What Is Engineering Project Management Essay Example

of the project and description of the work that is to be conducted are also included in the statement. Information in this section concerns the author and the safety and health contacts and other documents such as the revision number and date, document number and issue date. For example the name of the contractor and the details of all the personnel involved in project in question to be executed.

Step 3- Outlining Project Hazards and Safety Measures and the Address to the Hazards

In this second section of the method statement, the third one, the details of the personal protective equipment that are to be worn by the workers are stated. The description of any quality based environmental subsequent procedure and consideration need to be implemented. The various ways in which the hazards are to be addressed outline in details in this section Madsen, 2012. The electricity should be off during the installation and the tools to be used should be coated to prevent electric shock.

Step 4- Provide More Information Related to the Task

This is the third part of the method statement which outlines the processes meant for proper handling of the machinery, any form of scaffolding that is likely to be used, log-off and procedures for machinery shutdown and the work permits. The section also outlines the first aid procedures, the work staff and any relevant training and personal protection tools that are required. The necessary operations of all the machinery that are used in the project are outlined in this section in a well-detailed manner. During the implementation, the workers should have the manual of the fans to help them operate on them properly.

Step 5-

Provide Step by Step Instruction to Be Followed

This is the last part of the method statement and gives well-structured and step by step instruction that are required to be followed to the later Madsen, 2012. These sets of guidance are directed to ensuring that the task is accomplished in the best way possible, taking into consideration of all the setbacks that are likely to be encountered. In the ventilations installation, the steps on how to put them in place should be outlined to the point where they are tested and seen to function properly.

A computer Gantt chart, is usually an example of a simple bar chart that is used for project management. It is an organizational resource which is in the form of a software tool, despite that the idea behind is paper based which is also familiar to the project managers. Use of a Gantt Chart is instrumental in fine-tuning the timeline of a project, regardless of the size of the project and is important in the general planning of projects. An electrical engineering company can develop a Gantt chart that monitors the workers and the work assigned to them in the electrical train electrical installation.

Step 1: Coming up With the Work Breakdown Structure

This is the process where a task is managed by breaking it down into simpler understandable and definable milestones, goals and tasks. The initial step in developing a work breakdown structure is listing all the major components. This is done using a spreadsheet, a computer word processor or using a Gantt Chart program. The significant feature of the work breakdown structure is planned for the intended results instead of planning for

actions. This implies, understanding the objectives of the project, defining the main milestones and later begin the sequential process of subdividing these pieces into tasks. The dates to be met that are set and ensured to appear on the Gantt Chart.

According to this method, when the headings are subdivided into the various tasks, it is easier to determine whether, or not more resources are needed to meet these specific deadlines. The next step after identifying the key topics is breaking these processes into tasks. The project manager at times may deem it necessary to go on breaking the items into smaller sub-tasks till they are more particular depending on the complexity of each task. A precise Gantt Chart program is the one that allows one to make adjustments on a Gantt Chart or view of the mind map, having a relational data which updates automatically both the views in case adjustments are made in either of the two.

Step 2: Assigning Tasks

Distribution of work is among the most critical sections in building a precise Gantt chart. The things considered in its construction are a check on the persons who are the most qualified for the completion of the task, their availability, and their current scheduled workload. The reasonable time the selected individuals are expected to make an end to the task and whether there is an additional resource or people required for the task to be timely completed. Upon the completion of the assignment, a simple click on the Gantt Chart will display a work breakdown which is hierarchical with the individual assigned the respective task also on the automatic display. This for instance regards task

range from source of electricity, backup systems, the emergency responses and the electric supply inside the train.

Step 3: Establish Timelines

The process of building the timelines usually takes place when the work breakdown is completed and the tasks assigned. This is usually done using some different ways. In case one is using the spreadsheet program, columns are created with dates with which the tasks to come to a start and end. When doing this, the calendar must be opened, so that one does not advertently assign tasks to be executed during holidays and weekends Kirk, 2012. Each task should have almost exact time to complete the tasks.

Step 4: Task Evaluation Dependencies

Among the advantages of coming up with a Gantt chart for planning a project is that it enables visualization of dependencies easier. This is a scenario whereby one task is usually dependent on the end outcome or completion of another Kirk, 2012. Identification of such conditional relations is very crucial; this is because delays exhibited in the primary stages are more likely to ripple all over the entire execution of the project. The automated software enables one to add more dependencies during the creation of the Gantt Chart. One is required to remember this crucial step when uses it a program which is less sophisticated or doing it manually. Some parts cannot be installed before others. The first ones should be commences first, followed by the subsequent stations.

Step 5: Evaluation and Sharing the Entire Plan With Team Members

At the event the Gantt chart has been completed, one should distribute it to the members of the team for review and their feedback. This gives the entire team

member to upfront buy off the plan. This gives all the team members to buy off on the plan upfront. This is helpful in ensuring the plan is reasonable and accurate this stage gives room for planning additional schedules, allow for contingencies or propose a revised schedule at this juncture, instead of a critical stale later on. The project managers share the whole electrical installing project with the main stakeholders to have their view at the time and resources allocated.

This is a project management method that was created in the 1950s, which allow the drafter to identify the critical tasks and maintain track throughout the project, it starts as hand-drawn drawing which eventually evolve to automated software making it a very vital part of project planning. A critical path method can be used in the maintenance of an electrical or mechanical engineering plant. Critical Path Method is a sequence of well-scheduled activities which determines the time the project is going to take Shata, 2012. It happens to be the longest task in project planning that must be completed on time to ensure that the project is in a position to meet its deadline. It is an approach to project scheduling where the project is broken into several work tasks which are displayed in a flow chart and then undertakes calculations on project duration based on the estimated time span for each task.

