Overview In This Assignment You Will Apply What You Have Lea ✓ Solved

Overview in This Assignment You Will Apply What You Have Learned About

In this assignment, you will apply what you have learned about key concepts regarding operations management. You are encouraged to leverage your work and instructor feedback on this assignment in your course project, which is due in Module Seven. Scenario You work as the chief supply chain officer at NationaliTeas, a large international corporation that manufacturers and sells tea worldwide. Its mission is to “Make the world more awake through rejuvenating and refreshing beverages and sustainable practices that uplift workers, communities, and souls.” You have recently hired the company’s first project manager and have given them their first project: Revise current workflows related to packaging at one of your tea factories to be more sustainable and more lean.

As this is their first project, you will be helping them complete their task. Read through the Project Charter for Workflow Improvement, then review the Process Workflow for Tea Production graphic. A text-only version is available: Process Workflow for Tea Production Text-Only Version. Based on these documents, recommend removing a total of four steps from the process flowchart that can help make the process more efficient and sustainable. Explain the implications of the proposed changes, and then help the NationaliTeas team address current items in the Issue Log located in the project charter.

Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria: Lean Manufacturing: Evaluate the process flowchart to identify steps that do not add value based on the principles of lean manufacturing. Explain why you selected each step. Sustainability: Evaluate the process flowchart and identify steps that should be removed or changed to improve environmental sustainability. Explain why you selected each step. Process Changes: Explain the implications, both positive and negative, of removing or changing the steps from the process flowchart you identified in the previous two bullet points. Also explain how those changes would help alignment to the triple bottom line (TBL). Issue Log: Analyze all entries in the Issue Log from the perspective of a project manager and explain the recommended course of action based on the project charter, noting the impact of the issue on scope, planning, communications, and resourcing. Operations Management Techniques: Discuss how operations management techniques, including project management and lean manufacturing, can add value to NationaliTeas.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Operations management plays a critical role in optimizing processes that deliver value to customers while ensuring sustainability and cost efficiency. At NationaliTeas, a global tea manufacturer, revising workflow processes to become more lean and environmentally sustainable aligns with the company's mission and strategic goals. This paper evaluates the current process flow in tea packaging, identifies steps for removal or modification, analyzes their broader implications, and discusses the application of operations management techniques to enhance organizational value.

Evaluation of Process for Lean Manufacturing and Sustainability

Applying lean manufacturing principles involves eliminating processes that do not add value to the end product. A thorough review of the process workflow identified four steps that could be either eliminated or modified to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Firstly, the step involving excessive manual handling of packaging materials was identified as non-value adding and resource-intensive. Automating this task reduces waste, minimizes time, and enhances ergonomics. Second, the redundant inspection stage—performed multiple times—was deemed unnecessary, as current quality controls can be consolidated, reducing duplication and waste. Third, the step where excessive packaging materials are used—such as overfilled cartons—can be optimized to reduce packaging waste without compromising product safety. Lastly, the step involving energy-intensive drying processes can be replaced by energy-efficient drying methods or integrated into other steps to reduce overall energy consumption.

Implications of Process Changes

Removing or modifying these steps presents several benefits. Streamlining manual handling and inspection reduces time and operational costs, yielding faster throughput and less resource consumption. Additionally, reducing packaging materials directly decreases environmental impact, aligning with sustainability goals. However, these changes may pose challenges, such as initial investment costs in automation technology and adjustments in worker roles, which could cause temporary disruptions.

Aligning Changes with the Triple Bottom Line

These process modifications support the triple bottom line (TBL) by enhancing economic efficiency, improving environmental sustainability, and fostering social responsibility. Automated handling and reduced waste lead to cost savings and lower environmental footprints. Such improvements also contribute to worker safety by minimizing manual tasks, aligning with social sustainability objectives.

Analysis of Issue Log and Recommendations

The Issue Log presents challenges related to equipment downtime, delays in raw material delivery, workforce training needs, and communication gaps. As a project manager, my recommended course of action involves prioritizing issues based on their impact on the scope and schedule. For instance, equipment downtime directly affects production timelines; thus, preventative maintenance protocols should be established. Addressing raw material delays may involve supplier collaboration and contingency planning. Communication gaps can be mitigated through regular team briefings and progress reports.

Operations Management Techniques to Add Value

Implementing advanced operations management techniques, such as lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and project management methodologies, can significantly improve NationaliTeas’ operational efficiency. Lean tools, including Value Stream Mapping, enable the identification of waste in the process. Project management approaches facilitate systematic planning and execution of process improvements, ensuring stakeholder engagement and resource allocation. Together, these techniques foster continuous improvement and resilience, vital for competing in the global tea market.

Conclusion

Optimizing tea packaging workflows via lean manufacturing principles and sustainability initiatives not only improves operational efficiency but also aligns with broader corporate social responsibility aims. Through thoughtful evaluation, strategic process modifications, and effective issue resolution, NationaliTeas can enhance its competitive advantage while contributing positively to society and the environment.

References

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• Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2020). Operations Management (13th ed.). Pearson.
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