INFT3100 Project Management : Hydraulink Australia Company

Introduction

Continuous process improvement allows the management to identify activities and procedures which can be used to produce high quality products and services. The ongoing methods and processes are evaluated at regular intervals to make sure that the product deliverables are produced with efficiency and high productivity (First, Kendler and Leibenluft, 2017). It is not only limited to quality but it undertakes different aspects such as stakeholders involvement, sustainability, long term relations, business strategy etc. The present report is based on the Hydraulink Australia Company which sells hoses, fittings and hydraulics equipments. They have been performing well in the industry and their aim is to become the leading company in Australia (Hydraulink, 2017). The report includes their marketing, quality management plan, continuous improvement methods and support from employees.         

Continuous improvements required

Hydraulink Australia Company has to improve their brand image so as to get recognition in the market. They have to make sure that their employees have the skills and competencies required for completion of the task (Smith, 2016). It will allow them in marketing their products and they will be able to build long term relations with the customers. The main areas which require continuous process improvement are:   

Customer focus: The main focus of the organization should be customer focus. They have not been able to develop effective methods to assess the demand sand expectations of the end users. The marketing team needs information from other departments before proceeding ahead with their strategy (Dale, 2015). Continuous development process is required in gathering information and in building long term relations with the customers.      

Change in attitude: Hydraulink Australia Company has to focus on bringing change in the organization. It will be helpful for them in radical restructuring as per the demands of the business environment. They should provide training and guidance to their workers so that they can focus on productivity in the business (Fryer, Antony and Douglas, 2015). They should be allowed to put forth their views about different aspects related to the process. It will be beneficial for the organization to delegate the tasks into small teams. Sales, marketing and production department should have excellent communication and synergy. This will help them to complete the given set or orders in the stipulated time and quality.         

Standardization: Standards should be set to make sure that high quality products and equipments are produced (Singh and Singh, 2015). They have sent out orders in the market and they are focusing on marketing team to build relations with the customers. But the management has to build policies and methods to monitor the quality of the equipments. They will need quality management plan for this.

Zero defects: The hoses, fittings and hydraulics equipments should have zero defects. Continuous process improvement can be useful in this respect. It will not only improve the customer satisfaction but it will also reduce the cost of the company. This will give them an edge over other competitors.  

Quality Management plan and sustainability

Hydraulink Australia Company can use Quality Management Integration Framework (QMIF) for the development of plan for their organization. It will help them to integrate the quality management concepts, methods and procedures in the organization.  

• Quality planning stage: The Hydraulink Australia Company should create standards after assessing the needs and preferences of the consumers. They should gather the feedback form the customers and make changes accordingly (Lam, O'Donnell and Robertson, 2015). The cost, performance, procedures and design of hydraulics equipments have to be taken into account for this. They should document the standards and all the employees should be informed about. Furthermore, they have to focus sustainability such as use of low carbon machines, recycling, eco friendly methods and reduction is wastage. QMIF framework also includes safety at workplace, environment protection, heath of workers, risk control measures etc.    
• Quality Assurance stage: The Hydraulink Australia Company should use audit reports, inspection and sampling methods to check the quality of the products (Hydraulink Quality Standards,2017). It will help them to identify problems in the process and they can make changes in it to achieve the desired outcome. This stage will help in the implementation of sustainable operations.    
• Quality Control stage: Corrective measures have to be taken at this stage to make sure that all the products and services comply with the standards (Hydraulink,2017). This stage will help the management to evaluate existing process and new development can be done in the field. Moreover, they can use innovative methods to promote sustainability in the business.    

Mentoring and coaching

Leadership can play an important role in the organization in promoting Continuous process improvement and sustainability in the business. They have to involve employees and they should be trained about the production and development of hydraulic equipments and products. Furthermore, effective communication should be ensured at the workplace (Singh and Singh, 2015). They have web based training system which provides hands on experience to the workers. The Hydraulink Australia Company provides information about the policies of the company, operations of equipments, safety and maintenance. Employee should be encouraged to build long term relations with the customers. It will help them in marketing and promotion of their goods. Furthermore, work should be delegated to the employees (Hydraulink Quality Standards, 2017). It will boost their morale and they will become more focused in fulfilling the orders of the company.            

Incorporation in knowledge management and strategies

The management should review their knowledge management and relevant changes should be done it. They have to incorporate continuous process improvement and sustainability in their strategies. Employee engagement programs and their involvement in the decision making will be beneficial for the entire organization.     

Conclusion

It can be concluded that Hydraulink Australia Company should adopt continuous improvement process in their organization. They should review their existing processes and procedures. The changes have to be made according to it. Furthermore, sustainability should be included in the strategies and knowledge management. It will help them in marketing, promotion and in improving the brand image in the industry. They will be able to boost the morale of the workers which will have direct impact of their productivity and efficiency.     

References

Dale, B., 2015. Total quality management. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

First, M.B., Kendler, K.S. and Leibenluft, E., 2017. The future of the DSM: implementing a continuous improvement model. Jama psychiatry, 74(2), pp.115-116.

Fryer, K.J., Antony, J. and Douglas, A., 2015. Critical Success Factors of Continuous Improvement in the Public Sector: A review of literature and some key findings.

Hydraulink Quality Standards. 2017. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.hydraulink.com.au/top/about/quality-standards/> [Accessed on 9th June 2017]

Hydraulink. 2017. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.hydraulink.com.au/products/our-quality/> [Accessed on 9th June 2017]

Lam, M., O'Donnell, M. and Robertson, D., 2015. Achieving employee commitment for continuous improvement initiatives. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 35(2), pp.201-215.

Singh, J. and Singh, H., 2015. Continuous improvement philosophy–literature review and directions. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 22(1), pp.75-119.

Smith, T.J., 2016. Pricing Continuous Improvement and Analytics. Pricing Done Right: The Pricing Framework Proven Successful by the World's Most Profitable Companies, pp.119-138.