Implementing a New Human Resource System - Research Proposal Example

Project management proposal Implementing a new human resource system Name Course Name and Code Instructor’s Name Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Objectives 4 Purpose of the study 4 Outcomes 6 Approach and methodology 8 Time plan 9 Resources 9 Risk management 10 Risks are prone to any project and a researcher needs to ensure they have the right strategies to ensure potential solutions. The risks include both natural and those as a result of the researcher himself (Hubbard, 2009). In carrying out this project, the researcher might experience such risks as; project failures due to poor schedule creation, bad weather as well as deliberate attack of disease to the researcher (Hubbard, 2009). In addition the researcher might encounter uncooperative respondents who are hesitant to offer him the information he requires. To manage this risks the researcher needs to plan sufficiently for the project and have the schedule correctly created. In addition the researcher should carry out a reconnaissance to the study area to be familiar with the weather patterns. Furthermore to ensure that the respondents are cooperative, the researcher should be able to convince them of the benefits that they would accrue from this study. In case of a disease the researcher should have a first aid kit fully equipped before embarking on the field. Furthermore, the researcher should ensure to keep a track of the issues as well as the risks as they come up and derive strategies to deal with and resolve them promptly (Hubbard, 2009). 10 Contingency plan 10 Introduction The role of human resource has changed drastically in the last few years (Wat, and Ngai, 2006). This is due to the fact that organizations are facing probl ems in the implementation of new human resource systems (Sebastian, 2007; Wat, and Ngai, 2006). With respect to project management this research proposal seeks to investigate implementing a new human resource system in the Australian conservation foundation (AFC). This is an organization that is committed to motivating the society to attain a fit environment for all of the Australians (ACF, 2008). For the past 40 years, Australian conservation foundation has been the voice of the environment. It has been promoting possible solutions through research, education, partnerships as well as consultations (ACF, 2008). The foundation works with the community, government as well as business people to protect, restore as well as sustain the environment. This they attain by establishing and managing long term goals that guide them to their success (ACF, 2008). The aim of this project is to investigate the problems that face implementation of a new system, the role of the human resource system as well as the strategies that ensure successful implementation of the human resource system. The information will be aimed at indicating future growth for project management by addressing the issues as a result of implementing a new human resource system. Problem statement In the contemporary world, human resource management has become an issue of concern in all organizations. According to studies, many human resource systems do not live up to the expectations of most organizations. Typically, people tend to put the blame on the machine itself for not working as anticipated and also the suppliers for not delivering as agreed. However the projects fail due to poor implementation as well as insufficient planning. It is against this backdrop that the researcher seeks to investigate further in this field of implementing a new human resource system. It is hoped that the observations made will contribute significantly to the existing knowledge in the field. Objectives Investigate the problems that face the implementation of a new human resource system Analyze the strategies used by organizations to ensure effective human resource management To investigate the role of implementing a new human resource system. Purpose of the study This research will be of great importance to individuals and organizations in Australia among others who will come across it across the world. It is evident that all organizations have people often referred to as human resources. The success of a company depends on the performance and capabilities of its people. In addition the activities to maximize the performance and the capabilities of people are of paramount to the organization. With regard to how these activities are managed the organization may either be successful or not successful. To ensure that all organizations are successful, they require adequate knowledge on the best strategies for ensuring effective human resource system implementation which will be provided by this research. Most important is the increased knowledge and understanding in the area implementing a new HR system the researcher will gain. This will help the researcher come up with the right conclusions and recommendations that will be of great help. Further the research will help other researchers who would want to research more on the field of project management and in particular on the topic of implementing a new human resource system. Limitations of the study The researcher expects to encounter the following limitations. Confidentiality It may be difficult to obtain some information from the foundation due to the policies protecting it. The information provided may be cited on confidentiality not providing the all the desired information for the study. Suspicion Some of the respondents may be suspicious of the intentions of the researcher. Furthermore, some respondents hesitate to participate in the study because of fear of being reprimanded for revealing information to the researcher. Outcomes Australia Conservation foundation, has realized the challenges facing humanity by setting goals to help attain a sustainable environment (ACF, 2008). In order to help them attain their goals they laid down certain strategies especially in human resource management. The foundation adopted a flexible as well as a progressive employment arrangement to increase its personnel to help them create awareness on the need to protect the environment (ACF, 2008). In addition it has used such strategies as training and retraining the recruited employees to ensure that they are conversant with the new system. Moreover, Australia Conservation foundation communicates their goals and objectives with the employees to ensure that their aim is clearly understood. This has resulted to the full support of their projects by their employees (ACF, 2008). In addition the foundation has ensured that it plans as well as dedicates sufficient time to the implementation of its human resource systems (ACF, 2008). This has contributed to the success of the foundation. However, it is evident that the foundation has not yet attained an all effective implementation of new human resource systems. The foundation is currently working on strategies to ensure it meets its objectives (ACF, 2008). A number of strategies have however been used to try solve the problem. They include training the employees to use the new system. This is so as to build an appropriate team and get an input as well as expertise from a range of perspectives. In addition, organizations are defining the objectives and goals to be achieved by using the new Human resource system. Moreover, organizations have tried to explain why the new system is needed to their employees to ensure that their aim is clear as well as fully understood by those involved in order to be able to cultivate motivation of its employees to attaining its set goals and objectives. Nevertheless, it is evident that effective implementation of a new human resource system has not been yet achieved and organizations