Lean Management Dissertation Proposal

This dissertation proposal examines the effectiveness of lean management in reducing waste and minimizing cost in engineering firms, specifically focusing on AECOM. It explores the conceptual importance of lean engineering management, its features, benefits, and recommends ways for adopting lean techniques. The research methodology includes an interpretivist philosophy, inductive approach, and both primary and secondary data collection methods. The proposal outlines a detailed time-frame for completing the dissertation.

DISSERTATION (To evaluate the effectiveness
of lean management in reducing wastage and
minimising cost)
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MANAGEMENT DISSERTATION PROPOSAL PROFORMA
STUDENT NAME:
STUDENT NUMBER:
TIME ZONE (UTC / GMT +/-):
UOL EMAIL:
STUDENT SUPPORT MANAGER (SSM):
Name:
UOL email:
DISSERTATION ADVISOR:
Name:
UOL email:
Advisor Classroom:
GENERAL DISSERTATION INSTRUCTOR:
Name:
UOL email:
Research Methods Classroom:
PROPOSED DISSERTATION TITLE:
FINAL DEADLINE FOR DISSERTATION SUBMISSION:
ETHICAL CHECKLIST COMPLETED: YES [ ] NO [ ]
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DEGREE PROGRAMME:
Specialisation Track (Please check as appropriate):
General [ ] Finance [ ] Marketing [ ]
Other [ ] (please specify)___________________
DATE:
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MANAGEMENT DISSERTATION PROPOSAL PROFORMA
1. Aim, objectives and feasibility
Lean engineering management is one of the driving forces to minimize the additional
costing and generation of wastage as well. It helps in elevating positioning in the global
markets and support in gaining competitive advantages. This has laid structured
standardization by underpinning the designing, implementing and managing components
(Savage, 2018). In order to optimize the available resources and cost-efficiency, several lean
approaches are used which has widespread contribution to the operational practices at
AECOM. It helps in minimizing the additional requirements while manufacturing a product or
service. Also, it supports in improving the production processes by embracing all the
principles.
The major objective is to explore the measurements in assessing the effectiveness in
engineering based industries, which put extra burden in terms of increasing wastage and
costings. Herein, lean approach would pave the path for companies by providing the best
methods in order to reduce the supplementary costs and unwarranted wastage. With the help
of adopting the lean approaches, the manufacturing based organizations would ensure
customer-oriented perspectives. There is a need to bring concrete modifications that would
assist in bringing few structural changes in the procedural undertakings. Thus, this research
will be helpful for AECOM which is taken to investigate on lowering down their costs and
minimize their wastage.
Aim:
To evaluate the effectiveness of lean management in reducing wastage and minimizing
cost in engineering firms: A study on AECOM
Objectives:
 To understand the conceptual importance of lean engineering management at
AECOM
 To assess the features of lean engineering management
 To evaluate the benefits of lean management in improving value and profitability at an
engineering firm
 To recommend ways for adopting the lean engineering management techniques in
companies
Research Questions:
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1. What is the conceptual importance of lean engineering management at AECOM?
2. How quality maintenance done to implement the lean management in reducing
wastage?
3. How lean management prove beneficial in improving value and profitability at
AECOM?
4. What are the for adopting the lean engineering management techniques in companies?
Feasibility:
With advent of globalization and technological advancements, it led to rise of higher
chances of conducting unregulated processes in order to complete the assigned tasks in
engineering-based firms (Introduction to Lean Manufacturing, 2019). There is need of proper
consensus from the chosen organization while studying about the effectiveness of the chosen
organization. Alongside, the financial records with other important data must be produced
under a legal framework to have an authenticated response from the concerned employees of
the organization. There is also the requirements to have access to their available resources,
materials and overall manpower for conducting the research with viability. In the span of
seven months for competing this project, the focus is to use the sources in the best possible
manner. The highlight is also to bring changes in convenient and cost effective manner which
aid in minimising the waste generation at this organizational context. Henceforth, by
conducting this research, it will help in gaining insights to whether the principles of the lean
engineering management is considered at effectual levels or not.
