Leadership and Work Breakdown Structure in Industrial Projects

Introduction

Project management is the combination of planning, processing, and monitoring of a project so that the desired outcomes can be achieved successfully or we can say the project can be completed between the predefined time levels. Project management also enables a project manager to assign and divide the tasks between the team members for its timely completion within a preset budget. Many industries are executing and implementing and the role of project management also impacts the industry in a negative or positive manner which completely depends upon the failure or success of the project (Heagney, 2016).

Leadership in the project management

Project management is an integral part of any business organization whether it is a manufacturing or construction company. Many industries are relied on project management to monitor and evaluate the project performance and to ensure that they meet the desired outcome (Novo et al., 2017). the leadership here plays a major role in managing the projects throughout their time duration so that everyone in the organization can focus on the desired outcomes. The project manager is responsible for planning, organizing, monitoring, directing, executing, and evaluating the project. The handling of the staff member and other equipment also comes under the task of project management (Meredith, et al., 2017).

Leadership is the process or way of directing, guiding, supporting, and motivating the staff members to achieve the desired outcome for a business organization. Project management is crucial work for a project manager because it ensures the project completing at a specific time and with a specific budget (Novo et al., 2017). The leadership under the project management includes numerous activities like staff handling, task handling, and its coordination among the staff, motivating and inspiring team members, and making a plan of action so that the project can be implemented successfully (Misakov et al., 2018). In an industry like Clifton rubber, there is a high requirement for project management professionals because a project requires time, sufficient staff, and budget, and the aspects should be managed carefully because it decides the successful completion or failure of the project (Novo et al., 2017). Leadership helps in boosting up the confidence of the team members because in a manufacturing industry it requires lots of labor work and the productivity of the workers can be enhanced through effective leadership of the project manager. Leadership also helps in directing and guiding the staff about the timing of each task completion and the activities required to complete it. The leader must have good communications skills and decision making quality to guide the team from project initiation to its completion (Misakov et al., 2018).

Work breakdown structure

The Work breaks down structure is a form of detailed structure that includes a detailed delivery plan and information on each task distributed among the individuals and team and also evaluates their progress in the work (Zecheru, et al, 2016). It is also helpful in working backward and also defines all the activities required to perform for the successful completion of a project. For the effective planning, execution, and scheduling of a project, an industrial project manager needs to prepare a WBS structure. The project manager can prepare an outline of the project by using the WBS structure and it also helps in monitoring each activity so that the project can be closed successfully (Kerzner, 2019).

Source- (Zecheru et al., 2016)

Work breakdown structure for an industrial project-

The WBS of an industrial project may include several activities from product planning to product delivery in the market so here the small data is presented below to understand this structure for an industry. The WBS structure of an industrial project contains the list of tasks, duration of the task, start and finish date for each task, and the estimated cost of the activities. The project manager creates WBS to manage each, activities, human resources, and budget.

Overall factors associated with the roles of a project manager

Project initiation- the project manager is taking the responsibility for the initiation of the project and he divides all the tasks and duties for each staff member and he also identifies the objectives and goals to be achieved through the project. He also establishes the project scope to define the features and the scope of work (Heagney, 2016).

Planning- the project manager decides the number of human and other resources are required for a particular project. In industry, the resources could be the workers and the equipment like machinery materials required (Meredith et al., 2017).

Executing- the project manager gives priority to the important projects and also ensures the execution of the project on or before the deadline. He works with developers and manages scheduling and budgeting for the project (Meredith et al., 2017).

Controlling- the project manager makes time to time evaluation of the project to ensure If all the activities are going in the right direction and also looks after the controlling of the activities. For example in a manufacturing industry if the task of producing 1000 units not done within a given period then he will evaluate the productivity of the workers (Meredith et al., 2017).

Closing

The period when a project comes to its end becomes its closing period and the role of project closing is performed by the project manager after its failure or success. If a project reaches its desired outcome level it provides success and it is beneficial for any kind of industry (Meredith et al., 2017).

Hence, the project manager plays a major role in identifying the objectives of a project and he also manages the risk, budget, problems, and the project manager also prepares a report for evaluating a project. The setting of clear expectations, outcomes, and goals can be done through these reports (Heagney, 2016).

