Overview Of This Assignment You Will Apply What You Have Lea

Overviewin 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. You work as the chief supply chain officer at NationaliTeas, a large international corporation that manufactures 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 assigned them their first project: revising current workflows related to packaging at one of your tea factories to be more sustainable and more lean.

Read through the Project Charter for Workflow Improvement Word Document, then review the Process Workflow for Tea Production graphic. A text-only version is available: Process Workflow for Tea Production Text-Only Version Word Document. 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. What to Submit: Submit this assignment as a 350- to 500-word Word document. Sources should be cited according to APA style.

Paper For Above instruction

The task at hand involves critically analyzing the current tea production workflow at NationaliTeas to identify opportunities for increased efficiency and sustainability. By leveraging principles of lean manufacturing and environmental sustainability, the goal is to recommend specific steps for removal or alteration within the process to optimize operations while aligning with the company's commitment to sustainable practices and the triple bottom line (TBL)—people, planet, and profit.

First, evaluating the process flowchart from a lean manufacturing perspective reveals that certain steps do not add value. For instance, redundant inspection stages or unnecessary movement of materials could be eliminated without compromising quality. Specifically, the step involving double inspection of the packaged tea may be unnecessary if in-process controls are sufficiently robust. This removal reduces waste in terms of time and resources, streamlining the process to focus on value-adding activities. Similarly, excessive transportation within the facility, such as transporting partially processed tea over long distances, can be minimized or eliminated to enhance flow efficiency.

From a sustainability angle, steps that involve excessive use of non-recyclable packaging materials or energy-intensive processes should be scrutinized. For example, replacing traditional wrapping that is non-biodegradable with eco-friendly packaging reduces environmental impact. Additionally, steps involving excessive energy use—such as heating or cooling—should be optimized or replaced with sustainable alternatives like solar-powered equipment. Removing or altering these steps not only diminishes resource consumption but also supports the company's environmental stewardship, contributing positively to the TBL by reducing ecological footprint.

The implications of removing or changing process steps are both positive and negative. Positively, these adjustments can lead to reduced waste, lower costs, and improved sustainability practices, aligning with operational excellence and corporate responsibility goals. However, negative implications might include initial implementation costs, potential disruptions to current workflows, and the need for staff retraining. Careful planning ensures that the benefits outweigh these challenges and that the modifications do not compromise product quality or safety standards.

These process modifications help align with the TBL by promoting economic efficiency (cost savings and productivity), environmental sustainability (reduction in resource use and waste), and social responsibility (respect for communities and workers through sustainable practices). For example, reducing energy consumption and waste contributes to environmental goals, while implementing lean principles often improves working conditions by streamlining workflows and reducing unnecessary labor.

Addressing the issues documented in the Issue Log, a project manager should prioritize the resolution of issues impacting scope and resources. For instance, delays in procurement or equipment availability should be mitigated through revised planning and enhanced communication strategies. Recognizing how each issue affects project scope, timelines, and stakeholder engagement is crucial for effective resolution. A proactive approach, including regular status updates and stakeholder involvement, ensures that issues are managed swiftly, minimizing negative impacts on project objectives.

Operations management techniques such as project management and lean manufacturing add substantial value to NationaliTeas by enabling more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective processes. Lean principles facilitate waste reduction and process optimization, increasing overall productivity. Project management practices ensure that initiatives remain on track, within budget, and aligned with strategic goals. Together, these techniques promote a culture of continuous improvement, helping the company maintain a competitive advantage while ensuring responsible environmental and social practices.

References

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• Melnyk, S. A., Davis, E. W., Spekman, R. E., & Sandor, J. (2010). Outcome-driven supply chains. MIT Sloan Management Review, 51(2), 33-38.
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