Introduction
The new market demand for larger motors motorcycle requires various changes to be done in the company. The new project of producing larger motors will not lead to decrease in the production of the middleweight class motorcycles. With the increased demand for high powered motorcycles, venturing in the production of large motors will increase the profit generation and expand market operations. Many manufacturing firms have not yet started the manufacture of large motors thereby creating a market gap. The manufacturing plant also needs to expand and offer new models to its customers; production of only the middleweight class motorcycles can create stagnation within the company which is detrimental in the future growth. Market research has showed that in the coming in the next years the customers’ needs are expected to change, the current specification might not meet the prospective customer’s needs. Most people are now demanding motorcycles that give them the motor rider experience, middleweight class motorcycles cannot be able to serve a long distance customer.
Project Scope and Objectives
The project is aimed towards manufacture of motorcycles which will be between 1200cc to 1800cc. The motorcycles produced will be based on the long distance travellers market. This particular brand of motorcycles will be expected to provide the rider the comfort similar to that of a car travelling such a distance. Most of the long distance riders carry with them luggage that cannot be carried by the middleweight class motorcycles. The motorcycles will be larger in size than the current ones with a luggage compartment at the back. However the models will vary to fit the needs of different customers. The manufacturing of this class of motorcycles will put into consideration various factors such as fuel consumption, speed, safety and even the strength of the motorcycles Most of the bikes will also be used as sports bike and therefore have to meet specific needs of the customers. Fuel economy will be a key consideration even though the motorcycles will be highly powered than the current ones. The motorcycles will be able to produce a horsepower of between 88 to 200 which cannot be achieved by the middleweight classmotorcycles. Such a motorcycle will require to have its safety standards maintained at a higher level. The braking systems of the new class of motorcycles will be combined, and automatic the project will also put into consideration the navigation aspect of the motorcycles. Long distance travelling requires one to have reliable navigation equipment, this new class of motorcycles will have a media system that will be used to pair with the satellite navigators, and the riders will therefore have no worry of finding out their position when riding. Comfort will also be considered in the development of this new project, the media system will be accompanied by phone and mp3 player’s connection devices. The company will also be involved in the training of new drivers who purchase the motorcycles, since there will be a variation in the different models, training will ensure that riders are familiar with the new machines. The design will be in line with the motorcycle production regulations.
Project Teams
The current management system will have to change to accommodate the new changes. The current management working on the middle class weigh motorcycles will not be overhauled; a new management team will be set that will be in charge in the manufacturing of the larger motorcycles. The management team will be categorized on the different production team that will be put place. The departments will include the production department, marketing and research department, finance department and sales department. The top management will consist of different people from each department. The production team will be involved in the assembly and manufacturing of the motorcycles. The production process will put into place the different engine categories of the motorcycles the current production plant will have to be expanded before the manufacturing commences. The current warehouse within the company cannot be able to accommodate more motorcycles and a new one will have to be constructed. Production will be categorized into two, the body work assembly and the engine assembly which will be done in two stages. Most of the people in this team will be the existing mechanical engineers and new ones who will have to be employed. The marketing department will be involved in the marketing of the new models, the personnel in this department will also be involved in carrying out market research and determine the market needs. The sales department will be involved in carrying out sales on the motorcycles, which will be done even online with shipping services being offered by the company. Finance department will mainly be involved in the financing of the project and also making all financial transactions within the company.
The introduction of new departments requires the employment of new staff that will be responsible in ensuring that the project runs out smoothly. The project will require the employment of around 100 new staff to complement the existing number. There company will need to employ mechanical engineers and technicians who will be mainly involved in the assembly and testing of the motorcycles. Other staffs that will be needed include electrical engineers and technicians, sales person, business management staff, programming and robotics personnel. Most of these people will work together with the existing staff in the project.
Team Organization
With new people coming in, there is the need to develop team building strategies that will ensure that the different teams work in unity to achieve the success of the project. One of the strategies that will be suitable in ensuring effective teamwork is the introduction of combined research. Since this is a new product that the company is manufacturing, the employees in each team will feel that they are part of the introduction of the new product. The different teams that are involved in the manufacture of the new motorcycles will be able to work together in identifying the different aspects that will have to be considered in the manufacturing of the long distance motorcycles. The combined research strategy should however be done in a fair manner, no team should feel that it is more superior in its research work; the teams should know that they are working on a common goal and each team’s contribution counts. Once the projects commences, the teams should go through an orientation program whereby they will be trained on the needs of team work in the project. This approach will ensure that the teams know the role of each team and how they are connected. Training is beneficial in reducing conflicts that arise between different teams. Job swapping will also be done in the different teams, team members in each team will have to know what each team does, and this ensures that team members appreciate the role that different teams play. Team swapping should however be done with caution to avoid any errors from occurring during the manufacturing process. The fourth strategy that can be applied is the interaction of the different teams with the customers. AS a satisfied customer will give the teams unity to work together towards offering customers quality products. They will all be able to feel that they are all a winning team.
All the teams will be under the management of the project manager. The project manager will be in charge of the operation process. He/she will be responsible for organizing the different teams involved in carrying out the project. This is a duty that will require the manager to know about all the objectives of the project and ensure that all the teams work to achieve these objectives. In this project, the project manager will be involved in assessing all the risk that are expected, ensuring that all the quality standards are met in the project will be his /her work. The accounting and billing work with also be coordinated by the project manager who will also be responsible for monitoring all the sub-contractors. He/she will also be expected to provide independent advice on matters related to the project. Recruitment of sub-contractors and other personnel needed in the project in the project will be the work of the project manager. In order to carry out all this function, the project manager is expected to have key characteristics, which include having high ranked organizational skills. He/she is also expected to be a problem solver; there are various challenges that will be faced in the project that requires a project manager who is proficient in problem solving. Interpersonal and communication skills will also be beneficial qualifications for the project manager. The project manager will be expected to have worked in the management of projects related in the motor industry. The project needs to be a person who is success and goal oriented since the success or failure of the project solely depend on him/her((Heerkens).
Since there are various stages that will be involved in the project, there are key stages that require more focus. This stages the assembly process; the process will have to be given the top priority together with the market identification and market size. The plant expansion will need to factor on the overall cost and how it can be done economically. When distributing resources in the projects, they key and vital areas of the project will need to be given top priority to avoid the project from coming into a halt. Once manufacturing commences, marketing will be vital to ensure that the company makes sales and customers will be informed on the motorcycles manufactured.
Work Cited
Heerkens, Gary. Project management. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002. Print.
Mehta, R. C. Project management. Jaipur: Aavishkar Publishers, 2007. Print.
Field, Mike and Laurie S Keller.Project management. London: International Thomson Business Press, 1998. Print.
