Week 6: Project Management
E1102 – Design Fundamental Using Advanced Computer Technologies
Spring 2010
In Today’s Session

Introduction to project management

Practicing Gantt Chart creation using PM software

Team advisor meetings

Modeling sequence
Spring 2010
2
The Design Process Is…

Doomed for design failure without…



Information
Organization
Communication
Poor Project Management

Poor definition of requirements and objectives

Poor planning and review efforts

Inadequate work breakdown structure

Starting/completing activities out of sequence

No contingency plans for unforeseen technical problems (or non-technical
issues)
Spring 2010
4
Managing Project Tasks

Detailed list of tasks; Start with categories and then work down to sub task
level

Rationalize the task sequence

Identify deadlines

Identify critical path items; which tasks are going to take the most time within
the whole sequence

There are many project management tools to address the above tasks
including brainstorming, work breakdown structures, critical path analysis,
and Gantt charts
Spring 2010
5
Project Management Tools

Brainstorming

Work breakdown structure (WBS)

Gantt chart

Critical path analysis
Spring 2010
6
Work Breakdown Structures

A process that sets a project’s scope by breaking down its overall mission into
a cohesive set of synchronous, increasing specific tasks

WBS is a categorized list of project tasks with an estimate of time and
resources required to complete the task

Create WBS by:

Start with your committed deliverables (tasks) for the project (Highest Level
Category)

Then decompose each high level item into subtasks
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What does WBS Accomplish?

Echoes project objectives

Offers a logical structure for task identification/listing

Establishes a method of control

Communicates project status

Improves communication among project team and customers
Spring 2010
8
WBS Example
Spring 2010
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WBS Process

Write each task from design project - list on a sticky note

Group tasks in clusters that have common factors

Identify tasks and subtasks

Arrange them in hierarchical order
Spring 2010
10
WBS/Gantt in MS Project
Spring 2010
11
Milestone Analysis

Milestones are events or stages of the project that represent a significant
accomplishment

Milestones

Signal the team, suppliers, customers, etc.

Can motivate the team

Offer re-evaluation points

Helps coordinate schedules

Identify key review gates

Delineate work packages
Spring 2010
12
Your Time Management

Good project management starts with you!

Need a personal system of managing your goals, the associated tasks , as well
as the time required for accomplishment

The system should be designed to allocate tasks by project, context, and
required type of action
Spring 2010
13
Session Review

What We Discussed Today


Basic design project management tools and techniques
Next Week’s Highlights

Client Reports and Presentations with debrief sessions
Spring 2010
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