Project Management

What were ether operative and strategic actions, not mentioned in the case, which might have been executed to accomplish James’ vision?

In: More investments in R&D

Optimize its use of financial resources and humans resources

Ex: Enlarge its supply channels

Seek for alliances

Analysis of competitors

How do the changes affect the strategy?

Because of the changes, the way of communicating with their customers has been radically changed.

Operative action: The CAT stopped the fax-based communication instead of fully using the computers. In this way, they can totally improve their working efficiency. Getting contact with their drivers (theirs clients) through the computer becomes more quickly and convenient.

Strategic action: They set up a new infrastructure and recruited a number of new software group which concentrated on developing the new working system and satisfying the customers ‘needs.

They established a training program to enhance the professional abilities of their workers.

The project group and a call center were formed in order to rebuild a new management system. These cross-function teams aimed of facilitating customer requests were considered as an important evolution of the company.

What role did the project management play?

Project management exists in the matrix organization which comes from a temporary project and aims to achieve a specific goal. It is as to facilitate the execution of individual projects and programs. Project Management is a competency that leaders can use in their organizations to handle increasing complexity with higher success rates and acceptance, and lower uncertainty and costs.

1)

Audit : what were actual methods, tools, actual process, goals..

Define new goals: how to optimize the process, reduce processing time, more reaction to face to the customer’s needs

Process standardization

Customer survey: are they satisfied by the new process.

2) Positively:

CAT inc: first company which was able...