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4E1 Project Management. Defining the Project. At the end of this lecture you should be: able to define discuss (intelligently!) the term ‘project’ and be familiar with definitions of what constitutes a project discuss trade-offs that occur in projects aware of the scope of projects
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4E1 Project Management Defining the Project
At the end of this lecture you should be: able to define discuss (intelligently!) the term ‘project’ and be familiar with definitions of what constitutes a project discuss trade-offs that occur in projects aware of the scope of projects the project cycle understand: what characterises projects and how they differ from production environments how projects vary what is meant by the ‘primary objectives’ of a project what is involved in defining a project Lecture Objectives
What is a Project? (1) • “A project is a unique venture with a beginning and an end, conducted by people to meet established goals within parameters of cost, schedule and quality” (Buchanan and Boddy, 1992)
What is a Project? (2) “The simplest form of a project is a discrete undertaking with defined objectives often including time, cost and quality (performance) goals. All projects evolve through a similar ‘life cycle’ sequence during which there should be recognised start and finish points. In addition the project objectives may be defined in a number of ways, e.g. financial, social and economic, the important point being that the goals are defined and the project is finite” (Association of Project Managers, 1993)
Examples of Projects • Refurbish a hotel • Relocate an office • Clean up after a tanker spillage • Make a movie • Organise Trinity Ball • Deploy new social welfare payment scheme • Eliminate polio
Engineering Examples • Build a bypass • Design a bridge • Design a car braking system • Commission a new factory • Develop a new microprocessor • Install a new generating unit in a power station • Develop a new claims management system • Install an ERP system
A Typology of Projects High Maastrict treaty Basic Research Military campaign Initial public offering Channel tunnel Luas Oil exploration Reorgan-isation Uncertainty Airbus A380 Airport Product development. Chemical plant Motorway Advertising campaign Car plant Novel writing Oil tanker Wedding Low Individual Group Organisational Multi- National Multi- Organ. National Complexity Low High
Projects • Are novel • Have objectives • Are complex • Are unique • Face multiple uncertainties • Involve risks • Are transient
Projects: One-off: single cycle Often new methods/ products/materials Limited time for tinkering Definite goals Production: Routine: repetitive cycles Known methods/ products/materials Continual improvement Goal=cost-effective, predictable production Projects versus Production
Primary Objectives Quality (specification, performance) People Time (to completion) Cost (budget)
Trade-Offs • Time vs. cost • Time is money, margins • Quality vs. cost • Reduce costs → sacrifice performance • Quality vs. time • Competitive pressure, customer demands
Decision/Contract Execute Issue Change Orders Review Project Status Install Deliverables Report on Project Review Schedule and Budget Value Engineering Organise Organise Team Establish Control Tools Assign Work Define Requirements Analysis Feasibility Study Requirements Specification Scenario Development Cost-Benefit Analysis Set Objectives Compare Alternatives Plan Identify Tasks Sequence Tasks Identify Critical Activities Assemble Resources Estimate Time and Cost Determine Staffing Value Planning Close Obtain User Acceptance Complete Documentation Sign Off Post- Implementation Review Maintenance Value Assessment Project Lifecycle Source: Field and Keller
Delivery and handover Commercial and technical agreement Changes in project scope and detail The project executor or contractor Description Drawings Specification Budget Contract Drawing list and drawings Engineering calculations Purchase schedules Purchase specifications Purchase orders Changes, revisions, permits and concessions Drawings Test certificates Changes and concessions Installation, operating and maintenance manuals Recommended spare parts holdings and lists Defining a Project - Overview Concept and appraisal Operation and maintenance The customer or client Execution (making or building) Planning and design Testing and commissioning Documented project definition Documents accumulate and become more accurate as project is designed and built As-built record of the project Initial Sales Specification Suppliers, equipment manufacturers and subcontractors
Defining a Project • Business objectives • What (business outcomes)? Why? • Project ownership • Who? • Project objectives • What (project results)? How (options)? • Project definition • What (tasks)?, What (deliverables)?, When?
Summary: Key Points • Projects • Vary in nature and scope • Are one-off • Involve new things • Have specific objectives • Involve an element of risk • Tradeoffs: cost, quality, time • Stages in a project life cycle • Stage 1: define what the project is about