Project Management What is Project Management? Tracking project timing and cost. What is a project? a “temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service.” (A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). Newton Square, PA: Project Management Institute (PMI), 2000.) EGR 312 - 19

Project Management Why do Project Management? To effectively plan a project in order to maximize the probability of successful completion – on time and within budget. To monitor if your project is staying on time and is within budget. EGR 312 - 19

Project Management What questions might project managers be interested in? How long will the project take? Can I add manpower or tools to reduce the overall project length? To which tasks should I add manpower? What tasks are on the critical path? Is the project on schedule? When should materials and personnel be in place to begin a task? Am I within budget? Should I transfer funds between line items? Other?… EGR 312 - 19

Project Management - Examples University Center Other major construction projects Large defense contracts NASA projects (space shuttle) Product development Global product development Senior Design projects Other… EGR 312 - 19

Project Management - Timing A project consists of a series of tasks with estimated durations. Consider building a house: Step A: Prepare site (5 days) Step B: Build foundation (8 days) Step C: Frame walls and roof (15 days) Step D: Rough in plumbing (12 days) Step E: Rough in electrical (10 days) Step F: HVAC venting (8 days) Step G: Drywall (11 days) Step H: Finish electrical (5 days) Step I: Finish plumbing (4 days) Step M: Paint (5 days) Step J: Finish HVAC (2 days) Step N: Landscape (5 days) Step K: Install kitchen (8 days) Step L: Install baths (14 days) EGR 312 - 19

Project Management - Timing Timing – Gantt Chart Tasks and task durations are often represented as Gantt Charts. Provides good visual feedback regarding tasks, timing, what is on time & what is late, etc. No consideration for task precedence. EGR 312 - 19

Project Management - Timing Timing – Network Diagram Tasks must sometimes be performed in series, or may at times be performed in parallel. For the house example, let each arc represent a project task/job. Each arc is identified by a job letter and duration. Note the dummy jobs indicating precedence that jobs H and I must complete before K or L begins. 2 A,5 1 3 4 5 6 9 10 7 8 11 B,8 C,15 D,12 F,8 E,10 G,11 H,5 I,4 J,2 K,8 L,14 M,5 N,5 EGR 312 - 19

Project Management - Timing Critical Path Why is knowing the critical path important? 2 A,5 1 3 4 5 6 9 10 7 8 11 B,8 C,15 D,12 F,8 E,10 G,11 H,5 I,4 J,2 K,8 L,14 M,5 N,5 EGR 312 - 19

Project Management - Cost Costs Estimate your costs by task (add a safety factor, 20-50%?) Also called itemizing Track your costs by item Formally transfer/track transfer of budget between line items. Stay within budget!! EGR 312 - 19

Project Management - Resources How do resources affect project management? Add workers to reduce task time. Remove workers if a task is not on critical path. Ensure tools and supplies are available at start of each task. Other? EGR 312 - 19

Project Management - Tools Software Most Popular (Listed by Yahoo.com) Blue Angel Technologies, Inc. - provider of metadata management tools. Niku Corporation (Nasdaq:NIKU) - develops enterprise application software that cuts costs and increases productivity by automating the work of internal service organizations. eRoom Technology, Inc. - makers of a browser-based product used to manage projects, collaborate on documents, share information, and hold discussions. Formerly Instinctive Technology. Mindjet - developers of software to help business people organize information into visual maps which display relationships among diverse information. eProject - specializes in web-based project management and team collaboration software that includes integration with WAP and palm-held devices. Available on-site or as a hosted service. Primavera Systems, Inc - Software tools for managing both small and large projects. Elite.com - offers web-based project management and time and billing software. Welcom Software Technology - provides project management, collaboration, and cost management solutions. Scitor Corporation Business Solutions Group - provides project and process management software solutions and services. FreeTaskManager.com - offers free web-based bug tracking and project management software designed for business managers and developers. 116 additional sites listed in alphabetical order (did not include MicroSoft Project) EGR 312 - 19

Project Management - Tools Manual Method Can you manage projects manually? Absolutely! (Who managed the building of the Egyptian pyramids and what software did they use?) Excel is a common tool used to “manually” track projects. EGR 312 - 19

Applying Project Management Initial Setup Identify task and task precedence Estimate task cost and timing Identify critical path Modify resource allocation to adjust task timing and costs Continuous Monitoring Update if timing has changed Identify if still on time Identify if critical path has shifted Modify costs as “real” costs are realized EGR 312 - 19

Applying Project Management Project: A cookout for the ISE 312 class. The grill, tables, and chairs will be borrowed from the university, but all food, condiments, plates, etc., as well as cooking and cleanup, are the responsibility of the class. Steps: Identify task and task precedence Estimate task cost and timing Identify critical path Modify resource allocation to adjust task timing and costs EGR 312 - 19

Applying Project Management Tasks, task precedence, cost, and timing. EGR 312 - 19

Applying Project Management Network diagram … EGR 312 - 19

Real World Examples Project: development of the Whirlpool Duet® washer/dryer pair Global project European front-loader platform, North American design group, manufactured and sold in both North America and Europe. Short development time (<3 years, compared to 5+ for major platform development.) Challenges centered around distance between design and development groups, differences in manufacturing processes and materials, etc. Success of the project attributed to strong project management, communication, and cooperation among the team. EGR 312 - 19

Real World Examples Project: design and manufacture of a new private jet for Gulfstream Global project Parts manufactured in 5 different countries around the world. Engine manufacturer a newly merged corporation in Germany. Key to success – mitigation plans (‘what happens if something goes wrong?’) EGR 312 - 19