Estimating/Project Management

Fall 2012

What is Project Management?

Unique discipline of planning, organizing, securing, and managing resources to achieve a specific set of goals.

An effective project manager possesses a deep and broad understanding of the scope of the project, a manner of dealing with people that is effective, and the skills necessary to adapt to setbacks and solve problems quickly and efficiently.

Are you this type of person?

What is a Project?

A “project” is a temporary endeavor.A “project” has a beginning and an end.A “project” is time constrained.A “project’ involves deliverables/products.A “project” is a multifaceted endeavor that

requires a command of details as well as the overall scope of the challenge.

Who is involved? Project manager

Responsible for all objectives Construction manager

Oversees progress of construction Design engineer

Building engineer (elec., mech., indus., and civil) Construction engineer

Cross between civil engineer and construction manager

Project architect Oversees all architectural aspects of the design,

construction documents, and specifications

Who else is involved?

ArchitectsCivil EngineersQuantity surveyorsBuilding services engineers (M&E Engineer)Structural EngineersProcurementSkilled and unskilled laborers

How did Project Management come about?

In the 1950s, organizations started to systematically apply project management tools and techniques to complex engineering projects.

Before this change, engineering projects were managed by creative architects and designers.

One such entity that led the way was the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Corps tackled primarily civil projects involved in movement of goods and material for the military.

This was expanded to include civilian projects after World War II.

One such endeavor was the construction of the C&D Canal, linking the Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware River.

The DelMarVa Peninsula

The C&D Canal

The C&D Canal Constructed by a private company, between 1804 and 1829, as a narrow passage for

trading goods, the C&D Canal was purchased by the Federal Government for “the common good”.

Several locks were needed to span changes in elevation over the 14 mile route. The “Corps” was placed in charge of maintenance and expansion. Most people did not cross the waterway often, only doing so in an emergency and by

boat. During the middle of the 20th Century, a growing population required additional ways to

traverse the waterway. The Pennsylvania Railroad operated several rail bridges over the Canal. As ships continued to increase in size and tonnage, a larger canal was needed. The present Canal was reconstructed during the 20th Century to be 450 feet wide and

35 feet deep for the entire 26 mile trip from channel to channel. By using the Canal, shipping companies can shave days off delivery times and save

millions of dollars. Which two major cities are most directly affected by shipping companies using the C&D

Canal?

Bridges of the C&D Canal

Two forefathers of PM

Henri Fayol Fayolism – general theory of management

to forecast and plan to organize to command to coordinate to control

Two forefathers of PMHenry Gantt

native Marylander (Calvert County) McDonogh School Bethlehem Steel developed the Gantt chart (still utilized

in Project Management)

Basic Approach to PM

initiationplanning and designexecution and constructionmonitoring and controlling systemscompletion