2. Literature Review
Conceptual meaning of lean management
According to Maskell, Baggaley and Grasso, (2016), lean management is the
determinant that assist management of organizations to adopt data-driven methods for project
management. It is useful in determining the data analysis, empowered cross-functional work
teams and minimizing the waste by optimizing factors such as resources, capital, timeline,
employees and more. This concept is relevant in today's era due to improvised technologies
and wider pool of processes that require less manual labor. This plays crucial role in handling
the complex projects to mitigate the additional costings and enhancing the shelf lives of
equipment, inventory and warehousing areas.
Primarily, Mason, Nicolay and Darzi, (2015) stated that adoption of lean management
principles is considered in planning a comprehensive plan for measuring the quantifiable
factors such as financial components, requirements, availability of resources etc. In
engineering firms, there are separate departments in their manufacturing units where the
processes are streamlined for minimum non-value added activities. This must be removed by
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using several effective tools and techniques of lean management to mitigate such crisis. Such
lean management assists in controlled maintenance for waste generation to bring
sustainability in terms of inventory, costings, time-efficiency etc.
There is a stress to implement the lean principles to signify the design of products in
cross-functional manner along-with a systematic process management to ensure quality,
authenticity and viability factors in an engineering company. There are both pros and cons
attached with any relevant topic. Henceforth, Chavez and et.al., 2015 elucidated that lean
management is directed towards the consumption parameter of materials and resources, where
recovery occurs when sudden crisis in inventory or warehousing has been pre-defined. It is a
practice in which overloadedness gets eliminated by outlining the entire manufacturing
system to finish the operations in proper modes.
On the other hand, Sharma, Dixit and Qadri, (2015) also critiqued that lean practices
are the catalysts that supported in making the performance of operations, staff, machineries
etc. in profound manner. In order to bring uniformity in the quality, efficiency and monitoring
in all the departmental assigned responsibilities, lean management techniques have reduced
the waste by automating the methods under an agile developmental integration . It is a
tangible commodity which infers lessening of unregulated supervision and better segregation
of tasks and operational practices. Whereas the only limitation is that it is long and time
consuming procedure. Also, it does provide solutions to all the drawbacks and shortcomings.
Features of lean engineering management
This is essential in fulfilling the expectations of clients, investors, distributors and
shareholders of any company. Pakdil and Leonard, (2015) considered lean management is an
important tool which is customer centric approach. Lean management is refereed as one of the
practical concepts which have benefited all the companies in all over the world and supported
in generating profits and revenues. Additionally, it is significant in preventing extra losses
from the company's point of view. There have been many advantages like reducing defects,
errors, unwanted materials or any inappropriate processing along with finding the solutions to
mitigate the uncertain concurrency associated with the engineering production methodologies.
Furthermore, Sharma, Dixit and Qadri, (2015) argued that quality parameter is another
important feature in the lean management that is considered. Here, an auditing takes place in
overcoming the challenges while measuring or tracking the progress of processes. This result
in minimizing waste generation and aids in recognizing gap analysis to bridge correlations in
context to the operational performance. Along with, Bevilacqua, Ciarapica and De Sanctis,
(2017) elucidated that it is imperative to have a well-defined order in transforming the
relational phases that are involved in manufacturing of a product or service. There is a great
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need to comprehend the efficiencies that are formed after strategically applying the lean
management techniques with respect to materials, resources, scheduling and reworking of
design aspects.
Moreover, Negrão, Godinho Filho and Marodin, (2017) has shed light on the overall
evaluation is that this gives a holistic overview to the workforce and concentrate on the
current process status and are done using flowcharts, value stream maps etc. This lean process
avoids the variability in the routine processing and brings standardization by minimizing the
waiting and lead times while doing the processes. Nonetheless, the testing and limiting the
barriers are fulfilled by using the lean development and reducing the build-up and shortening
the work cycles leading to competent working standards by the employees. Reducing the
inventory is also considered in order to lead proper enhancements in consuming less time in
waiting and leading. There is a formation of clear pathway to find the blockages that support
in minimizing the scaling and other waste related materials.
Benefits of lean management in improving value and profitability
The lean management techniques consists of tools, techniques and methods that have
proved constructive effects in bringing consistent profits. As per the opinions of H. van Dun
and Wilderom, (2016) the highest priority in lean is reducing wastes in an effective manner.
