ENGG6830 Engineering Project: The Millennium Valve Project

• It is easy to install.
• It features non-clogging
• It can be operated easily with minimal technical know-how
• It is capable to beat its competitor due to the suitability  in setting level of water
• It can retain water level with pressure changes
• It also possesses height-adjustable feature

Pointp forwarded the RFP to four development and designing organizations and among all it chooses Indubest, Inc., the process of selection relies on the fact that company that submitted the minimal bid. The proposal of Indubest was made by its marketing and sales department and reviewed by higher authority however attained nix input from industrial designers, engineers or those departments that have prior showed interest to work on this project.

Since Indubest is not immensely involved in manufacturing of industrial valves, so it had no earlier experience with mechanical water valves, yet its business group considered the Millennium Valve Project to be a chance to procure immense profits and line up with a noteworthy manufacturer of the equipment. Keeping in mind, this opportunity the sales and marketing department of Indubest has planned to formulate cost and time evaluations utilizing standard assignments as well as work packages after evaluating the proposals for previous ventures. (Innovated by T. R. Zabelle in 2016)

The Indubest configuration group appointed to the Millennium venture was supervised by Joe Blog, a veteran engineer and included two engineers and two designers. His initial undertaking was to look into the market of valve by conversing with temporary workers, handymen, and retailers. Joe looked into the proposition and isolated the venture into stages and work bundles and drafted a Gantt graph. He also concluded that the proposition had precluded a few basic procedures and steps and that the venture cost was generously disparaged. He revised the proposition, cost estimate, and schedule.

All through the venture, the outline idea, work undertakings, and timetables are altered numerous times. The engineers at Indubest were baffled at Pointp's steady harping about the requirement for both low fetched and useful prevalence. It should be possible, however Pointp additionally needed an expedient, minimal effort improvement exertion. Amid the venture, the engineers discovered that to plan such a valve required more assets that they have been planned. On account of the considerable number of changes, Indubest surpassed the planned sum and needed to ask for extra finances from Pointp four times.

A noteworthy issue happened when Indubest conveyed a model to Pointp. Since the proposition depiction of the model was unclear, Pointp anticipated the prototype to be essentially completed item having replicable parts however, Indubest is of the opinion that it is a simple functioning model demonstrating functionality and design. Additional time and cash must be spent to bring the model up to Pointp's desire. In order to compensate with the same, Indubest move forward and initiated to make production ready models. This squandered additional time and cash in light of the fact that the completed model demonstrated that the fabrication models could not be created. (Concluded by R. G. Shenoy in 2016)

 Indubest did in the end plan a genuinely inventive valve; in any case, the design would have need of significant retooling of the industrial facility and cost Pointp 50% more to deliver that had been anticipated. Pointp, on the head of Ulrich, wiped out the agreement with Indubest. The work is 90 percent wrapped up, what's more, Pointp is endeavoring to finish the last 10 percent itself. Pointp has exhausted so far twice as much time and cash on advancement not surprisingly and still does not have an item to produce. On account of the costs, it is improbable that the item, once advancement has been finished, can be estimated sufficiently low to be competitive.

Product Management  

The overall outcome was that there is a refined development for production and sale. The morale of Pointp was receded. The president of the company Ulrich Fitch is no longer remains the favorite among the team and was censured for initiating the “latest redundant valve” proposal that has wasted time and money of the company unnecessarily. Due to this bad experience, Fitch employed project management consultants W Easley Associates to carry out a post project appraisal.

Easley experienced some intricacy in taking out data as Indubest abstained of any contribution on it and crucial information was speckled amongst several employees who were eager to disclose their insights. But, interviews with the dominating players educed considerable data that was elaborated in the information given below. The expectations and desires of the company were not executed by the project that finally leads to the failure of the project.

Drawbacks

The concern began when the organization settled to make a demand for proposition of the Millennium Valve Project and forward it to selected organizations. The decision of the organizations was limited to four, as they are the leading players among all. The organization chose the organization for Millennium Valve Project by considering their lowest bid price. Not only this, there are various different variables that must be taken into consideration at the time of approving the bid from different nations.

