Abstract
The report aims to highlight the goals and aims of the Abu Dhabi Water and Electric Authority and ADWEA. It aims to highlight the key needs for the organization, the different management strategies that it utilizes, and the shortfalls in some of its procedures that may benefit from changes.
The Adwea and the Use of Various Management Tools for Better Working and Management
Many international organizations utilize the different management tools in all of their finance and business-related decisions to gain maximum output and benefits. These management tools are modified according to the needs of the company or projects, but the core concepts remain the same (ADWEA HSE, pg. 1). The Abu Dhabi Water and Electric Authority or ADWEA is an independent and national organization, which handles national decisions related to water and electricity supply, outsourcing, and management (ADWEA HSE, pg. 1). Currently, the number of people directly gaining benefits through the services of ADWEA amount to more than 1.5 million, spread over an area of 67340 sq. km (ADWEA HSE, pg. 1).
ADWEA has a very strong value regarding its role in Abu Dhabi as well as in the Gulf and Middle East region. ADWEA, due to its strong independent existence and major share in some of the major local companies in the water and electrical sector, intends to become a local giant in the field. Therefore, to do so, it has emphasized the core value of people and those who work in ADWEA, who in turn will provide the best of their services and capabilities to deliver the most dynamic results in the sector.
As in other companies, ADWEA aims to reach its goals by carrying out various quality-defined techniques. Creating strong leadership is an essential requirement in this regard, and ADWEA is currently the best-skilled men and professionals in the sector. To identify the exact methodology that is carried out and its effects on the outcomes, some of the main methods that are followed in the company are as follows.
Affinity Diagram
An affinity diagram can be considered an organized form of a brainstorming session. This is because affinity diagram is a diagrammatic representation of different facts, opinions, ideas and proposals, which are grouped together and then organized based on the links that each component may have with the other; hence the name affinity (Kathy, pg. 1 and 3).
The affinity process or diagram was originally created to help organize and integrate various ideas and factors into one single cohesive diagram (Affinity Diagram, pp 3). Also known as the affinity notes, it was initially used for creative purposes, but now it is being applied in many areas of business as well (Holtzblatt et al, 2005, pp 102). Not only does it help in organizing old data, it helps in creating new ideas and frameworks as well. The only requirement is to ensure that more than 15 items in the entire debate or discussion is included (Kathy, pg 4).
Since this process is a creative one, there is less need for analytical thought and more need for the instinctive feeling. For example, a person may consider one option in marketing may just turn out right, while the previous data and analysis may point otherwise. Affinity diagrams help in bridging this gap and provided challenges to the analyzer to take up a new consideration (Kathy, pg. 4).
Another advantage with this system is that while it allows for discussion and exploring of new ideas, it does so in a matter of fact way, thereby eliminating emotion, and helping provide a clear concept about what is and what is not. Such process allows for the organization of data with ease on a day to day basis. Therefore, it is an asset in multinational companies, where it can provide a brief, simple yet complete picture of the areas of focus and the prospective challenges and changes that may take place (Holtzblatt et al., pg. 55).
The process is self explanatory for the generation of affinity diagram. A brainstorming session is instituted, from which information is gathered. The ideas are then displayed together on one location, such as a table, a chart or something similar. The ideas are then looked over and grouped together based on any affinity or relation that they may possess. A hierarchal arrangement is made of the information attained (Holtzblatt et al., pg. 23). Afterwards, each grouping can be assigned a name, and then the final diagram can be drawn (Kathy, pg. 5).
Nominal Group Technique
Developed by Delbecq and VandeVen, the nominal group technique became an acceptable alternative to the affinity diagram in many managerial circles. The main aim of this technique is the inclusion of all parties in the discussion so as to reach a more definite conclusion through consensus and equal say of each party (Evaluation ETA, pg. 1). The process is similar to brainstorming; however instead of brainstorming in the group immediately, the group members first do it individually to themselves. They then collect and identify their ideas in an organized form. Finally each group member is allowed to state his or her ideas, thereby ensuring each person has been given a say.
While this method has been appreciated, there are certain limitations that put question to the creative pattern of this technique. For example, the method may help by allowing all members to speak up, it may not allow a true conclusion of the matter, which in many groups is done so by voting. The people may start defending their ideas and comparing them, instead of forming and maturing them together, making it a constrained effort (Evaluation ETA, pg. 1).
