EGR Anatomy of a Project1 A.M. Ruskin and W.E. Estes (1995) What Every Engineer Should Know About Project Management, New York: Marcel Dekker. A project has a beginning and an end. The major phases of a project include: 1.Concept Phase 2.Definition or Proposal Phase 3.Planning and Organizing Phase 4.Plan Validation Phase 5.Performance or Work Accomplishment Phase 6.Post-Accomplishment Phase

EGR Anatomy of a Project2 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 Anatomy of a Project3 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 Anatomy of a Project4 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 Anatomy of a Project5 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 Anatomy of a Project6 Real World Examples Project: development of the Whirlpool Duet ® washer/dryer –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 Anatomy of a Project7 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 Anatomy of a Project8 Concept Phase Initial idea is born. Idea is stated as an objective (e.g. Need a means for 1,500 cars to cross a river each day.) Defines what, but not how.

EGR Anatomy of a Project9 Project Definition Phase Characterize the project in terms of: –assumptions about the situation –alternative ways of achieving the objectives –decision criteria and models for choosing among viable alternatives –practical constraints –significant potential obstacles –resource budgets and schedules needed to implement the viable alternatives. Clearly define the scope of the project. Tentatively select the overall approach that will be used to achieve the objectives.

EGR Anatomy of a Project10 Project Definition Phase- cont. Unambiguous project description including –How the work will be done –How the project will be organized –Who the key personnel are –A tentative schedule –A tentative budget Duet – base product on the existing European front-load platform, engineering design, industrial design, & manufacturing shared between Europe and North America. Cross-functional core team, ambitious development schedule, and budget established.

EGR Anatomy of a Project11 Your turn … Define a project –Imagine that you are in charge of throwing a graduation picnic for this year’s MUSE senior class. Clearly define the project in the terms listed on the previous slide. What assumptions have you made so far? What do you need to know in order to complete a project description?

EGR Anatomy of a Project12 Planning and Organizing Phase Detailed plans are prepared by responsible parties –Tasks identified –Task milestones are determined –Detailed budgets are determined –Resource requirements are established for each task Organization is established (personnel hired or assigned) Duet – Team leaders assigned and tasked with defining detailed budgets & timing plans, and filling teams.

EGR Anatomy of a Project13 Your turn … Plan the project –Identify 3 tasks: –Define 1 or more milestones for each: –What resources and budget would be needed for each?

EGR Anatomy of a Project14 Plan Validation Phase Validate the plan through various means –Literature searches –Field reconnaissance –Experiments –Interviews –Other Duet – product development project based on established C2C process. Schedules and budgets based on past experience with similar platform development projects. New or OEM technology particulars researched through vendors, benchmarking, and other research. Revenue estimates through market research.

EGR Anatomy of a Project15 Performance / Work Accomplishment Phase Doing the work Reporting the results Trouble shooting Staying on time and within budget Altering plans Duet – design, development, and launch of product less than 2 years after project initiation.

EGR Anatomy of a Project16 Post- Accomplishment Phase Confirming the customer is satisfied Documenting successes and failures as reference for future projects Close out project accounts Re-assign personnel Transition to on-going support and maintenance phase Duet – post-launch audit. Rapid response to minor problems with product.