Sample MBA5003 Operations Plan Report 2

MBA5003 Operations Plan Report 2 Sample

Developing an Operational Plan

Operational planning takes the broad strategies and objectives outlined in the Strategic Plan, turns them into specific tasks and allocates the people and other resources of the organisation to get them done. It addresses the question – ‘What do we need to do to make it all happen and know we are on track?’ It provides the staff and volunteers in the organisation with their day to day and week to week tasks, lets them know where they are going and gives them a measure of what they are expected to achieve. It makes sense that the people who are most directly responsible for ensuring that the outcomes are achieved are included in the development of the workplans. Specific activities are nominated that are necessary to achieve the strategies and goals set by the board or management committee. Specific staff, timelines and resources are allocated to these activities which then form the basis for reporting and evaluation. Assignment task requires a description of the allocation of resources, a timeline, and the performance indicators against which the plan will be measured and assessed. This will involve a description of:

Allocation of Human Resources (Who is responsible?)

Allocation of Financial Resources (How much budget?)

Setting Timelines (When does this happen?)

Setting Performance Indicators (What are we aiming to achieve?)

Word Limit : 1500 words (excluding references).

TASK: develop a detailed Operations Plan for an operation relating to a product or service to be delivered across national borders (Australia)

Structure of the Report

VIT Assessment Task Sheet with Student Details

Executive Summary

Table of Contents

Introduction

Background

Scope or Theory

Suggested Operations Plan

Recommendations

Conclusion

Reference List

Appendices

Assessment Task Sheet with Student Details: Title of the report, Student name, Student ID, Lecturer, Course Code & Title

Executive summary: Write a 250-word abstract or summary of what you did in the Operations

Plan report

Introduction: Introduce what you are going to do in this report, what critical material will you use to support your arguments, and include any relevant or previous study on this issue

Background: (a) Brief background of the company - reason for selecting this particular company - a brief current situation of the company based on analysis of its operation, vision, finances, etc - describe the key operations in this company and how these operations relate to the company’s strategy, its competitive priorities, and the key performance indicators used by the company; (b) a brief background of the country of origin and Australia – use PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental factors) – just 1-2 lines each key area (no need to go into detail) Scope: or Theory: Describe the theory used and the specific question or idea that you are trying to raise – operations management theory

Suggested Operations Plan: identify a product or service and describe the detailed Operations plan - clearly identify the transforming and transformed resources, the transformation process, and the outputs and outcomes of the operation: Analysing the Market – existing Product/Service or designing New Product/Service Management of the Operations/Supply Chain - Operations Timeline Allocating Human Resources – who will do what and how?

Allocating Financial Resources - Organizing Finances, Resource Repurposing, and Finance Management Plan

Results or Outputs – Value Addition

Recommendation: Provide a critical review of this key operation and its management that might underpin its future improvement and contribution to the company’s competitive priorities

Conclusion: Explain the significance of the operations plan for you and what can be learnt from it

Reference List: This needs to be in the latest APA Style - at least 10-15 references including the latest relevant journal articles, books, and company annual statement - also note that these references should be used within the case study report to support your arguments as in-text citations

Appendices: Please take a screenshot of the relevant tables from company profile/annual statement and paste it here with the source (Company name, Annual Statement 2022, page no. XYZ) – you can refer to a table or graph given in an appendix within the case study report (See Appendix 1).

Solution

1. Introduction

The crucial process of creating an operational strategy for the well-known international e-commerce behemoth Amazon, with an emphasis on cross-border delivery of goods and services, especially in the context of Australia (Wang et al., 2019). Operational planning is a crucial process that converts the company's strategic plan's high-level goals and strategies into concrete activities. For Assignment Help, This plan is essential to provide an answer to the issue of how to implement those methods and monitor outcomes. Cite prior research and industry best practices on global development, cross-border logistics, and e-commerce operations to bolster claims. Look at the essential elements of operational planning, such as allocating financial and human resources, defining delivery and implementation schedules, and creating performance metrics to gauge and evaluate progress (Wang et al., 2019).

2. Background

2.1 Background of the company

The selection of Amazon, a multinational e-commerce behemoth, for this investigation, was based on its importance and significance within the digital marketplace, especially with respect to Australia. According to the most recent information available, Jeff Bezos established the international company Amazon in the United States in 1994 (Bader Althafairi et al., 2019). With its expansion into e-commerce, cloud computing (Amazon Web Services), streaming services (Amazon Prime Video), and other areas, it has become one of the biggest and most varied corporations in the world. Amazon's activities in Australia are mostly focused on e-commerce, using a large network of fulfilment centres, logistics, and delivery services to provide a broad selection of items to consumers (Wang et al., 2019).

2.2 PESTEL Analysis

1. Political (U.S and Australia)

Amazon's headquarters will benefit from the political stability and robust legal system of the United States. However, the company's operations and market domination may be impacted by political changes and possible regulatory changes, particularly in the IT sector. Although the political environment there is stable, Amazon may face new regulatory obstacles as a result. The company's market entrance and operation may be impacted by strict import controls and competition policies, necessitating compliance with local laws (Bader Althafairi et al., 2019).

2. Economic (U.S and Australia)

Amazon's expansion is supported by the substantial consumer market and robust economy that the U.S. has to provide. However, shifts in the economy and disparities in income might affect consumer spending, which would affect Amazon's earnings. Australia's economy is solid, albeit it is not as large as that of the United States. Consumer behaviour, the state of the economy, and exchange rates all have a significant impact on Amazon's financial success in this market ( Akash Desai, 2021).