Step 1: Activity Specification

Work breakdown can be used in the determination of the activities that are to be involved in the project. According to Critical Path Method, only the high-level undertakings are selected. In situations where detailed activities are utilized, the Critical Path Method

is likely to become extremely complex to maintain and manage. The first step is identifying the major deliverables of a project. Later the high-level activities are broken down into smaller quanta of work. One can choose various ways to display the work breakdown structure. Some people use the tree structure while the other utilizes a list of tables. The best way, however, is the use of an outline to represent the work breakdown structure Shane, 2012. In this case the electrical cables supplying the electrical power to the train system are outlined.

Step 2: Establish Activity Sequence

The execution of some activities is dependent on the completion of others. Preparing a list of the immediate predecessors of each and every activity can be very helpful in the identification of the correct order. For correct identification of activities and their precedents, there are some questions that one needs to look into; that is: which task should be taken before the other, which tasks should be completed at the same time and which task should take place immediately after the other. The procedure should be indicated to show how electricity will flow from the main station and the sub-stations and the backup generators in case of electrical failures.

Step 3: Network Diagram

One can draw critical path analysis chart which is also known as the network diagram after the identification of the tasks and their respective dependencies. The network diagram is a visual representation that shows the order of the activities based on their dependencies. Previously the network diagram used to be hand drawn, but of late there exist software programs that create the diagram. A network connecting all the electrical

substations that supply the power to the train and the rails is drawn in details and the interconnection in all the stations.

Step 4: Activity Completion Time Estimation

One can estimate the time taken for each activity based on the experience or knowledge of a team member. A smaller project is likely to have time estimate in days while a complex project may require measuring of time regarding weeks. Where one has no confidence in their estimation, a person can use the three-point estimation method which is commonly used by companies Shata, 2012. The three-point estimation is designed to add weight on the most realistic time span. The estimators for every mile installation are put down and used to predict the time that might be required to install all the distances the train will be covered in its journey.

Step 5: Identification of the Critical Path

There exist two ways in which one can identify the critical path. One can pay focus on the network diagram and spot the longest path in the network, that is, the longest sequence of tasks on the path. The longest path is the one with the most prolonged duration regarding days, but not the path with the most nodes or paths. The other technique in the identification of critical activity is the Forward pass/Backward pass method. The technique involves identification of the earliest start and end times, and the latest state and ceases time for each activity. In a case of multiple paths, one is likely to encounter network sensitivity. Network sensitivity is seen when a project schedule has a critical program which has a probability of changing once the project starts Shata,

2012. In this scenario the critical path will be the main cable from where all the other wires will be tapping from.

Step 6: Critical Path Diagram to Display Progress

This is a live artifact that should be updated with actual values once the task has come to completion. This helps in giving a figure that is more realistic for the project management to know whether they are still on the right path and the deadline for the project. The critical diagram shows the connections in each and every mile facilitating monitoring of the progress.

Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT). This is a project management tool that is used to organize, schedule and coordinate tasks within a project. It is a method used to the task involves completing a particular project, especially the duration each task is likely to be completed and the time needed to complete the entire project Aziz, 2014. A PERT can be used to organize, schedule and coordinate the installation of all electrical systems in a twenty floor building or an electric train system.

Step 1: Specific Activity Identification

Activities involve all the tasks that are essential to achieve the expected the entire project. These Milestones work as the marking point for the beginning and end of one or many activities. Listing of activities in a simple table is helpful in that later procedures can be accommodating to give room information on duration and sequence. For example, installation, electric wires when building.

Step 2: Construction of a Simple Network Program

Based on the information from the action, a network in the form of a diagram can be constructed to show the pattern of parallel and serial activities. Every

activity is a representative of a point in a network, and arrows indicate the existing relationship between activities Aziz, 2014. In the building, the network should indicate the main cables to each floor and the minor cables to transmit electricity for the lighting system.

Step 3: Estimating the Duration Required for Each and Every Activity

Any consistent measure of time can be utilized for activity ending instead of just using weeks. Three-time estimations are usually utilized: that is optimistic, most-likely and pessimistic time. The duration for the laying of all the electric cables should be outlined to show when the project is estimated to end.

Step 4: Determining the Critical Paths

This is done by taking into consideration of the cumulative time in every sequence and choosing the longest path in the engineering project. The critical path is used to determine the cumulative duration the project will take on the calendar. If the activities that are not in line with the critical path slow down or speed up, there is no change in the total project time. The electrical cables going to every room, usually take the longest time, therefore time taken to fully install a single room should be determined.

Step 5: Updating the PERT Chart While the Project Is in Progress

One is prompted any necessary changes to the PERT while the engineering project is in progress. During the unfolding of the project, estimated can used in place of real times Aziz, 2014 . In a case of delays, some additional materials and resources might be required to maintain the time frame and the PERT chart can be structured in such a way that it reflects the emerging scenario.

Such a scenario may arise when the construction of such electrical lines has not been built spacious enough for the cables hence some other routes must be needed to be created to divert the direction of the electricity.

References

1. Aziz, R. (2014). RPERT: Repetitive-Projects Evaluation and Review Technique. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 53(1), 81-93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2013.08.003
2. Kirk, A. (2012). Data visualization. Birmingham, UK: Packt Pub.
3. Li, Z., & Zhang, L. (2012). A Study on Multi-Project Management Based on Gantt Chart and Network Planning Technique. AMM, 174-177, 2854-2860. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.174-177.2854
4. Madsen, S. (2012). The Project Management Coaching Workbook. London: Management Concepts Press.
5. Shata, O. (2012). Teaching Software Engineering: A Critical Path Method. International Journal Of Computer And Communication Engineering, 151-154. http://dx.doi.org/10.7763/ijcce.2012.v1.40