Assignment No.

2
Title: Project Management Challenges & Solutions (IMAGINARY
MOTION PICTURES- S is for Save the Planet: A How to be Green
Alphabet.)
Author's Name: Abhiram Sridhara
Professor: Paul G. Ranky
Class: EM 636- Project Management
Date: 21st June, 2015.
E-Learning Pack serial number: EM 636-Summer-2015-34-28
Statement: This work is done by Abhiram Sridhara.
Contents:
1. Introduction and Objectives
2. Methodologies
3. Critical Requirements
4. Project Management Decisions
5. Social Networking
6. Summary
7. Further work needed
8. Grade your own assignment
Introduction and Objectives of the Project:
In a highly advanced world, people have started looking for products
which can meet their requirements and are SUSTAINABLY GREEN. This
is the goal of my company and the reason that we analyze the
requirements of the customers and also keep improving the GREEN
technology of our products.
Customer requirements and feedback are our first priority to adjust our
products and take the required actions for achieving GREEN
SUSTAINABILITY. We need to do the Survey from the customers to know
what kinds of products they desire before we develop them and what
functions should it fulfill. Customer satisfaction is our main agenda. To

achieve Sustainability in the product with respect to Design and

Manufacturing our product is based on TQM.
In our organization we would essentially focus on maintaining a healthy
Work environment and having several extracurricular activities for our
employees which make them feel good at work and motivate them to
achieve desired results. We also focus on Material and Waste
Recycling. Our product is based on ISO 9001:2008, production
processes and green sustainable included. We collaborate with four
other companies as stated in assignment 0 and assignment1.
A brief description of the methodologies applied.
The Main Body of the project: Based on the process model in
Assignment 1 (above) do the following:
A Project Lifecycle Matrix
In this century, project managers are assigned to more
complex projects in a variety of countries, with fewer resources. There
are studies that indicate the skill set of project
managers will be changing in the future.
Project managers may need to become increasingly better educators,
mentors and problem solvers. They will need to manage processes,
requirements, risks, the flow of integrated information systems, and
facilitate communication among national and international team
members.
They will also have to become more system thinkers. Most project
managers still think of isolated cases and systems... sustainable lean
and green forces us all to think in bigger systems, as well as be able to
decompose to low level objects, that express behavior that we must
understand.
About the importance of IT: every project has some level of IT,
therefore IT project failures typically effect the entire project. Nearly 70
percent of IT projects are dogged by cost-overruns or aren't completed
on schedule due to poor planning, poor communication or poor
resource allocation.

There is a need to develop the skill set of the future project manager
and develop a set of methods to ensure the construction industry is
prepared to meet 21st century challenges.
Components to consider include (but are not limited to) collaborative
project management, outsourcing, global teams, offsite management,
centrally located as well as distributed project teams, integrated
information systems, green sustainability issues, energy management
and savings, air quality control, water pollution control, total quality
management and lean six-sigma methods, as well as different
paradigms for prefabrication and automation during the fabrication,
as well as the implementation, test, and maintenance processes.
By analyzing many facilities, buildings, roads, bridges, and others, the
lack of maintenance planning in the construction industry is an
extremely sad fact with lots of evidence all around the world... Yes, the
infrastructure is falling apart everywhere in the world because
the maintenance component wasn't built in the project, or it has been
spent on something else... think of large bridges, or highways, or ...
who is responsible if and when they collapse?
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a new way of approaching the
design and documentation of building projects. It is an important trend
and standard practice in many USA and other construction projects.
Building - not just the typical architectural drawings, but the entire
lifecycle of the building is considered (design/ build/ operations, and
even maintenance)
Information - all information about the building and its lifecycle is
included (...or at least that is the intention...)
Modeling - defining and simulating the building, its delivery, and
operation using integrated tools. (Note, that this has major implications
on building
maintenance too!)
BIM provides several major advantages over CAD (Computer Aided
Design in architectural terms), these being:

