There is a revival in the application of- and investment in project management as an approach to business operation in many industries under the broader corporate South African umbrella. At the same time the local automotive industry continues to lead by example.

So claims Bert du Preez, Operations Manager at Eliance, an information management company based in Gauteng that specialises in the development and integration of advanced information management systems within the automotive marketplace.

The company’s broader service offering, established as a comprehensive set of solutions and services designed to assist users leverage off optimised information management, is based extensively on the project management approach and principles.

Solutions are positioned to assist clients with dynamics and responsibilities within the automotive industry – including acquisition management; retention management and customer recovery management.

“Juxtaposed with this array of solutions is a range of complimentary services including Internet solutions, business software, Internet marketing, contact centres, hosting and IT services".

"The key objective is to equip our clients with technology and expertise that will ensure that they remain ahead of new information system requirements and constant changes in the environment,” says du Preez.

Project management is loosely defined as the centralised management of all processes and procedures that characterise the entire spectrum of service delivery. It is widely accepted as an approach to operation in business that can be customised to virtually any industry or sector.

According to operations management at Eliance, when it comes to development, be it web or application based, project management is engineered to placate the pressures associated with the constraints of cost, time and quality in daily business operation.

“This is the basis of the typical business service scenario involving the client, sales representative, project manager and operations and defines the dynamics of operators and service providers within the automotive sector”, he says.

“The task of the project manager is to co-ordinate the delivery of the project requirements within the metrics of time and cost, and in accordance with the expectations of the client; quality,” says du Preez.

The operations team at Eliance has helped to establish the company and its portfolio of services through the optimum application of project management methodologies, accomplished through a standard project management body of knowledge called the PMBOK.

“This is a project management fundamental. All the processes adopted for project managers revolve around the PMBOK. Each project has five phases – initiation, planning, execution, control and closing".

"I refer to projects in the general sense of the word and each project, essentially, has its own identity. Our strategy is to then decompose each phase into a number of interlinked components, and each component slots into the lifecycle as the project matures or progresses,” du Preez continues.

According to the company’s operations manager the focus at Eliance is to increase the adoption of the project management approach, particularly within the automotive industry.

“The formula for success is based extensively on the role of the project manager as the central co-ordinator and link between client, sales and operations. This recipe has taken root within the operational structures at Eliance,” adds du Preez.

“One of the key benefits is that the role of the project manager has brought about the facilitation of communication as well as the creation of understanding which has lead to improved client interaction and ultimately higher levels of service".

"The degree of competition for business within the motor industry means that this benefit can never be underestimated.”

du Preez adds that the automotive industry is widely acknowledged to have embraced technology at an early stage of development and now demonstrates extensively what can be achieved with the strategic investment in next generation information and communication technology and systems.

“Our experience in the market to date has confirmed that our target market continues to apply systems and project management methodologies to manage their environment to a greater extent".

"There is a consistent and concerted effort by all stakeholders to leverage off a balance between people’s skills sets and innovation in technology".

"If one considers the implications of corporate governance and compliance with information and communication regulation against a background of financial regulation and mechanisms to curb debt, coupled with the current pressure exerted on the consumer, there is no doubt that infrastructure and a solid project management approach will prove invaluable.”

---

Share this article