Abstract:

It is valuable for students taking Project-Based Learning (PBL) to learn about practical cases in which a product development company takes action to resolve problems in a real product development. This paper proposes a project management tool called Extended Responsibility Assignment Matrix (ERAM), suitable for a cross functional project, and describes the ERAM’s application to a product development project consisting of multiple functional organizations. ERAM offers solutions for the following two critical problems which often occur in product development projects. One problem is the Cross Functional Problem (CFP). CFPs often happen in the downstream of the project such as a system　integration and verification test because of the interdependency of various functions (e.g. mechanical, electrical and software). It is difficult to analyze the root cause and to fix CFPs. As a result, CFPs may cause schedule delays and increase the development costs of the project. The second problem is weak project control. Project managers often struggle to establish a project team structure across the functional organizations to strictly control the project. ERAM is a matrix to help mitigate those problems by forming an actual work force called a Working Group (WG), consisting of Subject Matter Experts, to handle CFPs and construct the hierarchical project team structure across WGs and functional organizations. ERAM is taught to project managers in corporate education and could be good course material for students to learn how to manage real cross functional projects.

Keywords:

Project-Based Learning, Corporate education, Cross Functional Project, Project management, Risk management, Product development.