Assignment: Operational Analysis
Business School Coursework
| Module Title | Operations and Supply Chain Management |
| Coursework Element | Assignment: Operational Analysis |
| Word Length | 3000 +/- 10% |
| Submission Date |
Formative Assessment (No Marks attributed)
You are required to provide a short presentation of 6 minutes duration based upon three PowerPoint slides.
- An introduction to the organisation and its operations
- The operation(s)/process(es) you believe have potential for improvement (you may wish to use a flow chart for this)
- The way you will go about analysing this/these and developing a better solution – Including the operational tools and techniques you plan to utilise.
You should submit the slides to canvas on the day of your presentation
Summative Assessment (100% of the module marks)
You are required to identify an area of operation in your organisation (or one you are familiar with) and conduct an analysis of this, using operational tools and techniques of data capture and analysis. Using this analysis (as well as additional operational design tools), you should develop an improved process to address the shortfalls you have identified.
Your report is likely to comprise three sections:-
- The operational area you are analysing, its purpose, and its “as is” position, in terms of its performance and its fitness for that purpose. (Try to add numeric data if possible)
- The approach you adopted to analyse and improve this operational area (In terms of data gathered and tools and techniques used to analyse and improve it).
- The outcome/findings of your analysis and your recommendations for the new process.
Additional Guidance
Please note that this is an applied assessment, not a review of literature. Hence, there is no requirement for cited references. Please use a report format and move to the purpose of the assignment quickly, without rambling introductions providing generic textbook explanations and definitions of operations management jargon. There should be no conclusions beyond those described in point 3 above.
Where possible, you should use annotated tables and charts to describe concisely:-
- Processes/Flows/layouts/….
- Data Gathered
- The application of any operational tools and techniques adopted in your analysis.
Tools and Techniques you may wish to consider utilising:-*
- Process Flow Charts (Incl: Multiple Activity (swim-lane) Charts)
- Measles Charts
- Graphs and Frequency Charts
- Relationship Diagrams
- Pareto Analysis
- Cause and Effect Diagrams
- Fool Proofing
- Focus Groups/Brainstorming
- Quality Function Deployment
- Failure Mode and Effect Analysis
* This list is not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive
Addressing Module Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 & 4:
This assignment tests whether you have achieved the learning outcomes of the module:
| LO1 | Articulate a critical understanding of key operational and supply chain objectives and the means by which they are realised. |
| LO2 | Offer a critical analysis of the role of operations management and its strategic contribution to organisational success. |
| LO3 | Use critical judgement in the selection and application of concepts, theories, tools and techniques to improve the operations and supply chain function. |
| LO4 | Advocate informed contributions to the practices and processes of operations and supply chain management that have an environmental impact. |
Grading Descriptors guidance
| Question 1: MLO 1, 2 & 4 | Weighting |
| The maturity displayed in the choice of operational area for analysis and the clarity of describing its current performance in terms of its fitness for purpose | 10/100 |
| The appropriateness of the tools utilised and the data gathered for the purpose of analysis. | 30/100 |
| The rigour demonstrated in the analysis of the operational area | 30/100 |
| The quality of the outcomes of the analysis and the justification of the solution proposed | 30/100 |
| Total | 100 marks available |
eSubmission is the approved method for your HUBS programme of study. You must hand in your assessed Assignment(s), for all modules that you are taking during the Academic Year using the Canvas system. Submission of a printed copy is NOT allowed. You should submit via the Assignments menu item on the relevant module Canvas site.
Assignments must be submitted by the date and time stipulated. Deadlines will be strictly adhered to. Students submitting late, and who do not have mitigating circumstances approved by the Mitigating Circumstances Panel, will be subject to penalties for late submission as specified by the University.
