Learning outcomes and pass attainment level specific to this assignment:

On completion of the course of study, students should be able to:

1. Determine both the role of and means by which Operations Management can lead to organisations being successful in managing its operations both efficiently and effectively.

2. Distinguish the core concepts involved in project management and understand how they can be employed in the management of a business-related project.

3. Formulate, design and execute a project plan of a business situation using the appropriate planning tools and then evaluate and correctly apply the appropriate management planning methodology within a business project context.

4. Communicate analysis, results, conclusions and recommendations in a professional manner

Presentation

1. Print Single sided in an Arial 12 point font.

2. Paper A4 stapled top left corner.

3. 1.5 line spacing or follow any set regulated spacing.

4. Ensure that there is good usage of grammar and correct spelling throughout.

5. Neatly present the final work.

6. Do not use an additional cover/folder.

Coursework Assignment

The aim of this assessment is to test your ability to:

Appraise the role and attributes required of the project manager given the context of this case study

Propose a business case for change

Discuss the characteristics of the different phases of a project

Apply project management tools and techniques includingthe use of vendor software, to identify, estimate, cost and manage the resources, milestones and activities required for the proposedchange

Discuss management and leadership issues associated with projects, including the roles of the key players in projects

Identify the probability and impact of risks associated with the project and make recommendations of how these should be managed

Present the results of your analysis in a professional manner by means of a Business Report.

Birmingham Brewery Company: Case Study

A small Birmingham-based craft beer brewery company has now been in operation for just over three years, since their start-up there has been increasing customer orders year-on-year. Such is the popularity of their products thatthe company foresees in the near future that they will experience greatercomplexity in managing capacity, inventory, stock returns, orders, receipts and payments as their business and reputation continue to grow. This failure to manage these parts of their operations may impact adversely on working capital, cash flow, loss of orders and customer dissatisfaction.

In order to start to plan for and address these foreseen complexities, Birmingham Brewery Company have tasked you as an external consultant, on a day rate of £500, to produce a 3,500 word project plan that details the activities and costs of implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, into the company's core operations functions. Your choice of ERP system must meet the Company's current need. Within the project justification your plan must explicitly sell the benefits of adopting such a system, as well as detailing how your plan addresses some of the issues associated with a business implementing an ERP system.

Your plan is required to include both external and internal costs and activities. In order to deliver some of the identified activities internally you can draw on the following Sadler's Ales staff, who each have 25 days holiday a year and work from 08.00am to 17:00 each day:

Managing Director - Internal day rate £750
Sales Director - Internal day rate £500
Company accountant - Internal day rate £500
Head of Sales and Administration - Internal day rate £350
Project Administrator - Internal day rate £150
3 x Brewers - Internal day rate £200

Some activities will require further external consultancy and/or support. These activities are to be estimated as accurately as possible in terms of time and cost, drawing on referenced data.

Birmingham Brewing Company

Statement of Financial Position

Birmingham Brewing Company

Statement of Profit or Loss

Efficiency Ratios

Employee Performance Ratios

Word Limit: 3,500 words ± 10%.

Constructing your project plan:

1.0 Executive Summary

2.0 Project Introduction
2.1 The project need
2.2 The project environment
2.3 The advantages and disadvantages of ERP and how these will be managed.

3.0 Project Definition
3.1 Project scope
3.2 Project methodology
3.3 Project management organisational structure and culture
3.4 Managing the proposed change
3.5 The key role and attributes of the project manager
3.6 Managing Project Stakeholders requirements

4.0 High Level Project planning (Undertaking in groups of 2 to 3)
4.1 Project mindmap
4.2 2nd Tier Work breakdown structure
4.3 Estimation of activity durations
4.4 Buffered scheduling
4.5 2nd Tier Network diagram, Critical path, and Gantt chart

5.0 Detailed Project planning using Vendor Software
5.1 Summary of decisions made including discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of using the vendor software
5.2 Estimation and allocation of durations, resources and working hours*
5.3 Identification of dependencies*
5.4 Network diagram, critical path and Gantt Chart*
*Evidenced by electronicsubmission of separate vendor software file
6.0 Finances
6.1 Indicative cash flowforecast
6.2 Cost/benefit analysis
6.3 Return on investment

7.0 Risk Management
7.1 Risk identification
7.2 Analysis of risk probability and impact using a risk matrix

8.0 Conclusions

9.0 Recommendations to the Project Sponsor

10.0 References

11.0 Appendices

References

All sources should be cited and referenced using the Harvard Referencing system. The principles of the Harvard Referencing system are detailed in the leaflets available in the library. You should NOT use the general Internet references e.g. www.google.com, www.yahoo.com and Wikipedia etc. All references should be from the credible sources e.g. books, articles, journals, magazines etc.

Feedback

Feedback on performance, problems, and presentations will take place in the seminar sessions. It is not practice to read drafts of work in progress, however you may discuss any relevant issues in the seminar slots.

Extensions: There are no extensions granted on the module. Any claim for extenuating circumstances must be made through the official University channel, read: https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/Student-Services/Complaints-and-Appeals for guidance.