QHO570
Module Title: Operations Management
Individual report : 2500 words
Assessment Task Overview
In this assessment, you are required to submit an individual report that critically analyses the application of Operations Management (OM) principles in a real-world context.
Your chosen case study organisation is Heathrow Airport, introduced during the module as a live/virtual client. The report builds directly on the framework and feedback you developed in Formative Task 2, allowing you to refine and extend your analysis.
This report should demonstrate:
- Understanding of key OM theories and frameworks.
- Application of these to quality management challenges at Heathrow Airport.
- Development of a structured, evidence-based improvement plan.
- Evidence of critical thinking, research engagement, and professional presentation standards.
Assessment Requirements
Your report must address the following four areas:
- Examine Operations Management
- Define what Operations Management is.
- Explain how OM principles are applied in practice.
- Discuss the significance of OM within the broader context of business operations, highlighting its strategic role.
- Evaluate Theories and Frameworks
- Identify and critically evaluate appropriate operations and quality management theories, frameworks, and processes.
- Apply these theories to Heathrow Airport, using examples to illustrate their practical relevance to quality management.
- Analyse a Quality Management Issue
- Identify a specific, focused quality issue currently facing Heathrow.
- Provide detailed analysis supported by both academic research and credible industry evidence.
- Develop an Improvement Plan and Recommendations
- Propose a structured and realistic improvement plan to address the identified issue.
- Provide actionable, evidence-based recommendations that reflect best practice and are supported by OM theory and industry insight.
Assessment Components
Your report should be structured around the following sections:
- Introduction
- Define operations management.
- Explain its importance and relevance within Heathrow Airport.
- Literature Review
- Critically evaluate relevant OM and quality management theories/frameworks.
- Discuss their strengths, limitations, and relevance to Heathrow.
- Identified Quality Management Issue
- Clearly state a current quality-related issue at Heathrow.
- Provide detailed analysis, supported by academic literature and industry data.
- Improvement Plan and Recommendations
- Present a realistic, evidence-based improvement plan.
- Justify your recommendations using best practice, OM theory, and industry insight.
- Conclusion
- Summarise your findings.
- Reflect on the role of continuous improvement in Heathrow’s operations.
- References
- All sources must follow Solent Harvard Referencing style.
- Appendices
- Academic Integrity
- Supporting diagrams (e.g., process maps, fishbone diagrams, charts).
- AI usage statement (if relevant).
Assessment Guidance
1. Structuring Your Report
Your report must show both critical analysis and practical application. Avoid description – always link theory to Heathrow examples. Use visuals (process maps, diagrams) where appropriate to strengthen your analysis.
2. Research Requirements
- Minimum 15 academic sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journal articles, scholarly books, research papers).
- Minimum 3 credible industry sources (e.g., Heathrow annual reports, government documents, consultancy whitepapers).
- All sources must be current, credible, and directly relevant. Avoid generic websites or unverified sources
