Project Management

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Is planner&controller need for my project?

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Tomaso Macchi Project Manager| Carnival Corporation Romsey, Eng, United Kingdom
We are in the planning phase of a shipbuilding project.
I have a budget up to 30 MEUR. 
The team is composed by:
- Subject Metter Expert for Architecture and one for Technical.
- Project manager 
- Buyer (technical and architectural one or two resources to be defined)
My question to the community is if a Planner & Controller role independent from the above resources is needed or not.

Your insight would be helpful to shape my team.

Thank you
Tomaso
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Keith Novak Tukwila, Wa, United States
Generally not in the planning phase but as with anything, it depends.

I would most want the help of a business administration specialist either when there is a lot of interrelated activity going on, or I am managing a very tight and fluid critical path. In the architectural phase, schedules are usually very high level and the team is focused on major design decisions so there isn't much for a dedicated role to do other than for short periods. Once the project is ramping up to your full staffing level there is often much more detailed level work to plan and manage. Typically that would be around the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) point.

Even then, it depends. 30M sounds like a lot but doesn't really go far in ships as in with aircraft which is my field. A vessel designed for freight has most of the engineering focused on handling large loads safely so much of the work is with a few people focused on structure and seaworthiness aspects. Margins are typically broad to reduce the required engineering. By contrast a pleasure yacht is less likely to be loaded to the gunnels and has a lot more involvement with custom made passenger amenities which include a lot of detail work.

Design/build methods also are a large factor. If all the parts are designed first with unique part numbers and fabricated per-drawing from outside suppliers ready to install, then there is a lot of engineering definition to produce before fabrication. If most of the parts are made on assembly from standard sizes of raw material in a cut to shape, drill to fit, paint to match approach, then the bulk of the work is in the final fabrication rather than detail design and procurement. That makes a big difference in whether planning and control is more critical in the design department, or by the job-site foreman.
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1 reply by Tomaso Macchi
Jul 06, 2024 3:37 PM
Tomaso Macchi
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Thank you Keith for your response very helpful to hear another voice.
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Tomaso Macchi Project Manager| Carnival Corporation Romsey, Eng, United Kingdom
Jul 06, 2024 12:54 PM
Replying to Keith Novak
...
Generally not in the planning phase but as with anything, it depends.

I would most want the help of a business administration specialist either when there is a lot of interrelated activity going on, or I am managing a very tight and fluid critical path. In the architectural phase, schedules are usually very high level and the team is focused on major design decisions so there isn't much for a dedicated role to do other than for short periods. Once the project is ramping up to your full staffing level there is often much more detailed level work to plan and manage. Typically that would be around the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) point.

Even then, it depends. 30M sounds like a lot but doesn't really go far in ships as in with aircraft which is my field. A vessel designed for freight has most of the engineering focused on handling large loads safely so much of the work is with a few people focused on structure and seaworthiness aspects. Margins are typically broad to reduce the required engineering. By contrast a pleasure yacht is less likely to be loaded to the gunnels and has a lot more involvement with custom made passenger amenities which include a lot of detail work.

Design/build methods also are a large factor. If all the parts are designed first with unique part numbers and fabricated per-drawing from outside suppliers ready to install, then there is a lot of engineering definition to produce before fabrication. If most of the parts are made on assembly from standard sizes of raw material in a cut to shape, drill to fit, paint to match approach, then the bulk of the work is in the final fabrication rather than detail design and procurement. That makes a big difference in whether planning and control is more critical in the design department, or by the job-site foreman.
Thank you Keith for your response very helpful to hear another voice.
avatar
Abolfazl Yousefi Darestani Manager, Quality and Continuous Improvement| Hörmann-TNR Industrial Doors Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
We have a 30 MCAD project and do not have a controller for that. However, all aspects of the project including schedule and cost are being monitored by PM and all organizational managers.
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1 reply by Tomaso Macchi
Jul 08, 2024 4:44 PM
Tomaso Macchi
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Thank you Yousefi for your message.
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Tomaso Macchi Project Manager| Carnival Corporation Romsey, Eng, United Kingdom
Jul 08, 2024 7:53 AM
Replying to Abolfazl Yousefi Darestani
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We have a 30 MCAD project and do not have a controller for that. However, all aspects of the project including schedule and cost are being monitored by PM and all organizational managers.
Thank you Yousefi for your message.

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