BUSN20016: Management & Process Improvement in Mining Industry

This project outline delves into the importance of implementing management and process improvement techniques within the mining industry, specifically focusing on BHP Billiton. The research aims to analyze continuous improvement processes, evaluate effective strategies, and explore the implementation of lean and Six Sigma models for process optimization. The methodology includes a literature review to understand the mining industry's economic contribution and the role of competitive technologies. Data collection involves gathering secondary data from industry sources and government websites, supplemented by interviews with BHP Billiton's manager to gain insights into practical applications and effectiveness of implemented strategies. Data analysis will employ correlation analysis and MS Excel to identify relationships between variables and present findings through tables and graphs, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of management and process improvement techniques in the mining sector.

Running head: IMPLEMENTING MANAGEMENT AND PROCES IMPROVEMENT
Importance of Implementing Management and Process Improvement in Mining Industry
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Authors Note:

1IMPLEMENTING MANAGEMENT AND PROCES IMPROVEMENT
Table of Contents
Problem Statement...............................................................................................................2
Aim and Objectives.............................................................................................................2
A Brief Methodology...........................................................................................................3
Literature Reviews...........................................................................................................3
Data Collection................................................................................................................3
Interviews........................................................................................................................4
Secondary Data and Data Analysis Methods.......................................................................4
References............................................................................................................................5
Appendix..............................................................................................................................6

2IMPLEMENTING MANAGEMENT AND PROCES IMPROVEMENT
Problem Statement
Companies are dealing with increasing economic competition and for this reason the
managers are making great attempts in revealing the methods that can make sure a competitive
edge within the industry (Benner & Tushman, 2015). The companies also consider it vital that
the management methods are aligned with competitiveness logic that demands production costs
reduction and profits increase. These processes encompass managerial concepts that involve low
cost. Considering the importance of the implementing effective management and process
improvement techniques the research will focus on revealing sustainable methods for production
and management improvement. There are several methods that can be implemented by the
manager of BHP Billiton in dealing with economic competition and dealing with specific process
based risks (BHP Billiton | A leading global resources company. 2018). The research will
address this problem through recognizing distinct ways in which production resources available
within BHP Billiton can be used through considering use of modern management technologies.
Aim and Objectives
The aim of this paper is to carry out a research on “Importance of Implementing
Management and Process Improvement in Mining Industry” considering the company BHP
Billiton. The objectives of this research are explained under:
 To analyze the continuous improvement process in BHP Billiton
 To evaluate the effective continuous improvement strategies implemented by BHP
Billiton

3IMPLEMENTING MANAGEMENT AND PROCES IMPROVEMENT
 To analyze the ways in which lean and six sigma model can be implemented by BHP
Billiton for process improvement
 To recognize the suggested management and process improvement practices for BHP
Billiton
A Brief Methodology
Literature Reviews
The literature review section will explain the concept of management and process
improvement that can facilitate BHP Billiton in realizing the ways in which mining is a
contributor to economy and is subject to demand and supply inconsistencies (Kusi-Sarpong,
Sarkis & Wang, 2016). Evaluation of the literature on this research topic will also facilitate in
analyzing the continuous process improvement in the mining companies over years. This section
will also analyze the ways in which the mining industry employs highly competitive
technologies focused on developed economic segments. The complex natural and market
situations within which the mining organizations operate need superior quality management
which considers their employees as process and management improvement aspects (Shen,
Muduli & Barve, 2015).
Data Collection
Secondary data is deemed to be gathered from the industry sources and government
websites. Such data gathered will be from authentic and reliable sources as it will include
information collected regarding the research topic from books, journals, company’s annual
reports and websites (Van Der Aalst, La Rosa & Santoro, 2016).

4IMPLEMENTING MANAGEMENT AND PROCES IMPROVEMENT
Interviews
In order to support the outcomes gathered from secondary data, this research will also
carry out interview with the manager of BHP Billiton. Certain open ended questions will be
asked to the manager in the interview process (Yakovleva, 2017). The findings of the interview
will facilitate in analyzing the importance of implementing management and process
improvement in the company as well as the mining industry.
Secondary Data and Data Analysis Methods
Secondary data will be gathered from annual report of BHP Billiton along with certain
government sources. Such data sources will facilitate in extracting relevant information
regarding the management and process improvement strategies implemented by the company.
Moreover, data gathered will be analyzed in consideration to test the relationship between the
dependent and independent variables identified trough the research (Van Der Aalst, La Rosa &
Santoro, 2016). Data gathered from the interview will be analyzed through correlation analysis
and through using MS Excel. Such findings gathered will be represented through tables and
graphs that can facilitate in better explanation of facts regarding management and process
improvement technique implementation.

5IMPLEMENTING MANAGEMENT AND PROCES IMPROVEMENT
References
Benner, M. J., & Tushman, M. L. (2015). Reflections on the 2013 Decade Award
—“Exploitation, exploration, and process management: The productivity dilemma
revisited” ten years later. Academy of management review, 40(4), 497-514.
BHP Billiton | A leading global resources company. (2018). BHP. Retrieved 4 April 2018, from
https://www.bhp.com/
Kusi-Sarpong, S., Sarkis, J., & Wang, X. (2016). Assessing green supply chain practices in the
Ghanaian mining industry: A framework and evaluation. International Journal of
Production Economics, 181, 325-341.
Shen, L., Muduli, K., & Barve, A. (2015). Developing a sustainable development framework in
the context of mining industries: AHP approach. Resources Policy, 46, 15-26.
Van Der Aalst, W. M., La Rosa, M., & Santoro, F. M. (2016). Business process management.
Yakovleva, N. (2017). Corporate social responsibility in the mining industries. Routledge.

6IMPLEMENTING MANAGEMENT AND PROCES IMPROVEMENT
Appendix
Open ended questions for manager
 Explain the ways in which processes improved the way jobs are performed in the
company.
 How process mapping enabled you to examine company’s processes thoroughly in
developing improvements?
 How to you determine the performance standards of the company?
 In what ways the overall effectiveness of the operations got improved in the company?