Describe about the Journal of Operations Management for Scheduling?
This study deals with operations management process and how it can be effectively managed by the newly hired consultant. The new hired consultant was appointed at concept design so that he can being brought improvement in the manufacturing department in order to achieve continuity as well as growth. The consultant made certain strategies with which he can transform inputs into adequate outputs that will help the organization in revenue generation. This manager basically needs to guide the employees and provide them essential guidance that will even motivate them to work. The work of consultant is even to take strategic and tactical decisions that can help the organization to improve as well as to attain the long term objectives. Several inputs go through the transformation stage in order to get the desired results. The inputs can be even information in case of consultancy services, because they provide suggestions to its clients. In this particular report, the various steps that would take by newly appointed consultant of the company Concept Design with the aim to improve the manufacturing operations of the particular company and to ensure the growth, expansion, and continuity of the particular company have been discussed.
As a consultant in the operations department at concept design, it will be essential to focus on the transformation process in order to achieve continuity and growth (Peng and Lai, 2012). Transformation is a process that includes activities or group of taking one or more inputs so that it can add value to it. Therefore, in the company Concept design, the process of transformation has been implemented to add value and it also helps in providing outputs to its customer clients (Berenguer et al. 2015). This process will actually involve the following attributes and those are discussed below with proper justification:
CDS will help in transforming from physical characteristics of materials as well as customers.
Another transformation that is required is the changes made in the location of materials that will help in providing information to its customer base.
Transformation can even occur while changing in the ownership of various materials in the form of information.
Concept design helps in transforming from storage of accommodation in the form of materials in order to provide information to customers.
Even transformation can be made when customers state of mind changes, be it psychological or physiological (Paksoy, Pehlivan and Kahraman, 2012).
Figure 1: Transformation process
As a consultant, it is essential to understand the transformation model as because any changes made will have direct implications on the overall enterprise (Walker et al. 2015). One of the major roles of operations in the particular organization Concept design is to create as well as deliver of goods as well as services in order to produce in an organization in order to help the customers. There are basically three components in the operational activities that include inputs, process of transformation as well as outputs. As far as operations management is concerned, it provides a systematic direction as well as control that will help in transforming inputs into outputs that is finished goods and services (Reichard and Johnson, 2011). As operations management is about managing the resources, so it is important to get the latest technology into practice. Being a consultant, the role is to manage with two of the transforming resources that are staff as well as facilities. Staffs that are needed to be managed are those who are directly involved in the transformation process (Chase, 2012). Another matter that needs consideration is the facilities including land, buildings, machinery as well as equipment. Even information can be transformed as in the case of consultancy firms, where fees are paid in getting the valuable suggestions. Capital intensive and labor intensive are two types of attributes that are used by the organization.
The main focus of operations management is to involve in the production of goods as well as services so that the entire organization can be easily determined. If there is proper management of the operations, then there will be smooth functioning of all the relevant departments and vice versa (Subramanian and Ramanathan, 2012). Therefore, in the company Concept design, proper management of the operations of manufacturing the products is mandatory. Operations are actually the heart of the entire department as all the sections needs operations in some extent so as a consultant; it should be kept in mind that to co ordinate these work into main course of action.
The input resources of the company Concept design are people, money and material and this need to be properly transformed so as to get effective output that will be utilized in order to attain success within the business enterprise (Slack, 2015). Outputs are the various goods as well as services that are needed during the production process and this need to be managed in an effective so as to get profit maximization in the long course of time. As a consultant in the company Concept design, it is needed to take decisions in most strategic manner because that will help in showing a path of action, ultimately will be helpful in meeting up the goals of the particular organization (Driouchi & Bennett, 2012). As a new operation manager, the main role is to involve in the development of the various business goals to understand the basic concept of meeting the needs of resources that are required in the process of production of the company Concept design. Another concept that is required in the operations management is the cost leadership as well as differentiation of goods and services (Stevenson, 2011). Thus, in the company Concept design, all these concepts of product differentiation and cost leadership should be implemented for the betterment of the particular company. The role of consultant in an operations management is to take responsibility in viewing all the activities in an organization so that to encourage effective production of various goods as well as services. Every business enterprise is unique in its own form because each and every has its own way to manage with the available resources (Reichard and Johnson, 2011). It is important for the consultant to provide information on all the operation related issues and the way to tackle them in an effective manner. It is important that the goals are clear in the minds of the consultant so that they can explain it to employees working under the organization (Paksoy, Pehlivan and Kahraman, 2012). The goals of the organization are set in order to achieve it and this is possible only if the organization has well trained consultant who knows to convert these goals into actual performance of business enterprise (Handfield and Bozarth, 2012).
