Salford Business School

MSc Programme Suite, Trimester 3, 2017/18

Operations and Information Management Module – OM Assignment

Background

Operations Management (OM) is an important aspect of business (Slack et al, 2013; Greasley,
2013; Patton et al, 2011). Both service and manufacturing organisations use OM to ensure
they are competitive and assist in providing and maintaining good levels of customer service
(Johnson et al, 2012). Developing a system of an organisations operation can be advantageous
both for both the customer and organisation (Bamford and Forrester, 2010). Subsequently,
once a system has been developed and understood it should be possible to determine why the
system works well, or not well, and to recommend possible production related improvements
that will assist both parties concerned.

Task

In this assignment analyse a production system (service or manufacturing based) with which
you are familiar; a shop, restaurant, transport system, doctor’s surgery are all possible
examples. Your tutor will give some guidance on your choice of organisation/case study. Your
assignment should address the following questions:

1. Critically appraise how well the inventories and/or assets within the production system
are currently managed.
2. Provide a detailed illustration of the key operations involved within your chosen
production system presenting a logical operational flow.
3. From the illustration in point two, identify two points where the organisation’s delivery
system may fail to align its operational performance measures, clearly demonstrating
your reasoning and understanding behind this.
4. Discuss how a lean approach could be utilised in the production system to potentially
reduce the failings discussed in point three.
5. Identify three key findings discussing the extent to which the lean approach chosen may
assist the production system with aligning its operational performance measures.

1
 Salford Business School
MSc Programme Suite, Trimester 3, 2017/18
Operations and Information Management Module – OM Assignment

Format

Your assignment should be in a report format, being clearly structured using headings, sub-
headings etc. It is not necessary to include an executive summary at the beginning of the report.
Your assignment should be presented using Times New Roman (TNR) 12 font, 1.5 line
spacing, and it should be approximately 3,000 (+/- 10%) words in length. Your word count is
from the introduction to the end of the conclusion section.

You must endeavour to use theory explicitly at all stages, but do not spend too much time
describing a theory. While you must be explicit about the theories, models, techniques etc. that
you use, you can assume that the reader is familiar with them. What the reader requires is
evidence of your ability to understand and apply the theory and learn from in order to support
the development of your findings and/or ideas.

You must cite all sources on which you have relied, for example textbooks, journal articles,
web pages etc. using the Harvard Bibliographic referencing system. If you do not cite all
sources, then you may be accused of plagiarism, and that in turn may endanger your success
in passing the module. If you are in any doubt about how to reference your work, please obtain
guidance from your tutor for this module.

Please do use diagrams, illustrations, tables, graphics etc. wherever these are helpful, and
remember that these do not count towards your word limit. If you do use these, please do not
put them in the appendices if they are part of your discussion. Appendices are the appropriate
places to put supporting material, however, remember if the reader is satisfied with the main
points of your discussion; the supporting information within the appendices may not even be
reviewed.

2
 Salford Business School
MSc Programme Suite, Trimester 3, 2017/18
Operations and Information Management Module – OM Assignment

Marking Criteria

Your assignment will be marked against the following criteria:

1. Evidence of your ability to use Operations Management (OM) theory in order to help
you think in a critical way, and to develop an understanding of how key operational
decisions are made within the chosen production system. (20%)
2. Evidence of your understanding of how different OM and Lean approaches could
contribute to addressing the aim of your assignment. (20%)
3. Evidence of your understanding of the strengths and weaknesses inherent in various
OM and Lean approaches in your chosen production system. (15%)
4. Evidence of your understanding of the limitations placed upon the OM and Lean
options available to your chosen production system. (20%)
5. Your ability to convey your conclusions and recommendations in a reasoned, supported
and credible manner. (15%)
6. Accurate grammatical and economical use of English. A good presentation standard
using the report format. Appropriate citation of sources using the Harvard
Bibliographic Referencing System. (10%)

The above criteria and the following grading matrix will assist in providing guidance as to the
mark allocation.

