Project Outline
Praxis Module Two Professional Development Project
1. What will the final result look like?
o There will be a minimum of 10 detailed job descriptions for the different positions within my department at my current business partner. The end goal will make communication better as the worker will understand the total overall goals of their job as well as give the managers a basis for evaluating the work being accomplished.
2. How is this related to my goals?
o My short-term goals have somewhat shifted since the beginning of the program as it looks like I will be able to stay with my current business partner for the duration of Praxis. The overall goal has not changed as I am honing skills that will advance me in both my personal and professional life. This particular project will help me in learning how to condense my many thoughts into objectives that are reasonable for the employee and employer. It helps me to create value at my current business partner as well as showcase the abilities I have to keep addressing pressing operational issues and providing viable solutions.
3. A Week by Week Breakdown
o 1. Make a complete list of the specific jobs within the company I want to create detailed job descriptions for. Create common goals for every job in the department. Write a blog post detailing the work and challenges faced for the week.
o 2. Complete rough drafts for 5 of the job descriptions and share with leadership at my current business partner for feedback as to what can be included, cut, defined better etc. Write a blog post detailing the thought process behind creating a detailed job description and my project progress.
o 3. Complete another 5 job descriptions and incorporate feedback received from company leadership as well as garner further feedback. Write about the feedback received and how it is helping me to make better job descriptions and making my project as a whole better as well as current project updates.
o 4. Do final revisions and prepare my project to not only be submitted to Praxis but also for my current business partner. Write a blogpost about my complete process and the finished product.
4. My biggest challenge will be…
o To synthesize my project to a level that it isn’t just a good idea for my business partner but actually something that will be implemented so as to make it a better company.
5. What do I bring to this project?
o The foresight and insight to see what is needed in the operation of individual’s daily jobs as well as the ability to set forward a sense of teamwork and working towards a common goal.
The Reason
I embarked on this project due to a need I saw at the company I was working at. Really the issue I’m setting out to provide a solution for is something I’ve seen over and over again in life. Have you heard the statement before “it’s not my job” I saw how this mind-set was dominating my workplace and causing the company to not work together as a team and not encouraging employees to do their assigned jobs?
From my perspective, much of it just wasn’t clear communication. The work is hot and heavy and so understandably so because of the human nature we have we will try anything possible to get out of it. If we thought our job was contingent upon us doing our duties would we do them? Of course! But when there is a mindset that there are few if any reasons that you can lose your job then you, maybe not always intentionally, but your care level goes down because no one else seems to care enough to make sure the task gets done.
This is where I come in, it occurred to me that a job description that the employee signed saying that he or she understood what was required of them would be greatly helpful. This was the employee and the supervisor would have a clear frame of reference for what the job entailed and the supervisor could give credit where it was due and direction where things weren’t clear or not being followed. Some could say that there is no benefit to the employee but I beg to differ. In the job descriptions that I created, you will find primary objectives and secondary objectives. The premise behind this is the fact that the employer gives out Christmas bonuses based on merit and the secondary objectives if accomplished should be the reason for the extra reward at Christmas.
Another reason for this project is to help bring a professionalism and structure to the company. This company was started out of a garage and had very few employees until just a few years ago but now it has experienced exponential growth and is in need of the structure. This is just one project I am undertaking to ensure that the company can continue to take things to the next level.
The Process
To begin my making of job descriptions I chose to start in my department which of course I understood the rolls the best and could feel confident I could outline the duties needed to make one successful at the job. My department is one of the largest departments with 15 or more people and is a high stress but also rewarding department. I work in parts, now this doesn’t seem glamorous at all and some days it isn’t but as a metal fabrication shop that specializes in custom implements this is an extremely important job. Being able to give the right parts to the welder is crucial to his, us as the parts department and the company’s success.
I started by looking up templates of what others have used for a job description and it housed some things I had not thought of. Some of the sections were/are for more of a formal use marketing to someone outside the company what the job is. This was not my idea of how I wanted things structured but when I saw it and saw how the job descriptions I was going to create could be dual purposed I jumped on it.
As I created the job descriptions the most difficult thing has been coming up with the correct wording. My initial goal was to be really specific but I realized that doing that would fall into the realm of trying to make a rule for everything and that seldom helps. So I took to outlining the jobs and what their duties entailed and it just started to flow.
