University Project Management Case Study: Hank Kolb

This case study analyzes the Hank Kolb case, focusing on project management challenges within a manufacturing plant. The assignment identifies key problems stemming from inadequate quality management, lack of training, and process deficiencies, with root causes explored. A corrective action plan is proposed, including a project charter with milestones and budget, along with the use of project management tools such as change rewards, a risk map, a stakeholder grid, and a communication plan. The analysis emphasizes the importance of quality management, proper design, and effective project management tools for long-term success. The case study concludes with recommendations to improve quality control, manufacturing processes, and overall project outcomes.

Running head: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project Management: Hank Kolb case
Name of the student:
Name of the University:

1PROJECT MANAGEMENT
1. List of problems with root cause
After analyzing the Hank Kolb, Director Quality Assurance case scenario it is identified that for the case
incident the main problem was management. The other problems are as follows:
 Standard ISO 9000 quality system philosophy was not considered by the senior management to
get visible support.
 Not only this but also policies were also not considered.
 The support from the senior management for maintaining quality was always lagging.
 The company always considered the market share and schedule above the safety and quality.
 Over pressure in some of the manufactured cans were though identified but no such specialize
actions were taken by the senior management.
 For the manufacturing firm product quality was always add on factor but never the basic
requirement.
 After interaction with Mark Hamler the quality control manager of the manufacturing firm Hank
Kolb came to now that the faced trouble with the new equipment that was using to fill the cans.
Therefore, some of the cans were over pressured. As the company compromised with quality
thus they needed to pay additional budget.
 Lack of technical training, knowledge and previous experience was another major challenge
identified in this case.
 The person who was operator of the filling equipment had no technical knowledge and was just
transferred from the shipping department.
 When Mac was testing the cans the operator was absent. The filling equipment was not
purchased for this purpose rather it was adopted for plant maintenance and handling lower
viscosity of Greasex.
 Unqualified people were performing the process.

2PROJECT MANAGEMENT
 Apart from that the other problems those are identified for the case was- lack of correct design,
testing and purchasing processes used by the manufacturing firm.
 Infact the feedback loop was also not ran accurately followed by product quality maintenance
record and traceability.
2. Corrective action plan to address the problem
Figure 1: Project action plan
(Source: created by author)

3PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Figure 2: Project Budget
(Source: created by author)
Project charter
Project objectives and goals
Objectives:
 To conduct a make buy analysis for determining if the manufacturing company can off load the
production to other company
 To implement a better designing, manufacturing and testing process
 To conduct a cost benefit analysis and make sure that whether they should invest more in purchasing
better machines or not

4PROJECT MANAGEMENT
 To collect data and identify the reason of machine breakdown
Goals:
The primary goal is to improve a quality management plan followed by quality control, quality assurance and
make sure that strategically company’s expectations were met.
Project budget $20,000
Timeline 2 months
Assumptions It is assumed that successful development of a quality
management plan will give a better as well as
alternative solution to Hank Kolb, Director Quality
Assurance. The plan is assumed to be completed
within the budget of $20,000 and time of not more
than 2 months.
Deliverables It will give better strategies that are fit to the products
and company’s objectives and goals. Not only this but
also it will give quality standards ISO 9000. It can also
develop superior designing, manufacturing and testing
process.
Major milestones Milestone 1: Complete analysis of the current
problems
Milestone 2: Completion of project quality
management plan
Milestone 3: Completion of alternative strategy design
Milestone 4: Better product packaging and shipping

5PROJECT MANAGEMENT
3. Use of PM tool
3.1 Change rewards
Change management plan is a very important part for managing projects. In order to manage any project
successfully timely changes are very essential to bring. For this project also some changes are essential such as
testing, purchasing processes and training and development process. It is duty of the quality management team
members to incorporate these changes. If these changes are successfully implemented then they would get
reward in terms of incentives.
3.2 Risk map
Risk
id
Risk description Priority Risk
Rating
Risk mitigation strategy
R1 Lack of trained and
skilled associates
2 High The manufacturing company needs to arrange on job
training and development program and make sure that
everybody is attending
R2 No cost benefit analysis 5 Low The assigned finance manager needs to conduct
feasibility study in terms of cost benefit analysis to
measure probable profit that the manufacturing unit
can bring
R3 Improper designing,
manufacturing and
testing process
1 Very
high
Based on company needs proper design, manufacturing
and testing process should be brought
R4 Poor equipments 3 medium Advanced and relevant equipments are needed to be
purchased for filling the cans
R5 No such quality policies 4 medium The quality assurance director should develop proper
quality control policies.

6PROJECT MANAGEMENT
3.3 Stakeholder Grid
Stakeholders Interest Power Role
Quality control
manager
High Low To control the product quality and ensure that t has met the client’s
expectations
Quality assurance
manager
High High To deliver assured quality product for the manufacturing firm
Finance manager Low Low Conduct feasibility study and cost benefit analysis to measure
investments and probable profit that can earn
Product line manager High High Design the product based on customer and company’s demand
3.4 Communication plan
Purpose Who When Frequency Medium
Share company objectives
and goals
Product line manager and other
associates
At the project
initiation stage
Monthly Email., face to
face meeting
To make all the members
familiar with project
requirements
Product line manager and
finance manager
At the project
initiation stage
Weekly Email., face to
face meeting
To make discussion on
product quality
Product line manager, quality
control manager and quality
assurance manager
At the project
planning stage
Monthly Email., face to
face meeting

7PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Conclusion
The above analysis concludes that, quality management is one of the most essential knowledge areas for
company’s long term profit. The manufacturing company was facing lots of problems due to insufficient
quality management plan. For implementing better quality canned products the other factors are also needed to
be well organized. Using proper project management tool the QMP should be exhibited for better result.

8PROJECT MANAGEMENT
References
Aziz, H., Munir, S. and Sufian, M., 2018, November. Conflict Handling In Project Management: A Risk
Assessment Analysis. In 2018 12th International Conference on Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Computer
Science and Statistics (MACS) (pp. 1-7). IEEE.
Baker, B., 2018. Project Quality Management Practice & Theory. American Journal of Management, 18(3).
Kerzner, H., 2017. Project management metrics, KPIs, and dashboards: a guide to measuring and monitoring
project performance. John Wiley & Sons.
Kerzner, H., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John
Wiley & Sons.
Meredith, J.R., Mantel Jr, S.J. and Shafer, S.M., 2017. Project management: a managerial approach. John
Wiley & Sons.
Putri, S.M., Pratami, D., Tripiawan, W. and Rahmanto, G., 2019, May. Assessing of project management
process knowledge area: procurement based on project management maturity model pmmm)(case study of pqr
company). In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 505, No. 1, p. 012004). IOP
Publishing.