Analysis of how leadership and WBS have an Impact on industrial projects

Walker (2015) stated that Industrial projects include those projects which are developed and executed for the industrial purpose, for example, a construction company designs construction projects and that relates with the manufacturing of a building or any other asset. The project manager adapts the style of leading the team in a matter so that all the team members are aligned to achieve the goals or objectives of the projects. In a manufacturing industry, it is essential to keep an eye on the productivity of the workers because particular units of the product need to be completed within a specific time and for that purpose, the project manager evaluates the performance of the team members. The project manager must have sufficient skills to lead the project team then only he can achieve the success of the project (Walker, 2015).

According to Zecheru et al, (2016) it has been observed that the project manager plays a very important role through his leadership in order to maintain the team performance and also he ensures that the project can be completed on time with a predefined budget of the manufacturing industry. If a project manager can align the team members and manage all the aspects of a project like risk, budget, reporting, discussion, project planning, initiation, control then only it will provide success to the project. Non-performance of the project manager may result in the failure of the project. The industry may suffer from loss If project performance does not meet with desired outcomes (Zecheru, et al, 2016).

Zecheru et al, (2016) explained that today an industry requires a high level of project management because the role of leadership has a great influence over the industrial project. the performance of the project can be enhanced through effective leadership and the changes in leadership manner may hit the industry harder than ever. The future success of an industry depends upon effective leadership under the project management because industrial projects have a hard deadline and limited budget efficiency so the success and failure of the project depend upon the production of maximum product units of trade within a limited time so the project manager must ensure all such things.

According to the Heagney, (2016), work background structure also contributes to the success or failure of a project because it defines scheduling, risk, and estimated cost associated with the project. The required result can only be achieved if the unnecessary work is avoided by making WBS for a project. In all the industries of the UK, the WBS is used to divide each task and its time of completion with the budget required for each task. The use of WBS in an industry saves a business from wasting time and money also eliminates the risk barriers. for example in the manufacturing industry of steel, the business needs to complete the manufacturing of the specific units before the deadline because products need to be distributed in the market whenever requires. A project manager creates WBS just to ensure that all the team members are aligned to complete each activity within the predefined time so that the industry can not suffer from late delivery of the products in the market and also removes all the risk factors available in the market.

According to BBC world (2015), the Britain rail system project was initiated to improve the Britain rail system but that project has encountered so many problems and there were so many consequences that failed the project. The project was costing more and taking longer and the government and other factors were also involved in the failure of the project . The government had no sufficient time and the project was 200 miles long and it was not possible for the workers to manage the work. The cost of all the equipment and other resources was too high so the government had lost its control over the budget. If the management of thee projects done properly there then such failure may result in the success of the project (Peter Carr, 2015).

Heagney (2016) explained that the role of the project manager impacts the success or failure of a project. the industries are complex and the participation of different stakeholders like government, shareholders, team members also impacts the project. Extra risks are related to the industries because of budgeting and scheduling requirements. The strategic industrial objectives can be achieved with effective leadership and Work breakdown structure (Kerzner, 2017). The project managers can improve the chances of success of a project by using effective management tools like planning, meeting, evaluating, and execution phases. The critical success factor of an industry-specific is budgets and deadlines. The project manager establishes effective communication among the stakeholders and also put planning efforts for an industrial project (Walker, 2015).

Siemens Gamesa is one of the top leading industries which is focusing on improving green energy resources specifically renewables and it has powered the world by providing 100 percent sources of renewables with its new project. The project implemented successfully in the area of Denmark and the UK and the reason for the success of this project was the effective project management quality of the project professionals. Each project was analyzed by the professional to understand the different methodology and behaviors and that defined general rules of success (SHARADA PRAHLADRAO, 2020).

Project Scheduling and Impact on Project Delivery

Process of project scheduling

According to Kerzner, (2017) Project scheduling relates to the listing of activities, milestones, and deliverables and these are associated with the project. The planned start and finish date, resources, and duration is also included in the scheduling of a project.

Plan schedule management

It includes government guidelines, documentation, and the procedure that will take control over the project and it also includes the list of stakeholders and authorities who can make the changes in the project schedule.

Project activities

The project manager decides what activities need to be included in the project by listing the tasks to achieve the project objectives. To stay organized work in an industry it is essential to prepare a chart of tasks and subtasks. The deadline should be determined for each activit (Kerzner, 2017).

