Vehicle Emissions Systems at Volkswagen Group - Annotated Bibliography Example

Project Management Review: Volkswagen Group (Student Name) (Course No.) (Lecturer) (University) (Date) Project Management Review: Volkswagen Group Organizational Context Volkswagen Group (VW) operates with the locomotive industry. The company aims to install a software programme, “defeat device, “rather than the physical device into the control computer of the engines to detect when the car was undergoing the emissions testing. The project type was Vehicle Emissions Systems, which the company approximated to cost $18B. An effective implementation of the programme would retune the engine and minimize emissions. In doing so, the company will be making a contribution to the efforts made globally to curb carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Currently, some Volkswagen diesel cars discharge up to 40 times the required average for the nitrogen oxide. With regard to the project, VW has a team of qualified personnel with proficiency in risk management on matters relating to installation of the software. Programme failure might result to detrimental effects of pollution and make organizational reputation at stake. There are measures in place to monitor the effectiveness of the programme; installed pollution detectors, which quantify the amount of carbon, generated during testing; and reliable and effective occupational health and safety (OHS) teams that ensure compliance with regulations guiding emission rates. With adequate number of trained and qualified engineers on software development, the company enjoys an array of knowledge and skills from the employees who ensure efficient risk management practices. The Annotated Bibliography Mamalis, A. G., Spentzas, K. N., & Mamali, A. A. 2013. The impact of automotive industry and its supply chain to climate change: Somme techno-economic aspects. European Transport Research Review, 5(1), 1-10. The article focuses on the graphical representation of carbon dioxide emissions within the automotive industry. The data from the research shows that automobiles contribute more than quarter of the CO2 emissions. In addition, the study established that of all the emissions from the vehicles, 65% originate from transportations associated with motor vehicles. Essentially, the article supports the modern programmes that aim to determine the levels emissions from the vehicles, which offer ample time to development management strategies. According to the authors, hybrid vehicles are important as they reduce carbon emissions, which often contribute to global warming and climate change. Modern vehicles can reduce such impacts as they emit small amount of carbon. To establish its findings, the articles monitored the rates of emissions from the vehicles: 25 fitted with emission control devices and 25 without. The articles outlined several importance associated with control programmes in vehicles but failed to accommodate the costs associated with such integration. The article is important to the project as it outlines the significance of reducing emissions within the automobile industry in a bid to curb the current escalating global warming and climate change phenomena. Besides, it integrates the concept on environmental compliance with reduction of emissions in automobiles. Sandalow, D. 2009. Emission Rates for Modern Vehicles. In Plug-in electric vehicles: What role for Washington? (pp. 122-127). Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press. In the book, the author outlines the significant of developing modern vehicles with emission control devices in a bid to prevent the amount of carbon particles emitted into the atmosphere. The study carried out in Washington, the author monitors 30 vehicles from different manufacturers to establish their levels of pollution. Moreover, some of the vehicles (15) were plug-in electric vehicles while the rest were fitted with devices that control the emission rates. Although the author found that plug-in electricity vehicles were effective in reducing the levels of pollution within the automobile industry, the major concern was in the areas experiencing rationing of powers or inaccessible to electricity. Such deficiency leaves device fitted vehicles on the advantageous side. The author also established that the effectiveness of the devices depend on the efficiency of the vehicles. As a result, the project by Volkswagen Group to fit their vehicles with defeat devices would play an important role in reducing the level of pollution. However, the company has to ensure efficiency and effectiveness while fitting the devices to guarantee the desired results. Referring to the book would offer significant advantage to the company as it allows VW to conduct a cost-benefit analysis for its project and other mechanisms of reducing of reducing pollution levels. The source is reliable; however, it has not much information since only focuses on vehicles from a single geographical region. Alternative Approaches to Risk Management Smith, D. J. 2005. Reliability, maintainability and risk: Practical methods for engineers. Amsterdam: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann. According to the author, most engineering activities often involve a series of risks that require effective management measures. Software development might either improve the level of efficiency or cause decline in the operations. Moreover, comprehensive risk management processes often involve a multi-stage practice, which varies depending on the needs and requirements of the programme developer. The study carried out by the Smith reveals that emissions among the vehicles are on the rise with the