Strategic Business Transformation: SB Tech Project Management Report

This report provides an in-depth analysis of SB Tech's strategic business transformation project and programme management. It begins with an introduction to business projects and programme management, emphasizing their role in achieving organizational goals. The report then delves into the business case for SB Tech, a technology company based in the US, focusing on key issues like geographical and governmental challenges related to the acquisition of WN, along with soft issues such as employment and brand reputation. The report also outlines performance criteria and defines the programme scope, including the acquisition of WN, in-house manufacturing, and new product development. Furthermore, it addresses issue and risk management, organizational structure, stakeholder considerations, and programme control mechanisms. The report also explores contracting, supplier management, and concludes with a summary of the strategic transformation program.

BUSINESS PROJECT
AND PROGRAMME
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
OVERVIEW....................................................................................................................................1
BUSINESS CASE/PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT ...............................................................1
Hard Issue....................................................................................................................................2
Soft Issue.....................................................................................................................................2
Performance Criteria...................................................................................................................3
PROGRAMME SCOPE AND DELIVERABLES .........................................................................3
Acquisition of WN......................................................................................................................3
In-house manufacturing and outsourcing....................................................................................4
Development of new products....................................................................................................5
ISSUE AND RISK MANAGEMENT.............................................................................................7
ORGANISATION, STAKEHOLDER AND GOVERNANCE......................................................9
Determination of organisational structure that consider about existing challenges....................9
Critical evaluation of Stakeholders view on outsourcing/location of manufacturing.................9
PROGRAMME CONTROL..........................................................................................................10
Benchmarking ..........................................................................................................................10
Key performance indicators......................................................................................................10
CONTRACTING AND SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
The term business project is intend towards achievement of organisational goals for
implementing organised methods that leads to accomplish long term success in business.
Programme management work with the motive of completing all projects with the intention of
improvements that aids to enhance working abilities and performance of organisation. Project
manager of a business perform their work to fulfil demand and need of the existing business
project that helps to accomplish organisational goals in a systematic manner. There are various
prospect are performed as well as managed among the business for attaining different changes
that are positive and favourable for organisation. Business project are highly imperative activity
and it undertake different imperative activity that need to set an effective structure by deciding
target and deliverables that are related with organisation goals and objectives. This report is
written from perspective of SB which is performing their business in technology sector. It is
situated in Washington, US (Bradley, 2016). The existing project of respective organisation is
focused towards planning and managing a strategic business transformation. So to support the
decision report cover business case/programme management related with strategic
transformation programme. Scope and deliverables of project will also covered in this report. In
the last, risk and issue management for planning and executing the project in an organised
manner is also focused in the upcoming report.
OVERVIEW
SB is known as a prominent technology organisation among the US market that fabricate
tested hardware products at low cost. The organisation operates a high manufacturing as well as
outsourcing unit in the Far East. Along with this product development centre within Western
Europe with a supporting centre of Engineering Excellent among same workplace. Organisation
also consider about the development of a new vision that support organisation to enhance and
diversify its business in terms of product portfolio and market. So for implementing key change
project that involved a major presence of acquisition with WN, in-house manufacturing and to
establish New Software development project (Breese and et. al., 2015).
BUSINESS CASE/PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT
Organisation is totally focus on managing and adopting a new transformation process and
this is abjuratory for the management to monitor or analyse different issue which exists for a
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complete execution of a programme. So, some key aspects that are necessary for understand with
the light of transforming process in a planned manner. Some issue that are highlighted to achieve
company strategic objectives are mention as below:
Hard Issue
 Geographical issue- One of the major issue that is faced by organisation while
considering the process of acquisition of WN is related with the change of location.
Example- Some high technical equipments is complex to place in a tepid environment. It
is because one of the strategic objectives for organisation is to enhance the number of
manufacturing operations that keep the cost of same for minimising the quality of work.
Along with this the key challenge that is associate with organisation relates with location
facility that is set-up among Europe. It is because the disruption among structure and
function of organisation both are disrupt due to change management process.