Obviously in parts the job is super hands on and so as I worked I would think of different things that needed added in. So it was learning and working on the job. Having been moved to a leadership role in just the few months that I’ve been there it gives me the creative license to test different ideas in the part that I’m over and it gives me a good frame of reference for the things that should be included in the job descriptions.
The Product
Having worked fifty plus hours a week for weeks it took a strain to hammer out these job descriptions after my time at work, but here they are presented. As I stated in my initial post my goal for these was to provide better communication between the employee and the supervisor and also create more structure for the company.
These job descriptions may not be perfect but I am going to submit them for review by the higher ups at my company to see if they are as enthused with the idea as I am. I did receive approval for this but I want to see if we are on the same page and if we aren’t I plan to get there and create something that will be feasible for the company and employees.
My main goal for this project was to remedy a problem I saw but the overarching goal was to provide value to the company. Wherever I work I always want to the absolute best job that I can and I’m thankful for the job I have now to give me some creative license to create things such as the job descriptions and also in future I will have opportunities to work on other projects.
Praxis Module Two Week Four Update
Value Proposal
To:
Jon Williams
President
Construction Implement Depot
Summary
The purpose of this proposal is to create an alpha-numeric parts system which will, upon implementation, increase the efficiency of Construction Implement Depot (CID). The goals of this proposal are 1. To create parts lists for every item we build and 2. To organize the parts room by creating defined spaces for each part, then labeling each part with a corresponding code and description. With this system in place, whenever a sales order is created, it would include an attached file itemizing each part needed to fill the order. With this expanded sales order form, the kit builder would then be able to have an itemized checklist to take to the parts room for consistent and accurate retrieval of parts needed to complete the order. There would be a separate file/parts list for every product CID manufactures. An added benefit of this proposal is that training materials would be more in depth, easier to understand and training would be easier for supervisors and it would also work towards a lower turnover rate. This system would make it so that any trained employee would be able to efficiently pull the parts needed to fulfill the given order. To be able to complete an accurate parts list, Barret, Kevin and Mike would need to be consulted for accurate diagrams and parts lists. The estimated time-frame is to complete the system and have it ready for implementation when we do the yearly inventory the first week of July. That way any parts which need to be moved or arranged could be taken care of along with the task of inventory. The proposed time frame for this project is May 21st-July 2nd.
Reason
The completion of this project will aid CID’s efficiency and cohesiveness between departments. With the newly updated and detailed diagrams, parts lists, alpha-numeric labeling, and organized part room, mistakes will be greatly reduced or eliminated, enhancing overall production setting the stage for continued and aggressive growth for CID. The improved organizational system will also set a frame work for ease of updating whenever our products are enhanced or modified.
Primary Objectives
1. Create a complete alpha-numeric parts system which encompasses both part rooms.
2. Create parts lists using an alpha-numeric code which sales can attach to the order and display on the back side of the ticket.
3. Label each spot in the parts room with an alpha-numeric part number, full dimensions, and a clear image of the part.
4. Create a well-defined spot for each part using labels and dividers.
Secondary Objectives
5. Create visual aids for each part to provide the parts department personnel with tools to become better versed in the shapes and sizes of the individual parts.
6. Create layouts of the kits for each product on the pallets and then photograph and video each complete product kit to use for better training, orientation, and a more systematic approach to the parts room which will, in turn, extend to the welders.
Resources Needed
1. Basic training on using the current software to dissect all of our products so as to create accurate parts lists, diagrams and labels.
2. The periodic availability of each department manager to ensure that part lists, diagrams and labels are accurate.
3. The use of a company computer for creating parts lists, diagrams and labels will be needed.
4. Access to and use of materials for creating organization of the parts room.
Conclusion
By creating these updated and accurate parts lists, labels and diagrams, this organization will reduce waste in misplaced parts, it will improve quality control, create better time management for employees and more accuracy in kit building. This, in turn, will facilitate continued and progressive growth for CID. Thinking ahead to the future, this will lay the ground work for a more expansive and overall parts inventory system which will be better equipped to handle the explosive growth we have already been experiencing.