MAN 233 Group assignment: Enhancing Operational Efficiency in E-commerce Supply Chain Instructions: Due Date : 15 September 2023 Group members : Min 8 and maximum of 10 group members Number of pages : 16 pages (excluding front page, index page and reference list) Font size : Arial, 12 font and 1.5 spacing Total marks : 100 Marks Introduction: Welcome to the second-year Operations Management (MAN 233) group project focusing on e-commerce operations! In this assignment, your group will identify opportunities for enhancing operational efficiency within an e-commerce supply chain. E-commerce has become a significant sector in the modern business landscape, and optimising its operations is crucial for competitiveness and customer satisfaction. Working collaboratively, your group will analyse the endto-end supply chain processes, propose improvements, and develop an actionable plan incorporating an e-commerce component. Project Scope: Select an E-commerce Company: Choose a specific e-commerce company to focus on throughout the project. Ensure that the chosen company has a significant online presence and conducts various aspects of e-commerce operations, such as order fulfilment, inventory management, and customer service. E-commerce Supply Chain Analysis: Analyse the company's supply chain, from placing customer orders to delivering products. Consider physical and information flow within the supply chain, including suppliers, manufacturers, distribution centres, and last-mile logistics. Operational Efficiency: Identify potential bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement within the e-commerce supply chain. Focus on streamlining processes, reducing lead times, minimising inventory costs, and enhancing responsiveness. E-commerce Customer Experience: Assess how operational improvements can impact the customer experience in e-commerce. Analyse order tracking, delivery times, product availability, and customer service responsiveness. Project Tasks: 1. Research and Data Collection: Gather relevant information and data about the chosen e-commerce company's supply chain and operational processes. Utilise primary sources, such as interviews with company representatives, and secondary sources, such as industry reports and case studies. 2. Problem Identification: Identify the critical operational challenges the ecommerce company faces. Consider internal factors (e.g., warehouse layout, order processing systems) and external factors (e.g., supplier lead times, transportation constraints). 3. Operations Analysis: Apply management tools and techniques to analyse the identified challenges. Use tools such as process flow diagrams, inventory control models, and performance metrics to gain insights into the current operations. 4. E-commerce Component: Integrate an e-commerce improvement component into your analysis. Consider how technology, automation, and data analytics can enhance the efficiency of the e-commerce supply chain and customer experience. 5. Improvement Strategies: Propose practical strategies to address the identified challenges and optimise the e-commerce supply chain. Your recommendations should consider the unique aspects of e-commerce, such as online order processing and omnichannel fulfilment. 6. Implementation Plan: Develop a comprehensive plan for implementing the proposed improvements. Include details on how the e-commerce component will be integrated, key performance indicators (KPIs), resource allocation, and potential challenges with their mitigation strategies. Group Deliverables: Project Report: Prepare a well-structured and professionally written report that covers your research, analysis, and recommendations. Ensure that the ecommerce component is integrated throughout the report. Cite all sources properly and include relevant data and visualisations. Assessment Criteria: Your group's performance will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Submission Guidelines: Deadline: The deadline for submitting the project report and presentation is 15 September before 16:00 pm. Format: Submit the project report digitally (Word). Group Identification: Clearly state all group members' names and student numbers on the report’s cover page. This project offers a valuable opportunity to explore the dynamic world of ecommerce operations and apply Operations Management principles to optimise an e-commerce supply chain. Work together as a team, leverage innovative solutions, and demonstrate how the e-commerce component can make a difference in achieving operational excellence. Best of luck, and we look forward to your insights and recommendations!