Q1
Operations manager in any organization is among the top leadership of that organization and his or her main role is to ensure that the organization is operating as expected (Seidel, 2019). Operation managers monitor almost every sector of operations in an organization, pointing out mistakes and seeing to it that all the organization’s goals are met. It is also their duty to ensure that the company meets its goals at reduced costs. Each organization has a channel of workforce whose main operation is on the ground level to ensure that all duties are done on time. Applying team dynamics in an organization can have both positive and negative effects on the organization’s performance. Team dynamics can be referred to as the underlying force that keep the organization’s operations going. Some team dynamics like forming an awards system to workers will boost the workers morale. This will translate to better performance of the organization because the will to work by the workers is already there. Some team dynamics like delaying workers’ salaries on the other hand will derail the organization’s performance. Organizations that delay salaries for their workers hardly meet their set goals and targets because the work output from their employees is reduced.
Q2
Every organization faces various challenges in its day to day operations depending on the activities it indulges in. In the whole operations management, changing technology and communication trends are our main challenges. Our organization still runs most of its operations manually. The organization relies on paper work to collect and store all data related to the organization. This way, the organization takes long to locate necessary records for verification purposes; mostly during end months when workers are being paid. The problem of changing technology in our organization can be tackled through in-cooperating the modern technology for all its data collection and storage purposes. The organization is also relying on paper written letters to pass important information to its staff (Johnson, 2018). This method of communication takes long before information is passed to all staff members. The problem of communication trends can be solved through forming a website for the organization from where all staff members can access all the organization’s information. A third challenge which the organization might face in the future is its salary payment method. The organization pays its workers using the cash in hand method. This method is exposing the organization to money loss through robbery. The organization should instead shift to the banking system where each worker’s salary is directly deposited in his or her bank account.
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Q3
ISO 9001 standards is a global system which is defined to ensure that standardization is observed when organizations are doing their businesses. The system ensures that customers’ needs and requirements are properly met. ISO 9001 standards system was composed by more than 160 countries and was enacted to be fully operational in the year 2015 (Keen, 2019). Six sigma on the other hand is a method that is made to ensure that organizations operate optimally with reduced interruptions in order to offer good services to their clients and realize profits. Six sigma is highly embedded on ISO 9001 standards because all its operation strategies are regulated by these ISO 9001 standards. Organizations usually apply three strategies in carrying out their business activities. The three strategies include organizing processes, strengthening the efficiency of these processes and finally devising ways of improving the processes. These three strategies are all in line with the six sigma method. Therefore, ISO 9001 standards are implemented through the ideas borrowed from six sigma methods. The two methods are interdependent in nature and none can operate on its own.
Q4
Operations in any organization must be found on four pillars which are quality, productivity, cost and profitability. To ensure that these four pillars are met by any kind of operation, then the right mechanisms must be employed (Ojasalo, & Gronroos, 2004). First, the organization must prioritize on the effects that those operations will have on its staff. Workforce should be given the first consideration because in real sense they are the real operators. Measures must be put in place to ensure that any operation in the organization is friendly to the workers. Through this way, the expected returns from such operations will be realized. The other priority to be considered in ensuring quality, productivity, cost and profitability in our organization’s operations is the right working environment. A high tech and fast paced operation would perform at its best if it’s executed in the right environment. A favorable working environment will help the operation compete well in the market and ensure high returns. I would recommend an operation which can survive under different types of environments without necessarily having to relocate the organization. These two priorities will act as the basic considerations for any successful operation intended at making profits for our organization.
Q5
Data refers to organized or unorganized information at its raw stage, or information which is yet to be processed to have a meaning. Six sigma methods with regard to data collection in an organization will definitely increase the amount of data collected as well as improve the quality. Six sigma is a more suitable method to adopt in data collection because it first establishes the type of technique to apply in data collection (Hessing, 2013). Six sigma is able to differentiate between continuous and discrete data in its initial stages hence helping the working team to define their measures of collecting the data, the best way to collect it and lessons which can be learnt from the data collected. Specified projects have also benefited a lot from the use of six sigma method in data collection because it has led to increased amounts of data collection as well as bringing out more definite and clear data types. Adoption of six sigma in data collection has generally boosted operations in many organizations because data collection, sampling and interpretation are done in time. I would recommend all organizations and business companies to in-cooperate six sigma in their operations in order to enhance their productivity.
Q6
The making of tablet computers by a new company will usually involve four facility layouts (Bhambal, 2013). The first layout is product layout which basically refers to the manufacturing process which allows for a repetitive assembly of the desired quality of products. The advantage of this layout is that it leads to a high number of products being manufactured within a short period of time while its disadvantage is that it’s prone to repetitive mistake in cases of irregularity. The second layout is process layout which involves grouping equipment together for a smooth workflow. This layout increases productivity while at the same posing the risk of sub-standard quality goods because the main focus of the layout is quantity and not quality. The third layout is the cellular layout which involves grouping of similar products to form a finished product. It is preferred by many organizations because it saves on time while its productivity is high. Its disadvantage is that if the system fails at one stage then whole process is affected. The last layout is fixed-position layout which deals with assembling of heavy or highly fragile products. In this type of layout, materials for use as well as workforce are assembled at a central point where the products are. They work from a fixed position because of the products’ immobility. Its advantage is that it’s less costly because there is minimized movement of products but it consumes much time due to its nature. The products have to be handled with maximum care because most of them are fragile; hence much time is needed to assemble them.
References
Bhambal, S. (2013). Facility Layout. (Online). Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/sanketbhambal/facility-layout-27729972
Hessing, T. (2013). Why Do You Need a Data Collection Plan? (Online). Retrieved from https://sixsigmastudyguide.com/data-collection-plan/
Johnson, M. (2018). 4 Technology Challenges Businesses Face in 2018. (Online). Retrieved from https://www.businessbankoftexas.com/business-resource-center/4-technology-challenges-businesses-face-in-2018
Keen, R. (2019). What are the ISO 9001 Requirements? (Online). Retrieved from https://www.iso-9001-checklist.co.uk/iso-9001-requirements.htm
Ojasalo, K., & Gronroos, C. (2004). Service Productivity: Toward a Conceptualisation of the Transformation of Inputs . (Online). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-Interrelationships-between-Quality-Productivity-and-Profit-Source-Gummesson_fig1_50231391
Seidel, M. (2019). The Role of an Operations Manager. (Online). Retrieved from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/role-operations-manager-14234.html