This is effectual in maintaining the standardisation of the procedures and enhancing the
quality factor in forwarding direction in the marketplaces. Such waste are classified into many
forms like backtracking, scrapping, excess inventory, etc. and must be maintained by adopting
streamlining processes on consistent basis. Here, the prime focus is to bring quality and
reduction in costings in regard with the opinions of customers' to recognize the objectives and
purposes of such manufacturing companies. This is in direct relationship with the employees'
engagement where small steps are considered to involve the staff in all phases through a
transparent channel. It is useful in accelerating the proficiency and complete effectiveness at
the workplaces.
Thus, it is understandable that lean management in the engineering sector would prove
beneficial by focusing on few strategic tools and methods. Berger, Tortorella and Rodriguez,
(2018) emphasized on wider networks of continuous improvement that has been developed to
increase the power supply of departments at such firms. Along with this, it focuses on
following a coherent systematic order to gain advantages for surviving in the markets. In
addition, the reasonable state to adopt lean management at engineering companies is to
maintain the quality and high standards to survive in the cut-throat global markets. However,
it will be viable to incorporate it to bring sustainability and eliminating the environmental
related constructs like air pollutants, generation of smog etc.
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Additionally, Domingo and Aguado, (2015) described the adoption of assessment and
overall evaluation of the lean management principles in the engineering field to sustain and
bring an equilibrium in the processing units. Customers are integral and add greater value to a
company's growth and progression. A collaborative approach would reap advantages to any
enterprise's administration by creating the value added steps. On the other hand, Bortolotti,
Boscari and Danese, (2015) such companies obsession in maintaining quality and
standardization can sometimes prove fatal to the task-force who end up getting exploited with
low wages and overtime hours. The lean is applied to bring necessary changes for better re-
engineering framework for problem solving and preventing any accident by managing the
quality parameters on continuous levels at regular duration. The general purpose is to bring
reorganization of tools, techniques and methods to bring a balance in between conducting the
operations at faster pace. However, it enables to perform the lean engineering management
techniques and associated technologies in better functional manner.
.
3. Research methodology and methods
Research methodology provides a framework which is based on using several
methods to make the research study more authentic and feasible for the researchers. It will
shed light on different types of methods and approaches which will be proved useful in order
to undertake this research project. It includes research type, research design, research
philosophy, research approach, data collection, sampling and data analysis. It is determined
by specifying the procedures through sequence of identification, selection, procedure and
analyzation about the chosen topic, that is, to evaluate the effectiveness of lean management
in reducing wastage and minimizing cost within engineering firm such as AECOM.
Research design- This part contains a sequence of steps to complete analyze the various
components and methods to be chosen by understanding the strategic planning while
conducting research. In this research, exploratory and conclusive types are involved, where it
becomes convenient to describe and evaluate the entire research title in more elaborative
manner. Thus, descriptive type will be used to examine the objectives of this research. This
will be helpful in defining the research in more authenticated order and help in understanding
the different aspects of the topic.
Research philosophy- There are mainly three types of philosophies such as Interpretivism,
positivism and realism types. In this project, the type of research philosophy to be used will
be interpretivism. This will be beneficial in comprehending the data and information in more
profound manner and also will provide clarity and better assistance. It will also emphasize on
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exploring all the aspects of this study as qualitative analysis will be better type in gaining
insights.
Research approach- There are three types of approaches such as Inductive, deductive and
abductive types. In this regard, deductive type will lay the foundation of checking the validity
and is purely based on assumptions whereas inductive approach will help in contributing to
any novel generalizations, theories or models. Also, the abductive approach type will
emphasis on understanding the explanations and giving explanations regarding queries, facts
etc. In this research, inductive approach type will be applied to bring validity and is ethically
sound. Alongside, abductive type might also be included in bringing the differences between
observations and other available information.
Data collection- There are mainly two types of data collection methods such as primary and
secondary methods. Primary methods will be collected from the researcher whereas the
secondary methods will be collected from other sources such as books, journals, etc (Grasso
and et.al., 2018). Here, both the methods will be proved beneficial in bringing results in an
authenticated order. Mainly, questionnaire (primary data collection source) method will be
used to fulfil the purpose and the specified objectives. Here, 25 supervisors will be taken into
consideration in determining the waste and additional costings that act as obstacles in the
value and credibility of the company's presence in the marketplaces.
