VBB 4043 ENGINEERS IN SOCIETY: PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Topics CoveredThe world of project management, the manager, the organization and the team, planning, budgeting, scheduling, allocating resources, monitoring and controlling, evaluating and terminating,

References

1. Nicholas, J.M. Project Management for Business and Engineering: Principles and Practice. 2nd Ed. Elsevier, 20042. Levy, S.M. Project Management in Construction Mc Graw-Hill, New York, 4th Ed., 20023. Project Management Institute. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, PMI, 2000-----------------------------------------------------------------

LECTURE 1 :INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Project Slide Showon : - PM Application in Civil Engineering and - The Multidisciplinary Nature of Civil Projects

Topics for todays lecture- Definitions- Importance- Organization- Approaches

Definitions: ProjectProject:A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service (PMI,* 2000) or c.f. Operation: A permanent or semi-permanent functional work to create the same product or service OVER-AND-OVER again Simply anything in which you invest time, money and resources in hope of a return.* Project Management Institute, U.S.A.

Characteristics of Engineering Projects Have specific goals e.g. build a house, build a car, etc Have a set of different activities to do e.g. in building: piling, erect formwork, pour concrete, build brick-wall Have a defined start & finish date (so has a life cycle) Consume resources : e.g. people, money, materials, etc Has definite start and finish date. Temporary and one-off endeavor. Often complex and fragmented (many parties involved) Often large in size and cost, Has risk and uncertainty Unique in some way

Project Life CycleDefining stage Inception, definition of project, proposal preparationPlanning StagePlanning, organizing, design Execution StageConstruction or manufacturing or productionPre-construction planning (for civil) Delivering stageHanding over /commissioningOccupation / operation

Definitions: Project ManagementProject Management:The discipline of organizing and managing resources in such a way that these resources deliver all the works required to complete a project within defined scope, time and cost constraints. (BSI)The art of directing and coordinating human and material resources through the life of a project by using modern management techniques to achieve pre-determined goals of scope, cost, time, quality and participant satisfaction (PMI, 2000) or

Pre-Defined ObjectivesBased on the definitions, the pre-defined objectives are

to complete the project on time, to complete the project within budgetto complete the project with the desired quality

Importance Why do we need to think about Project Management Is it a MUST Is it a REQUIREMENT Can we do WITHOUT it(Project Management is a field originated from Construction Management- a knowledge developed in Civil Engineering. Since 1969 it has diffused to other industry e.g. agriculture, manufacturing, IT, etc).

PM is a necessity becauseThe inherent characteristics of engineering projects (complex, fragmented, large in size, unique, etc) require a systematic approach in managing the activities and the resources

Resources e.g. time, money, materials and manpower are limited (unlike in ancient times)

Challenge of PMApart from trying to achieve the 3 objectives, the challenge of Project Management is then:the optimized utilization, integration & allocation of the resources (inputs) needed to meet the pre-defined objectives The resources are:TimeMoneyPeopleMaterialsEnergyspace

The Project ManagerFrom the definition of PM, Project Managers duty is PLOC:Planning - tactical (short term planning at PM level to satisfy top management objectives); or operational (planning at PM level to set schedule and standards for the works). N.B. strategic (long term planning to set up organization, and policies and strategies for use of resources) is done at top management levelOrganizing creating an organization or team to execute the managerial objectives and establish how people within it relate and interact each otherLeading - directing, motivating, specializing, communicatingControlling measuring what is actually achieved wrt time, cost, quality and the corrective appropriate measures taken

Organization Organization is the creation of a control and communication system that allows management to achieve its objectives. Involves the setting up a structure that defines hierarchies, roles, authorities, control, interaction & communications mechanisms.No universal or standard structure for organization must suit particular project situationThough temporary in nature, it must also interact with permanent external and internal organizations.Example: organization structure (site-civil project )PM needs good organization to execute his/her duties

Approaches in Project ManagementA. The Traditional Approach to Project Management:Project Initiation StageProject Planning & Design StageProject Execution StageProject Monitoring / Control SystemsProject CompletionFive ComponentsBut still not all projects will have all componentsbased on the project life cycleThis approach involves pre-planned tasks, so its systematic

Approaches in Project Management (cont.)Other Approaches in Project ManagementB. Waterfall Development:Generally used in software development, one series of tasks after another in linear sequenceC. Agile Project Management Approaches;Based on the principles of human interaction management and founded on a process view of human collaboration.The project is seen as a series of relatively small tasks conceived and executed as the situation demands in an adaptive manner rather than as a completely pre-planned process ( rather, an ad-hoc type of project management)

Thank You

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