A new hired operation consultant of the company Concept design can help in decision making process as he will have fresh and innovative ideas for the purpose and will also be helpful for achieving the long term objectives of the firm. They will also help in designing the composition of various products, services that will be helpful in the operations. A consultant cans effectively manage the performance by continuously monitoring the activities involved in the organization (Paksoy, Pehlivan and Kahraman, 2012).
There is close relationship between the three core functions of an organization and these are as follows with proper justification:
One of the functions that the consultant manages is the new product development. Any product needs to undergo certain stages and these stages include,
Idea generation is the first step in product development; this includes getting an idea of what to produce, for whom to produce, which technology to be used (Hendricks, Hora and Singhal, 2014). Thus, in Concept design, this particular stage actually involves basic layout of the production of the product for the beginning purpose.
Idea screening is the next step after the idea is generated (Berenguer et al. 2013). Screening is required whether it will be effective or not, whether it can satisfy the needs of the customers of the company Concept design or not. Proper screening is done by the researcher also evaluating with other alternatives available.
Concept development as well as testing is required in order to test the product of Concept design whether it is reliable or not (Krajewski, Malhotra and Ritzman, 2015).Testing can be done by various methods like alpha testing and beta testing. Researcher makes this a point that testing of a product is essential that will give a brief idea whether it can sustain in the market or not.
Business analysis is another step in the product development and this will include professional to analysis the results of the testing. Several assumptions are made by the analyst related to financial, advertisement, marketing of the product in an effective manner.
Prototype development is required for the product as because it will help in understanding the value it creates in the market (Brown, Bessant and Lamming, 2013). Development can be judged after the product is launched and look at the sale revenue in the next years.
Test marketing is the final test before launching the product in the market (Goodale et al. 2011). This test is done by some of the selected consumers to understand whether the products can satisfy their needs as well as requirements.
Commercialization is the last stage in the new development process of the company Concept design. It actually means products launched or commercialized in the market and understand whether it is success or not (Barratt, Choi and Li, 2011). Various promotions are needed in this stage so that the customers are actually aware of the products offerings. Free trials should be provided by the management of the particular company to their customers so that the marketer can have an idea of whether the product is appreciated or not (Driouchi & Bennett, 2012).
In all these stages, the knowledge of the new operation consultant of the company Concept design would help the management of the company to regulate the business in the right direction and also to expand the business in future.
It is one of the core functions of an organization. The marketing is also a part of major operations of the company Concept design .Without making marketing strategies, it is impossible to understand the market culture (Slack, Brandon-Jones and Johnston, 2013). Each product of the particular company has some special features that make them unique from others and this unique criteria need to be promoted because this will only attract both the existing loyal and new customers in the most short span of time. Unique Selling Proportion (USP) is the term that makes each product different from others so marketing strategies should be made in order to highlight their features in the most efficient manner. Therefore, the company Concept design should apply the Unique Selling Proportion (USP) in their business to earn more profit. STP (Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning) is an important attributes that should be taken into consideration while making marketing strategies (Foropon and McLachlin, 2013). The marketer should understand the needs of the customers and should indulge in surveys so that they get updated with the change in fashion and trends (Paksoy, Pehlivan and Kahraman, 2012).
It includes combination of every aspect because it actually means to look into the matters of marketing, finance, sales department and coordinate in the most effective manner (Gunasekaran and Ngai, 2012). The operations managers actually serve as a linkage between all the departments because they are responsible to take strategic decisions that will help in bringing growth as well as continuity in an organization. Therefore, the vision of the new operation consultant of the company Concept design should be clear regarding the motives, aims and objectives of the particular company. Then only the managers would be able to keep the mind of the employees clear so that they can concentrate in their work. On the other hand, the continuous monitoring by the managers will help them to provide them guidance as well. If employee redresses is done on an effective manner by the organization, then the employees will feel comfortable in expressing their views and opinions to higher authority (Driouchi & Bennett, 2012).
