Overview

I want to begin this chapter by saying that there are already more than enough sources of information on project management and execution. There is any number of books on the subject. In addition, many university extension divisions and community colleges offer courses and workshops on project management.

Rather than covering the broad subject of the Project Process, I will confine my comments to a few critical issues that are particularly important Project Management as it relates to Maintenance Excellence. They are:

• Project Definition

• Resource Control

• Accountability Limitations

Project Definition

For scores of years the companies that perform major projects have been known as EPC contractors. This nomenclature tends to reflect the steps of project development and execution they typically perform:

For years these steps were accepted as the way to build plants and other facilities. In more recent years, companies have begun to analyze the results of their capital investment programs more closely, and have found that the results were not what they expected.

• Often significant resources were invested in projects, only to have them wither on the vine for lack of support.

• Occasionally projects were completed only to find they did not meet the perceived intent of all stake holders.

• Projects costs were more than expected because features with little value or ROI were included.

• Significant funds had to be spent to get projects back on track after having strayed.

As a result of these studies, some...