manufacturers focusing on alternative methods of reducing pollutions. To avert the menace, the author recommends avoidance. Risk avoidance is a common practice among most manufactures operating within the automobile industry. The method would guarantee several benefits to the organization but increase the rate at which vehicles add pollutants into the method. As a result, the book leaves a gap that requires exploitation to ensure better performance of all the sectors. In risk avoidance, the businesses always fail to engage in certain activities perceived to carry several risks. The book is important in the project as it offers as insight into the alternative methods of preventing the risks associated with continued emissions within the automobile industry. Risks might affect the reputation of VW and give the major competitors higher competitive advantage. Bedford, T., & Cooke, R. 2015. Project risk management. Probabilistic Risk Analysis, 21(7), 299-315. The article cites that the best method of managing the risks involves a series of steps including identification, analysis, prioritization, creation of action plans, transfer of risks, and monitoring of the process. In most cases, most business entities develop risk management methods without monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of their measures. In a study that focused on methods used by various companies to manage the risks, the authors cited that most businesses manage their risks with focus on increases their profitability rather than the efficiency of the processes. The qualitative analysis from the study also revealed the significant of planning the risk management methods as it would prevent wasting resources on risks that do not affect the organizational processes. For VW, it focused on integrating the programme into its manufactured vehicles to control emission rates and keep it on check. The articles would enable the company have an insight into some of the risks associated with the development of the programme as it ensures proper analysis of the risks, causes, and possible mitigation measures. However, the study has several limitations, as it does not outline the costs of intensive approach and shortcomings associated with thorough analysis of the risk. Risk Identification Processes Korff, D. 2012. Automated Processes of Identification, Risk Detection and Behavioral Analysis (Including Technologies for the Use of Images and Airport Security Control). SSRN Electronic Journal, 12(5), 152-172. The aim of the articles was to explore the application of soft modeling in integrated risk identification and management techniques when managing the ever-increasing uncertainties and concern on environmental pollution from the automobile industry. According to the author, there have been several studies conducted on the impact and contribution of the automobile in the rising amount of pollutant in the atmosphere. from the qualitative and quantitative analysis from various literatures, the author found that there have been issues on the appropriate method of identifying the potential risks with most businesses developing strategies that do not manage the actual risks affecting performance. Moreover, technology it at the pivot of ensuring effective identification processes of the risks. The conducted research has several weaknesses as it only focused on the post hoc studies of the projects that went wrong without consideration of the successful ones. There is project need to reduce the gap between studies that focus on failures and success. For VW, the project aimed at reducing the impact of emissions through integration of programme that monitors the quantity of carbons emitted. The carried research would be significant as it offers insight on some of the strategies used by the projects that failed which the company would avoid. Cooper, D. F, & Broadleaf Capital International. 2005. Project risk management guidelines: Managing risk in large projects and complex procurements. West Sussex, England: J. Wiley. According to the authors, it is critical that business entities integrate the concept international theory to enjoy various opportunities associated with broader and deeper conception of the knowledge associated with risk identification processes. Moreover, the authors proposes that to ensure effective identification of the risks, business entities need to view risks and uncertainty as two distinct categories of indeterminacy having to come and preoccupy the contemporary neoliberal thinkers and policy developers within the organization. The research carried out focused on various guidelines that determine the operations of most large industrial set. From the findings, the study established poor risk identification method often contributes implementation of irrelevant actions that aim to correct the prevailing condition. Risk identification and management two distinct processes. The authors recommended involvement of the employees and potential clients considering the fact that they interact more often with the processes and products. The research is important and application in the management of the VW’s project as it ensures full participation of the employees and consumers, which ensures analysis of the potential risks from a wider scope. There is need to define the extent of such involvement to prevent confusions during risk analysis stage. However, research from the book does not define such extent, which forms of the basis of the gap and weakness of the project. Risk Analysis and Evaluation Processes Häring, I. 2015. Introduction to Risk Analysis and Risk Management Processes. Risk Analysis and Management: Engineering Resilience, 12(7), 9-26. The aim of