Lean Principles and Process Types in Operation Management
Process selection and design are both strategic elements for any organisation as they can contribute directly to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of operations. Organisations make decisions on process selection and design based on the variety in products or services that the system needs to handle, the degree of the equipment flexibility and expected volume output. At the same time, lean operations can benefit the company in producing higher quality products and services and, operating at low cost.
A) By taking as an example a product or a service from an industry that you are familiar with, critically discuss the main factors that influence the manufacturing/service process design.
B) By utilising your example above please analyse how implementation of Lean Principles may assist the Operations Manager/Manageress in optimising efficiencies while minimising cost and improving customer service levels.
The word count is 3,000 words (+/- 10%). You will also need to take the following into account when completing your assignment:
- Quality of executive summary
- Establishment of relevant theory
- Allocation of credit and sources used
- Clarity of argument
- Overall report presentation including spelling and grammar
- Adherence to nominated word limit
- Word processed (letter size 12, times new roman, 1.5 space), fully referenced (Harvard Referencing System).