Vision

To build a trucking company that is profitable not solely because of the quality of services, but because of the values that will be reflected in every operation of the company.

Strengths

Owner had a strong presence and reputation in the community, known as the generous, kind helper who is well networked. Owner had sufficient investment capital for an industry that is essential in which demand multiplied due to the pandemic. The owner also had a lawyer and accountant secured.

Opportunity

Owner had opportunities to start a trucking company that was unique because of values approach and lessons learned within the industry from the COIVD-19 pandemic. Opportunities also were found in the workforce, as many were looking for jobs or change in career.

Threat

While the pandemic brought increased demands for delivery and transport of goods, insecurity was still a factor. There was also the risk of not finding qualified drivers. The work of delivery and transport has historically struggled with retaining skilled and qulified drivers. Additionally, due to long hours on the road, the physical and mental health of drivers tends to decline. The owner had not secured the parking location for a box truck. The owner only had verbal agreement from prospective drivers and had not obtained an agreement from his truck mechanic to provide maintenance and repair services.

Weakness

The owner was not an experienced truck driver. While the owner had knowledge of the business and its operations, he did not have hands-on experience driving a delivery truck.

Project Scope

Register and prepare a new delivery service that will have quality and values at the heart, while ensuring that employees embody the company's values of quality services and health.

• identify and define core values

• branding and company mission/vision

• develop business structure and processes for daily operations

• contract development

• employee handbook and training

• secure drivers and mechanic

• business registration

• business insurance

• acquisition of box truck

• truck insurance/registration/maintenance/protection/location

Project Approach

The tasks prepared for the initiation of the project were heavily dependent on each other and would require waterfall management. Because the owner did not have experience starting a trucking company, it was important to begin with tasks that would help identify his purpose for starting one and evaluate each completed milestone. It was advised that the owner prepare to operate the business part-time before relying on hired or contracted drivers.

Monthly strategy and review meetings were held to summarize and evaluate the tasks of the month and adjust the plans ahead as needed.

Results

The project was running on time and within scope and budget until branding was completed. The owner registered the business and leased, registered, and insured a used truck before the operating structure could be decided upon and before securing drivers and a mechanic.

As a result, much needed maintenance could not be performed and rendered the truck inoperable for several weeks. The drivers the owner had in mind either declined to drive or had, with no announcement, decided to go in a different direction. The owner faced accumulating costs and ultimately decided to abandon the project and is now seeking to sell the start-up.

Evaluation

Control of the project sponsor/customer could have been more effective. There was no accountability that would prevent the owner from deviating from the project. Insisting that the owner's lawyer be a part of the project team or including a plan deviation proviso in the proposal might have prevented the owner from overriding the project plan.

The project timeline, budget, process, and risk analysis proved to be accurate and effective. Tasks in the weeks prior to the deviation were timely, effective, and within budget.