|
TCGroup’s
Project Management (PM) System is structured to confirm that
our projects are completed on schedule and within budget. This
system has been a key element responsible for TCGroup’s
successful projects.
TCGroup’s
success lies in reducing projects to distinct tasks and
subtasks. These elements are independently defined, scheduled,
budgeted, tracked, and managed.
The purpose of
the PM System is to provide accurate information quickly and
easily, enabling project owners, managers, and engineers to
make informed, accurate decisions without delays.
Project
Management System versus Overruns and Slippages
Project overruns and
schedule slippages are the problem most commonly encountered
in the engineering service industry today.
Problems related to
inaccurate project definition, scheduling, or budgeting
generally result in project overruns and schedule slippages.
These are interdependent concerns and will be faced by most
owners, to one degree or another, on nearly every project
undertaken.
Additionally, the risks
inherent in undertaking projects are compounded by the
complexity, schedule, and participation levels required.
Client/Owner
Participation
TCGroup encourages clients
to actively participate in project management as an integral
part of each project management team.
In recognition of the value
of active owner participation, TCGroup provides owners with
the elements of our interactive Project Management System.
This system incorporates project work plans, schedules and
budgets in a cross-referenced system developed in-house
specifically for the management of commercial and industrial
engineering projects.
The primary purpose of this
system is to provide accurate information quickly and easily,
enabling project owners, managers and engineers to make
informed, accurate decisions in a timely and cost effective
manner.
Management
Objectives
The four fundamental
project management processes necessary for successful project
initiation and completion are:
-
Complete and accurate definition of
the Work Plan
-
Generation of a realistic and
definitive Schedule
-
Development of a comprehensive and
accurate Budget
-
Execution and follow through of the
Project Plan
The project plan is the tangible result
of the Project Management System. It consists of a work
plan, schedule and budget. Our status reports are then based
on these elements. Once TCGroup’s project team has been
defined, selected members generate their respective parts of
the project plan by contributing to these elements.
The project work plan comprises the task
descriptions with a task outline, and a task sequence
diagram.
Task descriptions, with a summary task
outline, are developed at the subtask level. The
descriptions define all activities or events that must take
place to complete a specific task. All activities required
for a complete process are shown, regardless of whether a
specific entity had been identified as responsible for such
activities.
A project-specific task sequence diagram
serves as a visual representation of the task definitions of
the project work plan. The task sequence diagram illustrates
the sequential progress of the work, task interactions and
interdependencies.
Schedule preparation takes place in
conjunction with development of the work plan. The schedule
displays the time allowed for each task and subtask. As the
project proceeds, schedules are updated and issued
periodically throughout the project, accurately reflecting
the project status.
After task descriptions and the schedule
are developed, man-hour and expense budgets are developed
for each subtask.
A summary report is generated by
combining labor and expense figures. Using this system,
adjustments to the budget due to schedule or work scope
changes can be easily accommodated. A new budget can be
generated whenever required. This feature allows TCGroup to
respond quickly to client needs.
The project status reports are generated
weekly, monthly, and quarterly for managerial staff to
assess budgeted and actual project progress. They provide
crucial and timely decision-making information at all
staffing levels.
These reports show budget and schedule
information to-date or for the current reporting period.
They also show actual expenditures compared with the
allocated budget and schedule. Thus, management can monitor
the status of each clearly defined task or subtask on the
schedule and budget, from project initiation through
completion. For example:
04-0999.6.0; Task System
Layout Drawings
04-0999.6.3 Subtask
Water
Supply and Services
Each specific subtask identification
number can be tracked throughout the project plan, from the
task descriptions within the work plan, to the schedule and
budget, and ultimately, to the status reports.
TCGroup’s accounting system is tightly
linked to the PM System. Therefore, as the project
progresses, day-to-day accounting inputs can be tracked to a
specific project. The inputs include TCGroup employee time
records, expense vouchers, material costs, and equipment
costs.
TCGroup’s Project Manager will be
responsible for the following:
-
Coordination of on-site
investigation and home office design efforts.
-
Staffing to maintain the project
schedules.
-
Project status reports.
-
Ensuring accurate, cost-effective
work.
-
Budgeting and invoicing.
Our commitment to proficient project
management is the basis of TCGroup’s history of successful
projects and our business success. Experience gained through
the management of every project is reviewed and evaluated.
TCGroup’s project management is continually upgraded to
improve project efficiency and performance. Our project
management system, based on past experience, will be
adjusted to meet specific project and client needs.
The Project Management System
TCGroup’s project management system is
activated upon the receipt of the owner’s request for
proposal rather than on receipt of the notice to proceed.
Consequently, the project management system database is
developed as part of TCGroup’s proposal process and is not
a cost to the owner.
However, the project plan, as presented
in our proposals, is intended for the owner’s review,
revision, and approval. TCGroup encourages comments on the
project plan, and believes that the owner’s input is a
crucial part of our project management system.
The task sequence diagram, TCGroup’s
project management system, and the interactive relationship
of the system’s components, is designed to effectively
handle simple and complex projects alike, especially those
with multiple phases and/or multiple service requirements
(studies, detail engineering, procurement, construction
management, etc.).
Project Management Reports
|
