Operations Management QHO570
- Subject Code :
QHO570
Coursework Assessment Brief
Assessment Details
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Module Title: |
OperationsManagement |
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Module Code: |
QHO570 |
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Module Leader: |
Augustine Bempong |
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Level: |
5 |
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Assessment Title: |
IndividualReport |
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Assessment Number: |
AE1 |
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Assessment Type: |
Report |
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Restrictions on Time/Word Count: |
2500words(excludingappendices) |
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Consequence of not meeting time/word count limit: |
There is no penalty for submitting below the word/count limit, but you should be aware that there is a risk you may not maximise your potential mark. It is essential that assignments keep within the time/word count limit stated above. Any work beyond the maximum time/word length permitted will be disregarded and not accounted for in the final grade.* |
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Individual/Group: |
Individual |
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If a group |
N/A |
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Assessment Weighting: |
100% |
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Issue Date: |
Monday23September2024 |
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Hand In Date: |
4pm, 31st January 2025 |
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Planned Feedback Date: |
20workingdaysfollowingsubmission |
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Mode of Submission: |
On-line OnlyFINALsubmissionswillbeaccepted.DRAFTsubmissionswillnotbeconsideredanattemptandwillnotbemarked. |
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Anonymous Marking |
Thisassessment: (a)Willbemarkedanonymously. |
Assessment Task Overview
In this summative assessment, you are required to produce anindividual report.This report will build upon the framework or structure developed inFormative Task 2.
Your task is to critically examine the principles ofOperations Management (OM)and demonstrate how they are applied within an organisation. For this assessment, you will selectHeathrow Airporta live/virtual client introduced during the moduleas the focus of your case study.
Your target audience will be senior management personnel of the organisation (Heathrow Airport). In your report, they will expect to see well-supported analysis, incorporating currentindustry trendsalongsiderelevant academic researchfrom credible sources. This should demonstrate a strong understanding of both practical and theoretical aspects of the issues discussed, grounded in up-to-date, authoritative data and literature.
Assessment Requirements:
- Examine whatOperations Managementis, explain how the concept is applied, and discuss its significance within the broader context of business operations.
- Identify and evaluate the application of appropriate operations and quality management theories, frameworks, and processes in relation to quality management issues facing the organisation/company(Heathrow Airport).Use examples to demonstrate the practical application of the theories.
- Identify a key quality management issue facing Heathrow Airportand provide adetailed analysisof the issue, drawing on academic and industry research to support your findings.
- Developan improvement plan to address the identified quality management issue and provide a set of recommendations using best practice techniques and credible sources.
Ensure that your work adheres toacademic integrity standards. You are required tosubmit evidence of completing the Academic Integrity Coursein the appendices. Any detected misuse of generative AI tools, plagiarism, or poor academic practice will be penalised in accordance with the universitys academic misconduct policy.
Assessment Guidance
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Structuring Your Report
You should structure your report to demonstrate both critical thinking and practical application. The following sections are recommended:
- Introduction: Briefly introduce the concept of OM and its relevance to your case study.
- Literature Review: Discuss key OM theories and frameworks. Evaluate these frameworks critically, focusing on their relevance to your case study.
- Quality Management Issue: Identify and analyse a specific issue at Heathrow. Your analysis should draw on relevant academic theories and current industry research.
- Improvement Plan and Recommendations: Provide a clear, structured improvement plan supported by best practice techniques.
- Conclusion: Summarise your findings and reflect on the importance of continuous improvement in OM at Heathrow.
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Research Requirements
You are required to incorporate at least10 academic sources(e.g., books, journal articles, and research papers). In addition, a minimum of3 credible external sources(e.g., industry reports and government publications) could be used to support your industry-specific analysis. Be selective with your sources, ensuring they are both current and credible.Refrain from using generic web content and ensure that industry data is properly cited.
