ENCE 667 Project Performance Measurement
Projects
Selected Previous Projects
| Simulation | Optimization & Simulation |
CPM, Optimization and Forecasting |
CPM, Project Crashing, Lead-Lag |
Bayes Theorem, CPM, Central Limit Theorem |
| • Pile Optimization |
• DataWarehousing • Portfolio Analysis in Energy |
• Navy Budgeting • Bottling Plant Upgrade |
• Sidewalk & Bus Stop Design • Water Treatment Plant Upgrade |
• Bridge Testing |
Project Details
Overview
The course project is intended to give students first-hand experience with project management for a chosen project performance measurement topic. There are three phases to this project as in the case of real-world projects. In particular, a proposal for the work to be done needs to be generated. Second, the actual analysis and data collection needs to be performed. And lastly, like real-world projects, there is the reporting and/or presentation stage. This course project of course differs from real-world ones in that it is not necessary to develop and stick to a budget involving costs. The project will analyze one or more project performance measurement aspects of a real or realistic project that will be selected by the student and approved by the instructor. Students are encouraged to talk with Professor Gabriel about possible topics prior to the proposal deadline. Some possible topics might include: CPM/PERT for construction and/or maintenance of an engineering project, forecasting prices and demand for a certain product, optimal resource assignment for a project with critical resources, resolution of a project with competing goals (multi-objective optimization), etc. If desired, two students may work together on this course project with the understanding that both students must contribute significantly on all phases of the project (proposal, mid-project review, presentation, final report). In what follows, a “project team” therefore means either one or two students as appropriate.
Deliverables
- Written Project Proposal (approx. 3-5 pages) due February 23, 2006
- Mid-Term Project Review Meeting in class on March or April, 2006
- Presentation and Final Report (approx. 20 pages) due Week of May 13-19, 2006
(will be exam slot given by registrar, TBD)
Written Proposal
The written proposal is a “contract” in some sense between the project team and the instructor and should be thought out carefully. It will consist of 3-5 pages necessarily including the following sections:
- Overview of the project
- Objective of the project
- Description of the project performance measurement concepts to be used
- Work plan, listing specific work tasks to be performed in support of the project objective, with key dates, for example,
a. Task 1: Collect relevant data, June 10-June 15,
b. Task 2: Perform statistical analyses, June 16-June 30, etc.
Note that each project will potentially have distinct tasks along with specific dates by when the work tasks should be completed. - Estimate the number of hours for each task and when these hours will be spent. This estimate will be compared with the actual number of hours expended when the project team meets for the mid-project review, the final presentation and perhaps at other times during the semester.
- List of possible problems (for example, lack of sufficient data for analysis) and back-up plan in order to perform the project on time.
Distribution of work between the project members if two people make up the project team. This item could instead be included in the work plan if preferred.
Mid-Project Meeting
The project team will meet with Professor Gabriel at least once during the month of April (outside of class time) to report on the progress of the project. In particular, items to be discussed will include how well the work plan is being followed, any problems encountered, any new tasks that need to be included. This meeting is important to the success of the project and is mandatory.
Presentation and Final Report
The project team will prepare both a presentation as well as a final report on their chosen project. The presentation will be in class during the week of May 13-19, 2006 (will be exam slot given by registrar, TBD). The preferred presentation format is to use PowerPoint either using a laptop with a projector hookup or to use overhead transparencies. The project team should make arrangement so that everyone in the audience will have a paper copy of the presentation on which to take notes. The presentation will last approximately 20 to 30 minutes (the exact time will be determined once the number of project teams is known). At a minimum, the presentation should outline the objectives of the project, the conclusions, and some of the analysis involved. In addition, if desired, the presenters can briefly mention possible follow-up work. Note that it is expected that those students not giving the presentation will have the opportunity to participate in the discussion during and following the presentation.
The final report will consist of approximately 10-15 word-processed pages (single spaced) and will contain the detailed analysis of the project. This report, due in class during the week of May 13-19, 2006 (will be exam slot given by registrar, TBD), will consist of the following sections:
- Overview of the project that was considered
- Objective of the project
- Description of the project performance measurement concepts that were used
- Major conclusions reached
- Detailed description of the project including any problems encountered, and
- Description of future extensions of this work (if desirable).
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