Managing Operational Activities to Achieve Business Results

An electronic copy of your assessment must be fully uploaded by the deadline date and time. You must submit one single PDF or MS Office Word document. Any relevant images or screenshots must be included within the same MS Office Word or PDF document. The last version you upload will be the one that is marked. The file size must not exceed 20MB. Answer the criteria in order, clearly indicating the CRITERIA number. Ensure that all work has been proof-read and checked prior to submission.

Ensure that the layout of your documents are in a professional format with font style Arial, font size 12 for the text, font 14 for sub heading and font 16 for main heading, line spacing 1. 5 and justified. Use the Harvard referencing system and provide references [e. g. (Smith, 2011)] within the text and an entry in a references list. Otherwise it will be considered as plagiarised work. Ensure that you back-up your work regularly and apply version control to your documents. Ensure that any file you upload is virus-free, not corrupted and not protected by a password otherwise they will be treated as a non-submission.

You must NOT submit a paper copy or email of this assessment to any member of staff at LSST. Your work must be original with the appropriate referencing HND Bus-Unit 15/ MBAAR Feb 2013 RESIT 2|Page London School of Science & Technology WHAT TO DO: You are required to read the following scenario and attempt all tasks given in the table below by relating your response to the context of the given organisation in the scenario. CASE STUDY Imagine you are the Operations Manager at the BMW Headquarters in Munich.

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You have been asked by the Board of Directors to review the below business activities to improve the operations, quality and efficiency of a BMW manufacturing plant in the UK. Your review will be used by the Board of Directors to improve the operational activities such as BMW’s business functions, processes and quality standards to achieve better results in 2014. The review should be structured to cover areas of: TASK 1 - Business processes in delivering outcomes based upon business goals and objectives. TASK 2 - Plans for own areas of responsibility for managing business activities.

TASK 3 - Monitoring appropriate systems to improve organisational performance. TASK 4 - Managing health and safety in the workplace. Due to the continuous changing nature and complexity of managing business activities within an organisation, you are required to research, gather and present the appropriate information. This will include the use of management theories and practical examples applicable to BMW company. You are to present your responses in a detailed report format to fulfill each Pass Criteria with appropriate Harvard Referencing technique for the tasks below.

Additional Information/Advice: A support textbook is also available for this Unit, which you may find helpful to explore theoretical knowledge and understanding. You may also access the following links to carry out your further research to support your responses with some practical examples in the context of BMW company. YouTube - Official International BMW Channel http://www. youtube. com/user/BMW CNBC Documentary - BMW Quality Processes http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=OPSCh3Ys_B8 National Geographic – BMW – Megafactories Series Documentary http://www. youtube. com/watch? =kk98q1N4XXI HND Bus-Unit 15/ MBAAR Feb 2013 RESIT 3|Page London School of Science & Technology PART A – PASS CRITERIA ONLY Pass In order to achieve Pass, students must achieve all the pass criteria below. TASK 1: Business processes in delivering outcomes based upon business goals and objectives. PASS CRITERIA 1. 1 (Approx. 150 words) Recommended interim deadline 9th March Describe briefly the importance of two core organisational functions and evaluate the interrelationship between these functions in managing business activities to achieve results in a company like BMW.

Guidelines: In order to complete the above task, your answer should:

• Include a definition of what operations management is as a function. Identify the two most important functions for business operations at BMW.
• Establish the interrelationship between at least two chosen functions above and evaluate how each function operates, interacts and supports to each other in operation.
• Bear in mind, your response should relate to the given company BMW in the scenario.

In answering this question, you will have covered the following assessment criterion:Evaluate the interrelationship between the different processes and functions of the organisation. PASS CRITERIA 1. 2 (Approx. 150 words) Recommended interim deadline 15th March Explain the adopted economic system approach (i. e. input – output model) including transformation process within BMW and evaluate the effectiveness of the used forms of transformation process to achieve operational objectives.

Guidelines: In order to complete the above task, your answer should:

•  Provide evidence to demonstrate the adopted system approach such as input, output and method of transformation. Expand your thoughts into “the transformation process” of operations management including at least one example for each material, customer and information processing operations.
•  Describe the effectiveness of the used forms of transformation processes to the context of the operation to map processes for achieving operational objectives.
•  Bear in mind, your response should relate to the given company BMW in the scenario. In answering this question, you will have covered the following assessment criterion: 1. 2 Justify the methodology to be used to map processes to the organisation’s goals and objectives.

PASS CRITERIA 1. 3 (Approx. 150 words) Recommended interim deadline 24th March Describe the role of quality gateways in mapping operational processes and evaluate how processes can be designed in order to achieve targeted output, using BMW as an example. Guidelines In order to complete the above task, your answer should:

•  Include the meaning of quality gateways and discuss its role in transformation process.
•  Include the content of a ‘process map model’ in your response if required. HND Bus-Unit 15/ MBAAR Feb 2013 RESIT 4|Page London School of Science & Technology
•  Evaluate how quality gateways will help to map the operational processes in order to achieve targeted output. Relate to the given company BMW in the scenario.

In answering this question, you will have covered the following assessment criterion: 1. 3 Evaluate the output of the process and the quality gateways. TASK 2: Plans for own areas of responsibility for managing business activities. PASS CRITERIA 2. 1-2 (Approx. 150 words) Recommended interim deadline 11th April Briefly explain what you understand by setting up 'SMART Objectives'. Write two SMART objectives that BMW should embrace to improve quality.