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Limiting AI Tool Use
AI tools can be helpful for tasks like initial research or grammar refinement;however, the core content and arguments in your work must reflect your own understanding, skills, and effort while strictly following the guidelines of each assessment.AI is meant to complement your learning, not substitute your critical thinking, creativity, or originality. Overdependence on AI-generated content will be viewed as a violation of academic integrity and may result in penalties. By maintaining academic integrity, you uphold both your educational goals and the values of our university.
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Formatting and Referencing
All sources must be referenced using theSolent Harvard Referencing style. This includes accurate in-text citations and a complete reference list organised alphabetically by the author's surname. Ensure that your work is formatted professionally, with proper headings and a logical flow.
Academic Support and Resources
- Formative Feedback: In Formative Task 2, you developed a framework for this report. Use the feedback provided to refine your arguments and ensure a cohesive structure.
- Library Resources: Access the universitys online library for peer-reviewed journals, books, and industry reports.
- Workshops: Attend workshops on academic writing and referencing to improve the quality of your work further.
Note: You must ensure that your submission adheres to the universitys academic integrity policy. Detected breaches, including overreliance on AI tools, will result in formal academic penalties.
Assessmentcriteria
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Criteria |
A1A2 |
A3A4 |
B1B3 |
C1C3 |
D1D3 |
F1 |
F2F3 |
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90-100 |
70-89 |
60-69 |
50-59 |
40-49 |
30-39 |
0-29 |
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Module LearningOutcomes
BackgroundInformation.
Background tosector andorganization /company.
Report aims andobjectives.
CMI LearningOutcomes
Apply anunderstanding ofthe scope andpurpose ofoperations andqualitymanagementtheory inpractical businesssituations andorganisations |
Exceptionally clearbackground of theissueandorganization / company provided,with report aims andobjectives clearlypresented. This sectionvery clearly sets thescene for the purposeofthereportandwould be of interest tothe organization /company as well asother organizations /companies, both withinthe sector and in othersectors. |
Excellent backgroundto issue andorganization /company with reportaims and objectivesclearlypresented. This section veryclearly sets the sceneforthepurposeofthe report and wouldbe of interest to theorganization /company as well asother organizations /companies, bothwithin the sector andinothersectors. |
Clear background toissue andorganization /company, with goodpresentation ofreport aims andobjectives. Thissection clearly setsthe scene for thepurpose of the reportand would be ofinterest to theorganization /company and thesector in which theyareoperatingin. |
Relatively clearbackground to issueand organization /company with reportaims and objectivesappropriatelypresented. This sectionattempts to set thescene for the purposeofthereportandwould be of generalinterest to theorganization /company, but notnecessarilytothewidersector. |
Adequate backgroundto organization /company, with limitedclarity to report aimsand objectivespresented. This sectiononly somewhat sets thescene for the purposeof the report but is notnecessarily aimed at awideraudience. |
Inappropriatebackground toorganization /company, withlimited to no reportaims and objectivespresented. Thissectiondoesnotsetthe scene for thepurpose of thereport and theaudience that itshould be targetedfor. |
No background toorganization /company, with limitedto no report aims andobjectives presented.This section does notset the scene for thepurpose of the reportand the audience thatit should be targetedfor. |
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Module LearningOutcomes
IdentifiedIssue
Current industryand academicresearch intocurrentoperations andqualitymanagementissue businesschallenges /issues.
Evidence ofadditionalresearch.
Implicationsto organizations /companyssector.
CMI LearningOutcomes
Identify andevaluate theapplication ofappropriateoperations andqualitymanagement theoryandbestpracticein different businesscontexts |
Exceptional use ofcredible industry andacademic researchrelevant to issue. Veryclear evidence ofadditional research tosupport overallargumentsbeingmade. |
Excellent use ofcredibleindustryandacademic researchrelevanttoissue. Very clear evidenceof additionalresearch to supportoverall argumentsbeingmade. |
Good use of credibleindustry andacademic researchrelevanttoissue. Good evidence ofadditional researchto support overallarguments beingmade. |
Some use of credibleindustry and academicresearch relevant toissue. Some evidenceof additional researchto support overallarguments, althoughsources somewhatlimitedinrelevance. |
Limited use of credibleindustry and academicresearch relevant toissue. Limited evidenceof additional researchto support overallargumentsmade. |
Very limited use ofcredible industryand academicresearch relevantto issue. Verylimited evidence ofadditional researchto support overallarguments beingmade. |
No use of credibleindustry and academicresearch relevant toissue. No evidence ofadditional research tosupport overallargumentsbeingmade. |
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Criteria |
A1 A2 |
A3 A4 |
B1 B3 |
C1 C3 |
D1 D3 |
F1 |
F2 F3 |
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90-100 |
70-89 |
60-69 |
50-59 |
40-49 |
30-39 |
0-29 |
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Module LearningOutcomes
Challenges Facedas a Result ofIdentifiedIssue
Identification ofcurrentoperations andqualitymanagementchallenges facedby organization /company.
