Discover Successful Project Management: Real-Life Project Management Case Studies

Practical Case Studies for Effective Project Management to Optimise SME Operations

Explore practical case studies demonstrating effective project management strategies tailored for SMEs. Learn how to streamline operations and enhance efficiency with real-world examples and actionable insights.

According to entrepreneur.com movies are a great way to learn life lessons. These lessons are not always blatantly obvious, but they can be found if you know what to look for. Watching movies is important as a business owner or leader, specifically, because it helps us understand the world around us better and the people in it



Project Management Case Studies: Insights for Success

Understanding project management through case studies is vital for SMEs. These real-world examples offer invaluable insights into overcoming challenges, managing resources efficiently, and achieving project objectives within budget and time constraints. By studying successful and unsuccessful projects, SMEs can identify best practices, avoid common pitfalls, and refine their project management strategies. Whether it's streamlining processes, enhancing collaboration, or optimizing resource allocation, learning from case studies empowers SMEs to navigate complexities, minimize risks, and deliver successful outcomes. Gain practical knowledge, enhance decision-making, and elevate your project management prowess with targeted case study analysis tailored for SMEs.



Project management case studies

Movie Case Study Image

Written by: Malose Makgeta

MBA with 20+ years experience in SME development and funding. LinkedIn Profile


Project Management Entrepreneurship Lessons from Movies The Founder, War Dogs and Moneyball

CONTEXT

Business plan development is the process of creating a business strategy and plan to help a business implement its vision and achieve its goals over time. The primary goal of business plan development is to create a strategy for moving a business from its current state to its desired state through a series of business actions. The skills programme provides entrepreneurs and business managers with a platform and tools for business strategic planning.



Project management case studies lessons from case studies:


Lessons from The Founder - McDonalds

The Founder Movie Image

Movie Description

The Founder is one amazing movie and is a must watch for every entrepreneur. It not only gives you life lessons and but also few path breaking business lessons. The Founder is story of Ray Crock. How a 52-year-old sales man turned two brothers (McDonald Brothers) small eatery into the world’s biggest restaurant business. McDonald brothers had invented the speedy system a process to deliver food in seconds but couldn’t develop business beyond their one restaurant. This is Ray Crock comes re-imagines the whole fast food business and created the McDonald Corporation we see today.

Expected Outcomes

The Founder is jam-packed with practical business advice. It pulls back the curtain to reveal the secrets of Ray Krocs transformation of McDonalds into one of the worlds largest fast food restaurants. Entrepreneurs and business owners will discover: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent wont; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius wont; unrewarded genius is practically a cliché. Education wont; the world is full of educated fools. The purpose of this case study is to provide a practical case study on how to build a business in the manufacturing sector—that is, a business that takes raw materials and adds value to them to produce a product.

Rational

Ray Kroc, a 52-year-old over-the-hill salesman struggling to sell multimixers, turned two brothers innovative fast food eatery, McDonalds, into the worlds largest restaurant business through a combination of ambition, persistence, and ruthlessness. If you are a small business owner looking to learn about scaling, franchising, and brand building, McDonalds is the one business to look to as a reference, as they have done this incredibly well. They are a true American business success story and icon. The story of how McDonalds came to be is told in a new film, The Founder, and we learn the true story of Ray Kroc, the traveling salesman who is credited with making McDonalds what it is today, and its original founders, Richard and Maurice McDonald.

Key Lesson

None



Project Management Lessons from McDonald's

Project Management Lessons from the Movie "The Founder"

1. Clear Project Vision: In the movie, Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald's, has a clear vision of creating a fast-food empire. He envisions standardized processes, quality food, and fast service. This emphasises the importance of having a clear project vision to guide the team and stakeholders.

2. Strategic Planning: Ray Kroc meticulously plans the expansion of McDonald's by identifying potential locations and developing a franchise model. This highlights the significance of strategic planning in project management to ensure a systematic and well-thought-out approach.

3. Collaboration and Teamwork: The success of McDonald's was not solely attributed to Ray Kroc but to the collaborative efforts of the entire team. Cooperation, effective communication, and teamwork play a vital role in achieving project success.

4. Adaptability to Change: Throughout the movie, Ray Kroc encounters various challenges and setbacks but remains flexible and adaptive. He embraces change, modifies strategies, and capitalises on emerging opportunities. Project managers should be prepared to adapt to changes and make necessary adjustments to keep the project on track.

5. Risk Management: The movie depicts the risks involved in scaling a business and the importance of managing them. Ray Kroc takes calculated risks, conducts due diligence, and learns from failures. Project managers should identify, assess, and mitigate risks to minimise their impact on the project's success.

6. Stakeholder Management: Ray Kroc engages with stakeholders, including franchisees, suppliers, and investors, to build relationships and ensure their support. Effectively managing stakeholders' expectations and fostering positive relationships is crucial for project success.