 BIM Models and manages not just graphics, but also information
information that allows the automatic generation of drawings and
reports, design analysis, schedule simulation, facilities management,
and more ultimately enabling the building team to make betterinformed decisions.
BIM supports a distributed team so that people, tools, and tasks can
effectively share this information throughout the building lifecycle, thus
eliminating
data redundancy, data re-entry, data loss, miscommunication, and
translation errors.As an example, Bentley BIM empowers the
design, construction, and operation of all types of buildings and
facilities around the world, from the conventional to some of the most
inspiring projects of our time.
Building Information Modeling and Generative Design
The challenge is to unite the project lifecycle, bringing together design
and documentation information and workflows for the design,
construction, and operation of all types of buildings and facilities
around the world, from the conventional to the most inspiring projects
of our time.
The solution is a well populated building information modeling (BIM)
system. This is a new way of approaching the design and
documentation of building projects.
BIM empowers the design, construction, and operation of all types of
buildings and facilities around the world, from the conventional to
some of the most inspiring projects of our time.
Integrated Project Delivery
Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is an important trend and practice in
construction project management. It leverages early contributions of
knowledge and expertise
through the utilization of new technologies, allowing all team members
to better realize their highest potentials while expanding the value
they provide throughout the project lifecycle.

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), is a collaborative alliance of people,

systems, business structures and practices into a process that
harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to optimize project
results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste, and
maximize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication, and
construction.
The Integrated Project Delivery Guide, jointly developed by the AIAs
Documents Committee and AIA California Council, is offered as a tool
to assist owners, designers and builders to move toward integrated
models and improved design, construction and operations processes.
Based in Washington, D.C., the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
has been the leading professional membership association for licensed
architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners since
1857. Through education, legislative and regulatory
development, professional education, and research, the AIA and its
more than 83,000 members express their commitment to excellence in
design and livability in our nations buildings and communities.
The goal of the Guide is to identify the characteristics of IPD and to
provide specific information and guidance on how to utilize IPD
methods to achieve enhanced design,
construction and operations processes.
The Guide begins with introductory material about the principles of IPD
and points of consideration in a generic sense, moves through a study
of implementation of IPD and culminates with discussion of application
of general IPD principles within the specific framework of common
delivery models used in the marketplace today.
When thoughtfully considered, absorbed, and then applied, the
principles and techniques outlined in this guide should allow readers to
be able to:
Understand the principles of Integrated Project
Delivery (IPD)
Understand the value propositions of IPD from the
perspective of various stakeholders

 Organize non-traditional delivery methods and

alternative team relationships for improved project
performance, and understanding the necessary
qualifications and attributes of team members
Assess interest and adequate knowledge resources
within ones team
Discern subtle difference between possible models for IPD
Advocate the benefit of an integrated delivery model
Understand the issues that must be addressed in
an IPD document
With the appropriate resources, write an agreement
based on IPD principles
Implement IPD principles to proceed with confidence
during this time of change.
CRITICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The major project timeline / phases of a typical civil engineering
project
includes the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Planning
Preliminary Engineering
Engineering, Environmental Clearance, Right of Entry
Advertise and Award
Construction
Close Out

Planning
First the project is in the planning stage. Studies are conducted
to determine when and if the project should be built, the results
of these studies for several projects are compared to see which
ones should be built first to be most cost-effective.

Extremely rough estimates of cost are discussed (e.g a road

tunnel being $30,000/foot for XXXX amount of feet). Projects can be
in planning for 1 to 20 years, or even longer (e.g. the Panama
Canal, the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France, and others).
Preliminary Engineering (Design level=2%)
When the time comes that the project should be implemented,
a realistic budget is allocated to complete it (or maybe just for the
projected first few years of it) and a consultant is brought on board to
complete preliminary engineering. The product of this effort is some
sort of a Project Study Report that includes
definitions of the project, its outputs (both good and poor), a slightly
more engineered estimate (e.g. a road tunnel would be separated into
excavation, grading, support structures, pavement costs) but still
pretty general.
This study is used by the agency to "define" the project. They use it as
a "resume" to apply for funding grants with various lenders (FRA,
Federal Railroad Administration, or local government bodies etc.) A
more permanent budget will have to
be set at a later stage (the earlier the better!)
Engineering
When the initial study has been completed, a DIFFERENT consultant is
brought on board to do the actual design. They start with the
preliminary report.
Basis of Design (Design level=2%)
Their first major goal is to submit a Basis of Design report which will
state design facts and physical limitations on the project, such as curve
X cannot exceed Y degrees, Z grade, and E super elevation, due to
obstructions or whatever other limitations and guidelines they have to
design within. They also state what codes and regulations they will
follow in their design.
Alternatives Analysis (Design level=10%)