Implicationsto organizations /companyssector.
Implications toorganization /company. |
Exceptionalidentification ofcurrent challenges(relating to issuesidentified) faced byorganization /company. Resultantimplications toorganization/company and the widersectorclearlyidentified anddiscussed. Excellentapplication of keytheoretical concepts tochallenges andimplicationsidentified. |
Excellentidentification ofcurrent challenges(relating to issuesidentified) faced byorganization /company. Resultantimplications toorganization /company and thewider sector clearlyidentified anddiscussed.Veryclearapplication of keytheoretical conceptsto challenges andimplicationsidentified. |
Good identificationof current challenges(relating to issue/sidentified) faced byorganization /company. Resultantimplications toorganization /company and thesector identified anddiscussed. Goodapplication of keytheoretical conceptsto challenges andimplicationsidentified. |
Some identification ofcurrent challenges(relating to issuesidentified) faced byorganization /company. Resultantimplications toorganization/company andthesector generallyidentified anddiscussed. Generallyappropriate evidenceof application of keytheoreticalconceptstochallenges andimplicationsidentified. |
Limited identificationof current challenges(relating to issuesidentified) faced byorganization /company. Resultantimplications toorganization /company vaguelyidentified anddiscussed. Somewhatlimited application ofkey theoreticalconceptstochallengesand implicationsidentified. |
Very limitedidentification ofchallenges andimplications, norany discussion.limited Very limitedadditional researchto support overallarguments beingmade. |
No identification ofchallenges andimplications, nor anydiscussion. Noadditional research tosupport overallargumentsbeingmade. |
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Application ofresearch toissues.
CMI LearningOutcomes
Understandapproaches formanaging qualityand theapplication ofcontinuousimprovementwithinorganisations |
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Module LearningOutcomes
Conclusion,ImprovementOptions andRecommendations
Relevance andappropriatenessofconclusionsandoperations andqualitymanagementimprovementoptions.
Relevance of therecommendations |
Exceptionalconclusions with rangeof operations andquality managementimprovement optionsthat address the statedissues and are clearlyrelevant andappropriate to theorganization/companyandthesector in which theyoperate. Recommendations thatare clearly relevantand appropriate to theorganization /company itself, thesectorinwhichthey operate,aswellasothersectors |
Excellent conclusionswith range ofoperations andquality managementimprovement optionsthat address thestated issues and areclearly relevant andappropriate to theorganization /company. Recommendationsthatarerelevantandappropriate toorganization /company itself, thesector in which theyoperate, as well asothersectors. |
Good conclusionswith range ofoperations andquality managementimprovement optionsthat address thestated issues and areclearly relevant andappropriate to theorganization /company. Recommendationsthat are relevant toorganization /company and thesectorthattheyareoperatingin. |
Appropriateconclusions with a withrangeofoperationsand qualitymanagementimprovement optionsthat address the statedissues. Recommendationsthatare generally relevant,but not necessarily tothewidersector |
Adequate conclusionswith a with range ofoperations and / orquality managementimprovement optionsthat potentiallyaddress the statedissues. Recommendations withlimited relevance andnot necessarily aimedatthewideraudience. |
In adequateconclusion withlimited operationsand qualitymanagementimprovementoptions thataddress the statedissues. No clearrecommendationsmade. |
Unacceptableconclusion with nooperations and qualitymanagementimprovement optionsthat address the statedissues. No clearrecommendationsmade. |
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to organization /company.