7. Continuous Improvement: McDonald's constant pursuit of improvement, from menu innovations to operational efficiencies, reflects the concept of continuous improvement. Project managers should encourage a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and refinement throughout the project lifecycle.

8. Ethical Considerations: The movie also highlights ethical considerations in business practices. Ray Kroc faces moral dilemmas and ethical challenges, underscoring the importance of conducting projects with integrity, transparency, and ethical behavior.

9. Persistence and Resilience: Ray Kroc faces numerous rejections and obstacles but maintains persistence and resilience in pursuing his goals. Project managers should possess similar qualities to overcome hurdles, maintain focus, and drive the project forward.

10. Celebrate Achievements: Recognising and celebrating milestones and achievements, as depicted in the movie, boosts team morale and motivation. Project managers should acknowledge and celebrate successes, fostering a positive project environment.

By drawing lessons from "The Founder," project managers can gain valuable insights and apply them to their own projects, enhancing the chances of success.

Franchising McDonalds and Capital Raising

We have identified the following project from the movie:

Project to franchise McDonald's

Start of the project - Ray approached McDonald's with the idea of franchising the concept, but they told him they weren't interested in doing it themselves. As a result, Kroc offered to do it for them. The brothers agreed, and Kroc was given exclusive rights to market the McDonald's method.

Execution - Ray opened his first McDonald's in the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines in April 1955. He used the immaculately clean and efficient restaurant to sell McDonald's franchises to the rest of the country.

Then Kroc met Harry Sonneborn, a financial genius who taught Kroc how to make money by selling real estate rather than hamburgers. Kroc established a company to buy or lease the land on which all McDonald's restaurants would be built under Sonneborn's plan. Franchisees then paid Kroc a fixed monthly rent or a percentage of their sales, whichever was greater. Kroc was guaranteed a profit by owning the land on which the franchises were built rather than just the franchises themselves. With his real-estate formula in place, Kroc set out to achieve his goal of opening 1,000 McDonald's across the country.

However, there were issues. Kroc was constantly at odds with the McDonald brothers over changes he wanted to make to their original formula. Kroc became increasingly frustrated and decided he wanted sole control of McDonald's. So, in 1961, he bought out the McDonalds for $2.7 million in cash.

Kroc was free to run the company as he saw fit now that the McDonald brothers were out of the way. He had opened over 700 restaurants in 44 states by 1965. McDonald's became the first fast-food company to go public in April of that year. The stock was priced at $22 per share. Within weeks, it had risen to $49 per share, making Kroc a multimillionaire. Kroc had met and exceeded his goal by the end of the decade, with nearly 1,500 McDonald's operating worldwide.

Ray Kroc, like many of the twentieth century's most influential entrepreneurs, was not a creator. When Kroc arrived on the scene, convenience food was already available in a variety of forms, ranging from local diners to hot dog stands. But it was Kroc who was able to grasp all of the complexities of the fast-food concept and deliver it in the best way possible.

Capital raising project

Some believe that what transformed McDonald's into a money machine had nothing to do with Ray Kroc, the McDonald brothers, or the popularity of McDonald's hamburgers, french fries, and milkshakes. His name was Harry J. Sonneborn. McDonald's real money-making engine was its little-known real estate business, Franchise Realty Corporation, which was envisioned and created by Harry Sonneborn. Sonneborn's unique, even lesser known financial formula served as the foundation for the obscure McDonald's alter ego company."

Ray wasn't going to become wealthy by selling burgers. Harry devised the solution. Purchasing real estate and leasing it to franchisees. They earned revenue from the monthly rent while also keeping a percentage of the franchise's revenue. When one of your income streams suffers a downturn, diversifying your sources of income allows your business to thrive.

Project Management Summary

Ray and Harry completed the following project activities in order to complete the above project:


Lessons from War Dogs - AEY

Wardogs Movie Image

Movie Description

War Dogs is based on one of those true stories that no one would actually believe if it were written as fiction. In the mid-’00s, two kids named Efraim Diveroli and David Packouz managed to secure a $300 million contract with the United States government to supply allied forces in Afghanistan with arms and ammunition. They then embarked on a globetrotting misadventure that saw them dealing with shady crooks and corrupt politicians and dangerous soldiers in the name of making a fortune. Most astonishingly, both men were twenty something stoners with no experience handling anything of this size or scope. As much as the film may diverge from the truth for the sake of cinematic drama, the core story remains jaw-droopingly true.

Expected Outcomes

There are several important lessons that any aspiring new entrepreneur can learn from Hollywoods portrayal of business in these business movies. Two friends embark on that journey, and they do what any excited real entrepreneur or business manager would do: they hustle, work like dogs, read and study all night, and have a do-whatever-it-takes attitude. If a deal is about to fall apart, they hustle even harder and manage to keep it together. The purpose of the case study is to provide a practical case study on how to build a business in the facilitated network sector, which makes money by allowing people to exchange information, products, and services.