Production scheduling is a sophisticated way of managing the manufacturing operations effectively as it enables the entire manufacturing operations to follow a particular path with specific timeline towards completion. Production scheduling is essential in terms of utilizing the resources effectively and completing the manufacturing operations effectively within due deadline (Krajewski, Malhotra and Ritzman, 2015). The key aim of the company Concept design is to enhance customer service and the key objectives are to meet strategic goals and objectives and to ensure growth and continuity of the particular organization. Production scheduling also helps gaining competitive advantages by resolving the practical problems. However, there are various issues associated with the production scheduling that may have an impact upon customer service. The current section analyses the issues. The two key issues within production scheduling of the firm Concept design are ‘priorities’ and ‘capacity’.
There are various operations and activities that are running simultaneously within the manufacturing systems of the organization Concept design. Scheduling is one of the most vital aspects of the manufacturing operations for most of the companies (Kumar, Subramanian and Strandholm, 2011). Thus, the effectiveness of the production scheduling largely depends upon the knowledge and decision-making ability of the operation managers. Therefore, in the company Concept design, the new operation consultant would play a vital role. However, dealing with the manufacturing operations is never easy as it involves various unexpected events that may have an impact upon the scheduling of the production processes. Most common issue faced by most of the manufacturing and operation managers is that they usually face various problems while prioritizing the manufacturing operation activities. Thus, here the new operation consultant also faced the same issues. It is very important to make dynamic decisions for choosing the activities that needs to be done at the first place. An effective production scheduling system is the system that has the potential to make dynamic decisions for the scheduling function within a high-quality and timely and manner, while concurrently enhancing the output, satisfying the needs and expectations of the customers and enhancing direct operating costs associated with the manufacturing operations (Reichard and Johnson, 2011).
Another key issue within the production scheduling process within the manufacturing operation is to select the most effective option for performing the tasks (Babu et al. 2014). During the process of production in the company Concept design; there are several alternatives available for the operation managers to perform any operational tasks (Krajewski, Malhotra and Ritzman, 2015). However, the most important step will be to select the most efficient and effective option that would help accomplishing the particular operational task effectively with quality and within due time. Manufacturing efficiency, productivity and profitability largely depend upon the capacity planning of production as it involves the ability of the company to enhance their production or manufacturing units in order to meet their market demand (Driouchi & Bennett, 2012).
Operation functions have a crucial role towards the effectiveness of concept design. Concept design helps the organizations to progress towards the productivity and profitability. There are various strategic importances of CDS (Engell and Harjunkoski, 2012). The key objectives of CDS include adding value towards the final product of the organizations. However, it also important for the organization to utilize the resources required for their manufacturing or production department to run effectively (Nahmias and Olsen, 2015).The concept designers and the operations managers of the company Concept design have an active role for carry on the international operation and manufacturing processes effectively for enhancing the utilization of the resources. There are various other processes for improving operation function through CDS strategically. Advanced technologies are the components necessary for improving the operation performance within the current circumstances for gaining competitive advantages (Moghaddam et al.2011). The advanced technologies must be implemented within the manufacturing units. In addition, there are various added activities that the organization Concept design should consider such as developing partnerships with various reputed concept designers for enhancing the complexity and volume of production (Krajewski, Malhotra and Ritzman, 2015).
There are various other strategic directions of CDS towards the success of the organizations though the enhancement of the performances of manufacturing and operational activities. Thus, the organization Concept design is using CDS for various performances such as minimizing the problems associated with the production scheduling (Hendricks, Hora and Singhal, 2014). In addition, CDS are helping the organizations to improve the usage of their resources, which is part of their strategic decisions. On the other hand CDS are also helping the organization Concept design to maintain effective relationship and collaboration between various departments such as manufacturing, distribution and marketing in order to improve the performance of the companies through various internal processes. The CDS is also helping the particular company to forest their sales effectively, which is part of the strategic goals and objectives of the particular organization (Garcia-Gonzalo, Pukkala and Borges, 2014). On the hand, CDS is meant to draw the effective design for conducting various manufacturing processes effectively. Thus, it is essential for designing the manufacturing processes of the specified company Concept design efficiently in order to enhance the effectiveness and performances of the manufacturing processes. It is essential for the organizations to improve their manufacturing processes as their productivity and profitability both largely depends upon their manufacturing processes that the CDS helps to meet. In addition, the organizations are utilizing the CDS effectively for supporting and for enhancing the performance of the customer services (Conway, Maxwell and Miller, 2012).