CMI LearningOutcomes
Develop andevaluate optionsinordertoproviderecommendationsonhowoperationsand qualitymanagementissues can beresolved andprovideanalysison judging thesuccessofthese |
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Module LearningOutcomes
Clarity
Overallprofessionalism ofreport appearance
Organization ofmaterial.
Effectiveness ofmessage totargetedaudience. |
Exceptionalpresentation of keyinformation. Materialvery clearly organised,with overall argumentsand line of reasoningextremely easy tofollow. Briefing reportpresented in a veryprofessional mannerand suitable fortargetedaudience. |
Excellentpresentation of keyinformation. Materialvery well organised,with overallarguments and line ofreasoning easy tofollow.Briefingreport presented in avery professionalmanner and suitablefor targetedaudience. |
Goodpresentationofkeyinformation. Material wellorganised, withoverall argumentsand line of reasoningeasytofollow. Briefing reportgenerally presentedin a professionalmanner suitable fortargetedaudience. |
Acceptablepresentation of keyinformation. Materialgenerally organised,with overall line ofargument somewhatlogical. Informationwithin briefing reportpresented acceptably,althoughnotallofitina professional mannersuitable for targetedaudience. |
Adequate presentationof key information,although overallarguments andmessage somewhatconfusingtofollow. Evidence somewhatstructured, althoughnot necessarily in thecoherent or logicalmanner suitable to bepresented to targetedaudience. |
Inadequatepresentation of keyinformation. Reportnot fully presentedas a briefing report.Material containedis unorganised andnot suitable to bepresented totargetedaudience. |
Unacceptablepresentation of keyinformation. Reportnot presented as abriefingreport. Material contained isunorganised and notsuitable to bepresented to targetedaudience. |
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CMI Learningoutcomes
Presentoperations andqualitymanagementinformation &research in aprofessionalmannerusinga rangeofcrediblesources. |
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References
Range ofreferences withinthetext.
References at theend of the text(i.e. referencelist).
Harvard methodused |
Exceptional range ofreferences provided(within the text and atthe end of the text).All in accordance withthe Harvard method ofreferencing. |
Excellent range ofreferences provided(within the text andat the end of thetext). Very fewreferencingerrorsinaccordance with theHarvard method ofreferencing. |
A good range ofreferences provided(within the text andat the end of thetext). Referencesgenerally inaccordance with theHarvard method ofreferencing. |
An acceptable level ofreferences provided(within the text and atthe end of the text).Someerrorsmadewiththe Harvard method ofreferencing. |
Some referencesprovided (within thetext and at the end ofthe text) with severalerrorswiththeHarvardmethodofreferencing. |
Limited referencesprovided(withinthe text and at theend of the text)withmultipleerrorswith the Harvardmethod ofreferencing. |
References notprovided ( within etext and at the end ofthetext) |
Use of AI in this Assessment
Generative AI is permitted at Solent University under specific conditions and must continue to follow the universitys rules around Academic Misconduct and the AI and Academic Integrity policy. In this assessment, you are allowed to use AI for the following tasks:
- You can use AI to develop the structure of your report by asking for suggested outlines or approaches to organising sections like the introduction, literature review, and conclusions.
- You can use AI for grammar and language checks to improve the clarity and flow of your writing.
Caution
- Ensure that the final structure reflects your understanding and adapts to your specific case study
- Your review must be critical and based on reliable academic sources, not AI-generated content. All sources need to be correctly cited using the Solent Harvard referencing style.
- You should use your own critical judgement to evaluate sources. AI cannot replace academic databases; you should rely only on peer-reviewed, credible sources.
- Direct content creation or excessive paraphrasing through AI is prohibited. Ensure the final report reflects your own critical analysis and synthesis of the material.
