University of Bedfordshire Business School
SHR039-6
Operations and Project Management
Assignment 1 Briefing
You will be required to undertake a case study and complete a case analysis report. This can be based on operations of your current workplace or any other organisation known to you. You need to discuss with your tutor to agree upon a suitable case / topic.
Assessment -1: Operations Management (50%)
Individual Report Submission
Assessment Title
Operations Management Report
Unit Title
Operations and Project Management
Unit Code
SHR039-6
Number of Credits
15
Assessment Weighting (%)
50%
Issue Date
10th February 2017
Submission Deadline
Thursday 16th March 2017; 11:59hours
Procedure for/where to submit work (including file name format for TurnItIn where applicable)
You MUST submit digital copy electronically on BREO Turn-it-in.
The following file naming format should be used for submission:
Assignment 1_Operations Strategy_ Student Name _Student ID Number
Expected Return Date
Two weeks after submission
Description of
Assessment Task
You need to choose one global operations management case for your individual report from companies such as Apple, Oman Air, Samsung, Google or any company of your choice. You will discuss this further with your tutor before finalising the topic. Critical analysis of the case will help you to answer the following operations management questions:
Q1. Identify three important Operation Management (OM) decision areas (e.g. quality, inventory management, layout or process design etc.) in your chosen case company. Critically analyse the present activities of the firm on the chosen OM decision areas and suggest ways to improve performance (1,250 words).
Q2. Evaluate the strengths and weakness of the company in such a way to show how both can be synergistically exploited to improve the performance (500 words)
Note: Introduction and conclusion should be 250 words.
You will be required to undertake a case study and complete a case analysis report. This can be based on operations of your current or previous workplace or any other organisation known to you. You need to discuss and confirm with your tutor to agree upon a suitable case. The report will be 2,000 words in length (not including references and appendices). It should include answers to all the case questions (given above) and must make use of relevant unit concepts on the aspect covered. Your first submission is the final.
Unit Learning Outcomes assessed:
Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and critical appreciation of Operations Management for various planning and decisions within organisations.
Effectively determine how Operations Management can support the corporate strategic plan of an organisation, improve performance and implement change to achieve competitive advantage.
Format
MS Word
Resources/Support Available
Class discussion to clarify Assignment;
In-class review
Unit resources on BREO;
Assessment Criteria
See composition of marks for Assignment-1, overleaf.
Details of how feedback will be provided
2Q and feedback given on-line through Turn-It-In and marked assessment criteria marking grid.
Referral Assignment
Your referral assignment will require you to discuss and critically analyse operations management issues and operations strategy based on another organisation (discussed and confirmed by your tutor).
Composition of Marks for Assignment-1:
Assessment Criteria
F (<35%)
E (35-39%)
D (40-49%)
C (50-59%)
B (60-69%)
A (>=70%)
Critical Analysis of 3 OM Decision Areas & Ways to Improve Performance
60%
Very little or no evidence of the ability to appreciate the OM decision areas in the case. Alternatively, heavy reliance on large chunks of the case.
No/very limited attempt to use evidence to support the arguments.
Unfounded ways to improve performance.
Some attempt is made to appreciate OM decision areas in the case.
Arguments are baseless and weak.
Dubious logic used to suggest ways to improve performance.
Attempted to critically analyse 3 OM decision areas but lacks supporting evidence from the literature and practices of the case company.
The logical link between OM areas and improved performance is satisfactory
Some evidence of critical analysis of 3 OM decision areas, supported by the literature and /or OM theory.
Some logical recommendations to improve performance.
A good critical analysis of 3 OM decision areas in the case, supported by some evidence from the literature to support the discussion.
Some sound recommendations to improve performance.
Comprehensive critical analysis of 3 OM decision areas in the case, supported by strong evidence from the literature, to support the discussion.
Sensible and logical, substantiated recommendations to improve performance.
Evaluation of Strengths & Weaknesses of Company
30%
Strengths and weaknesses are described, with no evaluation.
Strengths and weaknesses are described but discussion lacks breadth. The student fails to demonstrate a real understanding of all the issues involved (no SWOT shown).
Strengths and weaknesses are described but discussion lacks evidence. Discussion narrow and possibly not well argued or supported (very limited SWOT shown)
Strengths and weaknesses are described An ability to use ideas which are easily accessible. No evidence of a student’s attempt to go beyond the obvious. Discussion accurate but shallow indicating some SWOT analysis.
A good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses (possibly use SWOT) of the case considered, supported by evidences.
A comprehensive answer that shows a sound evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the company (possibly use SWOT), supported by evidences and appropriate examples.
Structure, presentation & Referencing
10%
Poor/illogical structure.
Poor report presentation, with poor grammar and readability.
Referencing limited and not in Harvard format.
Some structure is evident but not effective.
Presentation unsatisfactory or grammar issues affecting readability.
Significant errors in Harvard References
Structure and presentation of the report is satisfactory.
Readability is acceptable, though some grammar.
Harvard reference format used correctly, referencing is limited.
Good report structure and presentation.
Some referencing is used to support discussion.
A good logical structure is evident
Presentation of the report and readability are very good.
Good references are used to support the discussion.
A well-structured report, where the arguments are presented in a logical order.
Professional presentation with excellent readability.
Wide range of high quality references to support the discussion.
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