Research Plan: Lean Management Impact on Cost & Wastage in Engineering

This research plan outlines a study evaluating the effectiveness of lean management in reducing wastage and minimizing costs within an engineering firm, AECOM. The research aims to determine the meaning and importance of lean engineering management, assess its impact on wastage reductio...Read More

Initial Research Plan
Name: Click and type here to enter your name Programme: Click to select your programme
Proposed Draft Research Title: Click and type here to enter your title
Dissertation or Public Service Project (PSP): Click to select Dissertation or PSP
Answer the following questions based on your research subject and drawing on elements covered in the
previous research module. This form will facilitate ‘Advisor Matching’ and will inform early discussions
with your Advisor. You will attach this completed form when emailing potential Advisors.
1) What is / are the research question(s) that you would like to address in your Dissertation, or if
undertaking a Public Service Project (PSP) what is the problem or opportunity that you wish to
research?
Research aim:
To evaluate the effectiveness of lean management in reducing wastage and minimising cost in within
engineering firm: AECOM
Research objective:
To determine the meaning and importance of lean engineering management in engineering firm
To evaluate the effectiveness of lean management in reducing wastage
To analysis value of lean management in minimising cost in engineering firm
To recommend ways to implement lean engineering management
Research questions:
What is the meaning and importance of lean engineering management in engineering firm?
How effective is lean management in reducing wastage
How lean management is used in minimising cost in engineering firm?
What are the ways to implement lean engineering management in firm?
Problem statement
Within the engineering industry the most important and regular problem which need to be resolved will be
that of increasing wastage and maximum cost while producing products or constructing buildings. Lean
management is that one approach which helps company to maximise the level of production with
minimising wastage and cost as well.
2) What is the purpose of your study and how will your research contribute to existing theory or
practice? If undertaking a Public Service Project (PSP) what are the implications for your
organisation, and how do you envisage the outcome of your research study will contribute to your
target organisation? Consider the objectives and scope of the intended research.
Purpose:
The major purpose of the current study will be finding out what are the issues which is faced by engineering
industry in terms of increasing wastage and cost to them. So lean approach is regarded to as best which will
be helping company to lower down their cost and decrease wastage which is surely costing them too much.
With the help of this particular study company could be able to identify their area where wastage is getting
maximum and their cost is increasing due to this. Thus this research will be helpful for AECOM which is been
taken to investigate on to lower down their cost and minimise their wastage.

3) Provide a brief explanation of the methodological approach to your research.
Research methodology- the proper use of methods and ideas which is related to aim and objective of
report so that purpose could be fulfilled on timely bases. There will be different type of methods and
approaches which are used in order to undertake project.
Research design- Descriptive type of research design will be used as with the help of this it become easy to
describe and evaluate whole topic and aim of research as well.
Research philosophy- Interpretivism type of research philosophy will be used which will help researcher to
interpreted the collected data with matching it with all elements of study emphasising on qualitative over
quantitative.
4) What type of research methods will you use to collect and analyse your data? You should consider
whether you will be taking a quantitative or qualitative approach and explain the rational for your
choice.
Research approach- Inductive type of research approach will be used which will help in observing theories
and observations towards the end of whole research process.
Data collection- data will be collected from 10 supervisors of AECOM in form of questionnaire been
prepared which is primary method of data collection. So that they could help in determining the amount of
wastage and cost that is increasing in company and how lean management could be helping firm.
Sampling- 10 supervisors will be selected of AECOM by simple random technique which will help in
identifying correct sample from whole population.
Data analysis- data will be analysed by using qualitative method which includes that of thematic analysis of
collected data from employees of AECOM
5) Explain how you have access to the subjects of your study? What is your approach to gaining access
to the subjects of your study? Please give details.
The subject of research will be accessed through various websites, books and journals which are all
authentic and valid so that research could be conducted on timely bases
6) What conclusions and recommendations do you hope to draw from your research?
Conclusion-
From the above research conclusion could be drawn like that of with use of lean management approach
companies will be able to reduce their cost as well.
Recommendation-
Further it will also be recommended that all engineering company should be identifying areas of wastage
and excessive cost so that they could do their efforts in lowering them down with use of lean approaches.
7) What are the ethical considerations when carrying out your research?
Ethical consideration-
It is very much important that researchers are considering certain ethical points in way of handling and
continuing whole research paper. There are many type of ethical considerations which researchers need to
follow at time when they are conducting research. some of the ethical considerations will be as follows:
Taking written consent- It is the duty of researcher that they are taking written consent letter from all their
participants so that in future they are not facing any legal or ethical issues.
Privacy- this is also another important consideration which involves data privacy of candidates from whom
questionnaire will be completed and not disclosing their names as well.