Project Management of Heavyweight Cruiser Motorcycle - Assignment Example

Project Management of Heavyweight Cruiser Motorcycle Introduction A project’s success is dependent on its proper management, which is planning, motivating, organizing, and controlling resources and processes to achieve specific goals. A right choice of project management structure is crucial for the operation processes to run seamlessly (PMI. 2014). The management team is responsible for developing and supporting the governance structure before the project activities are initiated to ensure that all major decisions are taken at the right time. This paper is an attempt to design a working project management process in order to introduce a new cruiser motorcycle model in the ‘heavyweight’ motorcycle category. The company already has its product line up in medium weight motor cycles, ranging from 500 cc to 1000 cc. Now the company wants to introduce a new model over 1100 cc. It includes the details of the operation process, like leadership style, short term and long term needs, resources needed and risk mitigation strategies. The entire management process is developed from the point of view of a project manager (Scheid, 2011). Project Management Managing a project requires optimum uses of resources and commitment of project team members to successfully complete an undertaking. This project is for the development of a new heavy weight cruiser motorcycle. This new project will introduce a new category of line up above 1100 cc. A successful completion of a project is dependent on the right decision of which project management structure to use. This project needs the “Project-based Organization Structure”, because the project manager is solely responsible for the successful completion of the project. The project members who work in this project, report directly to the project manager, thus, avoiding multiple leadership. Secondly, all the decisions regarding the operations are taken within the project team only. Thirdly, this structure also allows high cohesion among the team members and they all share a common goal of the project (Bobera, 2008). Figure: Design of the Management structure Source: (Bobera, 2008) Distribution of team role The distribution of roles enables the smooth running of the project operations. It helps avoiding any kind of conflict. With reference to the ‘Belbin Model’ of Team Work distribution, the following work distribution is done (Belbin. 2014). Figure name: Integartion of Belbin Model Source: (Belbin. 2014) Steps of Project Management The following steps of project management are distributed among the team: a) Identify the project need: Identification of the project involves having a clear idea about what the project is about and what are the needs it fulfils for the company. In this case, this project will extend the product line of the company. b) Determine the desired outcome: It involves setting up the goal of the project, which is building a new 1500 cc motor cycle and sharing it with the team members. c) Describe each projects component task: All the team members are given details of their individual tasks. d) Identify the Players: Identifying which team members, (analysts, architects, developers, and testers) are responsible for these tasks. e) Determining the time line: A particular schedule is designed, within which the project is needed to be finished, that is the test model is to be made within 8 months. f) Review and Revise: Proper monitoring is required to ensure that the project is headed in the right direction. If any deviation is seen, then necessary amendments are done in the planning. The Project manager describes the project to the entire project team, i.e., the introduction of the new 1500 cc motorcycle and distributes different responsibilities to the team members, i.e., the analysts, the architects, the developers and the testers. The analysts confirm that the company can financially support the production of this new model, and then the architect starts designing the new 1500 cc motor and the body, with its team. The design of a motor cycle body should be decided keeping in mind the current market trend and also what the future trend can be in the near future. The body design plays a vital design when it comes to the buying decision of the customers. The target group falls under the age bracket of 35 to 60 years. So, the design cannot be youth centric, rather it has to be masculine, with a touch of vintage. The design will after all reflect the personality of the rider. The internal design of the motor should be done in such a way that it is suitable for running long distance, which will categorize the model in the touring class. After the design is completed and finalized by the higher management, it is then handed over to the Developers. The developers will now materialize the design and manufacture a test model. This is done in a properly equipped research lab. While the development is going on, the project manager regularly monitors the progress of the project and makes sure that it is headed in the right direction, if it is not then he makes necessary amendments in the project planning so that the project runs effortlessly. It should take around 4 to 5 months in the manufacturing of the test model. After that, the testers run several field tests under normal to harsh conditions. If any abnormalities are seen, then it is shared with the developer team, so that they can rectify it. Finally, when the testers are satisfied with the performance, the test model is declared to be ready. Balancing the New Project with the existing ones The management of the current project must be balanced with the existing ones, as one project may hamper the progress of the other. Before starting a new project, the higher executives must make sure that the company is both financially and structurally capable of running the new project along with the existing ones. Certain organizational changes are required like redistribution of responsibilities for the project managers and recruitment of new personnel. New allocation of capital should be done in such a