Sampling- This is defined as the statistical analysis where predetermined number of
observations are taken to come to a solid conclusion. In reference to the above research study,
25 supervisors/managers of this company will be considered to understand the overall
effectiveness of the lean management techniques. Here, simple random technique will be
considered. It will help in identifying the correct sample from the whole population.
Data analysis- It is one of the important parts in which complete transformational process
occurs. It is considered to determine the goals and objectives in more refined modes. It is of
two types such as quantitative and qualitative types. This overall analysis will be interpreted
by using the thematic basis which is related to the qualitative method. It is based on collected
data from supervisors of AECOM.
These research methods and approaches will give an appropriate outline in furnishing
valid and feasible data in terms of achieving the objectives with effective emphasis on
understanding the different aspects of lean engineering management in context to AECOM.
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4. Time-frame
Mileston
e
Description Due date Remarks
1 Stage 1: Area to be taken
identified
12/01/19 Examine several areas
and topics for gaining
insights and start work
with respect to AECOM
2 Stage 2: Selection of specific
topic
12/01/19 -
3 Stage 3: Outline of topic 12/01/19 -
3 Stage 4: Proposal of dissertation 07/02/19
4 Stage 5: Introduction initiated 11/02/19
5 Stage 6: Critics of various
literature available
06/03/19
6 Stage 7: Defining research
methodologies and approaches
28/03/19
7 Stage 8: Data Collection through
various sources
15/04/19
8 Stage 9: Determining the
analysis part in themes
02/05/19
9 Stage 10: Data Analysis with
interpretations
15/05/19
10 Stage 11: Writing up 20/05/19
11 Stage 12: Submission of Final
draft
15/06/19
12 Final Deadline 15/07/19
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References:
Books and Journals
Berger, S.L.T., Tortorella, G.L. and Rodriguez, C.M.T. (2018). Lean Supply Chain
Management: A Systematic Literature Review of Practices, Barriers and Contextual
Factors Inherent to Its Implementation. In Progress in Lean Manufacturing (pp. 39-
68). Springer, Cham.
Bevilacqua, M., Ciarapica, F.E. and De Sanctis, I. (2017). Lean practices implementation and
their relationships with operational responsiveness and company performance: an
Italian study. International Journal of Production Research. 55(3). pp.769-794.
Bortolotti, T., Boscari, S. and Danese, P. (2015). Successful lean implementation:
Organizational culture and soft lean practices. International Journal of Production
Economics. 160. pp.182-201.
Chavez, R. and et.al. (2015). Internal lean practices and performance: The role of
technological turbulence. International Journal of Production Economics. 160.
pp.157-171.
Domingo, R. and Aguado, S. (2015). Overall environmental equipment effectiveness as a
metric of a lean and green manufacturing system. Sustainability. 7(7). pp.9031-9047.
Grasso, C. and et.al. (2018). Planning and implementing sexual orientation and gender
identity data collection in electronic health records. Journal of the American Medical
Informatics Association.26(1). pp.66-70.
H. van Dun, D. and Wilderom, C.P. (2016). Lean-team effectiveness through leader values
and members’ informing. International journal of operations & production
management. 36(11). pp.1530-1550.
Maskell, B.H., Baggaley, B. and Grasso, L. (2016). Practical lean accounting: a proven
system for measuring and managing the lean enterprise. Productivity Press.
Mason, S.E., Nicolay, C.R. and Darzi, A. (2015). The use of Lean and Six Sigma
methodologies in surgery: a systematic review. The Surgeon. 13(2). pp.91-100.
Negrão, L.L.L., Godinho Filho, M. and Marodin, G. (2017). Lean practices and their effect on
performance: a literature review. Production Planning & Control. 28(1). pp.33-56.
Pakdil, F. and Leonard, K.M. (2015). The effect of organizational culture on implementing
and sustaining lean processes. Journal of Manufacturing Technology
Management. 26(5). pp.725-743.
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Savage, G. (2018). Holacratic Engineering Management: A Lean Enterprise System
Engineering Innovation (Doctoral dissertation, The George Washington University).
Sharma, V., Dixit, A.R. and Qadri, M.A. (2015). Impact of lean practices on performance
measures in context to Indian machine tool industry. Journal of Manufacturing
Technology Management. 26(8). pp.1218-1242.
Online
Introduction to Lean Manufacturing. 2019. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.bridgevalley.edu/lean-101-introduction-lean-manufacturing>.
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