QHO570 Operations Management Assessment Brief- Individual Report 2026

QHO570 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.