Presentation for applied operations management

The purpose of an Assignment is for students to be able to demonstrate that they have successfully achieved the module Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module (5LO507), students will be able to:

1. Understand the operations function as a mechanism for competitive advantage.

2. Recognise the need to maintain and improve operations to meet demanding quality standards and customer expectations

3. Understand the role of design, planning, control and improvement in the operations function, and be able to apply this knowledge to practical workplace / case study situations

This is the Assessment guidance as produced in your Module Handbook.

Coursework 1 30%

CW-1 Individual work: Analysing a case study (Learning Objective 2)

For CW1 you will work in groups of 3-4 and make an in-class presentation of your analysis, findings, and responses.

Overview

Coursework 1 (CW1) provides you an opportunity to understand the application of theoretical knowledge to real life scenario. This scenario is presented in structured manner with information/data provided. The expectation is that you will apply specific theoretical knowledge to the provided scenarios.

This assignment is to be attempted individually. All students must engage actively. Each task requires critical thinking, reading of the course material/books and presentation of your answers in cohesive manner.

You should structure your thoughts in logical manner and present them professionally in a power point presentation.

Deadline for Submission

CW 1 Individual Presentations must be uploaded by 22nd February 09:00AM

Case Study

‘My flight to Stockholm would be late landing. We were in a “stack” of planes circling above Brussels. Air traffic control had closed the runways for a short period at dawn, because of snow. Flights from all over the World were now being allocated new landing slots. After a 20-minute delay, we landed on a recently cleared runway. Even then there was a further ‘hold’ on a taxiway while de-icing of the apron was being completed. All around the airport I could see the flashing beacons of the snow-clearing vehicles, catering suppliers’ vans, aviation fuel trucks, baggage trailers, buses transporting crews and passengers, security police cars, and an assortment of other vehicles. Brussels airport always looks busy, with over 10 million passengers a year, but this morning the complexity and scale of the operations were particularly evident. About an hour late, we pulled up to the gate, and we disembarked into an icy-cold air bridge, leaving behind a particularly litter-strewn cabin. The team of cleaners and maintenance staff waiting just outside will have a hard time, with more mess and less time than usual to do it, as the airline will want a quick turnaround to get back on to schedule. We could just hear the sounds baggage and cargo being unloaded, catering vehicles arriving, fuel being loaded, and technicians checking over the engines. From the air bridge, we walked past the crowded seating areas, where groups were awaiting the signal from the gate staff to board their delayed flights. Anxious to get ahead of the crowd, we ran past the rows of cafés, bars and shops, hoping to avoid the morning queue for Passport Control. However, my next journey was to the First Aid room! I had apparently slipped on some spilt coffee that had not been cleaned up in the haste of the morning, and had fallen awkwardly, straining my ankle and breaking my duty-free brandy.

Suitably patched up, I hobbled with my colleagues and joined the queue for Passport Control, and eventually through to Baggage Reclaim. Passengers usually get there first, but the accident had changed all that. The video screens showed no reference to our flight arrival; the remaining bags had apparently been removed from the carousel and were stored in an adjacent office. But, we were reunited with our belongings, and hastened (slowly in my case) to the taxi rank. Yet there was no quick ride to the city because of a long queue, so we went to the station below, where a dedicated ‘City Express’ train departs every 20 minutes for the city.

After a successful day at our Brussels office, a taxi was called, and we were back at the airport in the evening rush hour. The departures check-in area has a huge electronic display which lists all departures. No queue at the check-in desk, so we had our boarding passes in only a couple of minutes. By this time, my injured leg was throbbing painfully, so the check-in staff arranged for a wheelchair and attendant to take me through Border Control and security checks. While my colleagues used the escalator, I took the slower route by lift, meeting outside the duty-free shops. We bought some Belgian chocolates and headed for a café-bar. After a welcome glass of specialty beer, we headed for the airline’s executive lounge. De-icing crews were working on the parked aircraft and others were treating the runways. Concerned that we might be delayed and miss our connection, we checked with staff at the information desk. They confirmed that, although there could be some delays, our connecting flights would be held.

Your Assignment

You will thoroughly review the case study and explore the overall operational aspects described in the case study. To formulate/structure your analysis and ideas, you must address the following:

a) Identify all the processes and their activities which are mentioned. Classify them in accordance with their type. (25% marks)

b) Which of these processes were most affected by the severe weather, directly and/or indirectly? (10% marks)

c) Identify different organisations (and their type) involved in delivering the goods and services described in this case study (15% marks)

a. What are the implications of this? (15% marks)

d) Focusing on key operational areas, how would you as operations management team have managed such situation to effectively meet the demanding quality standards and customer expectations? (In other words, if you were the Operations Managers of Brussels airport, how would you manage such scenario and/or prepared beforehand for such possible situations). (25% marks)

Professional presentation (both content and delivery) (10% marks)

Note: You MUST provide the academic underpinning for your analysis, ideas and arguments.

Presentation

· An individual presentation to be made in-class and submitted electronically.

· Presentation duration can be 5-8 minutes, followed by 2-3 minutes of questions.

Submission Guidance

Please make sure to submit your work on-time through submission point on Course Resource. No late submission will be accepted.

Visit www.derby.ac.uk/esub for guidance on electronic submission of assignments.

Support/ Feedback

During your seminars / tutorials you will receive helpful and formative Feedback (oral) from your tutors.

Assessment Criteria

In completing the assessments, you need to demonstrate all of the following skills:

· Application of academic concepts to practical situations

· Critical awareness and analysis of the ideas that you explore

· Demonstrates skill in data analysis and use of relevant tools

· Problem Identification: Demonstrates understanding of Problem Definition and reflective analysis of research.

· Synthesis and presentation of key ideas

· Evaluation of complex matters

· Integration of ideas and practice in a cross disciplinary manner

· Presentation of key concepts / ideas

You are reminded that plagiarism and collusion are considered serious offences and contravene University of Derby regulations. If your work is found to be plagiarised, or it has been found that you have colluded this is likely to result in failing the minimum standards and learning outcomes within the module and further action could be taken. If you are unsure of the University regulations it is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with them. The regulations can be found in the University of Derby Academic Regulations (3R’s) at www.derby.ac.uk/academic-regulations

Remember: All coursework should be submitted on time. There are no opportunities to submit work as late. Even if you submit an EEC request you should submit the coursework you have already completed to that date by the deadline. The only exception is if a student has a support plan and agreed extra time to complete work.

Undergraduate marking scale

This scale applies to Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the University Credit Framework. The descriptors are typical characteristics of the standard of work associated with each range of marks. The descriptors are illustrative and for guidance only. They are not comprehensive.

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