Herman Miller Case Study

Herman Miller, a West Michigan based furniture manufacturer has embarked on a project to create products that are "green" and a methodology to ensure that the products are ecologically friendly from beginning to end. Like Friar Tucker, Herman Miller must follow a pathway to successfully design and implement this project. The initial parameters were for a new evaluation process to determine just how ecologically friendly the raw materials for use were. "To evaluate the extent to which a product is manufactured using safe nutrients, Herman Miller works with MBDC to calculate a "material chemistry score" for the product" (Rossi, 2006). A flowchart process was developed to determine which materials met the companies demand for a "green" material.
This concern for detail is crucial for its Galleria project to be successful. Also, with the new movement toward ecologically friendly, Friar Tucker can learn a great deal from the Herman Miller project by using environmentally friendly concepts in its projects. This tact of being seen as "green" will blend well with the companies drive to expand its brand. Use of databases will allow Tucker to rapidly track its costs, much the same as Miller used them to track the ecologically friendly nature of its materials. By following the same type of method, Friar Tucker can become more
"The business division was chartered with responsibilities to improve estimating, pricing, scheduling, risk management and cost control" (Owen, 2007). Resistance to change occurred at JPL because of its employees and their background. "Institutional change is also slowed by the fact that JPL technical personnel are highly educated" (Owen, 2007). This change was overcome, as the new process of scheduling was very regimented, lending itself well to scientists who work with regimented procedures. An additional benefit to this for JPL was that profitability was not required. "JPL runs a non-profit business so the added emphasis to maximize corporate profit doesn't exist." (Owen, 2007). Friar Tucker can use the same system of risk analysis, pricing, and schedule analysis. Careful monitoring of costs and time will allow Tucker to become even more competitive in the marketplace. Additionally, knowing what is where can make shifts when unexpected events or costs occur much easier. Projects were divided into formulation, approval and implementation