Finally, brainstorming allows creative thinking to go free, while the NGT may prevent it by a mechanical process of information gathering. Also, such a technique may require preparation beforehand, and therefore, may be more centered towards one or two topics. This therefore, may be a suitable technique for hard business executive decisions, but not in the marketing section of business, where creativity is as important as its applicability (Evaluation ETA, pg. 2).
Application of Flow Charting in the Management Process
Flow charts help in identifying an information in a graphical form to provide a clearer picture of the entire information in less time (Kathy, pg. 11, np). It is one of the seven management tools for quality management (Kathy, pg.10).
Charts and diagrams allow for better understanding of a concept without the need for heavy explanation. Its step wise flow allows executives to keep track of progress of an event, find any problems or faults taking place, and eliminating them in an effective manner. Flow charts are now an integral part of the process documentation and a helpful learning tool in various training materials. It allows for better programming, by creating methods that are easy to follow for all members of the staff, their individual role, and how their work influences the entire chain of event after them. Finally, this method is helpful in trouble shooting various aspects of management and may include among them strategies to improve the work flow process (Kathy, pg.11).
Analysis and Inferences
ADWEA has a comprehensive HSE Procedures and Guidelines manual. It details the requirements, impact assessments, reporting standards and guidelines as well as procedures and processes and key performance indicators. For our example we focus on the Incident Reporting, Investigation and Analysis Procedures, particularly Incident Reporting Procedure (ADWEA HSE, pg. 2).
According to the predefined objectives and scope and compliance policy the company has laid out a comprehensive reporting procedure which incorporates all types of incidents, accidents, and near misses, damages etc. Furthermore concerned reporting lines and authorities are also mentioned. It also contains flowcharts of all each incident type reporting. For our example we re-construct here one of the ‘Incident Investigation Flowchart’ according to our own observation and assessment (ADWEA HSE, pg. 2).
Other Concerned Parties
The report shows that the central component of the industry is the worker or the staff of the company. The company has ensured their safety and proper identification of their talent. It has also provided the people with the right to come forward in different incidences and complications, showing an open door policy. In this manner, the more comprehensive the system of analysis and quality assessment, the better the outcomes of the industry overall.
The second observation that can be made is the effort that has been placed in making all steps of the methodology and business management properly organized. This shows that the company puts its efforts in to providing good quality product by following each step of the protocol meticulously and carefully. The correct and proper definition of each type of incident, mishap or legal concern is a good way to prevent any future misunderstandings or legal complications. The proper addressing of the various mishaps that can take place with the personnel and how the company will entertain them ensures the protection of the rights of the workers and helps creates a positive atmosphere for them to work and be more productive.
Identifying the policy matters pertinent to the provision of electricity and water supplies to the region helps in overcoming technical jargon that is wasted over clarification purposes. It also provides a good example to follow for future investing and partner companies, for they have in front of them the plan through which the company operates.
The detailed analysis of each type of potential challenge and its management allows for quick integration and application according to the need of the situation, thereby preventing delays in removing problems and potential obstacles from the quality of work and service. Since the are where ADWEA operates is vast, any technical delays of complications may propagate into more time waste and thereby poor customer satisfaction. Such initiatives therefore, are well in place and in alignment with the requirements for an international corporation such as the ADWEA.
Conclusion
ADWEA remains one of the top most companies in the region implementing the use of various management tools and techniques for better quality management. In most of the cases, it has been able to provide a good example to follow in such business management. However, there are certain areas which can benefit from some improvements. Therefore, more effort and investigation should be instilled in the process in order to overcome these technical shortcomings.
The report aims to highlight the goals and aims of the Abu Dhabi Water and Electric Authority and ADWEA. It aims to highlight the key needs for the organization, the different management strategies that it utilizes and the shortfalls in some of its procedures that may benefit from changes. The report aims to highlight the goals and aims of the Abu Dhabi Water and Electric Authority and ADWEA. It aims to highlight the key needs for the organization, the different management strategies that it utilizes and the shortfalls in some of its procedures that may benefit from changes.
References
ADWEA HSE. Procedure Manual, 2011. Web.
Evaluation ETA. “Gaining consensus among stakeholders through the nominal group technique”. No. 7, 2011. Web.
Holtzblatt. Kurt. Wendell JB and Wood S. Rapid Contextual Design: A How-To-Guide to Key Techniques for User-Centered Design. Toronto: Elsevier Publishing House, 2005.
Kathy, Mary. “Flowchart as a Quality Management Tool”. Thriving Small Business. 2010. Web.