BADM 637-M20 Activity 8 (Week 8)
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University of the Cumberlands *
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Course
637
Subject
Industrial Engineering
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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Uploaded by kevindoga117
Activity 8 (Week 8)
Strategic Application in Project Management (BADM-637-M20)
Activity 8 (Week 8)
Read the Case "Power Train, Ltd." at the end of
Chapter 8 and respond to the following
questions:
We have smashing systems for reporting, tracking, and controlling costs on design projects. Our
planning of projects is better than any I have seen at other companies. Our scheduling seemed to
serve us well when we were small, and we had only a few projects. Now that we have many
more projects and schedule using multiproject software, there are too many occasions when the
right people are not assigned to the projects deemed important to our success. This situation is
costing us big money, headaches, and stress!
(Rest of case not shown due to length.)
Potential expansion into the truck power train business is not feasible until the confusion in
project scheduling is solved or reduced significantly. Jones is ready to tackle this problem,
but he is not sure where to start. What criteria should he consider? What should be the
sequence for selecting and assigning people to projects?
Project scheduling is a great way to manage some complexities involved in a project.
When handling multiple projects, appropriate resource allocation and scheduling are vital for the
project's success. However, issues may arise in project scheduling, which can create much
confusion, which is the case in the given scenario. Claudia can consider some specific
approaches to overcome the issues associated with project scheduling in managing multiple
projects.
Setting priorities in projects and completing them are some of the most critical tasks that
need to be very strategic; hence, identifying the most critical projects should be the first step out
of many. Analyzing specific skills and expertise necessary for the respective projects should be
another step that can be used to create a matrix for assigning or matching the experts/ engineers
to the respective projects. Distinguishing project criteria and assigning the right person to the
right task by considering the expertise and skills of the engineer is the key. Also, the project's
complexity and importance should be other factors to be considered. Project resources are critical
for the project's success, and hence it should be managed effectively. For instance, the workload
of experts/engineers working on the projects should be appropriately managed by ensuring they
are manageable, and their commitment to the specific projects needs to be considered. Allocation
of resources to high-priority projects should occur first, along with determining the project
sequence with the priority. Claudia must work with the software vendor, Lauren, to customize
the scheduling software to align with the PT's specific criteria for appropriate resource allocation.
Customization of the heuristics can be an excellent way to meet the company's priorities and
needs. Establishing a separate team for overseeing the allocation of resources and monitoring
project schedules can be a good way to ensure that the right resources are being assigned to the
right projects. Continuous monitoring of project progress, resource availability, and project
priorities is crucial; hence, implementing a system to accomplish all these tasks can be a great
way to handle projects effectively. Regular training and development programs can boost the
skills and expertise of the project team, engineers, and managers, which, in the long run, can
make resource allocation easier. Open and transparent communication is vital for successful
projects and better teamwork. It allows better circulation of ideas and efficient resource
management among project teams, engineers, managers, and stakeholders. Also, seeking
feedback on resource allocation and scheduling can continuously improve project progress and,
hence, higher success rates.
Claudia can make significant progress in resolving the PT's scheduling and resource
allocation challenges by utilizing some of the approaches discussed above. It also helps in
optimizing resource utilization and reducing conflicts in projects. Also, it might help prepare the
company for expansion into the truck power train business by ensuring effective allocation of
resources to the suitable projects, thus improving efficiency and effectiveness.
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