 Government issue- Another macro and government issue that is faced by the
organisation is to consider the association which make regulatory clearances and changes
for managing business project in an organised manner (Butler, Szwejczewski and
Sweeney, 2018). The uncertainty level to acquire WN refers to the high level of
uncertainty related with government. There is a major concern that investor are not ready
for put their stake in Europe and it is because Brexit generates various challenges for
organisation to perform their operations with a stable policy and structure.
Soft Issue
 Employment and Job- Due to difference in quality issue, respective business is consider
towards shifting their manufacturing and outsourcing unit from existing place to USA. It
also leads to loss of unemployment among the unit in East. Moreover, cost to shift
towards US is also high. It also leads towards de-motivating of existing workforce among
company it is because lack productivity generate complexity to implement changes for
organisation.
 Brand and goodwill reputation- The strategic transformation of organisation depends
on the reputation and goodwill that is managed by business in proper manner (Dalcher,
2016). The origin country of WN is US and the principle headquarter is planned towards
the closure of SB that is related with manufacturing/production and the New Software
development centre of Excellence. It also impact on the organisation image within US
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because of an independent market that would directly impact if organisation not perform
work according to decided step.
Performance Criteria
With the above mention issue it is identified that an organisation require some different
criteria that are related towards accomplish of company objectives by organising successful
training programme for organisation. Some of the essential aspects for performance criteria are
mention as below:
 The first and most essential performance criteria for cost of production relates with
organisation that keep and manage low aspects for profits and revenue of organisation
(Daniel, Ward and Franken, 2014).
 Another important criteria define the performance of new product and it includes new as
well as integrated offering for appropriate mobile interface software for satisfying client
need in a specific manner.
 Flexibility among company operations is an another essential aspect which is considered
by organisation for assessing the process of change and it is also experienced by external
agency such as DDC.
PROGRAMME SCOPE AND DELIVERABLES
Scheduling is an another important aspect that decide or determine time frame for all
programmes and their project. For completing all task in an appropriate manner project manager
formulate and execute time activities for each task by formulating schedule. In the context of
strategic training programme of SB, management undertakes different inter-related project that
are necessary for evaluating all training programmes of change process.
Acquisition of WN
It is one of the most prominent and separate project which is linked with overall
transformation among company. Along with this the reason for matching similar project or
company is to expand their manufacturing unit capacity that helps to process towards the
development of new software (Lock and Wagner, 2016). This is also used for managing
resources and capabilities that are essential for managing changes among the firm. Moreover, it
also permit the business to keep their production cost low which helps to attract customers by
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offering reliable equipments at minimum price. In the terms of Scope and deliverables, all task
and activities associate with same perspective.
 Deciding the location- The scope of project is determined with fact that there are
different locations is established where WN establish their manufacturing unit. One of the
main and larger unit in Europe and a small branch among the USA. Moreover, the
management is also focused towards establish of unit among Western Europe. It is also
beneficial for organisation as it helps to implement in-house manufacturing and source
strategy (Lytvynchenko, 2016). From the perspective of project management
management is focused to shift all of their operations among Western Europe and it is
also near the firm unit in USA. It is a major setback for organisation which also manage
firm's capabilities of organisation by adopting a balanced approach.
 To identify possible synergies- Their are different ways exists among business by which
WN manage business with SB. Like, the software skill of WN integrate and merge
production capacity that ensure the development of new offering which helps to manage
hardware and software in a proper manner.
 For determining strategic approach- According to the above discussion, the prominent
approach allow SB for acquiring and generating strategic alliance by performing work
according to available skills and market reputation. Further, after the acquisition and
integration of strategic approach management leads to acquire all resources according to
the new software development which also enhance scope for achieving success within
company.
In-house manufacturing and outsourcing
Project manager focus on two prominent objectives that are product quality and cost
cutting as it is useful for managing the transforming project of firm. With the planned activities
management ensure that all of its activities are re-shore towards generating production among
US, because it helps in managing and enhancing product quality. Further, there are different
issue and concern relates with project that also lose the jobs. This is also used in managing
business project among host and origin country (Maylor, Blackmon and Huemann, 2016).
Project also generate the scope that helps in managing negative factors instead of positive aspect.
