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Project Management
System
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
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.
Work Plan
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.
Project Schedule
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.
Project Budget
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.
Status Reports
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:
Task Identification Key
04-0999
Project Project Name
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.
Project Manager
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
- Detail Progress Report
- Earned Value Report
- Summary Process Report
- Cash Flow Report
- Critical Tasks Report
- Resource Report
- Purchase Order Report
- Project Billing
Statement
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