5.6 Organisational Structure of Design Teams
Since a design project requires individuals with different fields of expertise, they can be organised into different structures. Listed below are the five organisational structures. The number in the bracket shows the percentage of design projects that use that particular organisation structure.
1. Project matrix, (28%)
It is an organisation structure having the features of project and matrix organisations.
2. Functional matrix (26%)
It is another organisational structure obtained by combining functional as well as matrix organisations.
3. Balanced Matrix (16%)
Here the project manager and functional manager work together. A project manager is assigned to oversee the project, and the responsibility and authority for completing the project rests with functional managers.
4. Project Team (16%)
A project manager is put in charge of a project team composed of a core group of personnels from several functional areas or groups assigned on a full time basis.
5. Functional Organisation (13%)
Each project is assigned to a relevant functional area or group within a functional area. A functional area focuses on a single discipline.
5.7. Task Clarification [S 01]
A project plan is a document that defines the tasks necessary to be completed during a design process. A project plan is used to keep the project under control. It helps the design team and management to know how the project is actually progressing.
There are five steps to establish a plan. They are,
• Identify the task
• State the objective of each task
• Estimate Personnel's, time, resources required.
• Develop a sequence for these tasks.
• Estimate product development cost.
Step 1 Identify the tasks
In the first step of the planning of the design project, the different tasks needed to bring the problem from its initial state to the final products are identified. The tasks are the activities to be performed during the design process. Given below is a list of tasks drafted by a design team, for the development of a certain product.
a. Collect and evaluate customer requirements and competition scenario.
b. Establish two concepts for product development.
c. Develop final prototype.
d. Test prototype No1 and select one design for finalisation.
e. Redesign and produce proto type No2.
f. Field test prototype No2.
g. Complete production documentation.
h. Develop marketing plan.
i. Develop quality control procedures.
j. Prepare patent applications.
k. Establish product appearance.
l. Develop packaging.
Step .2. State the objective for each task.
Even though the tasks are initially identified, they need to be refined to ensure that the results of the activities are the stated objectives. For example, for the task No. (a) above, the objective is to collect information required for developing specification.
Step 3: Estimate the Personnel, Time & other Resources Required.
Completion of each of the tasks listed above will consume resources such as personnel, time etc. An estimate of the requirement of resources may look like:
Task Personnel/time
Collecting data Two market surveyors, two months
Concept generation Two designers, two week.
Step 4 Develop a Sequence for the tasks
The next step is scheduling of tasks-the purpose is to ensure that each task is completed, before its result is needed. CPM is the best method to accomplish this.
Step 5 Estimate Product Development Cost
On the basis of the above steps, the costs for developing the product can be estimated. Normally design cost is only about 5% of manufacturing cost.
The above plan developed in the early stage of the design has to be refined as the project progresses.
Questions
1. Market research is necessary before starting the production of any product.
(True) [S '97]
2. Write a short note on – Product planning and task classification. [S '01] |
