Project Management Simulation
Project Overview
Creation of project plan and kick off presentation covering scope, work breakdown structure, schedule, recovery, risk management and cost management for deployment of a manufacturing product line.
Project Objective
Propose a simulated engineering project and create kick off material regarding key points of the project lifestyle utilizing key points learned in the project management class.
Specifications
- Chosen engineering projects must be addressable by required key project management topics.
- Kick off meeting must include: WBS, Budget Management, Schedule, Risk and Communication Plan
Technical Process
1. Define Scope
For this simulation, the selected project was created from the position of a contract manufacturer tasked with establishing manufacturing capabilities for a customer with a simple multi-part assembly. The scope consisted of a revised design of the customer product specifically for manufacturing. Also called for in the scope was the deployment of a standards conforming manufacturing process and a pilot run of production.
2. Create Work Breakdown Structure
Tasks required to achieve defined scope were identified and grouped to create work breakdown structure to facilitate later creation of scheduling and tasks.
3. Generate Project Schedule and Highlight Recovery Methods
Utilized work breakdown structure to generate projected project schedule. Identified critical path and proposed potential recovery methods that included fast tracking, crashing, and resource reallocation to overcome unforeseen delays.
4. Analyze Potential Risks
Created a categorized list of potential risks impacting project cost or schedule using If Then format. Quantified each risk based on the likelihood and consequence, with each scored from 1-5. Created 4 Corner Risk Chart for largest risks.
5. Estimate Project Costs
Established reasonable estimates for the cost of individual tasks using labor cost estimates, expected man hours, commercial rental listings, and equipment costs. Produced an overall project cost estimate.
6. Create Customer Communication Plan
Defined communication schedule assigning key meetings with task owners and stakeholders for each day of the week. Established additional meetings to monitor critical path and resource allocation.
Outcome and Impact
- Presented a kickoff meeting to professor, receiving positive feedback alongside suggested improvements.
- Gained valuable insight into the responsibilities of project management as well as the product development cycle.