One of the most rewarding parts of my MBA journey so far has been applying theory to real-world challenges – and nowhere was that clearer than in my recent Sustainable Operations assignment.
I centred the project around a live procurement improvement at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. On the surface, it was a switch from one surgical skin preparation product to another. But beneath that was a more strategic and systemic change: moving from a cost-driven purchasing model to a sustainability-conscious, stakeholder-engaged, and operationally streamlined process.
The assignment gave me the opportunity to apply Lean Thinking, process mapping, stakeholder analysis through a RACI framework, and sustainable procurement tools – not just as academic concepts, but as levers for change. It was also a chance to reflect on the cultural, environmental, and governance factors that shape decision-making in the NHS.
Process mapping really helped understand how things journeyed through the ‘bureaucracy’ of the NHS but the reality is that a majority of this is necessary and the only reason it can take as long as it can do is because there has to be consistency appropriate engagement. For me this gives me an opportunity to work on further ideas with colleagues knowing now what the process is.
The assignment feedback I received was both encouraging and constructive. It recognised the real-world relevance of the work and the strong integration of theory and data. But more importantly, it challenged me to think more critically about long-term risks, implementation barriers, and measurable outcomes – areas I’ll continue to focus on as I develop as a leader.
This assignment wasn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It was a reminder of how operations management, when applied thoughtfully, can drive sustainability and efficiency hand in hand. The journey from product switch to strategic transformation offered a blueprint not only for greener procurement, but for more accountable and resilient healthcare operations overall.
As the NHS continues to balance rising demand with environmental targets and cost constraints, these kinds of reflections – and interventions – will become increasingly vital. I’m proud to have contributed to that conversation in a meaningful way.