Podcast
Questions and Answers
What distinguishes a project from operations such as maintenance or repair work?
What distinguishes a project from operations such as maintenance or repair work?
What does the Scope Definition in project planning primarily detail?
What does the Scope Definition in project planning primarily detail?
What is the primary aim of project management?
What is the primary aim of project management?
What is the purpose of the Work Breakdown Structure in project management?
What is the purpose of the Work Breakdown Structure in project management?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following represents the correct order of the five basic processes of project management?
Which of the following represents the correct order of the five basic processes of project management?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the Organisational Breakdown Structure contribute to project planning?
How does the Organisational Breakdown Structure contribute to project planning?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key aspect of the 'Controlling' phase in project management?
What is a key aspect of the 'Controlling' phase in project management?
Signup and view all the answers
What is meant by tangible deliverables in the context of project phases?
What is meant by tangible deliverables in the context of project phases?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the Task Assignment component of project planning entail?
What does the Task Assignment component of project planning entail?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary focus of the Project Schedule in project management?
What is the primary focus of the Project Schedule in project management?
Signup and view all the answers
What is typically required before moving to the next design phase in a project?
What is typically required before moving to the next design phase in a project?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes a purpose of project planning?
Which of the following best describes a purpose of project planning?
Signup and view all the answers
During which phase of the design thinking process do you create tangible representations of ideas?
During which phase of the design thinking process do you create tangible representations of ideas?
Signup and view all the answers
What does a work breakdown structure (WBS) establish in project planning?
What does a work breakdown structure (WBS) establish in project planning?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of imposing milestones between project phases?
What is the significance of imposing milestones between project phases?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Introduction to Engineering - Project Management
- Project Management is the application of specific knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to plan, organize, initiate, and control the implementation of a project to achieve desired outcomes safely.
- Projects are temporary endeavors, compared to operations (e.g., maintenance), which generate a unique product or service. Operations are ongoing.
- Projects have a start and an end. Products or services from projects are considered unique. Operations are ongoing activities that don't have a definitive start or end point.
- Projects and operations are both planned, executed, and controlled, and constrained by resources, and performed by people.
Basic Definitions - Interactive Q&A
- A project is a temporary activity or endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service.
- Projects differ from operations in that they are temporary, and the product or service is unique. Operations are ongoing activities.
Past Experiences
- Mini-projects can be individual or group-based.
- Did participants apply project management skills?
- What were the most important factors affecting the success of projects?
Five Basic Processes of Project Management
- Initiating: Taking the necessary actions to start the project or project phase.
- Planning: Identifying objectives, devising effective means of achieving them, and coordinating resources for implementation.
- Executing: Coordinating the required resources to implement the plan.
- Controlling: Monitoring the project and taking corrective actions when necessary.
- Closing: Formalizing acceptance of the project or phase deliverables and terminating the project in a controlled manner.
Project Phases
- All projects follow the five basic processes.
- Each phase has one or more tangible deliverables. Examples include feasibility studies, functional requirements specifications, product designs, and completed products.
- Outputs of a phase are typically the inputs for the succeeding phase.
- Deliverables from any phase require formal approval before moving to the next phase. Milestones, such as design reviews, can be imposed between phases.
Engineering Design Process
- This process has several phases:
- Identifying the problem: Understanding the challenge, limits, and how it can be solved.
- Exploring: Learning from others' experiences and experimenting with materials.
- Creating: Building the idea based on a plan.
- Designing: Developing multiple ideas and selecting one to create a model or drawing.
- Trying it out: Testing the model or idea.
- Making it better: Refining the design, modifications, and re-testing.
- Questioning: Reviewing the final product and process.
- Communicating and sharing results: Sharing and explaining how the model or solution solved the problem.
Engineering Design Process in Reality
- The design process in reality includes steps to request from customers, preparing and submitting conceptual drawings, submitting new drawings, updating final drawings, drawing release for production, and the steps to getting customer approval on new designs, and changes and updates.
Overlap with Design Thinking
- Empathize: Conduct research to understand users.
- Define: Combine research to identify user problems.
- Ideate: Generate creative ideas.
- Prototype: Create tangible representations of ideas.
- Test: Receive feedback from users.
- Implement: Put the vision into practice.
- Explore: Gather materials and learn from others.
- Materialize: Transform ideas into real-world objects.
Project Planning
- Poorly planned projects are likely to fail.
- Project planning is crucial for successful project implementation and control.
- Purpose of a project plan includes defining or establishing business and project requirements, deliverables, and delivery dates. Establishing resource plans and getting approvals, such as customer or management approval.
- The plan encompasses the master plan for execution, project scope definition, project schedule, project budget, work breakdown structure(WBS), and organization breakdown structure (OBS).
Scope Definition
- A clear and detailed written statement defining project components and significant deliverables
- Part of project planning.
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
- Breaks down a project into distinct and separate activities.
- Part of project planning.
Organization Breakdown Structure (OBS)
- Defines the project's structure and identifies the parties involved.
- Part of project planning.
Project Planning - Task Assignment, Schedule, Budget
- Task Assignment: Lists tasks, responsibilities, and assigned parties.
- Project Schedule: Contains a preliminary master schedule, identifying critical milestones, dependencies, and relative phasing of components.
- Project Budget: Established during the feasibility phase; may be adjusted during revisions and planning.
Master Project Plan
- Overall plan for a project, containing the project scope, objectives
- Contains components such as who will do the work, what tasks must be done, when work will be completed and the resource plan to complete the work.
Project Scheduling and Task Chart
- Used by engineering managers to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
- A good schedule effectively allocates time for project activities and utilizes available resources.
Simple Example of Task Chart
- A task chart illustrates personnel assignments and timelines for project tasks.
Example of Detail Plan
- Provides a detailed breakdown of tasks, their durations, dependencies, and assigned resources.
Planning Steps
- Defining desired results, including objectives, scope, and system requirements.
- Determining how the result will be achieved.
- Identifying who should do the work, and/or who has specific responsibilities.
- Planning the order and timeline for work activities, along with deadlines and critical milestones.
- Establishing the budget and resource plan.
- Creating a method for tracking and controlling project work.
In Class Activity - 45mins
- Create a Master Project for your team (In-class activity).
Teamwork
- A design team is a group of individuals with complementary skills, experience, and problem-solving abilities, working together.
- The best teams derive maximum benefit from members' contributions.
- Effective team members communicate and demonstrate compromise. Successful teamwork implies each member clearly understands the team's roles and how their tasks will contribute to the overall objective.
Common Traits of Good Teams
- Good teams have clearly defined, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound objectives and scope.
- The team is composed of individuals with diverse talents and experience.
- An effective leader is necessary for team success.
- Open communication, respect, and honesty are essential for successful teams.
- Team needs and goals must take priority over personal agendas.
Additional Critical Roles in Teams
- Roles include: Organizer, Motivator, Creator, Gatherer, Evaluator, The Solver, Finisher, The Teamwork
Team Roles - In Class Activity
- Team roles exercise (In-class activity).
Measurement of Project Success
- Five key criteria that are used to judge the success of projects include: customer acceptance, on-time delivery, budget adherence, quality standards, and well-documented reports.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the fundamentals of Project Management in engineering. This quiz covers key definitions, the distinction between projects and ongoing operations, and the essential skills required for effective project execution. Test your knowledge and understanding of how to manage unique projects safely and efficiently.
