PPMP20009 Assessment 2: Lean Principles Implementation in SINTEF Ltd

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Central Queensland University, Australia
Term –
PPMP20009 Assessment 2
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Lecturer:
Assessment: Group Assessment
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Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................................3
2.0 Comparison of leadership styles..........................................................................................4
3.0 Preferred leadership style.....................................................................................................5
4.0 Characteristics to become a valuable team member of "THE A-TEAM"...........................6
5.0 Tools and techniques to facilitate lean business operations.................................................7
5.0.1 List of assumptions.......................................................................................................7
6.0 Conclusion............................................................................................................................8
7.0 References............................................................................................................................9
8.0 Appendix............................................................................................................................10
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1.0 Introduction
The respective assignment is constructed in the concern of SINTEF Ltd. It is a functional
organization that is responsible for managing a number of departments such as information
technology, engineering and finance etc. With the help of the concerned project, a number of
leadership practices are identified that will help in implementing the lean principles in the
respective firm. With the help of this assignment, a couple of significant leadership styles and
tools will be identified that will help "THE A-TEAM" in the process of implementation of
lean principles. Lean principles will help the managers of the respective firm in reducing the
amount of wastage and enhance the level of efficiency in the firm. The assignment is
completely based on the key activities of a leading team in an organization.
The content of the assignment will likewise assist in identifying the characteristics of a
suitable leading team. With the assistance of the assignment, the managers of the respective
firm will be able to manage all their departments in the most effective and significant manner.
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2.0 Comparison of leadership styles
Leadership is a basic element of management. Without leadership, the managers are not able
to manage or supervise the tasks of the organization. In this particular scenario, SINTEF Ltd
is responsible for handling a number of departments. The managers of the firm are in need to
implement a lean project that can help them to manage all the departments in an easy and
effective manner. With the help of sound leadership, the process of implementation will
become much easier and faster (Ng & Sears, 2012). A number of leadership styles that can be
adopted by the managers of the respective firm are as follows:
(Figure 1: Leadership style for project management)
(Source: By Author)
 Coercive
Under this style of leadership, the managers try to dominate their subordinates. The
managers try to frame their own rules and want the subordinates to follow the
instructions. In this type of leadership, the managers do not welcomely initiate and
ideas from the subordinates. The ideas and the policies of the leaders are imposed
over the subordinates. The leaders try to create a strict environment in the
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organization. The respective technique has both negative and positive impact on the
implementation of the project (Doyle, 2016).
Positive impact
o With the help of the respective technique, the managers are able to take quick
decision
o All the decisions are diverted towards the primary objective of the
organization, i.e., maximization of profit (Doyle, 2016).
Negative impact
o The respective practice can kill the innovativeness and creativity of the
organization.
o It can affect the efficiency of the employees and can hamper the capabilities in
an ineffective manner (Ng & Sears, 2012).
 Authoritative
Under this style of leadership, the managers try to promote the vision of the
subordinates towards a clear objective of the organization. With the help of this style,
the manager is able to mobilize the vision of the subordinates in a significant manner.
The leaders following this leadership try to guide and supervise the subordinate; this
style of leadership is adopted when the objectives are clear and obvious (Doyle,
2016).
Positive impact
o Facilitates change in the organization
o Enhances the chances of the fulfilment of objectives
Negative impact
o Can increase the factors of biases in the firm
o Quick decision making is not possible.
 Democratic
Under a democratic style of major leadership decision in the organization are taken by
the consent of both the leaders and the subordinates. The leaders try to ask for
suggestions from their team members. With the help of this leadership pattern, quick
results are possible in the organization. Under this style of leadership, the
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subordinates are free to give their ideas to the manager and are also free to take the
initiative in the management operations of the firm.
Positive impact
o Boost the capabilities of the employees
o Enhances the chances of creativity in the organization.
o Enhances flexibility of operations
o Enhances the scope of communication in the firm
Negative impact
o Quick decision making is not possible.
o Can increase the time and cost of operations
 Coaching
This style of leadership focuses on the long term objectives of the organization. Under
this style, the leaders try to improve the performance of the employees and try to
prepare them for future hazards. With the help of this leadership style, the leaders are
able to enhance their skills and are likewise able to improve the productivity of the
organization.
