1 BIRMINGHAM CITY BUSINESS SCHOOL UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES COURSEWORK FRONT SHEET MODULE TITLE: MODULE CODE: LECTURER: BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND SYSTEMS BUS6012 Dr Wilson Loh and JL Pang ISSUE DATE: 27 April 2017 HAND IN DATE: 23.59hrs, 17th Jun 2017 Learning outcomes and pass attainment level: Pass attainment level. • You must demonstrate knowledge and a clear understanding of relevant concepts and theories. • You will demonstrate the ability to apply theoretical knowledge and link it to practice to show insight to the real world situation. • You must demonstrate the ability to synthesize material from a range of sources in order to provide a critical analysis of key theoretical and empirical issues. • Arguments should be effectively communicated, with a balanced structure to the essay and appropriate referencing using the Harvard system.2 Birmingham City Business School BUS6012 Business Operations and Systems Assignment 2017 This assessment constitutes 100% of the assessment for the module This is an individual assessed assignment. There is no objection to students discussing the content and approaches to be adopted but the final submission must be 100% your OWN work. PLAGIARISM WILL BE PENALISED VIA THE UNIVERSITY’S DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE. Dead line: 23.59 hrs, 17th June 2017 - The assignments should be submitted in hard copies to Program Management team. You must also submit assignment on Turnitin on or before the due date. Please print a copy of your originality report and submit this along with your assignment. References All sources should be cited and referenced using the Harvard Referencing system. The principles of the Harvard Referencing system are detailed in the leaflets available in the library. You are NOT allowed to use the general internet references e.g. www.google.com, www.yahoo.com and Wikipedia etc. All references should be from the credible sources e.g. books, refereed papers, articles, journals, magazines etc. Your work should be referenced including in text referencing with appropriate literature and form a logical and concise discussion. Feedback Formative feedback given in seminars to help learners feed forward. Presentation 1. Use Arial 12 point font. 2. 1.5 line spacing or follow any set regulated spacing. 3. Ensure that there is good usage of grammar and correct spelling throughout. 4. Neatly present the final work. 5. Appendix not allowed. Word Limit: 3,000 words ± 10%. Extensions: There are no extensions granted on the module. Any claim for extenuating circumstances must be made through the official University channel. Read https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/StudentServices/Complaints-and-Appeals for guidance.3 Birmingham City Business School BUS6012 Business Operations and Systems Assignment 2017 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Ocado a 'retailer for the future' (2010). What is the future for Ocado after Morrison goes to bed with Amazon? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… You may find the information for Ocado retailer UK online, in Keynotes in the Library, Company reports, cases online, and the financial press. The literature sources should be books, journals, refereed papers and appropriate online sources. You should find the sources of information that you will use to deliver the three assessment parts. Your submission should address the following 3 Parts: Part 1 Using the specific operations performance objectives it can be argued that Ocado is focused on satisfying its customers’ requirements for fast and dependable services at a reasonable market price, through strategic partnerships that assist its customers to improve the services they offer. Specifically you should: • Outline the essential components for ‘effective business operations management’ (creating value for the customer) for Ocado’s operation within the UK. • Use a soft systems methodology to evaluate the issues Ocado might face if they decide to introduce hybrid facilities to allow their customers to continue ‘order goods online and have these delivered to the door’ as well as opening new stores to compete in the market place (since the shock of Morrison joining forces with Amazon). Support your discussion with appropriate business operations models (i.e. operation strategy performance (priorities) model, customer value, the service gap model, four v’s profile etc.). TIPS: 1. You should start with what Ocado are doing well compare to the sector (why customers shop online at Ocado). 2. Research the problems they may face changing their business model (going hybrid - the change) using Soft Systems Methodology (critical analysis of need/problem to be solved). 3. Support your discussions with appropriate operations models (quality/depth). • You should compare and contrast different models used by the sector in which Ocado operates and recommend appropriate solutions to continue being competitive in the market, make easier for customers to select and buy their products (issues to consider centralised/decentralised inventory and delivery chain, customer value chain, cost implications, sustainability etc.).4 • With reference to the parcel conundrum (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine- 18709348) recommend how Ocado should respond to this conundrum (keeping in mind the possible technological and environmental (CO2) impact). TIPS: 4. Your academic enquiry should lead to synthesis of important issues around the problem and solution. 5. Critical analysis and evaluation of customer’s digital experience, how the new model will enhance the customer’s experience. 6. Innovative ways to serve their customers better. 7. Consider the services which are unique and benefits to Ocado. 8. Consider customer value for shopping online and in sore (which market sector are they chasing by changing the business model. 9. Comparison of different solution with costing and choose one solution to take forward with reasoning. 10. Following models not to be included in here Porter or SWOT you may use these for your own research. 11. Writing should be essay style (Synthesize) no bullet points, no graphs, no tables or pictures 12. Appendix no allowed. Part 2 For the new system you should include Root Definition, CATWOE and produce a detailed “Rich Picture” (hand drawn) to fully illustrate your answer. Your rich picture must indicate the problems well as the solution. (Not included in the word count). By means of a business process plan illustrate the changes including “AS IS” and “TO BE”. Detailed explanations of both plans are required and support your discussions with relevant literature. (Business process plans not included in the word count). Tips: Structure for part two: 13. Rich picture (fully illustrating part one). 14. Root Definition (based on your chosen solution). 15. Table for CATWOE (this is to test the Root Definition). 