The bid proposed was not re-examined by any of the specialized staff, as the minimal bid may appear to be wrong. Pointp must have seen the possibility and ability of Indubest Inc. prior to the thought of their proposition. The proposition submitted did not have any basic and specialized knowledge available in it. Nevertheless, the best possible proposition is segregated into stages and undertakings appropriately with the resources, cost and time requisite for the errands to be finished. (Declared by M. Williams in 2016)

Joe Blog, who expanded the monetary allowance required by Indubest Inc., additionally later enhanced the proposition for the project. Joe Blog with two industrial designers and engineers, inquired about on the Valve market, altered the time, and cost allotments for the subtasks in the venture proposition. The project confronted many changes all through the procedure. Pointp’s engineers were truly miserable with the necessity for the venture, as it was expensive for a fast fruition and minimal effort of the venture.

The plan required by the Pointp requires more finances and resources. The company additionally confronts issues with respect to the expenses of the venture, as they exceed the expectation since Indubest persistently requests increasing budget amount for the venture. At last, Pointp needs to cease the contract and complete it by itself. The venture was 90% finished by Indubest, and Pointp finished the rest of the 10 percent.

The significant issue confronted by Pointp is the absence of communication, description, and research amongst Pointp and Indubest. Pointp ought to have done the entire research of the market to make a proposition and acknowledgment of bidding ought to be finished with the specific criteria.

The agreement and proposal done between the two organizations must possess all the details with respect to the cost estimation and design requirements. The lack of correspondence between the two results in increase in twice the planned cost. However, miscommunication amongst Pointp and Indubest leads both hazy concerning the plan necessities, which brings about effort in futility. (Contented by R. J. Arbulu in 2016) 

The interim goals of Pointp incorporate the objectives that must be achieved instantly or in the limited time. Ulrich Fitch, the president of Pointp must appoint the team that will assess all the procedure and draft the report about it. The report must incorporate each of the pitfalls that must be taken in consideration to avert future mistakes.

Market Execution

The project of Millennium valve has accompanied a remorseful ordeal to the Pointp that can never be fixed by Ulrich Fitch, the President of Pointp Products. Nevertheless, the organization ought to precede onward the advancement of the venture, since it has effectively squandered a lot of energy, time, and money of Pointp. The organization ought to have propelled the innovative project and attempt the research of market before introducing the project.

The interim goals of Pointp incorporate the launch of the item that can never be done with unsatisfied representatives. It should be the responsibility of Fitch to evolve its employee’s confidence and come up to them to participate in the accomplishment of the venture. He must adopt motivational leadership and rewarding style keeping in mind the end goal to get the team back to a similar effectiveness and profitability level. (Condemned by H.J Choo in 2016)   

The Company requires concentrating on the post-appraisal report in order to find whether the model has the anticipated prerequisites for the market or not. The organization ought to likewise present advertising campaigns for the achievement of the item and highlight all the major competency of the outline of the Valve.

The long-standing target of Pointp incorporates turning into a market pioneer and attain maximum share for the valve substitution market. Getting the maximum share will create maximum revenue for the organization, which in turn result in maximum profit to the company. The market giants should possess a low value that can be attained by the accomplishment of the economies of the scale. Pointp should offer its maximum so that it can accomplish the maximum potential orders as of the overall demand of one million replacement valves.

With a specific goal to accomplish the long-term targets of the organization, the interim and long-term plan has been implemented. The accomplishment of interim targets may be conceivable by maintaining the fulfillment of the employees. Since the workers have lost the faith in the Fitch, thus the president should not meddle with the operations of the present valve products and initiate another line of replacement valves.

Have a look at the short-term implementation policy including the below given steps and requires to be taken in order to achieve the objectives of the Pointp products:

• In order to implement the same, the first step must be the motivational and rewarding leadership style adaption done by Ulrich Fitch.
• Pointp Products afterwards implement the proper training session for the employees. This session proves to be grateful to change the attitude of the employees regarding this product.
• The formulation of the millennium valve must include market needs stated in the proposal.
• It is designed to easily accessible and installed.
• The valve must be reviewed for several water level tests maintained with various pressures and easy to access for changing the water level as per the condition.
• The entire processes must be according to the market requirements and checked by the Research and development team.
• The suggestions from the employees must be asked regarding the changes in the design, as it will grow their interest in the designing of the product.
• During the course of implementation, Fitch must plan different goals and tasks that will be useful in attaining the set targets of the company.
• Ulrich Fitch must be ardent to reward employees for their efforts since it will motivate them and boost their level of productivity.
• The goals and tasks made by Fitch and their team must be assigned to the employees since it will enhance their sense of accountability towards the achievement of the goals and the success of the project.

References:

G. Shenoy and T. R. Zabelle, 2016. Journal of Project Production Management.

J. Arbulu, H-J. Choo, M. Williams, 2016 . International Conference on Innovative Production and Construction.