PROJ07026 2013 Polymer Project

Identify a problem which needs to be addressed of importance to the organisation.

Utilise an appropriate structured approach to manage the project with realistic, interim and overall project objectives.

Prepare a written report which outlines in detail the background to the project, the methodology used, discussion, conclusions and recommendations.

Present project results with Executive Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations and discuss the approach taken and results achieved.

The Project will be assessed by the student preparing interim and final written reports along with a presentation by the student. The project supervisor may also require a log book to be completed regularly by the student.

Project Type A: Six Sigma DMAIC

The Interim Report and Final Report are to be prepared in a structured format using Microsoft Word. The Final report should be at least 3000 words (10 - 12 pages) and contain the following major sections.

• Executive Summary
• Background & Objectives
• Method (DMAIC)
• Results
• Conclusions & Recommendations

The Interim Report should address the 'Background & Objectives' and the 'Method' you plan to utilise to undertake your project.

Six Sigma Projects will be assessed taking into consideration the following:

1. Report Structure & Format

• How clear were the aims and objectives?
• Is the report well structured with logical flow and
• Was supporting data available
• Good use of charts and graphs

2. Students contribution

• Individual Vs Team contribution
• How critical was the student to success of overall project?

3. Problem solving methodology used

• Was methodology appropriate to this project?
• How many tools were used? - Six Sigma, Lean, Project Management, etc.
• Should additional tools have been chosen?

4. Value to the company

• Did the project meet its goals?
• What metrics were improved?
• How much money, time was saved, quality improved?

5. Level of innovation and technical difficulty

• How innovative were the solutions proposed?
• How technically difficult was the project?
• Was the project complex, cross-functional?

Project Type B: Research Project

The Interim Report and Final Report are to be prepared in a structured format using Microsoft Word. The Final report should be at least 3000 words (10 - 12 pages) and contain the following major sections.

• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Method
• Conclusions and Recommendations
• Appendices

Marks should be assigned depending on how well the student has addressed the following and how well the student answers questions during the presentation.

Why am I doing the project?                                                                                               

• Has the problem been adequately defined?
• Has a clear, appropriate and attainable set of aims been identified?

What has been done before?                                                                                               

Has a critical review of the relevant literature been performed? (as a MINIMUM, the student is expected to reference AT LEAST 15-30 appropriate REFEREED publications, though preferably more).

• Has the relationship between the project and the literature been adequately defined

What am I going to do?                                                                                                        

• Has a logical process been developed to meet the aims?
• Has this process been justified?
• Is the methodology appropriate for the scope of the research?

Syllabus Content

• The student should bring the learning from the subjects covered in the course to conceive, define and agree a project which is relevant to the students course of study.
• Various types of projects may be undertaken depending on whether the student is full time or part time and their course of study.  Examples of these are as follows:

Project Type A: Six Sigma DMAIC

The Six Sigma project will be undertaken by the student and should address a substantive issue in the workplace. The project will test the student's ability to define a real-life problem of concern to the organisation, design a strategy for addressing the problem, gather data, formulate and evaluate options and make recommendations. The project should follow the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology. While it is recommended that the problem is addressed as part of a cross-functional team, it is important that the student makes a significant contribution to the success of the project. A financial saving should be identified. The Green belt is normally expected to contribute annualised savings from €30,000 - €100,000. The amount of savings will depend on the size of the company, sales revenue, number of employees and opportunities for improvements.

The Six Sigma project will also cover the following areas:

1. Project management basics

•· Project charter and problem statement

•· Define and describe elements of a project charter and develop a problem statement, including baseline and improvement goals.

•· Project scope

•· Assist with the development of project definition/scope using Pareto charts, process maps, etc.

•· Assist with the development of primary and consequential metrics (e.g., quality, cycle time, cost) and establish key project metrics that relate to the voice of the customer.

•·  Use project tools such as Gantt charts, critical path method (CPM), and program evaluation and review technique (PERT) charts, etc.

•· Provide input and select the proper vehicle for presenting project documentation (e.g., spreadsheet output, storyboards, etc.) at phase reviews, management reviews and other presentations.

•· Describe the purpose and benefit of project risk analysis, including resources, financials, impact on customers and other stakeholders, etc.

• Describe the objectives achieved and apply the lessons learned to identify additional opportunities.

 2. Team dynamics and performance

•·  Define and describe the stages of team evolution, including forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning, and recognition. Identify and help resolve negative dynamics such as overbearing, dominant, or reluctant participants, the unquestioned acceptance of opinions as facts, groupthink, feuding, floundering, the rush to accomplishment, attribution, discounts, plops, digressions, tangents,

•· Describe and define the roles and responsibilities of participants on six sigma and other teams, including black belt, master black belt, green belt, champion, executive, coach, facilitator, team member, sponsor, process owner, etc.

•· Define and apply team tools such as brainstorming, nominal group technique, multi-voting, etc.

•· Use effective and appropriate communication techniques for different situations to overcome barriers to project success.

Project Type B: Research Project

Alternatively, a suitable research project may be undertaken by agreement with the project supervisor. Typical research projects often include, polymer material analyis or product design.  The principal difference between this type of project and Project Type A is that there will be minimal practical work and no requirement to show cost savings for the research project. There will also be a greater emphasis on the students background research and literature review of the chosen topic.

Note: The Research project type is NOT suitable for students wishing to pursue a Six Sigma Green Belt award.