This study is conducted for analyzing the application of Deming Cycle in engineering project management. The research is conducted using mixed research approach in which both qualitative and quantitative research techniques are used. The study has used a case study of YongKang Imp Exp Co. Ltd in order to evaluate the use of Deming cycle in engineering project management. In case of quantitative research technique, the data has been collected using questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed to 50 employees of the company. In addition to this interviews were conducted with 10 managers of YongKang Imp Exp Co Ltd. They were asked various questions related to the use of Deming cycle in project management. The study has revealed that there is a significant impact of Deming cycle on engineering project management. With the help of Deming cycle management can enhance effectiveness of engineering project. In order to ensure success of the project with increased effectiveness, the companies have to follow steps identified in PDCA cycle. With the help of proper planning and scheduling the management of engineering projects is done successfully. In the end of this research limitations and direction for future research has also been given.

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1.Background

In this twenty-first century, companies have to face a lot of competition due to increased globalization, advancements in technology, customers’ demands, change in business world and liberalisation of trade. The high level of liberalisation results in unleashing of competitive market forces and companies have to bring various kinds of changes in order to survive in this business world (Sokovic et al, 2010). Due to rapid growth in construction industry of China, the demand for decoration materials has also been increased to great extent. Companies are in strong need of focusing towards adaptation of technology and designs that are energy saving. The living standards of people are increased and rate of consumption of energy has also been increased. There is a great concern of people towards energy utilization and protection of environment. In order to get long term success and growth, companies have to adapt, respond and align their strategies with requirements of business world (Delen and Dalal, 2008). In order to sustain as highly progressive and productive, companies use different kinds of tools and techniques in order to ensure high level of competitiveness. In recent days, management of organizations focus considerably on taking logical decisions with formulating innovative and creative strategies (Sage and Rouse, 2009). Organizations use various kinds of tools and techniques with special focus on improving quality of projects. For effectively managing a project, companies mostly use Deming Cycle through which they become capable of ensuring high quality of project. In order to implement Deming Cycle technique for managing quality of project, management has to ensure appropriate planning to use this methodology for the purpose of engineering project management. Particularly, in engineering project management, there is a strong need of ensuring high quality, as there is an involvement of various crucial and tough processes. Deming Cycle is considered to be most preferable technique that can be used by management of organizations for improving quality of engineering projects. For the purpose of successful implementation of approaches and tools, there is a strong requirement of understanding those tools and technique. Deming cycle is an effective tool used by management of organizations and it is applied in case of project management as it ensures high quality (Zeng et al, 2015).

A cycle was proposed by Deming that is termed as PDCA cycle that involves various steps. These steps have to be followed by team of an engineering project in order to improve quality. This is a technique that is applied by companies to ensure continuous improvement in an engineering project. PDCA helps in bringing continuous improvement through solving various kinds of problems. PDCA cycle involves various steps that are Plan, Do, Check and Act. PDCA cycle is used as a varied model and while following this management successfully complete one step and then moves towards further step. While adopting PDCA cycle, companies have to go through various stages, before successfully achieving outcomes (Wang et al, 2014).  There are significant advantages of PDCA cycle in engineering project management and management has to learn about ways of implementing PDCA cycle in an appropriate way. Different studies were conducted to examine the use of Deming cycle in order to manage quality in companies but very few studies were conducted on the use of Deming cycle in engineering project management.  This research is conducted on an enterprise of China that is involved in building e