| Coronado
Machine Project Management
What constitutes a project at Coronado
Machine?
A project is a unit of work that is
different from everyday work. It has definite deliverables and a definite schedule. Since
we are primarily a prototyping shop, almost every effort we make is related to a project.
We use Microsoft Project, Visio, and Microsoft Excel to track project information. Regardless
of the Tool used to record the information, the process for
attacking each milestone deliverable is the same. We ask ourselves the following questions
when begin or are considering a project.
Project and non-project examples.
| When does it qualify as a
Project? |
When does it not? |
| Develop a series of Parts such
as Drift Tubes for a Particle Accelerator |
Write a G-Code program |
| Quality Test one or more
deliverables |
Tap a single hole for a piece
that a customer brings to the shop |
| Install a computer network |
Configure Quickbooks for a
report |
| Develop a Prototype Part |
Measure a part on the CMM |
Conceptual Phase—Absolutely
Required Phase
| Definition: |
Someone has thought of a
project, a customer or employee, and we need to write it down. |
| Common activities: |
- People talk about the idea (Shop Floor Talk).
- Meeting between the people invloved
- Emails are sent here and there(Los Alamos, Sandia Labs,
etc)
|
| End deliverable: |
- Project Proposal or Written Quote, ususally done with
Microsoft Word
|
Proposal, Quote, or rejection
| Definition: |
A written plan explaining the
high level concept and what is to be delivered |
| Common activities: |
- Proposal is submitted to the Customer or a letter or phone
call is given to explain why it can't be done.
|
| End deliverable: |
- Final Written Proposal for customer
- Feasability and cost benefit analysis for CMI management
|
Planning
| Definition: |
Prepare a Statement of Work or
contract and Task List of things to be accomplished or parts to be produced |
| Common activities: |
- Prepare a Statement of Work document.
- Put together a task list.
- Identify Milestones and delivery dates.
- Prepare cost estimation.
- Conduct risk analysis or at least identify areas of risk
- Put together a risk mitigation plan or a "What
if" plan
- Identify staff for each critical role
- Determine reporting requirements and formulate reporting
templates
- Create a Project Folder (manilla folder AND electronic
versions) Keep parallel records
|
| End deliverable: |
- Create a Project File in MS-Project starting with the
Statement of Work and known deliverables (40K Feet overview) Major line items can be
determined at this point. Keep a Manilla Folder in a File Cabinet with all information for
disaster control.
|
Requirements—Optional Phase
| Definition: |
Create the basis for the Quality
Assurance Testing. Know what it will take to be successful |
| Common activities: |
- Interviews and meetings with the customer
- Joint Application Development (JAD) Meetings where the
customer is the leading influence. The contractor needs to make sure nothing
"impossible" is expected
- Make a Flowchart of major activities
|
| End deliverable: |
- Written Requirements or Quality Control Document
|
Design
| Definition: |
Explains how the product
will be built. What technology will be used and how |
| Common activities: |
- CAD/CAM Drawings produced for the parts(s)
- G-Code programs and cut-paths are determined
|
| End deliverable: |
- All code for CNC Milling/Turning
|
Development/Manufacturing
| Definition: |
|
| Common activities: |
- Develop a Process Outline to Determine the actual
Industrial Engineering
- Develop a Detail Shop Traveler
- Order and Recieve Certified Material (Stock)
|
| End deliverable: |
- Functioning code and All materials necessary to produce the
part(s), Actually machine the part and produce the end result
|
Quality Testing
| Definition: |
|
| Common activities: |
- Writing test plan – who, what, when, how
- Writing Test Cases and develop Inspection reports that tell
what things should measure
- Measure the parts to one decimal place exceeding the
requirement.Fill out the Inspection Report
|
| End deliverable: |
- Inspection Report
- Shop Managers Sign off on the part(s)
|
Packing and Shipping
| Definition: |
|
| Common activities: |
- Thoroughly clean and inspect again
- Carefully pack the item in a container that will protect it
during shipping
|
| End deliverable: |
- Part or Deliverable item in it's shippable packages
|
Completed
| Definition: |
|
| Common activities: |
- Wait for Customer approval and confirmation of correctness
|
| End deliverable: |
|
On hold
| Definition: |
Project temporarily stopped. The
plan is still to complete the project at some later date. |
| Common activities: |
- Inform customer that the project has been put on hold.
|
| End deliverable: |
|
Cancellation
| Definition: |
Project is stopped. The plan is
to not restart project. |
| Common activities: |
- Inform customer that the project has been stopped.
|
| End deliverable: |
|
All projects must go through a planning phase. Projects
may or may not begin in the Concept phase. Projects then go through the phases that are
identified in the Project’s Statement of Work. Additionally projects may be put on
Hold or Cancelled depending on funding, resource availability, and other intangibles.
Project managers are the key. A project manager decides what phases are the most critical
and what phases can be skipped for maximum efficiency
|
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