2X4.5k-word paper

Area Homes

Scenario B

Area Homes is a provider of good quality affordable rental properties for families, couples and individuals who do not wish or may struggle to afford to buy a place of their own. There are approximately 5000 properties in the Area Homes portfolio at present. These are a mix of houses, (typically terraced with 2, 3 or in a small number of cases 4 bedrooms), bungalows, (with 1 or 2 bedrooms), and flats, (again with 1 or 2 bedrooms). All of these are located within the city of Hull.

You have been asked to undertake an operational review at Area Homes by their Operations Director, Elizabeth Chen (Liz). Specifically, you are to review the housing repairs system. Liz formerly worked at another Housing Organisation in northern England. She took up this post following the retirement of her predecessor last year. Liz feels that she has now established herself in the role of Operations Director. However, she also recognises that, in reality, the many pressures on her time leave few opportunities to review in any detail the operation of housing repairs at Area Homes. Liz believes that engaging a third party to undertake such a review creates opportunities for fresh thinking and independent ideas to be offered on this important part of the business. Following the search and interview process, you have been deemed as suitably skilled for this task.

Liz has confirmed that you will have the access required to complete your detailed review. (In this scenario, that means you are provided with a series of additional sheets about different aspects of the housing repair operation). She is looking for you to develop a strong evidence base meaning you need to gather and analyse a range of data using tools and techniques covered in class. The evidence base presented in your report must show how the housing repairs operation functions at present and identify opportunities for improvement. You are required to include specific recommendations and set out how each should be implemented.

Please remember that scenario information is provided to enable students to produce a report in which they respond effectively to the requirements set in the question. You should therefore ensure that you refer to the criteria set and the additional detail in the relevant marking guidance sheet. Both the assignment question and marking guidance sheets are available in our Module Handbook which has been posted on Canvas.

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