Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

This week’s topics

Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

1. Unpacking the assignment brief and criteria
2. Finding and evaluating sources
3. Planning and referencing
4. Craap Test for evaluating sources

What you will be able to do

• 1.1 Explain why operations management is important for organisations.
• 1.2 Analyse the operations functions of a selected organisation.
• 1.3 Evaluate the operations management process of a selected organisation using relevant models.
• 2.1 Appraise the importance of the ‘Three Es’ to organisations.
• 2.2 Assess the impact of the tension between cost minimisation and quality maximisation.
• 2.3 Evaluate the significance of the five performance objectives that underpin operations management to organisation.
• 3.1 Assess the importance of process mapping and flowcharting.
• 3.2 Analyse the concept of lean operations and waste reduction
• 3.3 Analyse the concept and importance of process reengineering
• 4.1 Analyse the applicability of Total Quality Management (TQM) in a selected organisation.
• 4.2 Assess how quality management techniques are applied to improve operations in a selected organisation.
• 4.3 Create a plan to use emerging technologies (IoT, AI, blockchain) in TQM process.

Activity

Start with this week’s video, then: Plan the unit assignment against every criterion; source and reference the evidence.

Study materials

Videos

• Craap Test for evaluating sources · YouTube · Talking Libraries and Books · 7 min · for registered students

Further resources

• Writing for Success, ch. 8.1–8.3: Prewriting, outlining and drafting · PDF · Saylor Academy, textbook chapter; pp. 281–318 · for registered students
• Harvard Referencing quick guide 2025 (York St John University) · PDF · Other, report · for registered students
• Evaluating Information: Applying the CRAAP Test · PDF · Other, report · for registered students