This also ensure all deliverables are useful for managing different alternatives in order to
complete all project activities successfully. There are different units which is managed are
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focused towards managing different alternative that provide better option for organisation. In
order to manage and ensure all activities organisation undertakes all alternatives that makes
better option for small production and they manufacture only essential parts for business that is
used to ensure proper assembling about products rather than implement of unit which add cost
for business.
Development of new products
The project associate with different scope and major deliverables includes integrated
development of software and hardware product with product quality. Along with this by adopting
bespoke software management implement right techniques with specific clients. The scope for
each activity is almost same for different business units of organisation. Therefore, it is easy to
complete all actions and activities in a planned manner (Mottaeva, 2018). The steps for NPD
process is explain as below:
 Idea Generation- It is the first step which is associated about ideas that are based on
internal and external aspects. This also refers that SB also indulge the market research
for derive about mobile technology and software’s requirements.
 Screening- This stage relates with the need and requirement of organisation that helps
for monitoring about different ideas. In the context of market feasibility and
requirements, SB develop effective software’s which is related with mobile user and
interface. On the other side, another product that must be consider about software is
DDC for tablet computers.
 Development of concept and testing- It is related with organisational concept that is
useful for analysing the specific knowledge that is obtained from WN for new mobile
interface and it is also useful for analysing current requirements related with tablet
computer. Along with this the testing phase also relates with the training that helps for
managing new and existing needs of employee's. It is also used to develop and use
technology according to product development.
 Marketing strategy- Market offering is an crucial aspect for organisation and it helps to
appeal and approach the market in a proper manner (Nicholas and Steyn, 2017). Along
with this firm require updated methods for marketing such as digital and social media
marketing.
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 Business analysis- Another crucial step for the organisation process associate with
forecasting different offering that are planned by SB to launch different application in
market. Moreover, the main purpose of organisation is to utilise different tools that
includes cash flow analysis, rate of return and calculations of project cost.
 Product development- It is an actual product development among the organisation in
which all functions are performed by organisation with high capabilities, technique and
resources as it make right formation about software ad market requirements (Rijke and
et. al., 2014).
 Test and commercialisation of project actions- This is the last step for organisational
model that is required by SB to ensure and trial about software effectiveness. It also
helps to market all samples in order to final the commercialisation offerings.
ESTIMATING AND SCHEDULING
This is an another important area for organisation which helps in establishing the
transformation strategy for identifying and evaluating the schedule of overall programme. It is
also used for each activity that helps in associating similar projects. Timeline distribution for the
programme management with relevant issue is mention as follow:
OVERALL
PROGRAMME TIMESCALES DIFFERENCES
WN acquisition 3 Months -
In-House Manufacturing 4 Months 1 Month
NPD 5 Months 2 Months
New Product Development
and Centre for Excellence 10 Months 3 Months
TOTAL 2.5 Years
(Note- The above explanation not include the differences for starting the project after implement
of previous activities among the period of two years.)
Critical evaluation
It is seen above, that a period for two years is decided for completing the project by
adopting overall change programme and it also denotes differences and scheduling of all
activities that is associated with company projects. Further, the terms of critical evaluation of
company programme which is 2 years undertakes a short term period for implementing changes
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among organisation (Smyth and Duryan, 2016). Along with this by acquisition and setup of
different units among US, Far East and Western Europe helps to timeline enough space for an
effective market research. Performance testing after acquisition and set of different units helps to
complete work among different region. Furthermore, there are several aspects which is creating
issue among schedule are focused in below report.
 Resistance of workforce.
 Low productivity
 Delay for infrastructural development about manufacturing units.
 Failure of product
The approach for set-up of timeline includes the performance of overall project that is
essential for completing work with right sequence. It also means that the project are not started
until the previous project is completed. Further, there are different units are also set up for
managing centre of excellency (Turner, 2016). The estimated time to complete project is 3
months which is used to prepare overall activities. In the last, different units are established on
contractual basis with WN, SB only undertakes one month for implementing right infrastructure
and plans for development.
ISSUE AND RISK MANAGEMENT
With the above details it is quite possible that different contingencies, issue and risk are
associate with all action and activities of project. This also aids management to formulate
strategy for all programmes. Moreover, relation with overall programme helps for managing risk
by the below methods.