Following the Basis of Design report the design consultant works

towards a 10% design level. This is commonly referred to as the
alternatives analysis submittal.
At this stage they define the main alternatives to the project and
provide the most details possible for each. Once completed, several
meetings take place between the designers, owners, and all other
stakeholders in the project area (transit authorities, interested groups,
equipment lenders/manufacturers, vendors, and others). They
determine what option is best. In some cases it is a draw between two
alternatives and they continue with the design of both.
The alternative analysis of such competing designs is not uncommon
at all in many industries. As an example, in defense the same contract
is often offered to two different competing companies under different
code-names. Then, the better is
chosen, but in many cases a third, combined solution is the best. In
such cases competing companies have to work together... tough for all
parties... NASA is a good example for this with many private
contractors and companies working together.
Note, that our ISO 9001:2008 International Quality Standard compliant
process modeling (CIMpgr), risk analysis (PFRA), and requirements
analysis methods (CORA), with the statistical methods and tools
combined, provide a very powerful method
and tool-set for any project manager to fight the above cause with
quantifiable data!
Usually starting with the 30% submittal, and following with every
subsequent one, a very formal review process involving third-party
engineering professionals takes place. The review process typically
lasts a month or two following each major submittal.
Environmental
Around this time is when the environmental requirements of the
project begin to be defined. In order to get environmental clearance,
quite a bit has to be known about the project and surrounding area.
At this time, the review of endangered species reports, project impact
footprint, carbon footprint, sustainable green challenges, biological

opinion reports, and many

other activities may take place. The main environmental document for
NEPA, the National Environmental Policy Act.
Design (Design level=30%)
By this stage, the designer has continued on with the design(s) of the
project. At this point a definite alternative is chosen. Rarely do more
than one alternative advance past this point. This is also the time,
when environmental activities are in full swing and the Draft NEPA
document should be being reviewed or possibly already approved.
Design (Design level=60%)
At this point the Final Environmental Document has hopefully been
approved. The final document will outline any extra environmental
requirements the project must include in order to be built so it is nice
to get it done at 60%.
Also at this point it is fairly well defined what properties the project
may impact both permanently and during construction. The Right of
Entry process should begin now
and the owners of the parcels need to agree to let construction go on
near and in their property (they are also paid for this).
The Right of Entry is a legal right to enter upon land in the possession
of another for a special purpose (as of an owner to show land to a
prospective purchaser or of a landlord to make repairs) without being
guilty of a trespass. Obviously this is essential for every civil /
construction engineering project, else there is no legal access
available.
Note, that Eminent Domain may be enforced if the project is valuable
enough to the community and the owners are being stubborn.
Design (Design level = 90%)
At this stage things are really shaping up on the design. Project costs
are close to final and the program managers are probably allocating

adequate funds for the construction

of the project.
Design (Design level = 100%)
Design is 'complete'. (Note, that a design, ANY design is NEVER
complete... a building, a bridge, a road, a water tower, a computer, an
automobile, etc. nevertheless engineers and management accept this
stage as being 'complete'; else it will never happen...)
Following the last review session the design is 'conformed' into the bidready state. The design is comprised of the Drawings, General
Specifications, and Technical Specifications. These are handed over to
the client/owner who has a contracts
department that will review it and get it ready to bid.

