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!