Learning Outcomes Assessed:
LO1: Critically review options appropriate for the context and formulate a logistics system implementation project
LO2: Select and critically apply appropriate analytical tools to solve problems in facility location and fleet composition and sizing.
Assessment Brief Logistics & Operations Management Study Report
You are to select an organisation of your choice that has a significant operation in terms of its logistics and operations management function. This can be both a product oriented organisation or a service oriented organisation. The organisation should employ a minimum of 100 employees and should be in operation for more than 10 years. Most importantly, the organisation should have an adequate level of operation in terms of its scale in the area of ‘logistics and operations management’. The organisation should also carry out its own sales and marketing to be able to clearly differentiate the Marketing & Operations areas. (You should present your organisation and get it approved for the study by the module tutor before proceeding with the rest of the work involved in this assessment).
Start the report with an ‘Introduction to the organisation’ and its industry. Under this section briefly describe the product(s) it markets and the different markets it serves and give a brief idea about the nature of its customers (brief description of its customer segments if any).Additionally, briefly describe the organisation’s main competitors to put the competitive landscape in context for the organisation. (Do not provide any historical or evolutionary descriptions about the organisation; rather present the organisation in its present context)
Task 1: Data Collection and Analysis
You should with the help of interviews and surveys collect data relating to the ‘logistics and operations management’ areas of that organisation. You should use relevant models and theoretical constructs relating to logistics and operations management when analysing and presenting your findings. You should compile/highlight areas such as transportation (including fleet management), warehousing, inventory management, location of facilities, cost of managing such an operation, how the organisation has used technology over the years to automate different areas of its operation and how this has evolved over time
Task 2: Problem Identification & Analysis
Within the broad domain of logistics and operations management you should critically analyse a significant enough ‘problem area’ affecting this organisation. You should not only describe the nature of the problem, but you should also discuss how this affects other functional areas within the business especially sales and marketing and the overall effectiveness of the organisation. You can also discuss how this issue has an impact on the organisational ‘profitability and financial viability’. If this issue has an ‘ecological or sustainability’ dimension, present and discuss that too.
Task 3: Recommendations for Improvement
Based on data collected and analysed make suitable recommendations to fix/rectify the main issues identified. Do not make general statements, but rather additionally explain ‘why’ you are making such recommendations (justify their inclusion) and also discuss the ‘how’s or implementing those recommendations (go in.to some detail about ‘how’ to make the recommendation a reality/success).