PGBM03 Operations Management Module Assignment 2013/14 INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT January 2014

Level: Module Leader: Assignment Code:

Masters Programmes Dr Ian Evans PGBM03

Module:

Operations Management

Contribution to Module Assessment:

Hand in Week: W/c 28 April 2014 100% of overall mark for the module

Subject: Individual analysis of an organization of students choice

Background: See attached assignment brief Notes: 1. 3000 words +/- 10% 2. The assignment must be presented in a form that complies with the basic conventions of report format (see Guide to Basic Study Skills) and submitted to Turn-it-in via Sunspace. Any work submitted is subject to the University's rules and procedures governing infringement of assessment regulations.

Assignment Brief
Introduction If the Marketing function is to identify the needs of customers, then the Operations Management function has the role of providing the required products or services in a way that satisfies the criteria imposed by the market. Efficient operation of this function is therefore important if the organization is to be successful. An understanding of the main operational tasks is an essential starting point in this process. Assignment Looking at your company at organizational level, or department level critically assess the operational methods and strategies adopted to provide the product(s) in a way that give(s) maximum satisfaction to the customers or clients. A good answer will identify the criteria applied by the customer in assessing satisfaction i.e. the order-winning and order-qualifying criteria. You should a) define the principal operations tasks to satisfy these criteria b) analyze the process strategies and procedures employed to ensure that these tasks are carried out as effectively as possible. The organization may not have an operations/production department defined in such terms, but it will still produce something for the use of somebody.

PGBM03 Operations Management Module Assignment 2013/14

The report, excluding appendices, should be 3000 words +/- 10% in length. For your guidance, it will consist of: a) An introduction in which you describe your organization and what you and your departments contribution is to the organization. b) An accurate description of who the customers are - they may be external or internal - and what they expect from the output in terms of the broad market criteria discussed in the recommended text (Slack). From this, using the models in the text, you should be able to identify what the operations objectives are. This should then suggest the sort of process that ought to be operating. (The different process types and their ability to meet the range of operations objectives are explained at length in the module material). c) You should then describe the process in these terms and explain how and why it helps or hinders in the achievement of the operations objectives i.e. its ability to supply a product which meets the customers needs. This is the essential analysis that shows your ability to apply the module content to your experience. d) Having analyzed the process, describe what changes you recommend to make and explain why these are necessary in terms of improving the ability to meet the operations objectives. You need to give some guidance on the feasibility of the changes, how they ought to be implemented, a cost benefit etc., etc., where these are possible given the case organization context. Assessment Your work will be assessed against the following criteria: 1. Knowledge Your work should show knowledge of the module content.

2. Understanding Your report should demonstrate an understanding of operations management. 3. Insight Your report should show an ability to analyze the operation in the light of the module content and your own reading. 4. Clarity Your report should be well structured and clearly presented. You should include a short list of references to support your observations and assertions. This assignment is intended to give you an opportunity to show that you are capable of applying your knowledge of operations management, not only in describing the issues faced by the organization, but also in explaining them and justifying your proposed actions to improve them. You are invited to review all the models and concepts that we have discussed. Assignment Guidance Notes: Business Report Structure 3000 words +/- 10% Size 12 font, spacing 1.5, include word count. Report Presentation Front Sheet Name / Student Number / Programme / Module / Date Table of Contents Introduction

PGBM03 Operations Management Module Assignment 2013/14

Main Body of Report Analysis of theory and practice related to this organisation or company Conclusion and Recommendations References - 10 to 20 Appendix not included in word count Use Turnitin and submit Turnitin report with your hard copy of assignment.

Moderated by:

John Dixon Dawson

The criteria for grading the assignment will be:

Grade A (70-100%): Authoritative grasp of the concepts, methodology and content introduced through the module; applied all relevant theories implied by the guidance questions; all of the main features of the case organization drawn out and additional original insights which add to the analysis of the case organization; ideas reflecting depth and confidence of understanding of case issues; clear, concise presentation of ideas making good use of the conventions of a report format. Upper Grade B (60-69%): Sound level of understanding based on competent grasp of relevant concepts, methodology and content introduced through the module; applied most of the relevant theories; all of the main features drawn out; coherent, well structured report. Lower Grade B (55-59%): Applied the main frameworks; demonstrates a coherent response to the case issues; most of the key pints correctly analyzed; the underlying logic of analysis is sound and so the report. Grade C (40-54%): Applied some of the main frameworks; some of the main features of the case organization brought out correctly; some flaws in the structure of the report (e.g. re-open analysis in conclusions; mixing up conclusions and recommendations) Fail (0-39%): Some knowledge of main concepts but major omission and/or misunderstanding. Structure & nature of the report is overly descriptive. Arguments poorly supported and little or no analysis and reflection. Considerable limitations in ability to perceive the linkage between theory and practice.