Operations Management in Business

Aim

To provide learners with an understanding of the role and importance of operations management (OM) in the efficient and effective production of goods and services

Overview the History of Automobile Industry

By manufacturing activities company's agenda is to earn a return on investment. To minimize the cost of production the companies in this sector look for continuous development and innovation.

The ancestor aggregation manufacturing was known as "Scientific Management". F.W. Taylor made a theory which diversified managerial and labour activities. Ford was the pioneer to acquaint aggregate manufacturing by arranging assembly line in manufacturing. This led to minimizing the expenditure on employees. In the Year 1970 the ford model started having problems as the ford customer need and wants were varying from region to region then as a result Toyota came up with "Toyota Production System". By this TPS each employee had a sense of responsibility which made Toyota world's leading car manufacturing. Then further it evolved into Lean Management which is systematic method of waste minimization

Scenario 1

As the newly appointed Trainee Assistant Manager for operations management department, you are strongly advised to read the above case study on Volkswagen carefully and answer the following questions meticulously in an essay format AC by AC. It is recommended that you carry out alternative research into Volkswagen international operations to gain a better understanding of automotive industry where Volkswagen is a key player globally.

LO1 - Essay format

LO1: Understand the nature and importance of operations management This task offers you an opportunity to achieve LO1: - AC 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3.

(A.C 1.1) Explain why operations management is important to Volkswagen business

(A.C 1.2) Analyze the operations functions of a Volkswagen

(A.C 1.3) Evaluate, by using a process model, the operations management of Volkswagen

LO2 - Essay format

LO2: Understand the link between operations management and strategic planning This task offers you an opportunity to achieve LO2: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, M1 and D1.
(A.C 2.1) Appraise the importance of 3 E's (Efficiency, Effectiveness and Economy) to organizations.

(A.C 2.2) Assess the impact of tension between cost minimization and quality maximization in organizations

(A.C 2.3) Evaluate the significance of the of the five performance objectives (quality, speed, dependability, flexibility and cost) that underpin operations management to the organizations

Merits and Distinctions

M1 & D1
To achieve M1, effective judgment and approach is needed in explaining the significance of operations management and its relationship with the strategic planning in Volkswagen.

In order to achieve D1, you should demonstrate how you have arrived at your conclusions, through synthesis of ideas and fully justified, by aligning with Task 1 & 2.

Scenario 2

You are required as a Trainee Assistant Operations Manager to prepare a coherent and up- to-date business report on Volkswagen production process and system. This report should include where necessary some tables, flow charts and diagrams. Make sure that your report is professionally designed, by using both headings and subheadings for your readers easily understanding.
LO3 - Business Report

LO3: Understand how to organize a typical production process
This task offers you an opportunity to achieve LO3: - AC 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, M2 and D2

(A.C 3.1) Assess how linear programming adds value to the Volkswagen production process

(A.C 3.2) Evaluate critical path analysis and network planning

(A.C 3.3) Justify the need for operational planning and control with reference to capacity planning, inventory planning, project management and quality assurances, in the Volkswagen production process and system.

Merits and Distinctions

M2 & D2
For M2, apply and design relevant theories and techniques to organize a typical production process and apply relevant techniques to the production of an operational plan for Volkswagen.

For D2, be able to demonstrate interdependence in organizing a typical production process, using appropriate method in designing a viable and accessible operational plan.

Scenario 3

In your first major task as the Trainee Assistant Operations Manager, you are instructed by your line manager to plan and design a bespoke operational plan for the sales department. Using (10-12) structured PowerPoint slides with speaker notes embedded to explain each point on the slide further and there will be no face to face presentation in the class, therefore submit your slides with the whole report together

LO4- Power Point presentation with an integrated speaker notes

LO4: Be able to apply relevant techniques to the production of an operational plan for an Organization

This task offers you an opportunity to achieve LO4: - AC 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, M3 and D3

(A.C 4.1) Produce a set of clearly defined operational outcomes (Objectives) for Volkswagen sales department.

(A.C 4.2) Produce a network plan indicating the resultant critical path analysis.

(A.C 4.3) Justify how quality management methods are carefully used in improving Volkswagen

Merits and Distinctions

M3, D3

For M3 to be achieved, draw a methodical conclusion in just [5 slides] for Task 3, using appropriate structure and suitable technical language to justify your argument to the sales panel, who will report to the director of marketing in the next three months.

In order to achieve D3, you will demonstrate openness to new ideas generated and decisions taken by the senior management are based on these concepts.