Positive impact
o Increases the capabilities of employees
o Prepare the employees for future uncertainties
o Increases the level of flexibility and sustainability
Negative impact
o Less effective in the short run
o Employees can sometimes feel over pressured.
All of the above-stated leadership styles have their own negative and positive sides. The
selection of leadership style depends upon the nature and the scope of the project that the
organization is trying to implement. With effective supervision and control the negative
impacts of the concerned styles can be reduced or eroded (Doyle, 2016).
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3.0 Preferred leadership style
Leadership is essential for the upliftment of the organization. With the help of effective
leadership, the employees of the organization will be able to perform their tasks in an
effective manner. Leadership will enhance the scope of implementation of the project in the
organization. Among all the leadership styles and patterns, the best one will be selected and
adopted by the leaders of SINTEF. Looking forward to the nature of the firm and the type of
functioning Democratic leadership pattern is selected for SINTEF. A description of the
selected leadership style is as follows:
Democratic leadership
In a democratic style of leadership, the managers try to function with the consent of the
subordinates. The leaders try to collect ideas from the subordinates that help them in the
process of decision making. All the policies of the organization are adopted after the consent
of both the leader as well as the subordinate. This style of leadership will best suit the
function of the organization, as this will help in enhancing the level of flexibility in the firm.
The leaders will be able to make sound decision in the organization, which will help in
enhancing the productivity of the firm (Cherry, 2018). With the help of the respective
leadership style, the process of implementing the lean project will become much easier. The
leaders will be able to manage the flow of resources. A number of other benefits of selecting
the respective style of leadership are as follows:
 Enhancing flexibility
With the help of the respective leadership style, the flexibility of operations can be
increased. In the presence of such leadership, the employees will be able to work with
full enthusiasm that will directly affect their performance. Sound performance and
skills of the subordinates will help in enhancing the flexibility of operations. In such
an atmosphere, the organization will be able to welcome changes in the organization
that will significantly affect the profitability of the firm.
 Delegation of responsibility
With the help of such a leadership style, the leaders will be able to delegate
responsibility in the organization. Delegation of responsibility will help in reducing
the work pressure from the leaders. The leaders will be able to focus on other
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important function of the organization. In this manner efficiency of functioning can be
increased, and the scope of development can be increased in the organization.
 Provide a solution to complex problems
This style of leadership will help in evaluating solutions for the complex issues in the
organization. As the decision-making process of the firm is done with the consent of
both the managers and the subordinates. The subordinates are free to provide an idea
for the process of decision making. This helps in resolving the major concerns of the
firm and will help in enhancing the quality of the decision-making process (Cherry,
2018).
(Figure 2: Is Democratic Leadership the Best Style of Leadership)
(Source: Cherry, 2018)
 Fosters a sound business environment
With the effect of such a leadership strategy, the leaders will be able to foster an
effective business environment in the organization. The leaders will be able to satisfy
the subordinates that will promote the subordinates to work with more enthusiasm.
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With the effect of employee satisfaction, the environment of the organization can be
nourished, and the productivity of the firm can be enhanced (Hors, et al., 2012).
 Enhances creativity
Creativity and innovativeness are essential for an organization like SINTEF. In the
presence of this leadership style, the leaders will be able to enhance creativity in the
organization. By inviting ideas from the subordinates, the leaders will be able to
enhance the level of creativity and innovativeness in the organization. This will help
in enhancing the potential of the employees.
On the basis of the above information, it can be said that the democratic style of leadership
will be the most effective pattern of leadership for THE A TEAM. With the help of this
leadership, the respective team will be able to implement the lean project in SINTEF in the
most effective manner (Cherry, 2018).
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4.0 Characteristics to become a valuable team member of "THE
A TEAM."
Every organization is equipped with a number of departments and teams. The efficiency of a
team depends upon the characteristics or the quality of team members. Having adequate
characters is essential for the growth and development of the organization. Some of the
characteristics for becoming valuable members of THE A-TEAM are as follows:
 Honest: Honesty and integrity are essential for the growth of the team. An honest
team member helps in representing the team in front of others. With honesty, the team
members can handle the tasks of the organization in the most effective and ethical
manner. This will help the team in fulfilling its objectives effectively (Riggio,
2013).