3. Social (U.S and Australia)

Amazon's customer centric strategy is in line with social trends in the U.S., such as the acceptance of ecommerce, convenience driven buying, and an ecologically concerned client base. Comprehending the constantly changing tastes of society is essential for Amazon's service and product lines. Online shopping and convenience are driving changes in consumer preferences in Australia. Amazon has to follow these trends while also taking into account regional cultural quirks, such as holiday customs and purchasing patterns (Amiri & Vida, 2023).

4. Technological (U.S and Australia)

The United States leads the world in technological innovation, providing Amazon with access to cutting-edge resources and know how. In terms of supply chain, logistics, and cloud services, the firm has a competitive advantage because it utilises cutting-edge technology. Australia's technical landscape is developed, however, it may not be the same as that of the United States. Taking into account elements like internet penetration and digital infrastructure, Amazon must modify its technical solutions and infrastructure to meet local demands (Amiri & Vida, 2023).

5. Legal (U.S and Australia)

The U.S. legal system is well established and business friendly, but to stay out of trouble with the law, Amazon must comply with and modify constantly changing legislation about labour practices, data protection, and antitrust. A unique set of legal requirements, including consumer protection, competition, and tax legislation, apply to Amazon in Australia. Maintaining compliance with Australian legislation is crucial to avoid legal conflicts and limitations on market access ( Akbalik, 2020).

6. Environmental ( U.S and Australia)

American consumers and authorities are beginning to place a greater emphasis on sustainability and environmental issues. To comply with changing environmental regulations, Amazon has to make investments in environmentally friendly operations and lower its carbon footprint. Due to the country's particular environmental issues, such as bushfires and conservation initiatives, Amazon must pay close attention to social responsibility and ecofriendly practices, such as waste minimization and supply chain sustainability (Akbalik, 2020).

Table 1 PESTEL Analysis
Source (Akbalik, 2020)

3. Scope

This paper seeks to investigate, within the field of operations management theory, the important subject of how global ecommerce behemoths, like Amazon, modify their operational strategies when venturing into new markets aside from the US and Australia (Umar, 2022). Examine several aspects of operations, such as resource allocation, supply chain management, logistics, and adherence to regional laws. The concepts of operational efficiency and flexibility serve as the foundation for the overall theory that directs this examination. By examining how multinational corporations handle the intricacies of heterogeneous marketplaces, may get a deeper understanding of the more comprehensive approaches and procedures that facilitate prosperous globalization within the domain of operations management (Umar, 2022).

4. Suggested Operations Plan

1. Analysing the Market

The first step is determining customer preferences, doing in-depth market research, and evaluating the current selection of electric bicycles. The goal of this stage is to create a distinctive selling proposition and improve the product design (Dobni & Sand, 2018).

2. Management of the Operations/Supply Chain

A clear operations schedule is essential. It covers the following: distribution, production, quality assurance, and raw material procurement. Every stage has a deadline to guarantee production and delivery efficiency (Dobni & Sand, 2018).

3. Allocating Human Resources

Human resources are distributed among several positions, including engineers for product design, assembly workers for factories, supply chain management professionals for logistics, and sales and marketing teams for market penetration (Ciocca, 2019).

4. Financial Resource Allocation

The budgetary allotment for every operational stage is specified in a finance management plan. This involves managing expenses for production and marketing, securing funds for research and development, and repurposing resources to maximize costs (Ciocca, 2019).

5. Results or Outputs

By combining cost, environmental sustainability, and inventiveness, the process adds value by converting raw materials into electric bicycles. In the end, this results in a superior product, a more efficient supply chain, and commercial success, which in turn helps to lower carbon emissions and satisfy customer demand for environmentally friendly transportation (Ciocca, 2019).

5. Recommendation

1. Improving the Resilience of the Supply Chain

Strengthening supply chain resilience is one important area where Amazon's cross-border operations, especially in Australia, need improvement. The foundation of Amazon's international operations is its supply chain, and interruptions may have far reaching effects (Garcia, 2023). To do this, the business should work with many suppliers in various locations to diversify its sourcing tactics and lessen reliance on a single source. Predictive analytics and technological investments may also aid in the early identification of possible bottlenecks and supply chain disruptions. Improving ties with regional logistics suppliers and partners in Australia may help to increase distribution effectiveness even more. Lead times may be shortened and customer satisfaction raised by putting in place a real-time tracking and monitoring system for items that are in transit (Pi & Wang, 2020).

2. Localized Market Strategies

In order to improve its competitive standing and adaptability to local consumer needs in Australia, Amazon need to use more regional marketing tactics. Even though Amazon is renowned for its standardized processes, it is crucial to adjust to the unique requirements and preferences of the Australian market (Pi & Wang, 2020). This entails adjusting product offers, marketing strategies, and customer service in addition to comprehending cultural variances. Data-driven analytics teams that track regional market trends and consumer behavior may be established by Amazon. In order to get additional knowledge and establish a stronger connection with the Australian market, the business have to think about working with regional influencers and brands. By doing this, Amazon will be able to increase its market share, meet the particular requirements of the Australian market, and fortify its competitive objectives in this area (Pi & Wang, 2020).

6. Conclusion

The suggestions made about Amazon's cross-border activities in Australia are in line with how dynamic the world of business is. Amazon's flexibility and ability to address regional issues are critical to its sustained success in global markets. Through the implementation of tailored market strategies and the reinforcement of supply chain resilience, Amazon can maintain its competitiveness and adaptability to the unique needs of the Australian market. These suggestions not only support Amazon's customer-first approach but also recognize how crucial operational adaptability is in the face of changing and varied markets. Having the capacity to recover from supply chain interruptions and provide customized solutions to clients is essential to keeping a competitive advantage.

References

Appendix
Appendix 1: Amazon

Appendix 2: PESTEL Analysis