MANAGEMENT

Operations Management in Business

1.1 Operation Management2

1.2 Safety and Timing Concern2

1.3 Strategic Planning3

1.4 Process Flow4

2.1 Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness5

2.2 Cost minimization and value maximization5

2.3 Performance Objectives6

3.1 Linear Programming8

3.2 Critical Path Analysis & Network Planning8

3.3 Operational Planning & Control9

4.1 Operational Outcomes10

4.2 Network Plan of Activities11

4.3 Quality Assessment11

M1 Terminal Layout11

M2 Possible Changes12

M3 Ferry as Alternative12

D1 Euro Tunnel Policy Assessment12

D2 Competition12

D3 Recommendations to Staff13

Policy Formulation13

Planning13

Controlling Resources13

References14

Operations Management in Business

1.1 Operation Management

Operation management is the process that ranges from tactical to operational levels. It helps in structuring the networks and in designing technological processes. Operations management includes assessing and implementing the design, development and utilization of resources that are crucial to the success of any project. The importance of Operations management for Channel Tunnel is evident from the fact that it covers tactical plans including layout designing and structuring, project management and inventory maintenance. The operational plans include the quality control and inspection. It also includes traffic and materials handling for the Channel Tunnel project. All inventory management policies are covered under operations management. It is important for effective operations management that it has a direct relationship with the objectives of the company. The proper implementation of the operations of the project leads to increased profitability of the company (Chayet 2004, pp. 295). This profitably lasts for a longer period. Channel Tunnel should assess the input and output resources in order to achieve effective operational management. The inputs are the management resources including the competency, inventory and raw material. Output resources are the sources that distribute the services to the customers (Lowson 2001, pp. 180).

1.2 Safety and Timing Concern

Safety is the major concern for travellors using the Shuttle service. Ferries and hovercrafts are dangerous as the weather highly affects the journey. The timings of the travel also matter for the passenger especially for those who have arranged a pre-booked ticket. Passengers expect the servie to start at mentioned time. The failure to do this affects the perception of service. The cost of availing the service is also crucial as customer chooses according to his financial resources. The law passed by government regarding this service and the competitor service ways affects the business of the shuttle service (Lowson 2001, pp. 180).

1.3 Strategic Planning

The allocation of resources according to the objectives of the project is the process that defines strategy. It helps in shaping the direction in which company should move. It is different from long term planning. Long term planning is the process of developing the goals on the basis of current practices. Strategic planning involves analyzing the potential changes in the company. These changes can move the company in a different direction than the current practices. The elements of strategic Planning are mission statement, strategic analysis, strategy formulation, long term objectives and implementation. These elements refer to the what, why, where, when and how approaches in defining future direction of company (Vonderembse & Marchal 2001, pp. 586).

The strategic planning is deeply linked with operations management. Strategic planning helps in outlining the objectives of the ...