Operations Management Principles and Tools - Essay Example

5). I think our company would benefit from a systematic enhancement to the communication of policy and procedures, similar to the tools implemented by other organizations, which would save time for managers and ensure compliance with corporate directives. As a good model for operations management ("OM") success, I have looked at several companies and decided to use FedEx as an example of one company that has successfully implemented OM tools. "FedEx provides access to a growingglobal marketplace through a network ofsupply chain, transportation, business and related information services" (FedEx, 2006, p. 1), and is very dependent upon efficiently operating its world-wide services.

Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the organization is known as the industry leader in fast package delivery for individuals and businesses. Its management and delivery of information data to its various departmental leaders is a key source of profitability, as it enhances efficiency and policy compliance. My sources for researching this information are included in the References section of this report. I selected Robert Lowson's book on Operations Management to provide me with general information, relied on the FedEx website to give me specific company information, as well as the website of Quadralay's WebWorks product information for specific quotes and insight from Joe Lakey, the Senior Technical Writer for FedEx.

The primary OM initiative for FedEx that I consider applicable to my company is their electronic provision of operations manuals and policies. As the WebWorks article, using the corporation's slogan, points out, "to 'absolutely, positively' guarantee the on-time delivery of nearly three million packages.managers rely on the business operations manuals located on their corporate intranet (Quadralay, 2006, p. 1). In this OM initiative, FedEx has determined that their Ground Operations Station Managers need instant access to the manuals that govern corporate procedures and operational directives.

The benefits already being reaped by FedEx are numerous. They operate within a fiercely competitive environment, and the backbone of their success lies in two areas; the ability to have efficient operational guidelines to prescribe procedures, and the communication of those instructions to line managers. In this case, the Quadralay article points out that "[t]he documentation supports the highly efficient, high-speed operations of FedEx's largest division and North America's largest provider of overnight package delivery services" (2006, p. 1). For FedEx, the key words are "highly efficient" and "high-speed.

" This is a company whose business depends on speed, and whose competitive advantage hinges on efficiency. Through the successful implementation of the OM information system, the organization reaps the benefit of both. As Mr. Lakey notes, the managers of the company's stations are very busy people, and they "don't have time to spend digging through information to find what they need. So anything we can do to save them time and make their job easier is extremely helpful" (Quadralay, 2006, p. 1). Thus, this single OM initiative of providing operational manuals via the company's intranet is seen as a key part of the organization's