Analyzing and Improving Quotation Calculation Process in a Plastic Fabrication Company
Penttinen, Arttu (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025051411477
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025051411477
Tiivistelmä
The assignor was a small Finnish plastic fabrication company based in Finland. This development project was carried out to improve the company’s internal quotation process. The need for improvement was based on issues such as dependence on one person, lack of repeatability, and challenges in knowledge transfer. The objective was to explore the current process, identify its key problems, and find simple, applicable development ideas that would suit the everyday work.
The implementation was based on process observation and a semi-structured interview with the key employee responsible for quotations. The process was documented and analyzed step by step. Development ideas were supported by research literature and case studies from similar companies. The Plan-Do-Check-Act model was introduced to guide the development cycle, and Excel-based tools were created to support repeatability and transparency.
As a result, the quotation process was clearly visualized for the first time. Bottlenecks and improvement targets were identified, and new supporting tools were developed as part of a structured development plan. A clearer, more consistent process was created, making the task easier to follow and share with new employees. It was demonstrated that even small improvements can bring noticeable benefits to small companies, especially when tools are designed to support the existing way of working. In the future, the results may support training new employees and further development within the company.
The implementation was based on process observation and a semi-structured interview with the key employee responsible for quotations. The process was documented and analyzed step by step. Development ideas were supported by research literature and case studies from similar companies. The Plan-Do-Check-Act model was introduced to guide the development cycle, and Excel-based tools were created to support repeatability and transparency.
As a result, the quotation process was clearly visualized for the first time. Bottlenecks and improvement targets were identified, and new supporting tools were developed as part of a structured development plan. A clearer, more consistent process was created, making the task easier to follow and share with new employees. It was demonstrated that even small improvements can bring noticeable benefits to small companies, especially when tools are designed to support the existing way of working. In the future, the results may support training new employees and further development within the company.