Showing papers on "Project engineering published in 2004"

Implementing Total Quality Management in Construction Firms

Abstract: As building projects get larger and more complex, clients are also increasingly demanding higher standards for their delivery. Total quality management ~TQM! has been recognized as a successful management philosophy in the manufacturing and service indus- tries. TQM can likewise be embraced in the construction industry to help raise quality and productivity. Two case studies of construction companies showed how TQM can be successfully implemented in the construction industry. The benefits experienced include reduction in quality costs, better employee job satisfaction because they do not need to attend to defects and client complaints, recognition by clients, work carried out correctly right from the start, subcontractors with proper quality management systems, and closer relationships with subcontractors and suppliers. TQM performance measures were also reflected through top management commitment, customer involvement and satisfaction, employee involvement and empowerment, customer-supplier relationships, and process improvement and management. Finally, a framework for implementing TQM in construction is recommended.

Creating project-based learning experiences for University-K-12 partnerships

Abstract: The development of University-K-12 partnerships to promote increased interest in and knowledge of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines requires well-planned and implemented curricular content. The content must meet several constraints, including interest to the partner-teacher, relevance to the students to help engage them, and consistency with state and national standards. Through four years of experience, we have developed a process to create new project-based experiences that are used by college students who teach in middle school classrooms. The process involves input from partner-teachers, development of activities and lessons by college students, and oversight and refinement of the content by program administrators. The project-based learning approach is consistent with national and state standards and has been shown to improve the understanding of basic concepts, to encourage deep and creative learning, and to develop teamwork and communication skills. The essential elements of the development process for our project-based curricula are included here.

Delivering projects with virtual teams

Abstract: This work will describe the reasons why virtual teams are used for project delivery. The advantages of using virtual teams and the benefits of virtual teams to the client and the project delivery organisation, i.e., the contractor or consultant will be discussed. The use of virtual project teams for project delivery, especially for international or global projects, has definite advantages and benefits. However, in order to ensure successful project delivery by virtual teams, the prospective project client needs to have a clear understanding of the environment in which the virtual team can succeed and procure the project appropriately.

Constructability concepts in kuala selangor cable-stayed bridge in malaysia

Abstract: The writers formulated a case study of the Kuala Selangor Cable Stayed Bridge to examine the application of the constructability concepts particularly during the conceptual planning and the design phases of the project. This paper presents the advantages of implementing the constructability concepts and the barriers that were encountered when applying these concepts during the planning and design phases of the cable stayed bridge project of Kuala Selangor in Malaysia. The writers concluded that barriers to constructability implementation that are related to the owner were the major impediments in the application of constructability concepts during the early conceptual planning phase. The opinion of the engineer was another factor behind nonapplication of some other concepts. At the same time, many others were implemented due to the awareness and opinion of the engineer and his ability to control their application.

Project planning: getting it right the first time

Abstract: As the number of space flight projects being conducted concurrently at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has increased, so has the need for institutional support for the projects. One area of particular importance to flight project success is support during the early project planning/formulation phase. Numerous studies have identified front-end project planning as a key element of project success. This paper describes JPL's project formulation support team (PFST), which plays a central role in providing the institutional support tools and services for projects during their early formulation phases and ensure they get off to the right start. Finally, potential future trends in project formulation are discussed, including the increasing application of information networks to meet flight project needs, the effects of competition in the selection process for new flight projects, and the increasing use of multi-national flight project teams.

Virtual mission operation framework

Abstract: The virtual mission operation framework (VMOF) is one of the project lifecycle engineering process improvement efforts initiated by the Institutional Technology Infrastructure program at JPL. The VMOF is composed of three frameworks: a model integration framework, a simulation framework, and a visualization framework. The model integration framework interfaces with spacecraft system design, mission design, and structure design. The simulation framework interfaces with the operation scenario design, environmental phenomena science, and science payload system design. The visualization framework interfaces with the flight system testbed, the ground system, and the science analysis. The three frameworks of the VMOF collaborate to create a comprehensive virtual mission operation that enables a "validation-in-the-loop" system design process and lifecycle-continuous science-return validation. This paper discusses the technical approaches for each framework implementation, challenges and approaches involved in streamlining mission information access, and on-going activities toward enabling model-based engineering design in a collaborative distributed environment.

System and method for reusing of design related data

Abstract: The system (1) creates project engineering data related to elements (21-2n) with respect to user input, and stores the project engineering data in a library (3). The images of the elements are generated using the stored project engineering data, for development of automation solution (4). An independent claim is also included for project engineering data management method.

100% product-oriented work breakdown structures and their importance to system engineering

Abstract: This paper characterizes systems and system development and in the process develops a generic 100% product-oriented work breakdown structure (WBS) that can be tailored to any system development project. It also describes how such 100% product-oriented WBSs can facilitate good system engineering.

Autodesk inventor professional as common platform CAD for designer from mechanic and electromechanic profession

Abstract: This work presents AIP software as highly sophisticated tool for computer design aid which allows tight cooperation of design teams which are designing mechanical and electromechanical units.

Method for the project engineering of an automation system

Abstract: A method for the project engineering of an automation system is provided. An existing project is opened or a new project is created in a project engineering software tool. In this project, a station having a plurality of slots is opened or generated. A hardware catalog is opened, the hardware catalog including a plurality of hardware modules. At least one hardware module is inserted from the hardware catalog into the station. The station is saved together with the inserted modules. In the process one or more hardware modules can be combined to form a hardware packet. In order to insert the hardware modules which are combined in a hardware packet, the hardware packet is selected and, as soon as the hardware packet is integrated into the station, all the hardware modules contained therein are automatically allocated to free slots of the station.

