Background
Your organization is changing, and a project manager was contracted to complete the project. You have mentioned previously that the facility layout in the laboratory section needs improvement. Fortunately, you were assigned as a subject matter expert, and the opportunity has presented itself to share your insight. However, first, you must qualify why change is necessary and why protecting the critical path is essential on this project.
Instructions
Your organization is undergoing change, and a project manager was contracted to complete the project. You have mentioned previously that the facility layout in the laboratory section needs improvement. Fortunately, you were assigned as a subject matter expert, and the opportunity has presented itself to share your insight. However, first, you must qualify why change is necessary and why protecting the critical path is important in this project. Answer the following questions using the concepts discussed in the module two readings. Note: Ensure you incorporate APA standards (i.e., title page not required, body (questions and answers with supporting citations), and Reference page).
https://guides.library.cornell.edu/c.php?g=31867&p=201759
MODULE 2 READINGS:
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/strategic-management
https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/03/29/increasing-operational-efficiency-with-technology/
https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-supply-chain
QUESTIONS
• Explain why organizations must continually change and create their product and service mix. What are the steps involved in new product development?
• When is project management used over process management? Describe Critical Path Scheduling.
• Discuss how sustainability might be incorporated into a process or value change improvement initiative.
• Explain the facility layout most appropriate for performing hospital laboratory tests.
Competition: Competitors are constantly seeking ways to capture market share, often by offering superior, cheaper, or faster services. Continuous change is a defensive and offensive strategy to counter rivals.
Resource Optimization: Changes, such as a facility layout improvement, seek to increase operational efficiency by reducing waste, improving flow, and maximizing resource utilization (Forbes, 2023).
The general steps involved in new product/service development include:
Idea Generation: Sourcing innovative concepts from internal staff (like the laboratory layout suggestion), market research, and technological trends.
Screening and Evaluation: Assessing the feasibility, market potential, and financial viability of the ideas, discarding those that do not align with strategic goals.
Concept Development and Testing: Refining the idea into a detailed concept and testing its acceptance with target users (e.g., surveying lab technicians on a new layout design).
Business Analysis: Developing a detailed project plan, including costs, revenue projections, and resource requirements.
Prototype Development (or Service Design): Creating a working model or pilot of the product/service (e.g., creating 3D models of the new lab layout).
Market Testing: Launching the product/service in a limited capacity to gauge real-world performance before full rollout.
Commercialization: Full-scale launch and ongoing management of the product/service.
When is project management used over process management? Describe Critical Path Scheduling.
Project management is used for temporary, unique endeavors designed to achieve a specific goal and produce a specific deliverable (e.g., relocating a department, building a facility, or improving a laboratory layout). It has a defined start and end date and is used when a one-time change or innovation is necessary.
Process management (or operations management) is used for ongoing, repetitive, and routine activities that are necessary to run the core business (e.g., the daily routine of receiving, processing, and reporting a blood test). It focuses on efficiency, consistency, and continuous improvement of established operations.
Project management is the correct approach for the facility layout change because it is a unique, non-routine, time-bound activity.
Critical Path Scheduling
Critical Path Scheduling (CPS) is a project management technique for managing time-bound activities. It involves:
Identifying all project activities and defining their dependencies (which tasks must finish before others can start).
Determining the duration for each activity.
Sample Answer
The Necessity of Change and Project Management in Laboratory Improvement
Explain why organizations must continually change and create their product and service mix. What are the steps involved in new product development?
Organizations must continually change their offerings and adapt their product and service mix to maintain competitive advantage and ensure long-term organizational survival (MasterClass, n.d.). This constant adaptation is driven by several factors:
Technological Advancements: New technologies (like advanced laboratory automation or AI-driven diagnostic tools) rapidly create new, more efficient ways to deliver services. Organizations that fail to adopt these changes risk becoming obsolete (Forbes, 2023).
Market Demand and Customer Expectations: Customer needs are dynamic. In healthcare, this means expecting faster test results, more accurate diagnostics, and a better overall patient experience. Organizations must continually innovate to meet these shifting expectations.