Risk Intensity Mitigation strategy
Limited user interface High For overcome from different
risk factors, SB focus on the
consistent of product
assurance. Six sigma is an
effective tool for developing
software.
Low productivity
infrastructure
Medium For minimising and mitigating
the risk which is associated
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with project. Organisation
conduct an effective market
research. Moreover, TQM and
lean methodology technique
also ensure that infrastructure
of organisation is well-
developed and also match with
customer requirements.
Resistance of workforce Medium Communication is the key
which is required for
maintaining all employees and
it also organisation to assess
there personal security. It also
allow organisation to generate
corrective action for
employee's.
Development of contractual
terms
Low The organisation ensure about
different contracts that are
established for certifying the
professional and legal
consultants who help
organisation for safeguarding
interest of management in
market.
Ineffective team relationship Low With proper training and
communication aspect all work
is completed by employee's for
managing work with both
companies. Team development
theory also enable the firm that
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helps in executing work with
generating progressive
relationship.
ORGANISATION, STAKEHOLDER AND GOVERNANCE
There are various imperative activities is offered by SB in a proper manner that helps to
facilitates different aspect such as good practice and governance (Wagner, 2016). With this
purpose it is also essential for organisation to generate accountability about the range of
stakeholders that related with project manager. Some, factors which is essential for SB are
mention as follow:
Determination of organisational structure that consider about existing challenges
With the mention case of SB, management adopt functional structure that helps in
managing all operations as well as functions by which management manufacture and include the
integration about the hardware and software offerings it is also delayed about delivering and
finishing of product by undertaking the compromised quality of offering. Moreover, the major
impact with company challenges are imposed towards customers that put faith and money for
purchase of high quality products.
Along with this to deal with the changes an organisation adopts divisional structure and
the explanation for the recommendation is that there are different division are added among
divisional head. It is also used by individual for monitoring all performance standard that help
team members for ensuring delivery of products within minimum time.
Critical evaluation of Stakeholders view on outsourcing/location of manufacturing
This is important for organisation to analyse viewpoints of all stakeholders for
completing the project which is completed by company in proper manner. Therefore, the regards
for outsourcing and location of manufacturing about different manufacturing units (Worobei and
Flämig, 2014). It is also used to understand about understanding the viewpoints according to case
study of project. Some of them are mention as below:
 Financial officer- Individual undertakes the prominent view about the outsourcing and
location of different manufacturing system. Like, the product quality with company
cost is managed by organisation with involving sequential steps. So if there is a
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probability for re-shoring among US and other location. It is also believed that by doing
operations with high cost it is difficult to perform operations in WN home country.
 Employee's- The point view of organisation is totally contrast about financial officer
that consider about facts that also sure if re-shore happens in US than it would also
mean about closure of WN's supporting unit. This also loss jobs among Far East and
country. It also not make agreement about issue for job insecurity. It is also used in
making about ensuring the interest of all stakeholders that is used for controlling all
work in a proper manner. With the purpose and appoint about safeguard and
manufacture units helps to fulfil all work under guidance of CFO and employee's of
organisation.
PROGRAMME CONTROL
Benchmarking
The approach which is associated about implement of benchmarks and milestones helps
to complete all work according to sequential steps which is useful for accomplish success in
project. Moreover, with the transformation procedures different key stones which is essential for
acquisition are included by limited number of disruption and it is also relate with the
manufacturing with positive units, high product quality.
Key performance indicators
Methods and work performance of an organisation are relates with the set of indicators
as per overall programme as it is used to make transformation about company within the SB.
Moreover, this indicators relates with manufacturing for checking the work according to
feedback of customers.
With the analysis of both methods the selected organisation require KPI as it is an effective
process which provides quantifiable results for each project. Moreover, it is also associate with
accomplish of quality perspective and performance.
CONTRACTING AND SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT
Both contracting and the supplier management perform an essential role for organisation
that take place according to the requirement of business organisation. It also leads organisation to
make better commitment about company stakeholders. Along with this the existing contractual
mechanisms is weak and this also make DDC about the ineffective management which is used in
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