the articles was to define clearly the concept of risk analysis and management processes. According to the author, two parts make up the risk: the probability of occurrence and the negative effect should the problem occur. Moreover, it might be hard to spot and prepare for the management of the risk. The authors used qualitative study method and established that if the risk occurs without adequate plans to curb the problem, the several factors are usually at stake including the cost, time, and reputation especially for institutions dealing in delicate products like automobiles. These factors make risk analysis an important step to reducing negative impacts of risks as it assists in the identification and understanding the various risk factors. Emissions from the vehicles have greater impact on the people and the environment. With various automobiles companies focusing on managing the risks associated with emissions, the information in the article is applicable in VW’s context as it offers important steps required while developing an effective risk management practice. Risk analysis and evaluation of the manufacturing processes might assist in breaking down the complex risk management process. There is need to integrate the views of the concerned parties while analyzing and evaluating the risk which the article failed to consider. Young, T. L. 2007. The handbook of project management: A practical guide to effective policies, techniques and processes. London: Kogan Page. According to the author, effective project management requires adequately planned measures of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the risks to reduce the negative impacts should there be any occurrences. The research used qualitative approach in data collection and established the significance of undertaking risks analysis in identification and management of the risk effectively. Risk analysis and evaluation is a complex process that require detailed information on the project including plans, financial data, market forecasts, security protocols, and important parties to the project. Effective analysis and evaluation measure could act as a planning tool that saves time, money, and organizational reputation. Automobile industry is highly becoming competitive that most manufacturers believe in carbon reduction in a bid to enjoy the desired competitive advantage. This is the major factor compelling VW to design emission-monitoring programme to ensure less emission into the environment. The research is important to the organization as it outlines important factors worth considering while developing an effective risk management plant. The main weakness of the research is that it lacked substantial evidence to ascertain the significance of some factors such security protocols and market forecasts. As a result, such shortcomings offer the opportunities for further study. Conclusion Automobile industry is highly becoming competitive that every manufacturer introduces projects that would guarantee competitive advantage. However, most companies often fail to consider the risks associated with projects including Volkswagen Group that introduced its defeat device to curb the ever-increasing rates of carbon emissions. There are several opportunities and treats associated with implementation of the project. The programme would ensure improvement in organizational reputation and reduction for carbon emitted in the atmosphere. As a result, it guarantees social, corporate, and environmental sustainability. Risks are likely to influence the performance of the project. VW manufacturer vehicles and some models emit more carbons. Development of the programme would assist to monitor and reduce pollution levels as its approach to reducing the risks of emission. However, it could consider risk avoidance as well which in the end would benefit the organization since it will not utilize it resources but increasingly pollute the environment even more. Such factors put reputation of the company at stake. An effective risk identification, analysis, and evaluation is important within organizational contact. Such processes would ensure VW consideration of all factors associated with the risk and guarantee development of an efficient and effective risk management process. Risk management is a process and requires adequate plans. References Bedford, T., & Cooke, R. 2015. Project risk management. Probabilistic Risk Analysis, 21(7), 299-315. Cooper, D. F., & Broadleaf Capital International. 2005. Project risk management guidelines: Managing risk in large projects and complex procurements. West Sussex, England: J. Wiley. Häring, I. 2015. Introduction to Risk Analysis and Risk Management Processes. Risk Analysis and Management: Engineering Resilience, 12(7), 9-26. Korff, D. 2012. Automated Processes of Identification, Behavioral Analysis and Risk Detection (Including Technologies for the Use of Images and Airport Security Control). SSRN Electronic Journal, 12(5), 152-172. Mamalis, A. G., Spentzas, K. N., & Mamali, A. A. 2013. The impact of automotive industry and its supply chain to climate change: Somme techno-economic aspects. European Transport Research Review, 5(1), 1-10. Sandalow, D. 2009. Emission Rates for Modern Vehicles. In Plug-in electric vehicles: What role for Washington? (pp. 122-127). Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press. Smith, D. J. 2005. Reliability, maintainability and risk: Practical methods for engineers. Amsterdam: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann. Young, T. L. 2007. The handbook of project management: A practical guide to effective policies, techniques and processes. 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