Module Title: Applied Operations Management 5LO507

SIEMENS

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, 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

Coursework 2             70%

Individual Assignment: Management Report on a real world project, which provides a detailed theoretical and applied rationale/justification to support the outcomes backed up by recent scholarly books, articles, etc. The report will also require a reflection by the student on individual learning and development, personal performance and contribution, and wider industry consideration from your tutors/guest lecturer.

CW2.1– Individual, written 1500 words (excluding figures, tables, reference list & appendices) assignment, which will include the review and evaluation of the operations function and recommendations for improvement. Students are advised to stick closely to the word limit within a maximum +/- 10% variation in total word count. Please note that you do not need to write executive brief for your individual report. 50 marks

CW2.2– Individual, 3 minutes Video Recording Presentation, executive brief about your management report. An executive brief introduces the main points of an in-depth analysis / report as a short, readable, jargon-free video. It is not intended to be a substitute to developing a complete analysis (or in many cases, writing a full paper); rather it should entice a reader to look further into your analysis and result. An effective executive brief contains the following elements; the key problems, scope & objectives, explanation and possible justification of your analysis methods, min findings and conclusions (results) and crucial recommendations. 20 marks

*** Please note:You must record your individual executive brief video presentation through Panpto recorder. You might record two or three versions of your presentation into your My Folder because of mistakes or recording problems. When you have recorded a version you want to submit, move it to the assignment folder. To do this, follow the guide (you can see the guideline in the assessment section of UDO) which explains how to download and install the app on your laptop, PC or Mac; how to record into your personal My Folder; and submit your presentation to your Module’s assignment folder.

Assignment Brief

Siemens Train Maintenance Operations have been working with prospective clients such as west midlands train to support the maintenance and operational activities. You need to answer following questions based on your research, data collection, provided data (you will need to collect other data if required) analysis.

Task 1- This project is to answer the following questions;

• Provide optimum arrival – departure programme
• What is the optimize stabling plan to reduce train movement with the minimum 3 hours maintenance window
• Provide resource and material plans / strategy (such as fast and slow moving trains, etc.)

DATA OVERVIEW

Site Layout – Google map

Length of train

Distance

Arrival and departure times

Maintenance window

Etc.

Task 2- Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

After answering the above questions, you need to do root-cause analysis (RCA) for each scenario, see below figure 1 (5 whys, fishbone diagram, etc.), and might address the following train maintenance operations and processes including:

• Operational
• Resource management
• Technical
• Layout
• Quality
• Machines
• Equipment
• Maintenance
• Technology

Study the lecture materials and the reading list and other references such as journal papers for this assignment. These materials are available on UDO or through the Library. In particular Databases accessed via the LIBRARY RESOURCES PAGES, such as EBSCO, EMERALD and GENERAL BUSINESS INDEX. (Access through UDO)

Figure 1 – Root cause ^[1]

Task 3- Suggestion and Solution

From your analysis above, outline your recommendations and solutions for improvements to the operations. You should give a sound rationale, which should include why the recommendations are important for more effective management of operations and evaluate the impact the changes could have on the operation and the customer. Solutions should deal with root causes, not symptoms. You will need to provide your methodologies and solutions to your client. Your solutions should be extracted from recent scholarly books/articles/reports (in the past three to five years). This Report should provide a robust academic underpinning for the operational and performance decisions that you made, using/applying models and concepts that were explored in the module and in your wider reading. Academic underpinning requires you to acknowledge all sources of information that you provide with proper citation and referencing in the Harvard style.

Please note: You will need to list at least ten (10) recent scholarly books/articles/reports (in the past three to five years), in addition to any materials that have already been assigned for the module.

*** The report will also require a reflection by the student on individual learning and development, personal performance and contribution, and wider industry consideration from your module leader, lecturer and tutors/guest lecturers. Please address your reflection at the end of the report within 2-3 par

^[1] Operational Excellence Consulting