QHO570 Operations Management Assessment Brief 2026 | Southampton Solent University

QHO570 Assessment Brief

Module Code : 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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:

1. Introduction
   • Define operations management.
   • Explain its importance and relevance within Heathrow Airport.
2. Literature Review
   • Critically evaluate relevant OM and quality management theories/frameworks.
   • Discuss their strengths, limitations, and relevance to Heathrow.
3. Identified Quality Management Issue
   • Clearly state a current quality-related issue at Heathrow.
   • Provide detailed analysis, supported by academic literature and industry data.
4. Improvement Plan and Recommendations
   • Present a realistic, evidence-based improvement plan.
   • Justify your recommendations using best practice, OM theory, and industry insight.
5. Conclusion
   • Summarise your findings.
   • Reflect on the role of continuous improvement in Heathrow’s operations.
6. References
   • All sources must follow Solent Harvard Referencing style.
7. 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.

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