Week 6: Project Management E1102 – Design Fundamental Using Advanced Computer Technologies Spring 2010

In Today’s Session Introduction to project management Practicing Gantt Chart creation using PM software Team advisor meetings Modeling sequence Spring

The Design Process Is… Doomed for design failure without… Information Organization Communication

Poor Project Management Poor definition of requirements and objectives Poor planning and review efforts Inadequate work breakdown structure Starting/completing activities out of sequence No contingency plans for unforeseen technical problems (or non-technical issues) Spring

Managing Project Tasks Detailed list of tasks; Start with categories and then work down to sub task level Rationalize the task sequence Identify deadlines Identify critical path items; which tasks are going to take the most time within the whole sequence There are many project management tools to address the above tasks including brainstorming, work breakdown structures, critical path analysis, and Gantt charts Spring

Project Management Tools Brainstorming Work breakdown structure (WBS) Gantt chart Critical path analysis Spring

Work Breakdown Structures A process that sets a project’s scope by breaking down its overall mission into a cohesive set of synchronous, increasing specific tasks WBS is a categorized list of project tasks with an estimate of time and resources required to complete the task Create WBS by: Start with your committed deliverables (tasks) for the project (Highest Level Category) Then decompose each high level item into subtasks Spring

What does WBS Accomplish? Echoes project objectives Offers a logical structure for task identification/listing Establishes a method of control Communicates project status Improves communication among project team and customers Spring

WBS Example Spring

WBS Process Write each task from design project - list on a sticky note Group tasks in clusters that have common factors Identify tasks and subtasks Arrange them in hierarchical order Spring

WBS/Gantt in MS Project Spring

Milestone Analysis Milestones are events or stages of the project that represent a significant accomplishment Milestones Signal the team, suppliers, customers, etc. Can motivate the team Offer re-evaluation points Helps coordinate schedules Identify key review gates Delineate work packages Spring

Your Time Management Good project management starts with you! Need a personal system of managing your goals, the associated tasks, as well as the time required for accomplishment The system should be designed to allocate tasks by project, context, and required type of action Spring

Session Review What We Discussed Today Basic design project management tools and techniques Next Week’s Highlights Client Reports and Presentations with debrief sessions Spring