An Operations Management Analysis of a Local Nursery: Application of the Input-Transformation-Output Framework, the 4Vs, and Operations Performance Objectives

Firstly make sure to select ONE familiar organisation only from below industries: 

• Healthcare & Social Care e.g. Hospital, Home Care, Nursery, Pharmacy etc 

• High Street Retail e.g. Stores, Stationary, Online, Ironmongery, Groceries, etc 
• Entertainment e.g. Galleries, Museums, Libraries, Cinemas, Theme Parks etc.

• Production e.g. Factories, Manufacturing, Construction, Auto, Pharma, Fashion etc

• Hospitality e.g. Hotels, Restaurants, Transportation, Events, Take Away etc 

• Services e.g. Financial, Professional, Consultancy, Gym, Payments etc 

DONOT USE BIG RETAILORS CAN USE SMALL BUSINESS I PREFER TO USE NURSERY 

Secondly, use theories and frameworks from the Nigel Slack Textbook from Kortext, content from the VLE, lecture slides, class activities and personal research on the selected company. SUGGESTED STRUCTURE 

1. A cover page 

2. An executive summary – 1 page max, minimum 4 paragraphs with a very brief summary of the main report sections – so we understand the structure and layout. Try to at last write between half to a full page – not just a tiny paragraph 

3. A Table of Contents – 1 page max, with all Task 1&2 sections and sub-sections with corresponding page numbers showing proper organisation and presentation of the report. Try to make this comprehensive and 1 page. 

4. An introduction – approximately 200 words describing definitions of operations, the selected organisation and the nature of their operations, in brief. 

TASK 1 TOPIC 1 -The elements of Input-Transformation-Output framework – at your selected company with some illustration to enhance your discussion. (700 words) 

• Discuss all the elements of Transformation Process (Slack, PG14-18) framework: o Transformed Inputs (material, information, customer), o Transforming Resources (Stores, facilities, equipment, robots, staff, IT etc), o At least TWO Transformation Processes – within your company. o 

The types of Outputs (Products & Services), o Two examples of the surrounding Environment on company. o Two types of Customers that utilise your company output. 

• Include the Input-Transformation-output Diagram from Kortext Textbook (Slack, Figure 1.5, PG14) 

• A Table like below with images, photos, examples from your company for: Inputs and Resources Transformation Processes Outputs & Customers One image from each input: material, information, customer. 3 Images of 3 resources from your company. List at least 2 main and current Transformation Processes from your company with images. Briefly show the main steps / stages of each process. Two Examples of Outputs both Products and Services etc and a Typical Customer profile. 

Remember to put some PHOTOS or IMAGES from you Company in the TABLE • A short discussion of the Table and Examples brought forth. 

TOPIC 2 – Implications of the Volume, Variety, Variation, Visibility – on your selected company in order to carry out the everyday operations. (400 words) 

• A discussion each of the 4Vs of operations (volume, variety, variation, visibility) 

– 1 paragraph 

• Create a unique 4V diagram/chart with the Scores of each V to illustrate the magnitude of each. Discuss and Justify the scores of each V, and also include a Photo of each V as an example from your company • Include the Diagram with the Implications of the 4 V with some discussion on each V implications specific at your company. 

TOPIC 3 – 

An analysis of the five Operations Performance Objective – by assessing each for you company and utilising a polar diagram visualisation. ( Quality, Speed, Dependability, Flexibility, Cost ) (400 words) 

• Discuss briefly each of the 5 Operational performance objectives (quality, speed, dependability, flexibility, cost) with some discussion for your company on each. 

• Draw a POLAR diagram to illustrate the score of each five objectives at your company and discuss why you gave these scores 

– 2 paragraph • You can compare your Polar Diagram with another competitor in the industry. 

TASK 2 Discuss two recommendations with the Board of Directors on ONE of the below: Improving the Quality of one product / service of your organisation OR Improving the Speed of operations within the organisation (300 + 300 = 600 words) 

• Select either Improve Quality or Improving Speed. 

• Write 2 paragraphs each with a comprehensive recommendation on how your company can improve either Quality or Speed 

• Thus 1 paragraph how to improve Quality and 1 paragraph how to improve Quality OR 1 paragraph how to improve Speed and 1 paragraph how to improve Speed 

• Each paragraph must include some discussion of the benefits, some argumentation, some examples and justification for each of your recommendations. 

• No theory or references are required for these paragraphs. 

• Be creative and apply your learning as much as possible in a creative way. 

• You can also discuss the impact and limitation of your recommendations. 5. A Conclusion section – (200 words) – as overall conclusion on each 

Task 6. A reference list – minimum of 8 to 10 original academic sources in Harvard Referencing system for the theory and the company selected. 

NOTES: − Excellent answer should explain operations theory on each of the topics and also critically apply the theory to their selected organisation. − Real, actual, and specific examples from the selected organisation should be provided throughout the report. − The report content should be original, complete, creative, relevant and accurate. APPROXIMATE WORK COUNT Introduction = 200 words Task 1 The Input-Transformation-Output framework = 700 words The 4 Vs Typology of Operations = 400 words The 5 Operations Performance Objectives = 400 words Task 2 One Recommendation = 300 words One Recommendation = 300 words Conclusion = 200 words Total = 2500 words ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Knowledge & Understanding (LO1) of theories / concepts (Skills) – 30 marks. Research and Application (LO3) by industry examples (Content)– 30 marks Intellectual, practical and transferrable skills (LO4) (Content, Skills) – 30 marks Report Originality, Structure, Presentation, Referencing. (Skills) – 10 marks