| The dilemma faced by many businesses today is | | | | managers -- at Dell -- must undergo. After the |
| dealing with one-time business impediments that | | | | new computer model has been designed, |
| can slow down or otherwise jeopardize regular | | | | marketed, and the product line becomes |
| business operations. This is no longer stereotypical | | | | operational -- all objectives have been met and |
| of large organizations, but has become alarmingly | | | | the project is complete. Meanwhile the |
| evident in a growing number of small businesses | | | | organization continues regular daily operations (i.e. |
| as well. | | | | producing and distributing its computers). |
| Any business is fundamentally designed to | | | | The impediment here could be a number of |
| operate on a systematic structure. It is because | | | | circumstances that may arise due to the initiation |
| of this very system that certain operations can | | | | of this project. For example, creating a new |
| impede on, or interfere with, every-day business | | | | product line may involve ordering and installing |
| activities. For example, it is common for Dell | | | | new machinery which could delay production for |
| Computers to produce and ship new computer | | | | some time. Engineers may need to restructure |
| units each day. This process is critical for the | | | | the facility, integrate e-manufacturing software, |
| business to function. Without computers to sell | | | | and possibly even train workers for the operation |
| the organization would not be profitable and thus | | | | of the new machinery. Any delays presented by |
| could not continue to operate. However, it is not | | | | the project may cause further delays in the |
| common for the organization to create a new | | | | organization's regular operations. |
| computer model each day. Yet, a new product | | | | That is why managers need to apply effective |
| launch is a necessary business operation. Simply | | | | project management when dealing with such |
| put, it is a matter of priorities. | | | | business operations. This will involve coordinating |
| Managers have become increasingly drawn to | | | | with the different organizational departments, |
| project management, some times referred to as | | | | creating timetables, following up on progress |
| Management by Projects, over the years since | | | | reports, keeping track of load charts and PERT |
| industrialization. The discrepancy is that projects | | | | network analyses, planning for disaster recovery, |
| are provisional in scale, whereas organizational | | | | and anticipating the need to hire more employees |
| processes are enduring, and so the problem is | | | | or possibly recruiting personnel from within the |
| resolved through the integration of the two | | | | different organizational departments. |
| systems in a parallel demeanor. This means they | | | | The primary goal of project management is to |
| work side-by-side, but not necessarily | | | | meet all the objectives of a given project within |
| interdependent of one another. | | | | the project budget and deadline without interfering |
| Projects have a definite beginning and end. They | | | | with the business' daily operations. An efficient and |
| are not continuous processes, as in the case of | | | | effective project manager, for example, could |
| production or distribution, and so they are only | | | | coordinate with suppliers and engineers so that |
| conducted once to meet specific objectives. | | | | the new machinery for the product line would be |
| When the project is complete it is abandoned and | | | | delivered and installed -- in parts -- without halting |
| the members working on the project move on to | | | | production completely. Perhaps the machinery can |
| other projects, return to their original | | | | be assembled as the integration of an existing line |
| departments, or leave the organization. Projects | | | | or at a different site all-together. The workers |
| ultimately create a rippling effect in organizational | | | | could also be asked to work overtime so that |
| processes. However, the residual effects of such | | | | they may become familiar with the machinery as |
| projects can be controlled and predetermined | | | | it is being readied for the new line. This will greatly |
| through project management. | | | | reduce slack time without rudimentary production |
| Returning to the former production example at a | | | | losses. |
| computer manufacturer like Dell Computers, we | | | | The importance of project management is |
| can more clearly realize the impeding effects new | | | | becoming rapidly apparent in all types of |
| projects would have on daily business operations. | | | | businesses. It is the responsibility of leaders and |
| If a new computer model is introduced this would | | | | managers to recognize the potential use that |
| cause the implementation of a new product line. In | | | | project management has on their business. |
| this case, the product launch in itself is the project | | | | |