need to adopt strategies that lead to its realization (Wat, and Ngai, 2006). According to studies, human resource systems are tremendously evolving (Wat, and Ngai, 2006; Sebastian, 2007). Moreover, they have also gone beyond their known traditional functions to cover many more human resource fields as well as subjects. Due to this, the human resource systems need to be upgraded accordingly (Wat, and Ngai, 2006). Evident from past researches also is that many companies as well as organizations are adopting new human resource systems to be effective and efficient (Wat, and Ngai, 2006). It is apparent that implementing a new human resource system results to a significant success to the organization’s human resource department by reducing the administrative burden as well as ensuring the work is done effectively (Wat, and Ngai, 2006). In addition, human resource systems provide higher reporting functionality in the organization, a convenient access to human resource information, a superior internal profile, and consistent as well as accurate data. Furthermore, the human resource systems allows for efficient and standardized processes within the organization (Wat, and Ngai, 2006; Sebastian, 2007). It is apparent that a human resource system also lays the foundation for e- HR strategy. This includes the e-recruiting and e-learning which make the operations of the organization more efficient and reliable (Wat, and Ngai, 2006). However many human resource human resource systems do not live up to the expectations of most organizations. Typically, people tend to put the blame on the machine itself for not working as anticipated and also the suppliers for not delivering as agreed (Sebastian, 2007). Studies have revealed that the failure is as a result of poor implementation as well as insufficient planning. In addition, the rapid implementation of the human resource system contributes to its failure. Another failure is due to the high costs involved in the installation of the human resource system and hence the installation and application is not done to standard (Wat, and Ngai, 2006). Another problem is the failure by the management to frequently review the system to ensure that it is in a position to meet the organization’s goals and objectives as well as ensure that the system does not fall into disuse (Wat, and Ngai, 2006). Approach and methodology Data collection in this research will mainly be from primary and secondary sources. The people involved in the data collection will be the researcher as well as the respondents who mainly constitute the staff of Australia Conservation Foundation. The primary data will entail administering questionnaires by the researcher to the employees of the Australia Conservation Foundation to investigate implementing a new human resource system and the strategies used by the organization to ensure an effective implementation of the new HR system. Moreover, the researcher will also carry out an interview on the top management of the organization to acquire more information on implementing a new human resource system. The researcher will question the members of the top management and write the feedback which he will need for data analysis. On the other hand, secondary data collection will entail a review of the existing books, journals and publications on project management as well as the implementation of a new human resource system. This will be done by the researcher and his assistants if any. Data collected will be analysed using statistical methods which include Microsoft Excel. Time plan Activity Time Data collection One weeks Data analysis Two weeks Data interpretation Two weeks Report preparation One week Resources The resources include physical, human and financial resources. In our case the researcher will require finances to facilitate him in carrying out the project. The finances are purposed to cater for transport as well as the purchase of any relevant material for the project. The human resource will be the researcher himself as well as those people that the researcher will work with to realize the aims and objectives of the study. Physical resources will include pens and writing materials. Resource Estimate in dollars Travel 10,000 Stationery 25,000 Contingencies 5000 Risk management Risks are prone to any project and a researcher needs to ensure they have the right strategies to ensure potential solutions. The risks include both natural and those as a result of the researcher himself (Hubbard, 2009). In carrying out this project, the researcher might experience such risks as; project failures due to poor schedule creation, bad weather as well as deliberate attack of disease to the researcher (Hubbard, 2009). In addition the researcher might encounter uncooperative respondents who are hesitant to offer him the information he requires. To manage this risks the researcher needs to plan sufficiently for the project and have the schedule correctly created. In addition the researcher should carry out a reconnaissance to the study area to be familiar with the weather patterns. Furthermore to ensure that the respondents are cooperative, the researcher should be able to convince them of the benefits that they would accrue from this study. In case of a disease the researcher should have a first aid kit fully equipped before embarking on the field. Furthermore, the researcher should ensure to keep a track of the issues as well as the risks as they come up and derive strategies to deal with and resolve them promptly (Hubbard, 2009). Contingency plan Risk Mitigation measures Uncooperative respondents Convince the respondents they will benefit from the project Bad weather The researcher should survey the area of study to familiarize with the weather patterns Deliberate attack of disease The researcher should carry a first aid kit Wrong schedule creation The researcher needs to take time in planning for the project (Hubbard, 2009) Recommendation/ conclusion It is evident that many human resource systems do not live up to the expectations of most organizations. This is due to poor implementation as well as insufficient planning of the projects. This paper has investigated the problems facing implementation of a new HR system as well as the strategies used to ensure an effective implementation of the new HR system. This was purposed to help come up with the right strategies to ensure that an effective implementation of a new HR system is attained to help organizations achieve their set goals as well as objectives. The study has identified a number of risks that are likely to be experienced during the research. These risks include uncooperative respondents, effects of bad weather, poor planning and as a result poor schedule creation as well as the deliberate attack of a disease. In addition, the study gives possible solutions to these risks which include; adequate planning to create a correct schedule and convincing the respondents they will benefit from the project. Moreover, the researchers should also carry out a reconnaissance to familiarize themselves with the area of study especially the weather patterns. In addition, the researcher should have with himself a fully equipped first aid kit before embarking on the research. References Australia Conservation Foundation (ACF). 2008. About Australia conservation foundation. Retrieved on September 20, 2011, http://www.acfonline.org.au/default.asp?section_id=231 Hubbard, D. 2009. The Failure of Risk Management: Why It's Broken and How to Fix It. New York; John Wiley & Sons. Sebastian, N. 2007. The Definitive Guide to Project Management, 2nd Ed. London: Prentice Hall. Wat, F.K.T and Ngai, E.W.T. (2006) Human resource information systems: a review and empirical analysis, Personnel Review, Vol. 35 Iss: 3, pp.297 - 314 Read More