Determine dependencies

The dependent person for each task should be determined by the project manager. For example for the construction of a building project, you cant complete the roof before the frame of the building.

Sequence activities

All the activities should be presented in a sequential manner. the efficient flow of industrial work can be created by arranging all the activities in a particular order. For example, pillar should be constructed before the top floor of the building (Kerzner, 2017).

Estimated resources

in an industrial project, each task and activity requires some resources like a human and other physical resources such as material, machinery, and computer programs. All the resources should be added while scheduling the project (Kerzner, 2017).

Estimated duration

The longer the activity take the longer that project will get delay and all the industrial project are critical because they have a specific deadline to complete the production so the estimated duration of each task should be determined by the project manager in order its timely delivery (Kerzner, 2017).

Development of project schedule

All the information must be included in the development of a project schedule and it takes into consideration the budget, duration, resources, and dependencies. On the basis of the project start and completion date for activities are assigned (Kerzner, 2017).

Monitor and control

The project manager of an industrial project monitors and controls each activity and also makes a cross-check on the activity schedule and takes necessary corrective action.

The giant chart is useful in monitoring the project performance and also highlights key terms of work breakdown structure which includes a list of activities and deadlines (Kerzner, 2017).

Impact on project delivery

According to Mubarak (2015) The techniques like listing or distributing the tasks help in underlining the activities for each task and scheduling also helps in assigning the activity to each individual. For example, in an industrial project, the testing work is to be done by a quality check team. Assigning the task also defines the roles and responsibilities of an individual. The delivery of the project is highly impacted by the scheduling of the project because all the activities are specified within a particular deadline system and that ensures the delivery of the project on time (Misakov et al., 2018). If any delay happens on any activity then the project might get delay at the time of delivery and that may result in the failure of an industrial project because industrial projects are supposed to be completed on time and marketing of the products also takes place after the manufacturing of the project (Mubarak, 2015).

The Crossrail is one of the biggest transport infrastructure project has been launched in Europe and UK. The project successfully took place because of its on-time completion. The workers spent more than 100 working hours to complete this project. The hard deadline of the project was well managed by the project professionals. Apart from Crossrail, there were so many projects which successfully initiated, processed, and executed. The success of a project comes into existence when the project completes all the assigned within the given time and cost if any project crossed its deadline or cost then it may lead to the failure of a project (Chakrabortty, et al, 2017).

Impact of project scheduling and project delivery on an industrial project

Levy (2018) explained that project schedule is a very sensitive process of project management because it requires sequential alignment of the activities, estimated cost, and deadlines. The industrial projects are completed under a very hard deadline because any manufacturing or construction industry is responsible for the production of N number of units and that production units are distributed in the market which is also a lengthy process so the delivery of the project in the industrial cases is very important on or before its deadline (Levy, 2018). The project manager also takes responsibility for the project scheduling and delivering the project on time. The cost effective way and sensitiveness of time build the industrial development but it requires tight project scheduling. Large scale manufacturing project requires a lot of time for its completion therefore to ensure the project delivery within a specific time the project professional must create a dedicated workforce and hard deadlines (Levy, 2018).

There were so many industrial cases that have been seen which could not succeed due to lack of timing and budget or sufficient workforce, for example, British railways project of increase transportation but also many cases successfully took their place in the market like Crossrail, GOOGLE UK HQ project (Levy, 2018).

So it can be said that project scheduling and project delivery can make a positive or negative impact on industrial projects. The positive impact will lead a project towards success and the negative impact may fail a project.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it can be concluded that the role of leadership plays a big role in project management because the project manager takes the responsibility for the activity assignment, team motivation, scheduling the task, and defining the cost of the tasks. The WBS structure is also created by the project manager which helps in scheduling the project. The project manager takes the responsibility for the planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of the project. The project scheduling ensures the delivery of the project on time because it includes tight deadlines and work structure. There is a big importance of project management in industrial cases because industrial projects are complex and sensitive due to tight deadlines and limited budgets. If the budget or finish date of the project goes beyond the deadline it may result in the failure of the project while timely completion within a specific budget ensures the success of the project (Scott,et al, 2019).

References

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SHARADA PRAHLADRAO, (2020), online available at https://www.arcweb.com/blog/siemens-gamesa-powered-100-percent-renewable-electricity-worldwide last accessed on 25 January 2021

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