way that, other projects does not face financial constraints. The management must also ensure that all the members are committed to the entire duration of the project. The change in project schedule should be realistic, rather than optimistic. The management must also identify future risks like the failure of the new model in the market can hamper the brand image of the existing models (Malnight, Keys & Graaf, 2013). Balancing Short term and Long term goal is crucial to the company’s growth and sustainability. The short term goal is completion of the project, which is to create a 1500 cc touring class motorcycle model (Duggan, 2014). A dry run in the market shows whether the new model will be popular or not, then eventually it will be rolled out on a global scale. While the management is working on developing the test model, it should also focus on the long term goals like the global distribution. The company can collaborate with the companies overseas in order to launch their product in other countries (Robarts, 2014). Resources needed The use of right resources is necessary for the completion of this project. The resources are mainly, 1) Capital or financial resources: all project related activities require financial back up, from buying raw materials to giving salaries to the employees. 2) Human Resources: Developing a new project needs skilled personnel. For this project people with engineering skills are required. 3) Raw materials: Building a new test model requires raw materials and internal components, like metal alloys and smaller components. Leadership Style This project needs the Authoritative leadership style, because it will give the project manager full authority and power over his team members. Also, an authoritative leader believes in motivating and sharing the aim of the project to his subordinates, this will lead the team members towards a common goal, i.e., the successful completion of the project. The decision making is fast because only higher management takes the decision. All sorts of project related planning is done with the involvement of the entire team. This leads to high clarity of goals and cohesion among the entire team and will also facilitate a seamless communication within the team (Hodgkinson, 2009). Risk Mitigation Certain aspects in the projects may be overlooked, which can result in the failure or delay of the project. The following can be the probable risk factors, 1) Shortfall of resources can lead to temporary interruption of the project. In order to avoid this, the suppliers should be informed about the requirements prior to starting the project. The resource is not only limited to financial aspect but also in human resource aspect (Dummies. 2014). Sudden need of employees can also delay the project, so the H.R department should be informed prior to the starting of the project about the required number of personnel. 2) Unexpected rise of price of the raw materials, can lead to financial constraints. This can be avoided by making proper estimations and market predictions. The financial analysts should be able to make accurate estimations of the cost involved and all necessary raw materials should be procured before the development starts. 3) Inaccurate change priorities, that is, non-essential changes in the projects are prioritized over the important ones, which can lead to delay in the project schedule. This can be avoided by proper monitoring by the project manager. The project manager should always make sure that all the team members are focused at their individual goals, so that it does not cause deviation or duplication of effort (Pressman. 1997). Conclusion The successful launch of the new heavyweight 1500cc motorcycle is dependent on the proper execution of all the project plans. As each project is different, each of them requires different project management styles. Failing to choose the right management style can lead to internal issues like conflict of interest and improper communication. The project manager is responsible for keeping the entire team functional, so the right type of leadership style is very important for a particular project. The manager should keep track of the entire progress of the project, make rectifications where ever necessary and motivate the team members. The body design of the new model must be made in collaboration with the marketing department, as it should reflect the current market trend. Finally, the project team must work in a unified way to deliver the test model within the stipulated time. References: Belbin. (2014). BELBIN TEAM ROLES. Retrieved from http://www.belbin.com/rte.asp?id=8 Bobera, D. (2008). Project Management Organization. Retrieved from http://www.ef.uns.ac.rs/mis/archive-pdf/2008%20-%20No1/MIS2008_1_1.pdf Duggan, T. (2014). Differences Between Short-Term & Long-Term Projects. Retrieved from http://work.chron.com/differences-between-shortterm-longterm-projects-11637.html Dummies. (2014). How to Identify Risk Factors in Your Project. Retrieved from http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-identify-risk-factors-in-your-project.html Hodgkinson, J. (2009). Leadership Styles for Program and Project Managers. Retrieved from http://www.asapm.org/asapmag/articles/LeadershipStyles.pdf Malnight, T. Keys, T. & Graaf, K. (2013). Bridging the Gap: How Can Business Leaders Balance Short- and Long-term Pressures? Retrieved from http://forbesindia.com/article/imd/bridging-the-gap-how-can-business-leader-balance-short-and-longterm-pressures/35479/1 PMI. (2014). What is Project Management? Retrieved from http://www.pmi.org/About-Us/About-Us-What-is-Project-Management.aspx Pressman. (1997). Lists of risks. Retrieved from http://groups.engin.umd.umich.edu/CIS/course.des/cis375/projects/risktable/risks.htm Robarts, S. (2014). Meet Project LiveWire: Harley Davidson's first-ever electric motorbike. Retrieved from http://www.gizmag.com/harley-davidson-project-livewire-electric-motorbike/32613/ Scheid, J. (2011). Project Management Leadership Styles. Retrieved from http://www.brighthubpm.com/monitoring-projects/64679-project-management-leadership-styles/ Read More