In this assignment I will be identifying and explaining the engineering business functions including organisational and operational structures, planning within business structures, factors driven by product development and explaining the difference betwee

Business Management

Introduction

In this assignment I will be identifying and explaining the engineering business functions including organisational and operational structures, planning within business structures, factors driven by product development and explaining the difference between manufacturing and service industries.

I was also be explaining the inter-relationship between the different processes and functions of an engineering organisation while considering the company I am employed by.

Task 1

Organisational and Operational Structures

By Function

The chart above shows the basic layout of a by functional structures. According to businesslink.gov.uk there are different department for each of their specialised area and can report separately to the head of department. This structure allows each group to focus on their own speciality while also understanding the role of others. However some disadvantages of this structure are that they can have closed communication therefore other department does not understand how their work affect others. This structure can also have problems on co-ordinating due to lack of understanding each and others jobs.

By Product

The chart shows the layout of a “by product” structure. According to tutor2u.net this kind of structure focuses on individual products which allow them to concentrate on their own problems and concern of their products. This structure can also encourage positive competition between each department which can lead to more product sales. In this structure, there is the danger of duplication of function like the marketing department or finance department for each product. This leads creating more than one department that does the same function.

By Geography

This type of structure is commonly used by multination companies which concentrate on providing products based on local needs. A good example of these is fast food restaurants that are located in town centres that concentrate on local demands of the town. One of the disadvantages of this structure is potential duplication of resources meaning rival companies selling the same products.

Task 2

Standing Plans

Standing plans are the type of plan that is used regularly. This type of plan is used constantly on the company and can stay unaltered by ...

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By Geography

Task 2

Standing Plans

Standing plans are the type of plan that is used regularly. This type of plan is used constantly on the company and can stay unaltered by changes such as financial, market policies and procedures environmental changes etc.

Single use plans

Single use plans are the type of plans that is used on one occasion. This plan is mainly used for thing like setting a certain amount budget for unique projects.

Strategic plans

Strategic plans are the plans that anticipate the future trends and overall plans for developing the basic plans of an engineering company. The top managers set these types of plans. A good example of strategic plans is to create a new factory based on the predicted demands of the customer. Strategic plans usually last for over 3 years.

Tactical plans

Tactical plans are the type of plans that break down a specific strategic plan into short term action and plans.

Task 3

Market Driven Development

Market driven development is the type of development that is mainly based on the main demands of the market. It focuses on the demands of local regional and international market. It uses local producers which are also supported and contracted to meet its demands. This ensures the local producers to have buyers at a high price.

Technology Driven Development

Technology driven development is the type of development that focus on the providing the consumer their product using technology. It uses technological advantage like the internet to advertise and sell products. It also uses technology to produce and deliver products

Task 1

(P2) Explain the department or section I am currently working on inter act and depend on other department.

The current company I work for is a part of a larger company which refurbish trains for different train companies. Our section manufactures the gears which then go into the engines of the trains that are being refurbished. Our section depends on the demands of the train engine gear box are being ordered by the customer. If there are no orders, our production line will then stop. The other units also depend on us to meet the demands of the customer. We also depend on other external customer from different region of the country to keep the work force producing and making profits. The inter relation with the other section of the companies is important because it helps us plan the production strategy we are going to do. It helps us schedule the work activity in order to meet their demands and produce the required amount of components the customer requested.

1. On the first week, each person is set a different task. One person cuts wheels, another person cuts the different body shape and spoilers, one person is set the task of gluing the parts correct to achieve the customer requirements, and one person is set the task of being the team leader. A customer order sheet was given, which contains the customer requirement for two different weeks.

2. After one of the ‘simulated’ working week, the customer requirement hasn’t been met. The reason for this is that the team is still getting used to producing things efficiently to meet the customer requirements and that there is no fixed system of manufacturing the customer requirements.

3. The contribution that I have made to the group is that to have multi skilling. Instead of having to wait for one of the group member to finish their given task, why not help them do the unfinished task to make the production faster.

4. The improvement on the team had a big impact on the production of the goods. We manage to meet the customer demands and made sure their happy with the product. We manage to apply Lean thinking by reducing the amount of time we have to wait for a certain part of the component to be produced. We have done this by multi skill people to help speed up the production of the component.

Bibliography

Lecturer note and video.

Websites:

Information from the government, 25/10/2010, , October 2010

Different members of the website, 25/10/2010, , October 2010