomeAssessment CriteriaIn this assessment you will have the opportunity to present evidence that shows you are able to:Task no.Evidence

(Page no)

L01Understand the nature

and importance of

operations

management1.1Explain why operations management is

important for organisations1

1.2Analyse the operations functions of a selected organisation1

1.3Evaluate, by using a process model, the

operations management of a selected

organisation1

LO2Understand the link

between operations

management and

strategic planning2.1Appraise the importance of the Three Es to organisations2

2.2Assess the impact of the tension between cost minimisation and quality maximisation in

organisations2

2.3Evaluate the significance of the five

performance objectives that underpin

operations management to organisations2

LO3Understand how to

organise a typical

production process3.1Assess how linear programming adds value to a given production process3

3.2Evaluate critical path analysis and network planning 3

3.3Justify the need for operational planning and control in a selected production process

3

LO4Be able to apply relevant techniques to the production of an operational plan for an organisation.4.1Produce a set of clearly defined operational outcomes for a selected organisation4

4.2Produce a network plan indicating the

resultant critical path4

4.3Justify how quality management techniques

are applied to improve operations in a selected organisation4

Learner declaration

I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully acknowledged.

Student signature: Date:

INTRODUCTIONOperations management (OM) is the business function that plans, organizes, coordinates, and controls the resources needed to produce a companys goods and services. Operations management is a management function. It involves managing people, equipment, technology, information, and many other resources. Operations management is the central core function of every company. This is true whether the company is large or small, provides a physical good or a service, and is for-profit or not-for-profit. Operations management is important. It is concerned with creating the services and products upon which we all depend. And all organizations produce some mixture of services and products, whether that organization is large or small, manufacturing or service, for profit or not for profit, public or private. But more than this, operations management is everywhere, it is not confined to the operations function. All managers, whether they are called Operations or Marketing or Human Resources or Finance, or whatever, manage processes and serve customers (internal or external). This makes, at least part of their activities operations.

Scenario

Prt A Manger opened their first shop in the mid-1980s, in London. Now they have over 130 shops in UK, New York, Hong Kong and Tokyo. They say that their secret is to focus continually on quality not just of their food, but in every aspect of their operations practice. They go to extraordinary lengths to avoid the chemicals and preservatives common in most fast food, say the company. Many food retailers focus on extending the shelf life of their food, but thats of no interest to us.

We maintain our edge by selling food that simply cant be beaten for freshness. At the end of the day, we give whatever we havent sold to charity to help feed those who would otherwise go hungry. When we were just starting out, a big supplier tried to sell us coleslaw that lasted sixteen days. Can you imagine! Salad that lasts sixteen days? There and then we decided Pret would stick to wholesome fresh food natural stuff. We have not changed that policy.

The first Prt A Manger shop had its own kitchen where fresh ingredients were delivered first thing every morning, and food was prepared throughout the day.

Every Pret shop since has followed this model. The team members serving on the tills at lunchtime will have been making sandwiches in the kitchen that morning.

The company rejected the idea of a huge centralized sandwich factory even though it could significantly reduce costs. Prt also own and manage all their shops directly so that they can ensure consistently high standards in all their shops. We are determined never to forget that our hard-working people make all the difference. They are our heart and soul. When they care, our business is sound. If they cease to care, our business goes down the drain. In a retail sector where high staff turnover is normal, were pleased to say our people are much more likely to stay around! We work hard at building great teams. We take our reward schemes and career opportunities very seriously.

We dont work nights (generally), we wear jeans, we party! Customer feedback is regarded as being particularly important at Pret. Examining customers comments for improvement ideas is a key part of weekly management meetings, and of the daily team briefs in each shop.Adapted from: Operations Management 6th ed - N. Slack, et al., (Pearson, 2010) BBS

Task 1 (L.O. 1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and M1, D2)

Considering yourself as an operations manager at Prt A Manger, or any other organisation of your choice, write an essay on the following:1. Explain the importance of operational management to Prt A Mangers business activities or any other organisation business activities.2. Analyse the operations functions at Prt A Manager or any other organisation of your choice.3. Evaluate, by using a process model, the operations management of Prt A Manager or any other organisation of your choice.To achieve M1, you will find appropriate solutions in evaluating the operations management of Prt A Manager or any other organisation of your choice.To achieve D2 you will have demonstrated an effective approach to independent research as evidenced from the citations and reference list and study and will have met the deadline to submit the tasks and achieve the unit assessment criteria.

Task 2 (LO2: 2.1, 2.2 2.3 and M2, D2)As the newly appointed operations manager you are expected to produce a Microsoft Power Point Presentation informing your team on the following:

4. Appraise the importance of the Three Es to organisations5. Assess the impact of the tension between cost minimisation and quality maximisation in organisations6. Evaluate the significance of the five performance objectives that underpin operations management to organisationsTo achieve M2, you will apply appropriate methods/techniques in evaluating the significance of the five performance objectives of any organisation of your choice in question 6.To achieve D2 you will have demonstrated an effective approach to independent research as evidenced from the citations and reference list and study and will have met the deadline to submit the tasks and achieve the unit assessment criteria.