Create one operational plan with five stages for one of the above SMART objectives by applying MBO or Planning Hierarchy and Planning Process Models. Guidelines In order to complete the above task, your answer should:

• Include at least two SMART objectives for BMW and explain why they are SMART.
• Review the concept of MBO again in setting your smart objectives to align people and other resources in an efficient and effective way.
• Your plan should promote collective goals and objectives by applying MBO or Planning Hierarchy and Planning Process Models.

In answering this question, you will have covered the following assessment criterion: 2. 1 Design plans which promote goals and objectives for own area of responsibility. 2. 2 Write objectives, which are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based to align people and other resources in an effective and efficient way. PASS CRITERIA 2. 3 (Approx. 150 words) Recommended interim deadline 20th April Identify two appropriate systems and explain how they can be implemented effectively in order to achieve the set SMART objectives by meeting organisational standard of quality.

Guidelines In order to complete the above task, your answer should:

•  Include systems such as ‘accounting/finance system’, ‘management information system’, EDI, ERP, SCM, CRM, the quality system’, ‘CPA (Critical Path Analysis) and PERT (Project Evaluation & Review Techniques) etc.
•  Consider at least two appropriate systems given above and explain their effectiveness to achieve the set objectives in most efficient way.
• Relate to the given company BMW in the scenario.

In answering this question, you will have covered the following assessment criterion: 2. Implement appropriate systems to achieve objectives in the most efficient way, on time, to budget and meeting organisational standards of quality. HND Bus-Unit 15/ MBAAR Feb 2013 RESIT 5|Page London School of Science & Technology PASS CRITERIA 2. 4 (Approx. 150 words) Recommended interim deadline 23rd April Identify the Project Planning model/tools and discuss how you utilise one of these techniques either (i) Project Evaluation & Review Techniques (PERT) or (ii) Critical Path Analysis (CPA) to monitor and control the entire project operation.

Guidelines In order to complete the above task, your answer should:

• Include the aim of the project planning for managers and discuss the tools involved in project planning process applicable to BMW.
•  Expand the response with brief explanation on how the planning tools such as Project Evaluation & Review Techniques (PERT) and Critical Path Analysis (CPA) can be used to monitor and control the entire project operation.
•  Use a diagram for planning tools if necessary.

In answering this question, you will have covered the following assessment criterion : 2. 4 Carry out work activities meeting the operational plan through effective monitoring and control. TASK 3: Monitoring appropriate systems to improve organisational performance. PASS CRITERIA 3. 1 (Approx. 150 words) Recommended interim deadline 29th April Explain what you understand by the concept of quality and analyse the implemented quality system in managing and monitoring quality standards within BMW.

Guidelines In order to complete the above task, your answer should: •Include a definition of quality and the role of quality concept to BMW. It is essential to recognise the various Quality Management System (QMS) such as Quality Circle, ISO 9000/EN29000 standards, Costs of Quality etc and assess the implication of these systems to the context of BMW. Pick two Quality Control systems at BMW as examples. In answering this question, you will have covered the following assessment criterion: 3. Design systems to manage and monitor quality standards specified by the organisation. PASS CRITERIA 3. 2-4 (Approx. 350 words) Recommended interim deadline 1st May Define the Total Quality Management (TQM) philosophy and explain how this philosophy can be used to increase quality and efficiency, and to reduce costs by creating a quality culture of improvement within BMW. Identify at least three required changes or improvements that you would suggest on the BMW quality system with your justification in order to create a sustainable quality culture for continuous improvement.

Guidelines In order to complete the above task, your answer should:  Explain the theory of TQM on how it helps to create a quality culture to ensure continuous monitoring, evaluation and development of the process within BMW. Support your view with some examples from BMW. • Include reference to Business Process Re-engineering for the three required changes. In answering this question, you will have covered the following assessment criteria: HND Bus-Unit 15/ MBAAR Feb 2013 RESIT 6|Page London School of Science & Technology 3. Demonstrate a quality culture to ensure continuous monitoring, evaluation and development of the process. 3. 3 Recommend improvements which align with the organisation’s objectives / goals resulting in improvements. 3. 4 Report on the wider implications of proposed changes within the organisation. TASK 4: Managing health and safety in the workplace PASS CRITERIA 4. 1-2 (Approx. 200 words) Recommended interim deadline 10th May Investigate how three different Health and Safety Acts and Regulations have been implemented within BMW and explain why BMW needs to carry out risk assessment as required by the legislation.

Guidelines In order to complete this task, your answer should: Show awareness and impact of relevant legislative requirements for the BMW.  Identify relevant three legislative regulations and explain the impact of these on health and safety procedures within BMW.  Consider how a risk assessment could be carried out and its impact on the organisation. In answering this question, you will have covered the following assessment criteria: 4. 1 Carry out risk assessments as required by legislation, regulation and organisational requirements ensuring appropriate action is taken. 4. Demonstrate that health and safety regulations and legislation applicable in specific work situations are correctly and effectively applied. PASS CRITERIA 4. 3-4 (Approx. 200 words) Recommended interim deadline 10th May Explain a procedure to identify hazards and risks in the organisation and discuss how this should be managed. Guidelines In order to complete this task, your answer should: • Include a procedure to identify and assess hazards and risks in BMW, and show how this would be managed.  Demonstrate that you can distinguish between a hazard [i. e. potential of harm] and a risk [i. . likelihood of harm caused by the hazard] within BMW.  Support your response by producing two examples of hazards and risks at assembly line of BMW manufacturing plant in the UK. In answering this question, you will have covered the following assessment criteria: 4. 3 Carry out a systematic review of organisational health and safety policies and procedures in order to ensure they are effective and compliant. 4. 4 Carry out practical application of health and safety policies and procedures in the workplace.

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