the Operations Management module

1. Overview
Before you begin the final phase of assessment for the Operations Management
module, you will need to identify your operation, and answer some questions about
it. Tutors will then provide written feedback to you with any concerns or warnings if
applicable.
Requirement
Choose an operation or process to which you can get ready access. Ask yourself:
• Can I draw a sufficiently detailed process map of the operation?
• Can I capture enough data to critically appraise the operation and make
recommendations for improvement?
Produce a brief outline as follows:
1. What is the operation or process? Provide a short introduction to the
operation.
2. 2. What operations challenges or problems are there to be addressed in
your subject operation, and why? We want you to think about whether
there is anything worth looking at from an Operations Management
standpoint! No operation is perfect. What flaws are evident at first glance?
Which of these challenges might need to be addressed first, second etc?
Why?
3. 3. What theory, concepts, tools and techniques could be used to address
these challenges and problems, and how might you apply them? This
must include some use of concepts, tools and techniques from units 3-7.
• Your outline is to be limited to one side of A4, not including the cover
sheet. Format your upload as a PDF. Use the standard cover sheet for
text assignments (see below). Please use a sans serif type face, and
ensure that the type is no smaller than 11 point.
2. Overview
Your main individual assignment for the module will be a structured and integrated
application of theory and concepts primarily from Units 3 onwards. You are to create
a process map, and critically analyse and evaluate an operation using material from
the module. What follows is a description of the tasks you will need to perform in
completing the assignment and specific questions for considerations in addressing
its requirements.
Your Task
1. Operations challenges: Identify a set of operations challenges or
problems to be addressed in your subject operation, and why? No
operation is perfect. What flaws are evident at first glance? Which of these
challenges might need to be addressed first, second, and so on, and why?
Your analysis should:
• Identify the main operational problems
• Rank the problems in order of importance
• Focus on one or two operational problems and make recommendations for
improvement.
• Do not try to cover everything. Provide a brief argument for focusing on
one or two operational problems and then concentrate on those.
• Analysis Tools: What theory, concepts, tools and techniques can be used
to address these challenges and problems, and how might you apply
them? Select material primarily from Units 3 onwards. A broad-based
analysis using three or more topic areas is feasible, but is not
recommended as the work might become a little “thin.” Stay focussed. You
may use material from other Operations Management subjects (for
example from textbook chapters not covered in the module), but if you do
so, please discuss your intentions with your tutor. Critically, you should
search for further reading in the Operations Management journals that
enhances your knowledge of the concepts you will apply. If you apply
module content thoroughly, then you will likely get a pass. If you can show
application of further reading in the peer-reviewed Operations
Management journals then you are likely to earn high marks.
• Analysis Data: Your analysis should be based on data gathered from
observation, public domain information, survey work, interviews,
discussions with customers/managers, and from any secondary sources
that might be available. Please do not include lots of raw data in the main
body of the report. If you feel the need to include lots of data, put it in an
appendix. You should explain your methodology for data collection and
analysis clearly in the body of the report. Note. Many students get hung up
on the word “data,” assuming that it refers to the information derived from
quantitative survey work. This is not the case. Data is pretty much
anything you can get your hands on that informs you about the subject of
your analysis.
• Analysis: The core of the assignment is to analyse this data using one or
two tools, concepts or techniques provided on this module (Keen students
will actually go beyond the module content and carry out further reading
into the topic areas of interest. Evidence of this additional research will be
rewarded). The analysis of the data should be provided in the body of the
report.
• Evaluate: As a result of the analysis what can you say about the operation
and the tool/concept/ technique? What recommendations would you make
about how to improve the operation and the tool/ concept/technique? How
robust/valid are your recommendations?
Requirement
• Using concepts, tools and techniques from unit 3, onwards analyse and
evaluate the chosen operation.
• Using the following report guidance, and following the instructions
outlined in Section 3, produce a report documenting the results of your
analysis and evaluation of the chosen operation.
• •
For each report the type-face to be used for body text is 11 point Sans
Serif; Arial, Helvetica, Universe, Calibri etc. Use any type-face you like for
headings. Insert additional diagrams, photos, etc. as you see fit. It is up to
you to decide on the balance of content.
• In completing your analysis and producing your report, create a process
map of your operation. You do not need to use, in fact you are
discouraged from using process mapping software. Presentation software
such as PowerPoint or keynote is perfectly adequate. Your process map
must be contained within a single side of A4 – landscape formatted.
Assessment Criteria
We will assess your work on the following criteria:
• Understanding – Your work should demonstrate an understanding of
operations and operations management issues.
• Substantiation – The work should be underpinned by module material and
additional reading around the topic chosen and tools employed. (Please
only reference material you have read!)
• Insight – Your work must demonstrate critical evaluation and insight into
the operation, situation and topic.
• Clarity and structure – The report should be well structured and clearly
presented.
You will be briefed in detail on the assessment criteria during the module.
Additionally, in the final Connect session, we will discuss the assessment.
Submission Guidelines
Your submission is to be limited to 2,000 words. This word limit does not
include the process map.
Rubric
OM/MGO 2020-21 – Final Integrative Operations Analysis Rubric