 Reliable: A good team member must be reliable to the activities of the team and the
objectives of the organization. A reliable team member is able to enhance the scope of
reliability and scalability in the firm. Reliable members will likewise assist in meeting
the deadlines of the activities in the firm (Riggio, 2013).
 Creative personality: team members must be creative. They must try to propose
innovative ideas in the organization, which will, in turn, helps in enhancing the
productivity of the organization.
 Communication skills: team members must have sound communication skills. This
will help in enhancing the productivity of the organization. With the help of sound
communication skills, the leaders will be able to formulate effective decisions in the
firm. This will likewise help in enhancing the proficiency of the firm (Riggio,
2013).
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5.0 Tools and techniques to facilitate lean business operations
In an organization like SINTEF Ltd, it is essential to implement the lean project, as they can
enhance the efficiency of operations and likewise assist the firm in minimizing wastage of
resources. The efficiency of implementation can be increased with the assistance of a number
of tools and technique. These tools and techniques are as follows:
1. Kanban
Kanban is an effective tool for lean business operations that assist managers in the
process of planning and decision making. This tool assists the managers in making
use of the power of visual information. This tool facilitates the use of sticky notes to
the managers that can be used by them for setting a picture of their operations. With
the help of this tool, the managers can visualize the process of implementation. They
can likewise limit the respective process and helps in facilitating continuous
improvement. This tool can be implemented in the planning department of SINTEF
(Ansah, & Sorooshian. 2017).
2. A3
It is another project management tool that is used by the agile organizations. This tool
can be used by the project management department of SINTEF. With the help of this
tool, the managers will be able to resolve the identified issues of the project. In this
tools oversized paper used by the managers for preparing the strategies for the
implementation of the project. This tool facilitates continuous improvement in the
organization (Hors, et al., 2012).
3. Plan-Do-Check-Act (PCDA) Cycle
This is the most effective tool that can be used by agile organizations. With the help
of this tool, the managers can identify the hindrances in the project, amend policies
for the same and can control for avoiding future complexities. The respective tool
facilitated four processes to the managers, which are:
 Plan: Identification of issue or risk in the project
 Do: Implement the strategies for eroding the complexities
 Check: Checking the impact of the strategy on the project
 Act: Supervising and controlling the changes made in the strategy
4. Gemba Walks
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It is an informal technique that is adopted by the managers in order to supervise the
activities of employees in the organization (Ansah, & Sorooshian. 2017). With the
help of this activity, the managers are able to judge the scope of the project in the
firm. With the assistance of this technique, the managers are able to get an insight into
the activities of the organization. This activity is generally performed by the leaders of
SINTEF (6 Continuous Improvement Tools and Techniques. 2019).
5. The 5 Whys
This is a tool that is utilised by the controlling and supervising department of the
SINTEF. It is a quality management tool that can be used by the quality managers in
order to enhance the quality of operations. This tool helps in enhancing the thinking
capability of the managers. This helps them to think outside the box and likewise,
assist them in framing some innovative policies for the implementation of the projects
(6 Continuous Improvement Tools and Techniques. 2019).
6. Value stream mapping (VSM)
VSM is a project management tool that is used by the project managers for enhancing
the process of system thinking and communication. This tool can be utilised by
SINTEF for the process of collaboration and outsourcing. With the help of this tool,
the managers of the firm will be able to outsource some of their activities that will not
only help in enhancing the efficiency of the firm but will also help in increasing the
profits of the business (Ansah, & Sorooshian. 2017).
7. Total Productive Maintenance
This tool is utilised by SINTEF for managing all the operational activities. Being a
functional organization, the respective firm has to manage a number of departments.
With the help of this tool, the managers will be able to manage all the activities in a
significant manner. This tool helps the management in increasing the flexibility of
operations. With the help of this tool, the managers will be able to prevent any failure
from their project and will likewise be able to enhance the efficiency of operations.
5.0.1 List of assumptions
All the above-stated tools and techniques will contribute significantly towards the lean
project implemented in SINTEF. These tools will likewise assist the team of leaders, i.e.,
THE A TEAM. With the help of these tools, the leaders will be able to manage the
functioning of the organization and will likewise be able to develop the productivity of
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