Lean and Agile Strategies - Essay Example

CASE STUDY ANALYSIS ON LEAN AND AGILE STRATEGIES By Location Case Study Analysis on Lean and Agile Strategies The application of both the lean and agile strategies in any organization has been the focus in the recent past. This is the case because of the emerging need to produce quality products as well as satisfy strategies customers in the highly evolving business market. Evidently, the lean and agile strategies present different benefits depending on the suitability of their application. Moreover, an organization may choose to adopt either of the strategies or combine both of them. The choice of the most effective strategy depends on the specific problems of the organization. The case study of PD aquarium is an appropriate example of an organization that combined both strategies and registered multiple benefits. This essay will offer an in-depth analysis of the case study, evaluating the efficiency of both the agile and lean strategies. Lean strategies seek to eliminate some of the critical problems that delay the production process. Moreover, it seeks to increase communication as an effective way of ensuring that production is higher. Moreover, there is emphasis placed on the need to eliminate waste products as they present adverse effects to the production process (Elmoselhy 2013, p.599). The lean strategies have been highlighted as potential solution of improving operations in any organizations, as all businesses strive to meet the emerging stiff competition in the market. Experts have highlighted that lean strategies can ensure that an organization produces products at a relatively cheaper cost ensuring that the it can sell at favorable prices in the market. Quality is notably a core focus in the application of lean strategies ((Banomyong and Supatn (undated), p. 10). On the other hand, the agile strategies emerged after the realization that the lean strategies presented unique limitations that forged an organization into the market, without providing ways of sustaining the organization in the specified market (Goldsby, Griffis, & Roath 2006, p. 59). In a bid to increase customer satisfaction, it became evident that new strategies are vital in meeting customer demands. Identifying the specific dimensions with the highest significance for each organization will help it make the pertinent adjustments in a bid to increase the level of loyalty and satisfaction from the customers (Banomyong and Supatn (undated), p. 3). Responsiveness is a critical consideration of the agile strategies, and denotes the willingness exhibited by the service provider in providing customers with the relevant help and prompt services. Methods used to identify the Problems at PD Aquarium The authors who considered the PD aquarium case study relied on process mapping to identify the problems faced by the company (Banomyong and Supatn (undated), p. 7). This method comprises of an extensive and in-depth analysis of all the operations that defined the manufacturing processes of the company. The pace and design of different activities was considered as highlighted in the different tables presented in the article. Process mapping is an effective strategy in analyzing the efficiency of operations in an organization as it focuses on the overview of all the processes ((Banomyong and Supatn (undated), p. 15). Efficiency of Process Mapping in Identifying Problems The method used was able to identify the problems existing in the organization. The case of the PD aquarium presented typical problems that many organizations face in the modern day. One of the outstanding problems of the organization is the increased lead time in production that results from the existing back and forth movement of the materials and products as they are processed (Banomyong and Supatn (undated), p. 13). This kind of movement serves to waste time that could effectively be used in the production of additional products (Qi, Boyer, & Zhao 2009, p.698). This is one reason why the company can only meet a limited number of orders in a single week. The reorganization of the operations plant can present the PD aquarium company with an opportunity to register a higher level of production in a remarkably shorter period (Yinan, Xiande, & Chwen 2011, p.374). Moreover, the company had issues with meeting a large number of customer orders and maintaining high quality standards. Evaluation of the adopted Strategies As outlined in the case study, the company recognized the potential of the lean strategies in the reorganization of the plant layout. Evidently, the proposed layout has the potential to save a lot of time as operations flow in a defined direction without the back and forth movement that had defined the previous arrangement ((Banomyong and Supatn (undated), p. 14). In the end, the adoption of the lean strategy will present the potential of the company to deliver products in time. Notably, the company has the potential to implement other lean strategies that can [present multiple benefits to the organization. In addition to the reduction of the wasted time in the back and forth movement, the company can develop new strategies of handling waste products within the plant, a factor that can register impressive results to the organization (Qrunfleh & Tarafdar 2013, p.572). However, the PD aquarium company also has other problems that require prompt handling. In a bid to deal with issues related to the quality of products produced, agile strategies can serve to solve them. One of the highlighted solutions is the efficiency achievable through teamwork. Teamwork involves the collaboration of different individuals who can handle different responsibilities (Purvis, Gosling, & Naim 2014, p. 105). The members of each team have to understand the specific responsibilities required for the success of the organization. With a clear understanding of the processes that the surround each project, team members usually commit themselves to ensuring that the team achieves its goals in good time. As long as the team realizes its tasks and each member devotes to the success of the organization, teamwork can register a high level of efficiency. In the case of PD aquarium, efficiency denotes the ability of an organization to complete projects in good time, while maintaining quality as well. Every organization seeks to achieve a level of efficiency, in a bid to maintain its position in the market. Efficiency translates to customer loyalty because the organization can address the needs of its customers promptly (Sukwadi, Wee, & Yang 2013, 299). Moreover, for PD aquarium, teamwork presents a platform of sharing research findings, eliminating cases of repetition, identifying any emerging errors, and focusing on quality products. Such a platform ensures that all the members have adequate information concerning the specifications of the customer. As highlighted in the outline, the newly formed teams ensure that the skilled workforce have delegated responsibilities to handle. This makes it easier for the team to indulge in collective problem solving. This will eliminate the challenges the organization faced previously, while introducing a sense of responsibility when errors that compromise quality emerge (Toliušienė & Mankutė 2013, p.726). Conclusion Evidently, the application of both the lean strategies and agile strategies can serve to solve the problems faced by the PD aquarium company. In its bid to make changes pertinent to the existing problems, it has to ensure that it focus on rearranging the plant layout, as a lean strategy, while adopting teamwork as an effective agile strategy that can solve the additional two problems. Bibliography Banomyong, R. and Supatn, N.(undated). Comparing lean and agile logistics strategies: a case study. Reading material provided by Bath Spa University, BM7030 Management in Practice Module week 7 [Online]. Available from: Bath Spa University Blackboard (Accessed: 6 April 2014). Elmoselhy, SM 2013, Hybrid lean–agile manufacturing system technical facet, in automotive sector, Journal Of Manufacturing Systems, 32, 4, pp. 598-619, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 6 April 2014. 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