16. “AS IS” process plan (include brief summer of the process plan). 17. “TO BE” process plan (include summery to explain the process plan) 18. Include these in the body of the assignment (follow the assignment structure) Part 3 Discuss how the managers would turn performance objectives into operations priorities and the resources that would be necessary for effective implementation of the new process (about six hundred words). Tips: 19. This part should concentrate on the new solution only as discussed in part one and two. 20. Analyse the resources required and costs for implementing the new process (“TO BE” Business Process Plan. 21. Support your discussions with Performance Model, management of change etc. (not Maslow). Using a Balanced Scorecard, discuss how the business performance can be measured post implementation (refer to the last three years of company annual reports and any other relevant data for improvement and target trends for Ocado). (Balanced scorecard charts are not included in word count but discussion on each prospective is included, about hundred words for each prospective). Tips: 22. Balanced Scorecard is to measure the post implementation performance for the new process only. 23. Create Table for each prospective. 24. Under each table use the words to support your data, reference for the sources etc. Your work should be referenced including in text referencing with appropriate literature and form a logical and concise discussion.5 Marking Guidance Suggested Words Max. Assessment 1 Using the specific operations performance objectives it can be argued that Ocado is focussed on satisfying its customers’ requirements for fast and dependable services at a reasonable market price, through strategic partnerships that assist its customers to improve the services they offer. Specifically you should: • Outline the essential components for ‘effective business operations management’ (creating value for the customer) for Ocado’s operation within the UK. • Use a soft systems methodology to evaluate the issues Ocado might face if they decide to introduce hybrid facilities to allow their customers to continue ‘order goods online and have these delivered to the door’ as well as opening new stores to compete in the market place (since the shock of Morrison joining forces with Amazon). Support your discussion with appropriate business operations models (i.e. operation strategy performance (priorities) model, customer value, the service gap model, four v’s profile etc.). • You should compare and contrast different models used by the sector in which Ocado operates and recommend appropriate solutions to continue being competitive in the market, make easier for customers to select and buy their products (issues to consider centralised/decentralised inventory and delivery chain, customer value chain, cost implications, sustainability etc.). • With reference to the parcel conundrum (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18709348) recommend how Ocado should respond to this conundrum (keeping in mind the possible technological and environmental (CO2) impact). 2000 35% 2 For the new system you should include Root Definition, CATWOE and produce a detailed “Rich Picture” (hand drawn) to fully illustrate your answer. Your rich picture must indicate the problems well as the results. By means of a business process plans illustrate the changes including “AS IS” and “TO BE”. Detailed explanations of both plans are required and support your discussions with relevant literature. No word count 25% 3 Discuss how the managers would turn performance objectives into operations priorities and the resources that would be necessary for effective implementation of the new process. Using a Balanced Scorecard, discuss how the business performance can be measured post implementation (refer to the last three years of company annual reports and any other relevant data for improvement and target trends for Ocado). 1000 30% Writing style The writing style is important. You must show a good research trail. Consult many sources and give precise references. Finally, beware of passages that look like, or lead to, plagiarism. Appendices are not treated as part of your word count. Organise your reference list alphabetically (if you use one). 10% 3,000 100%Student Name: ...................................................................................... Student Number:................................................................ BUS6012 Business Operations and Systems - Assessment and Feedback Strategy Assessment will be 100% course work. All course work will be individually achieved. Module Assessment Criteria Assessment Criterion Level Descriptor Fail (0-39%) PASS (40-49%) 2.2 (50-59%) 2.1 (60-69%) First (70-100%) Demonstrating effective communication of ideas and techniques Little or no attempt at describing issues Basic analysis Basic description of issue Reasonable attempt at analysis at causes of issues - some wider coverage Good attempt at analysis at causes of issues - some wider coverage An in-depth analysis of cause and effect, demonstrating breadth of research and of thought. Ability to analyse a business operations problem appropriately, showing ability to offer a constructive solution. None or little attempt at analysis - description of 'suitable' techniques without support An attempt at some of the 'more obvious' elements that the situation describes Recognising the 'majority' of issues - showing how these may be related. Some supporting examples Recognising the 'majority' of issues - showing how these may be related. Supporting discussion using direct and indirect examples Situational analysis with clear description of relationships - recognition of alternatives with clear argument in support Being able to evaluate alternative solutions to the task. 'Leaps in logic' when moving from analysis to solution A basic use of a 'methodology' in support A structured approach to the problem(s) and solution(s) Explanation of why analysis methodology is appropriate - possible comparison between ideas. Comparison between ideas where appropriate. Clear, logical argument. Critique of techniques used - benefits and pitfalls Demonstrating an ability to draw upon and to use a range of information sources. None or very poor 'Audit Trail' to show argument for or against offered solution(s) Initial attempt at describing relationships between issues, analysis and theory. Some research - and or evidence of some further reading. development of 'theory - practice' relationship Good clear links between theory and practice. Strong links between theory and practice. Clear evidence of extensive further reading - clear identification of ideas (and sources) Assessment will show if the student can:- • Communicate effectively showing appropriate skills • Analyse a business operations problem appropriately and been able to offer constructive solutions to presented issues • Evaluate alternative solutions to the task • Draw on and use a range of information sources. 6