Task 3 (LO3: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and D2, D3)As the operations manager at Prt A Manger or any other organisation of your choice you are expected to write briefly on the followings in an essay form :

7. Assess how linear programming adds value to a given production process8. Evaluate critical path analysis and network planning9. Justify the need for operational planning and control in a selected production process To achieve D2 you will have demonstrated an effective approach to independent research as evidenced from the citations and reference list and study and will have met the deadline to submit the tasks and achieve the unit assessment criteria.

To achieve D3, you will have to creatively justify the need for operational planning and control in a selected production process in question 9.

Task 4 (LO4: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and D2)You are expected to do a field work to any organisation of your choice. Carefully observe the organisations business activities and produce a personal report on your findings on the followings:

10. Produce a set of clearly defined operational outcomes. 11. Produce a network plan and indicate the resultant critical path. 12. Explain how quality could be defined and maintained in the visited organisation (Please note that the name of the organisation visited must be specified in your report.)To achieve M3, your findings and research should be well presented and communicated within the report.To achieve D1 you will have to use critical reflection to produce a network plan and indicate the resultant critical path in question 10.To achieve D2 you will have demonstrated an effective approach to independent research as evidenced from the citations and reference list and study and will have met the deadline to submit the tasks and achieve the unit assessment criteria.

Evidence checklistSummary of evidence required by studentEvidence presented

Task 1Essay on the nature and importance of operations management

Task 2Microsoft Power Point Presentation on the link between operations management and strategic planning

Task 3Essay on how to organise a typical production process

Task 4Personal report on Organisation visit Be able to apply relevant techniques to the production of an operational plan for an organisation.

In addition to the above PASS criteria, this assignment gives you the opportunity to submit evidence in order to achieve the following MERIT and DISTINCTION grades

Grade DescriptorIndicative characteristic/sContextualisation

M1 Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutionsEffective judgements have been made.

An effective approach to study and research has been applied.To achieve M1, you find appropriate solutions in explaining the link between operations management and strategic planning P3

M2 Select / design and apply appropriate methods / techniquesAppropriate learning methods/techniques have been applied.To achieve M2, you will apply appropriate methods/techniques in evaluating the significance of the five performance objectives of any organisation of your choice in question 6.

M3 Present and communicate appropriate findingsCommunication is appropriate for familiar and unfamiliar audiences and appropriate media have been used.To achieve M3, your findings and research should be well presented and communicated within the report for question 10-12.

D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusionsConclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and have been justified.

Realistic improvements have been proposed against defined characteristics for success.To achieve D1 you will have to use critical reflection to produce a network plan and indicate the resultant critical path in question 10.

D2 Take responsibility for managing and organising activitiesActivities have been managed.

New ideas have been generated

Good referencing and arrangement (Harvard style)

To achieve D2 you will have demonstrated an effective approach to independent research as evidenced from the citations and reference list and study and will have met the deadline to submit the tasks and achieve the unit assessment criteria. (P1-P13)

D3 Demonstrate convergent /lateral / creative thinkingEffective thinking has taken place in unfamiliar contexts.To achieve D3, you will have to creatively justify the need for operational planning and control in a selected production process in question 9

Achievement Summary

QualificationPearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in BusinessAssessor name

Unit Number and titleUnit 34, Operations Management in BusinessStudent name

Criteria ReferenceTo achieve the criteria the evidence must show that the student is able to:Achieved?

(tick)

LO 1Understand the nature and importance of

Operations management

1.1

Explain why operations management is important for organisations

1.2

Analyse the operations functions of a selected

organisation

1.3Evaluate, by using a process model, the operations management of a selected organisation

LO 2Understand the link between operations management and

strategic planning

2.1

Appraise the importance of the Three Es to

organisations

2.2

Assess the impact of the tension between cost

minimisation and quality maximisation in organisations

2.3

Evaluate the significance of the five performance objectives that underpin operations management to organisations

LO3Understand how to organise a typical production process

3.1Assess how linear programming adds value to a given production process

3.2Evaluate critical path analysis and network planning

3.3Justify the need for operational planning and control in a selected production process

LO4Be able to apply relevant techniques to the production of an operational plan for an organisation.

4.1Produce a set of clearly defined operational outcomes for a selected organisation

4.2Produce a network plan indicating the resultant critical path

4.3Justify how quality management techniques

are applied to improve operations in a selected

organisation

Higher Grade achievements (where applicable)

Grade descriptor

Achieved?

(tick)Grade descriptorAchieved?

(tick)

M1: Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions

D1: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions

M2: Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques

D2: Take responsibility for managing and organising activities

M3: Present and communicate appropriate findings

D3: Demonstrate convergent/lateral /creative thinking

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