WH Smith is a major, well-known and publically-quoted book retailer and newsagent in the UK. Recently it was reported how Kate Swann, the former CEO for the last 10 years, has turned the company around from £135m losses to £106m profit in a decade.
(source: www.theguardian.com/business/blog/2013/jan/23/wh-smith-kate-swann-profit, accessed 1 October 2013)
(Also see copy attached)
This is an example of how the principles of operations management can be used to reactivate a firm. How did she do it?
Using the above as a starting point, together with other information sources, which you should research yourself, on WH Smith, you are asked to address the Tasks below regarding operations management.
Task 1 (this meets LO 1, ACs 1.1, 1.2,1.3 and 1.4)

Based on the Scenario, produce a document explaining the nature and importance of Operation Management and its key elements.

Your document for this Task must include the following elements (among others as you wish):
1.1 Explain the importance of Operational Management to WH Smith
1.2 Explain the need to produce safely; on time; to cost; to quality and within the law in WH Smith.
1.3 Explain the link between operations management and strategic planning as it concerns WH Smith.
1.4 Produce a systems diagram to illustrate a typical business of WH Smith.
Task 2 (this meets LO 2 ACs 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3)

Based on the Scenario, produce a document explaining the relationship between OM and strategic planning.

Your document for this Task must include the following elements (among others as you wish):
2.1 Explain the ‘Three Es’ (economy, efficiency and effectiveness) in WH Smith
2.2 Explain the tension between cost minimisation and quality maximization at WH Smith
2.3 Evaluate the significance of the five performance objectives that underpin operations management of WH Smith.
Task 3 (this meets LO3 ACs 3.1,3.2 and 3.3)
Base on the Scenario, produce a document explaining how to organis a typical production process.
Your document for this Task must include the following elements (among others as you wish):
3.1 Explain linear programming using any WH Smith operations
3.2 Evaluate critical path analysis and network planning using any WH Smith operations
3.3 Explain the need for operational planning and control using any WH Smith operations

Task 4 (this meets LO4 ACs 4.1,4.2 and 4.3)

Base on the Scenario, apply relevant techniques to the production of an operational plan for a typical business.
Your document for this Task must include the following elements (among others as you wish):
4.1 Produce a set of clearly defined operational outcomes using any WH Smith operations.
4.2 Produce a network plan and indicate the resultant critical path using any WH Smith operations.
4.3 Explain how quality could be defined and maintained using any WH Smith operations.