Operations and Information Management - Assignment One

Project Management - ASSIGNMENT

Background:

Loud & Clear (LC) is a worker cooperative group, which has been operating in Manchester for ten years. They provide Public Address systems, mixing consoles, amplifiers, microphones and other equipment for inside and outside events. There are now ten members of the LC group, which is made up of sound engineers and musicians. The group provides a reliable service for events in the UK, they guarantee that the PA systems will be set-up, sound checked and controlled by a qualified sound engineer for the duration of the event.

The original idea for this enterprise came from Elsie Black who now manages the LC office. They have a couple of desktop computers and utilise a business website, a rather basic database of client information, business email, a number of electronic documents, a couple of spreadsheets, and a shared online calendar which displays all the event bookings.

For some time, the group have discussed opportunities to develop the business, and they are all committed to taking on new challenges. They feel they are well placed to take on the new opportunities that have been brought about by the growing number of events taking place in the North West and around the UK. They have discussed the possibility of Customer Relationship Management software and Enterprise Resource Planning software. However, they need professional help before they can make a final decision. They are also interested in the possibility of utilising Open Source software, but require information on the advantages and disadvantages.

Growing the business will mean significant changes for LC and there are some concerns that using business information technology for communications might change the close working relationships which exist between the sound engineers and the office staff. They require a report that can be read and understood by all members of the group (technical and non-technical group members).

Your Task:

You are a consultant who has been employed to advise LC on the effective implementation of these strategic changes. You are required to produce the following:

Part A: Analysis - Business Process Models and Strategy Analysis

1. A series of Business Process Models, which capture the existing and proposed business processes. The models should follow the BPMN notation.

2. Strategic analysis for LC. You should use a recognised analysis technique such as SWOT, PESTLE etc.

Part B: Open Source Software Comparison Table

In this section (~500 words) you should conduct research into a suitable software solution for LC. You should decide on the set of characteristics which you will use to evaluate the software and your research should consider 4-5 alternatives in detail. This section should be presented as a table.

Part C: Report

In this section (~1,250 words) you should write a report which provides an overview of the current situation together with a roadmap outlining how the proposed changes to the business can be achieved to the benefit of the business. This should draw on your analysis in Part A, include your recommendation for software, and provide recommendations for ensuring that the strategy is effectively implemented, including consideration of the challenges ahead.

You should use appropriate theories, frameworks, models, that have been covered in the module, to inform and justify your recommendations.

This section should follow a standard report structure: Title Page - Contents - Introduction - Main Section - Conclusions and Recommendations - References.

Part D: Reflection on your contribution to the online discussion

In this section you should submit a ~250 word reflective summary, accompanied by your own self-assessment of your contribution to the online elements throughout the module, using the table labelled Reflection Self Assessment Proforma in Appendix A to justify your assessment.

The reflective report should include your detailed reflection, supported with evidence from the online discussion.

EXPECTATIONS

When analysing the case study of LC, you could have considered issues such as the following:

- A coherent assessment using BPMN of the activities of the company (both existing and where it wants to be) with regard to the existing business processes involved and the changes entailed

- A strategic analysis using a relevant model (with justification of its use) and some thoughtful analysis

- The issues and challenges relating to systems integration (existing/legacy systems which run back-end equipment management, bookings of equipment and staff, marketing and sales, client lists, documentation, accounting, payroll) and transition/upgrading of the same to a new platform

- The logistics aspect of expansion (need for more centralised equipment storage, soth-based staff)

- Suitability of ERP or CRM (or something else)

- Suitability of OSS

- Selection of selection criteria and a structured exhibit comparing different OSS (and other?) products

- Implementation approach (phased or immediate)

- In-house IT capability

- Consideration of managerial aspects involved (from top level downwards), including HR, training and financial aspects

- Cogent Conclusions leading on to clear Recommendations

The aim of this course is to develop:

knowledge and understanding of the principles, methodologies, tools and techniques used in managing projects and the organisational and human implications.

Learning Outcomes

To gain an appreciation of the tools and concepts and their applicability to diverse areas such as manufacturing, services, hospitals, power generation, councils, NPD/NSD, etc.

Identify the basics of successful projects.

Perform planning activities for Quality (Project Brief), Cost (Estimating) and Time (Network Analysis).

Which high-profile projects do we know about?

In groups of 4 or 5 agree on a project;

Discuss the features that led you to select it as a project;

Use your discussion to arrive at an agreed answer to the question:

Project Failure

Learning Outcomes

Determine the reasons for project failure

Establish the need for Project Management

Identify the factors in successful Project Management

The manufacturing/service process design is based on a considerable number of different variables and represents, in essence, a number of trade-offs. Depending on the nature of the business, the nature of the product, and the nature of the market place, the chosen process design will obviously be different.

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.

I need a very professional and well course focused job from the top one qualified expert. Note well the remarks from the prof.

You can refer to the materials shared in the attachment below but I want you to work it perfectly as per all the guidelines and format shared to you.

Attachment:- Assignment.rar