AI and Academic Integrity Policy
Learning Outcomes
This assessment will enable you to demonstrate in full or in part your fulfilment of the following learning outcomes identified in the Module Descriptor:
- Apply an understanding of the scope and purpose of operations and quality managementtheoryinpracticalbusinesssituations
- Identify and evaluate the application of appropriate operations and quality management theory and best practices in different business contexts.
- Understand approaches for managing quality and the application of continuous improvement within organisation.
- Develop and evaluate options in order to provide recommendations on how operations and quality management issues can be resolved and provide analysis on judging the success of these.
- Present operations and quality management information and research in a professional manner using a range of credible sources.
Living CV
As part of the University's Work Ready, Future Ready strategy, you will be expected to build a professional, Living CV as you successfully engage and pass each module of your degree.
The Living CV outputs evidenced on completion of this assessment are:
- Anoperationsspecialistwithanawarenessofoperationaldesignandanunderstandingofoperationswithinabusiness context.
- Informedinqualitypracticesacrossarangeofoperationalenvironments,abletoassessrelevantsolutionsfor operational delivery.
- Accomplishedinoperationalplanningtodriveorganisational
- Demonstratesandassurescompliancewith regulatoryandlegalrequirementsandoperatestoindustry
- Aninsightfulprofessionalwithapracticalandtheoreticalunderstandingofquality-basedprocesses,procedures,techniques, and standards.
- Acomprehensiveunderstandingofquality-focusedperspectivesandtheapplicationofcontinuousimprovementprinciples, methodology
- An analytical and inquisitive professional with excellent critical thinking and problem-solving
- Practisedinthedevelopmentandmanagementofoperationalobjectives
- Aneffectivecommunicatorwithmasteryindigitalliteracy,skilledinarticulatingandpresentingkey information acrossmultipleorganisational
- Utilisationofanevidence-basedapproachtoexhibitbusinessandoperations
- Able to interpret and present with credibility and integrity in a manner which achieves high- quality
Please add these to your CV via the Living CV builder platform on Solent Futures OnlineSolent Futures Online
Important Information
Solent University Academic Regulations 2024-25
Late Submissions
You are reminded that:
- If this assessment is submitted late i.e. within 7 calendar days of the submission deadline, the mark will be capped at 40% if a pass mark is achieved;
- If this assessment is submittedlaterthan 7 calendar days after the submission deadline, the work will be regarded as a non-submission and will be awarded a zero;
- If this assessment is being submitted as a referred piece of work, then itmustbe submitted by the deadline date;anyRefer assessment submitted late will be regarded as a non-submission and will be awarded a zero.
Extenuating Circumstances
The Universitys Extenuating Circumstances (EC) procedure is in place if there are genuine short term exceptional circumstances that may prevent you submitting an assessment. You are able to self-certify for up to two assessment dates in any semester without supporting evidence for an extension of up to seven calendar days for coursework or to defer an exam to the resit period.
Alternatively, if you are not 'fit to study (or you have used up your two self-certification opportunities), you can request:
- an extension to the submission deadline of 7 calendar days, or
- a request to submit the assessment at the next opportunity, i.e. the resit period (as a Defer without capping of the grade).
In both instances you must submit an EC application with relevant evidence. If accepted under the university regulations there will be no academic penalty for late submission or non-submission dependent on what is requested. You are reminded that EC covers only short-term issues (20 working days) and that if you experience longer term matters that impact on your learning then you must contact the Student Hub for advice.
Please find a link to the EC policy below:
Academic Misconduct
Any submission must be your own work and, where facts or ideas have been used from other sources, these sources must be appropriately referenced. The Universitys Academic Regulations includes the definitions of all practices that will be deemed to constitute academic misconduct. You should check this link before submitting your work.
Procedures relating to student academic misconduct are given below:
Ethics Policy
The work being carried out must be in compliance with the university Ethics Policy. Where there is an ethical issue, as specified within the Ethics Policy, then you will need an ethics release or ethics approval prior to the start of the project.
The Ethics Policy is contained within Section 2S of the Academic Handbook:
Grade marking
The University uses an numeric grade scale for the marking of assessments. More detailed information on grade marking and the grade scale can be found on the portal and in the Student Handbook.