Bid Preparation
It usually takes a month or two from the time the final design is handed
in until it is ready to be advertised to the bidders. The 'package' that
the bidders are given takes this amount of time to prepare, check for
errors, and have legal and quality counsel also review (there are a lot
of opportunities for lawsuits at this stage so attorneys become involved
to review everything).
Advertisement
At this stage the project is advertised publicly and the prepared bid
package is made available to those interested in bidding for the
construction work. Questions are asked by the bidders and the
owner(s) provide answers to the public. Everyone must
be able to see all questions and answers or you could be opened up for
lawsuits... (It is better to clarify issues earlier than later...)
Bid Opening
Bids are opened for a few months (2-4) after advertising. For many
companies the winner is the 'lowest responsive, responsible' bidder,
and those terms are heavily defined legally so that they can cut the

ties to someone who may not be qualified. The low bidder wins
automatically if everything checks out, there were no mistakes in their
bid, and they are qualified. If the first bidder gets the boot it goes to
the second, and then the third, etc.
Note, that the civil / construction industry is well known for typically
bidding at a lower than realistic budget and then once they have the
contract awarded they 'realize' that there are additional costs
involved... Of course some of this cost increases can mount to
millions, even billions of dollars! This is an unethical practice by some,
destroying the honest hard working companies...in other industries this
practice is not so typical. Please refer to some of the latest solutions
dealing with Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) in the civil and
construction industry.
Award:
The construction contract is awarded to the main contractor. A
construction management consultant is brought on board, and
construction work commences!
(Great moment!)
Construction
The project is finally built! This can last from a few months to several
years! (Note, that some European metro tunnel construction projects
have been often delayed by as much as 5 to 20+ years, or never
(!), due to the fact, that they have found some historic sites and
priceless artifacts. It is quite amazing, that practically anywhere you
dig in Europe you'll find some historical treasure, layer-bylayer, covering thousands of years of history...you can say, that the
metro project is turned into a museum project...)
Close Out
After the main construction work is complete the contractor is 'relieved
from work' (legal wording) is paid and congratulated. To relieve means
to ease a burden or take over for someone. An aspirin can relieve a
headache, and a substitute can relieve the teacher who fell asleep on
her desk after lunch.

I would like to mention, that the precise legal definition of what

'completed work' means here is unfortunately often ignored in the civil
engineering / construction industry.
HOW these apply to your company:
When we simply follow above process to any project and make sure
that there is no pollution and follow Sustainable Green as everything
mentioned in Paul G. Rankys E-pack then the project will be
successful.
Write ABOUT YOUR Engineering Management / Project
Management DECISIONS:
As an engineering manager I will have a discussion with my team
regarding the CORA analysis. I will first discuss the drawbacks of the
company and then talk about the top three AIR numbers and the
purpose of these numbers which will help us in development of our
company.
Based on the above analysis, EM decision will focus on the top 3 AIR
value which are: Customer Feedback Unit, Eco-friendly Standards and
Testing System for Improvement
1) Customer Feedback Unit: This unit focuses on the quality of a
product, customer services and feedback. We will build our base on the
requirements of our valued customer. The customer feedback unit can
show us the drawbacks on which we can improve. So EM should build a
loop which takes into consideration the customers grievances to the
company executive board immediately and act fast.
2) Eco-friendly standards: Our Company follows the eco-friendly
standards at each and every process. In addition we also have recycle
and waste management control for recycling the waste products.
3) Testing Systems for Improvement: There will be a number of tests
conducted in our company to verify the product to ensure the quality.
Each and every process will undergo detailed testing to look for any
errors or malfunctioning. If the system is notified that there is an error
in the product during testing, these systems will try to correct the
defect products or replace them. This will help us in producing the best
product and set a good trend in the market.

4) Process Design: As I have predicted in the CIMpgr model that the

planning process is very much important and it needs to be looked
after by a series of experts, I would try to give more importance to this
aspect. I would recommend my team to integrate Computer Integrated
Manufacturing (CIM) or Concurrent Engineering Technique so that
every decision goes by planning and calculations rather than intuitions.
By using this technique we can,
reduce the wastage of materials
implementing recycling techniques
improving process flow
I would make sure that right person is assigned to the right job and
overlooked by a series of experts in that particular field so that errors
are minimized in the starting stage itself.
Social Networking:

Further work needed / proposed: Further more Requirements and

decisions to be taken which are done in an iterative process methods.
References and Bibliography:
Prof. Paul G. Rankys E-Pack.
Grade your own assignment: I give myself an A or 10/10, as I have
covered all the topics.