3
 Salford Business School
MSc Programme Suite, Trimester 3, 2017/18
Operations and Information Management Module – OM Assignment

Skills 70% 60-69 50-59 Less than 50%

Use of literature Has developed & justified using
own ideas based on a wide
range of sources which have
been thoroughly analysed,
applied & discussed.
Use of theory Assignment demonstrates
integration & innovation in the
selection & handling of theory.
Critical analysis of Assignment consistently
theory. demonstrates application of
critical analysis & is well
integrated into the text.
Conceptualisation Able to recognise consistency &
reconcile inconsistency between
information, using cognitive &
hypothesising skills.
Problem Solving Able to critically
analyse many sides of
a complex issue &
resolve information
conflicts. Uses a
process centred
Application of Topic applied
approach to personal, social Well-considered
to problem
theory to practice & professional
solving/needspractice relevant appropriate application of
&assessment
innovative. activities.
Able to critically appraise the Clear evidence & application Literature either not consulted
literature & theory gained of reading/theory relevant to or irrelevant to assignment
from a variety of sources, the subject; use of indicative set.
developing own ideas in the texts identified.
process.
Insightful & appropriate Most key theories are Inaccurate or inappropriate
selection of content/theory inincluded in the work in an promotion of content or
key areas. appreciated & straightforward theory.
manner.
Clear application of theory Demonstrates application of Lacks critical
trough critical analysis & theory through critical thought/analysis/reference to
critical thought of the topic analysis of the topic area. theory.
area.
Consistent understanding Demonstrates understanding Understanding of the
demonstrated in a logical, in a style that is mostly logical, assignment is not apparent.
coherent & lucid manner. coherent & flowing.
Able to critically analyse No evidence of attempt to be
simple issues & to recognise critical or to recognise or
conflicts. Evidence apparent address informational
of a process approach to conflicts. Problem
problem solving/awareness of solving/needs assessment is
needs assessment. absent.
& Begins to demonstrate Fails to apply topic to
appropriate application to personal, social &
theory to personal, social & personal, social & professional practice.
professional practice. professional practice.

4
 Salford Business School
MSc Programme Suite, Trimester 3, 2017/18
Operations and Information Management Module – OM Assignment

Submission

As discussed previously, your assignment should be approximately 3,000 words (+/- 10 %) in

length. The assignment is to be submitted electronically via OnlineCampus. Please ensure
that:

1. Your name is clearly marked on the front of your title page.

2. You have a copy/backup of your assignment.

Please ensure you submit your work on or before the deadline, any late submittal will be dealt
with as per University guidelines.

Thank you and Good Luck!

Dr Jonathan D Owens

References

 Bamford, D R and Forrester, P L (2010). Essential guide to Operations Management:

concepts and case notes. John Wiley. ISBN 978-0-47068-816-8.
 Greasley A (2013). Operations Management, Third Edition, John Wiley. ISBN 978-1-
11997-854-1.
 Johnston R; Clark, G and Schulver, M (2012) Service Operations Management:
Improving Service Delivery, Fourth Edition, Pearson. ISBN 978-0273740483.
 Slack, N; Brandon-Jones, A and Johnston, R (2013). Operations Management, 7th
Edition. Pearson. ISBN 978-0-273-77620-8.
 Patton, S; Clegg, B; Hsuan, J and Pilkington, A (2011). Operations Management.
McGraw Hill. ISBN 978-0-0771-2617-9.

5
 Salford Business School
MSc Programme Suite, Trimester 3, 2017/18
Operations and Information Management Module – OM Assignment

Learning Outcomes (from module specification) addressed in this Assignment.

Please remember your overall grade for this assignment will represent a judgement to the extent
to which you have provided evidence that you have addressed the following learning outcomes
offered in the module specification.

 Critically analyse the theory, concepts and models of operations and information
management and demonstrate an understanding of the importance of information
management in global organisations.
 Analyse and critically evaluate the ways in which operations are adapted in view of
specific market culture and customer requirements, and the role and importance of
operational excellence in various aspects of competitive advantage.
 Use the basic tools and techniques to plan and improve all aspects of the operations
function and understand the application of the control systems that can be used for
operations management in a wide variety of environments.
 Identify and utilise appropriate methods for collecting and analysing data related to
operations and information management.
 Locate, summarise and synthesise a range of information from published literature and
electronic sources on operations and information management.
 Use and evaluate a variety of tools for improving organisational performance
 Manage effectively their own time and learning.
 Improve their research skills, and data analysis and presentation. Manage their time to
meet deadlines in both group discussions and in preparation of in-class activities