Rational

Entrepreneurs are constantly learning on the job, from their peers to their idols, and, most importantly, from their own mistakes—the road to owning your own business is littered with lessons learned. However, learning some of these lessons before embarking on your own journey only makes the process easier. i.e. Cutting corners can be an expensive proposition - Finding the best deals can be wise but make sure that you consider long-term costs and the time that you might have to invest to fix problems.

Key Lesson

None

Project Management Lessons from the Movie "War Dogs"

  1. Lesson: Clear Communication and Documentation are Essential

    The movie emphasises the importance of clear communication and documentation, particularly when it comes to contracts, agreements, and financial transactions. In one scene (Section: 00:35:12), the protagonists encounter difficulties due to incomplete and inaccurate documentation. This highlights the need for project managers to establish effective communication channels and maintain proper documentation throughout a project.

  2. Lesson: Risk Assessment and Management

    Throughout the movie, the protagonists encounter various risks associated with their illegal arms trade business. One notable scene (Section: 00:48:29) shows them encountering a risk they did not anticipate, resulting in unexpected consequences. This emphasises the importance of conducting comprehensive risk assessments and implementing robust risk management strategies to identify, analyze, and mitigate potential risks in a project.

  3. Lesson: Ethical Considerations

    "War Dogs" explores ethical dilemmas faced by the characters, who engage in illicit activities. While project managers may not encounter such extreme situations, it highlights the importance of ethical decision-making. In a particular scene (Section: 01:30:17), the protagonists face the consequences of their unethical choices. Project managers should adhere to ethical standards, ensuring integrity and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

  4. Lesson: Supplier and Vendor Management

    The movie showcases the challenges of managing suppliers and vendors in a project. In one scene (Section: 00:59:42), the protagonists face difficulties in delivering on time due to unreliable suppliers. This demonstrates the need for effective supplier selection, regular performance evaluation, and proactive management to ensure timely and quality deliverables.

  5. Lesson: Adaptability and Flexibility

    Throughout the movie, the characters are forced to adapt to unexpected changes and challenges. This is evident in a scene (Section: 01:19:56) where they have to quickly modify their plans due to unforeseen circumstances. Project managers should be adaptable, ready to pivot and adjust project strategies as needed to ensure successful project delivery.

AEY Inc. is a company that sells weapons to the US government for use in the ongoing war in Iraq, and their mission is simple: deliver what the Pentagon ordered. Failing to deliver the cargo as promised would mean that AEY would be blacklisted from any future contracts.

AEY secures larger and more lucrative deals, expanding their operation. "The Afghan deal", their biggest yet: the US government posts a massive order worth $300 million, which requires 100 million rounds of AK-47 ammunition and would net a $100 million profit.

AEY Projects

AEY bid for contracts on fbo.gov, and their project will begin once they are appointed by the Pentagon. David and Efraim then score "The Afghan Deal", which would allow them to supply the Afghan army with a number of weapons and ammunition.

The lesson from how AEY managed the contract is everything an entrepreneur should avoid.

Project Management Lesson from Moneyball

One of the project management lessons from the movie "Moneyball" is:

Lesson: Embrace Data and Analytics

In the movie, Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball team, faces budget constraints and the challenge of building a competitive team. He decides to use data and analytics to evaluate players and make strategic decisions.

This lesson is highlighted in the scene where Billy Beane and his team rely on statistical analysis, rather than traditional scouting methods, to identify undervalued players and create a winning team. They focus on objective data and player performance metrics to drive their decision-making process.

This approach emphasises the importance of leveraging data and analytics in project management. By gathering and analysing relevant data, project managers can make informed decisions, identify patterns and trends, and optimise project outcomes.

Applying this lesson to project management involves:

By embracing data and analytics, project managers can enhance their decision-making process, mitigate risks, and improve project success rates.

Reference: "Moneyball" (2011)

Peter Brand's Role in the Project

During a scouting trip to Cleveland, Beane meets Peter Brand, a young Yale economics graduate with radical ideas about player evaluation. Beane wonders if Brand would have drafted him out of high school; scouts thought Beane was promising, but his career in the major leagues was disappointing. Brand claims he would have waited until the ninth round to draft him. Beane hires him after being impressed.

Billy Beane's Project Management Philosophy: A Winning Formula

Billy Beane became the General Manager of the Oakland A's after a disastrous start as a major league baseball player for the New York Mets. His team is underfunded, and his best players are lured away by bigger clubs. This forces Billy to rethink his entire strategy in order to stay ahead of his wealthier competitors. He then notices an unfit-looking man working as an adviser for another baseball team. The man turns out to be an economist with a Yale degree. Billy then realises that a team is more than just its stars.

Success and Setbacks: Billy Beane's Unconventional Path

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