Companies need to make strategic decisions on selecting an appropriate process and facility layout to manage the way production of goods or services will be organised. Based on the above, you are asked to take as an example a product or a service from an industry that you are familiar with, and critically examine the process design and facility layout and present a flow chart to justify the above.

Operations and Information Management

Assessment task details and instructions

PART A – OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Companies need to make strategic decisions on selecting an appropriate process and facility layout to manage the way production of goods or services will be organised. Based on the above, you are asked to take as an example a product or a service from an industry that you are familiar with (e.g., food, technology, healthcare, retail, services, automotive), and critically:

Examine the process design and facility layout and present a flow chart to justify the above.

PART B – INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

The recent Covid lockdown period has been a difficult time for all SMEs and particularly those in the music and events industry. However, many in this industry are still committed to the progress of their businesses. Therefore, they need appropriate ideas and specific information regarding the potential of technology to support, develop, and future-proof their livelihoods.

Charles and Christina are both classical musicians and music teachers who play at local events and parties. They want to get more private work both as teachers and musicians. They would like to publicise their talents via a website and deal with booking arrangements via the internet for both teaching and playing. At the moment arrangements are made by telephone. Their present clients pay by cash on the day of the lesson or event. They want to appear as professional as possible by providing information, bookings, and payment options online.

They need a business strategy where they take responsibility for their own; social media marketing, online business accounts, an up-to-date calendar of events, and keeping track of the communications between themselves and the clients.

They realise that technology will play an important part in the future business. They have read about Customer Relationship Management software and Enterprise Resource Management software, but just don’t know what kind of information technology support they really need as a small business partnership. They require professional digital business advice before they can make any final decisions about investing funds in business software. Also, they have heard that they may be able to save money by using Open Source Software, but don’t understand if there are any implications, so they need advice about this too.

Charles and Christina have no technical experience and therefore require information that can be easily understood. You are the IM consultant who is responsible for researching this business and providing relevant information.