There are various ways that the operation functions support the strategy. The volume manufactured by the companies is largely depending upon the operation function. Therefore, as the strategy implies enhancing volume, it can be inferred that the operation functions supports the strategy. Another key strategy of the organization Concept design is to gain competitive advantages that they can achieve while varying the products or services through innovation for supporting both sustainability and profitability (Hill and Hill, 2012). On the other hand, variation is another activity of operation function that helps keeping the customers largely interested and keeping the demand greater. There are various other ways to support the strategy. The particular organization Concept design is mainly concentrating upon CDS for improving the operational and manufacturing functions. Both productivity and profitability are part the organizational strategy and their existence largely depend upon how efficient the organizations are for enhancing the operational and manufacturing processes (Engell and Harjunkoski, 2012). In addition, the CDS is also associated with each step of the operation and manufacturing of the company Concept design. Therefore, it also enables the organizations to meet their strategies effectively. The effectiveness of CDS depends upon the decision-making of the designers. Therefore, it can be inferred that the operation function supports the strategy. In other words, operation functions are involved in all the activities that are vital for the particular company in terms of the strategies implemented by the organization (Paksoy, Pehlivan and Kahraman, 2012). The new operation manager of the company Concept design is responsible for providing guidance to its employees so that they feel free to work in the specified organization. A healthy environment and motivation will encourage employees to work in the organization for long period of time.
In case of the three core functions of the organization, which are new product development, marketing and operations, the strategies of the organizations will include assessing the needs and expectation of the customers regarding the new product development, marketing the new products or services effectively within the customers to analyze the marketing demand and justifying the necessary measurements required within the operation functions for dealing with the activities associated with the manufacturing of new products or services. Therefore, most of the activities within the operation function are closely connected with the strategies of the organizations (Weglarz, 2012). Marketing will decide the market demand for the new product or service of the company that the new operation manager will focus upon and the strategies will be drawn based upon the demand for the particular product or service within the market. In addition, the operation manager also requires marinating effective communication and collaboration between the marketing and the manufacturing departments of the particular company in order to strengthen the manufacturing process, which will help them to minimize various issues and also to enhance customer service. Therefore, it can be inferred that the operation functions will support the organizational strategies through various ways that are analyzed within the current study.
There are various strategies to improve operations for supporting the goals of the particular organization. The key recommendations are as follows:
The concept designers are the ones, who do not have adequate knowledge or understanding about the overall operations of the organizations, especially about the manufacturing units and the activities. However, it is very important for the concept designers to have overall insight of the manufacturing or production processes within the companies in order make effective and dynamic decisions, which will improve the performances of the manufacturing units of the company Concept design (Conway, Maxwell and Miller, 2012). Therefore, it is recommended for the concept designers to go through various activities such as ‘cross training’ in order to improve their knowledge and understanding about the entire manufacturing processes and production activities. The key success factor in this case will be the collaborative approach, where the concept designers will have the ability or facility to obtain valuable information from other departments. In addition, it is also important for the organizations to conduct various collaborative sessions and events for help both departments communicate effectively for information upload and download. However, the key aim in this case will be to help the concept designers to have more in-depth idea about the manufacturing processes of the organizations that will help the concept designers to design more effective strategies and designs (Kumar, Subramanian and Strandholm, 2011). There are various strategies or policies that the companies may follow to enhance the collaboration process between the concept designers and various other departments such as manufacturing, marketing and distribution.
Sales forecasting is a crucial activity done by the operation managers in order to enhance both their productivity and profitability. Thus, the sales forecasting enables the organization Concept design to determine their needs regarding the required resources (Kerzner, 2013). On the other hand, appropriate sales forecasting allows the operation managers to enhance the profitability of the particular organizations. However, again it is important that both the operation and marketing departments have effective collaboration between them in order to estimate the sales effectively. The organization Concept design should consider providing effective training to both the departments together in order to have overall idea about the strategic goals and objectives of the particular organization and to enhance sales forecasting (Paksoy, Pehlivan and Kahraman, 2012). Cross training will help the specified organization and the managers of both the departments to know their responsibilities and to design their activities effectively (Conway, Maxwell and Miller, 2012).
Conclusion
All the studies and discussions conducted within the current report conclude that operation management is essential for achieving the strategic and organizational goals of the organization Concept design. The current assignment also concludes that ‘priorities’ and ‘capacity’ are two critical issues within production scheduling that can easily be avoided using CDS effectively. On the other hand, the current study suggests that it is very important for the organization Concept design to improve various aspects associated with operation and manufacturing operations. The particular organization should consider improvising the relationship between the concept designers and various other departments through effective collaboration. In addition, the current study also suggests that effective collaboration will also help the organization to improve sales forecasting.
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