Project engineering control system and method thereof

Abstract: The present invention discloses a project engineering control system and method thereof, which comprise a central server device, a control end, a mission end and a decision end. When the mission end connects to the central server device through the network to transmit the working daily record to the central server device, the central server device will update the document management record in the database, and connects to the central server device through the network based on the plan data. The control end pre-establishes or issues a checking rule immediately on the central server device, so as to check the abnormal condition of the document management record, and assign an abnormal label to it. When the central server device finds the abnormal label, it informs the decision end to issue a processing opinion, and then inform the control end to require the mission end to eliminate the abnormal condition according to the processing opinion.

Work in progress - evolution & implementation of a roller coaster (design-build) project for a first-year program

Abstract: The fundamentals of engineering (FE) sequence at The Ohio State University consists of two courses that involve skill development applicable for all engineering disciplines. The second course includes a new design-build project, implemented in the winter of 2004. From a curriculum standpoint, the goal has been to create a project that is challenging, sustainable, and cost-effective. Total construction time for students was reduced by providing a set of interchangeable and interlocking parts - leaving students more time to experiment with multiple designs and orientations, and to solve real-world problems. In order to ensure the use of design methods that would result in accurate models, a physics-based approach was used, and all teams had to have a paper design approved before construction. Complete project documentation, a final systems test, and an oral presentation by each team serve as culminating events for the project.

What do you get if you cross a project manage with a requirements engineer

Abstract: The title of this article posed the question "What do you get if you cross a project manager with a requirements engineer?" The answer lies in the 12 Project Engineering Requirements Manager (PERM) requirements. A project manager with a good knowledge of requirements engineering is a valuable asset to any project.

Technology enabled curriculum for a first-year engineering program

Abstract: For the past three years, all first year engineering students at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology have enrolled in a common introduction to engineering course. The course features a common curriculum contained on a course CD, utilization of technology tools, an engineering design project, and introduction to technical writing. All sections of the course are taught in a single classroom that is set up with tables and equipped with wireless notebook PCs. Technology tools are focused on collection, manipulation, and presentation of data using electronic portfolios, a permanent digital archive, spreadsheet tools, and data loggers. The use of spreadsheets for solving engineering problems is illustrated through example problems and several tutorial exercises that are both contained on the curricular CD. Portable data loggers are utilized in lab projects for collecting data that is then manipulated and analyzed on a spreadsheet. The design project requires students teams to function within specified design parameters, construct a simple device that is then used to collect data, analyze the data, and present the results both in an oral presentation and a formal technical document. In this paper, examples of technology uses in the curricular materials, engineering problems, and design projects used will be illustrated and discussed.

The impact of vertical integration of design teams on the chemical engineering program

Abstract: For the last five years, the Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of Akron has implemented a vertically integrated team design project (VITDP) involving our department's entire undergraduate student population. Teams, consisting of freshman through seniors, work together with an industrial or faculty mentor to solve an open-ended design problem over a five-seven week period during the fall semester. Each project is designed to require positive interdependency between the team members, thus creating an instructional framework where students learn through teaming rather than group work. All freshmen learn what chemical engineering is about, sophomores enhance their learning in process economics, juniors and seniors improve their proficiency with process simulation, and seniors make major improvements in their ability to lead or guide other people. When the design project introduces a concept or topic that has not been fully integrated into the curriculum, all students, including those who prefer to work alone, effectively increase their knowledge of that topic. The vertically integrated team structure provides a way to learn information in context, which has a particularly strong effect on women in the program. Overall, the VITDP has a positive impact on the chemical engineering program.

JPL's approach for helping flight project managers meet today's management challenges

Abstract: The Jet Propulsion Laboratory has recently implemented a number of improvements to help flight project managers cope with today's highly competitive, costcapped environment. This paper discusses the programmatic, technical and cultural challenges that were encountered and overcome during the process. The objective was to increase the mission success, performance and implementation efficiency of projects by providing additional institutional support, training, and, when appropriate, standardization. New guidance was generated for designing, managing, and implementing spacecraft and flight projects. Improvements were made in the planning, cost estimation and oversight processes through the development of a standard life cycle and a set of required gate products. Organizational changes were made adding a new associate director, a project support office and a burden-funded formulation support team. A new project support Website, cost databases and costing tools were created for capturing and presenting historic data, examples and templates. Training was improved by introducing a new, highly rated, week-long project manager course structured around the life cycle and implementation practices. Roles and responsibilities assigned to project and line management were rebalanced to create a better partnership, and oversight processes were better coordinated with project reviews and timelines. The overall effort has been acclaimed by project managers and industry partners, and suggests; a model that could be adapted to other centers.

Storing of project data in an automation system

Abstract: The automation system has a mobile programming computer [12] coupled to a bus together with automation control systems [5,6]. The project engineering data is stored [1-3] in a generic, expandable form. Part of project data is organised in parallel with the run time data [7-9] and is distributed in memory. The memories are cards in the controllers.

CBR based design process metrics modeling for upcoming project optimization

Abstract: The metrics model was proposed to record a design process from five aspects (product metric component, organization metric component, resource metric component, activity metric component and checking metric component) that are indivisible in a design process and relevant to each other in the model. By providing a rather full and detailed record of tracks of design process, the model enable us to recognize and measure a design process thoroughly and thus form a case-base of finished design projects. These cases then give us some guidance to optimize the upcoming project.