Much like a flu shot protects you from a specific strain of the flu, this article presents actionable techniques for project managers to take to immunize their team from the negative effects associated with a toxic member. Learn how to identify and mitigate the contagious spread of toxic behaviors before the risk to your project becomes too great.
MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) services today have greater challenges to deal with to meet the present demand-supply requirements of an increasing number of aircraft flying. This case study identifies opportunities that can be realized by slightly steering strategies and realigning priorities with respect to resource planning and buffer management.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has an established lessons learned program that documents both shortfalls for corrective action and best practices for wider dissemination. Most phases are effectively accomplished—except for resolution. Using the project management process during the issue resolution phase will provide a firm foundation for action officers to evolve a more efficient and effective organization.
Coordination plays an important role in both project and supply chain management, especially in regard to complicated engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) projects. Analysis of supply chain management for a floating production storage and offloading unit (FPSO) building illustrates the differences between traditional-industry and complicated EPCC projects.
Using a component-based work breakdown structure (WBS) can enhance your organization’s planning efficiency. Components can be put into a “catalog of components” to be used as “building blocks” to quickly construct a baseline project management plan. Components are a simple solution to give you a starting point and transfer useful knowledge from project to project.
In the final article sharing his experiences on tier 1 construction projects, the author examines the closeout process before relating the management and technical challenges project managers face on these projects. He concludes by examining the personality traits needed to navigate the unique requirements of construction projects.
Project success is traditionally focused on delivering a project within the constraints of time, budget, and scope. This article outlines the risks associated with the “new world disorder” and the challenges that require new ethical perspectives on the delivery of projects. An improvement to the project management framework is proposed to analyze the ethical value of the product, as well as the conduct of the provider in case of defect or failure.
Inspired by construction questions heard while managing tier 1 projects, in part 3 of his series the author explains contractor requirements for project execution, including workforce management, reporting, safety practices, change management and field activities. Each element is described along with humorous stories and lessons learned.
Project risk is inevitable and must be managed to the maximum extent possible. Risks for complex software projects can be divided into two categories—project risks and technical risks. A potentially avoidable technical risk of Lockheed Martin’s En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) software is discussed, along with a treatment plan that could have reduced the risks earlier in the project.
In his first article, the author examined design and preconstruction in tier 1 construction projects (over US$ 100 million). This entry in the series explains the contracts and contractor requirements for planning. The project management plan consists of multiple parts requiring contractor submittal and owner approval. The elements of the plan are described along with instructive stories and lessons learned.