Phoenix Process Engineering - Project Management: The Phoenix Approach

Phoenix Process Engineering utilizes a results oriented Project Management program. All projects are assigned to a team, and benefit from senior management participation. The project team approach avoids the lack of focus that occurs when projects are assigned to various disciplines. This multi-disciplinary team approach is the key to meeting the project and client’s objectives and Phoenix Process Engineering’s objectives of quality, schedule and budget.

The Project Team

A project team is structured as follows:

Principal-in-Charge – This person oversees the project, offers expert input, and maintains communication with the client’s senior management. The Principal–in-Charge is responsible for the quality of services provided by Phoenix Process Engineering and answers to the client.
Project Manager - The Project manager is responsible for managing the work of the team. He will serve as the principal contact with the client. Our Project Managers have experience across a wide range of technical disciplines and work closely with the client.
Team Members – Department heads are responsible for the technical and quality aspects of the engineering design. Team members are selected by Department heads, based upon a combination of qualifications, experience, availability and the client’s needs.

Senior management meets with Project Managers on a weekly basis to review workload, staff assignment, deadlines, budgets and resources. Adjustment in the project team can therefore be made in a timely manner to meet the project requirements. Through the use of CPM /PERT, activity times are closely monitored, and changes to the project can be executed in a cost effective manner.

The Project Manager holds team project meetings at least weekly, more often as required, to address technical issues relative to the project, coordinate the work and maintain communication between team members, the client, equipment suppliers, contractors, etc. The success of a project depends on maintaining communication, coordination and cooperation of team members, timely input and dissemination of technical data and efficient development of design.

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Performing the Project

A project kick-off meeting is held with client and Phoenix Process Engineering personnel assigned to the project to establish the project and client’s objectives.

Outline project in writing for review and agreement of the client. This document includes the objectives, scope, deliverables, schedule and budget.

Assign personnel and familiarize them with applicable guidelines, regulations, and existing site facilities.

The Project Manager then prepares, with the assistance of team personnel and Department Managers, the design criteria. This document is submitted to the client for review and agreement.

The Project Manager establishes the lines of communication with the client. The Manager creates a distribution list for all design data, meeting notes, telephone notes, e-mails, correspondence, memos, etc. This information is distributed to the client and all team members, department heads and the Principal-in-Charge.

The Team schedules all phases of design in accordance with client's needs and efficient design and the expected flow of information from equipment suppliers.

The Project Manager monitors the schedule and budget weekly, holding formal in-house design review and coordination meetings on a schedule appropriate for the project, but at least once a week.

Project manpower is adjusted as required to meet deadlines and provide the proper design input as the project progresses.

The Project Manager, with the assistance of an estimator and the design team, prepares periodic cost estimates at critical points during design, such as after concept design, preliminary design, and during final design. Every effort is made to design the system to meet budget constraints from inception and, thereby avoid the addition of costly extras or alternatives or redesign.

The Project Manager is responsible for review of the engineering design and cost estimates with the client’s selected or anticipated contractor(s) and suppliers for constructability, cost and project execution efficiency. Constraints on materials, labor, construction equipment, the site and other factors have a great effect on the cost of the project and the engineering design. In order to meet budgets and schedules, these issues must be resolved early in the project.

The Team checks, corrects, and back checks all drawings, specifications, and design computations. The Department Heads have a critical role in this quality control procedure, and give final approval to work produced by their Team Members.

The Project Manager holds overall project review and coordination meetings with the client at least monthly to ensure compliance with project objectives, scope, deliverables, schedule and budget. The Principal-in-Charge is available to the client whenever necessary.

Phoenix Process Engineering offers to provide construction observation as the client's representative on an as-needed basis or full-time basis during the construction of the project. In some cases this service is not included in the project scope and budget, however, we encourage our clients to have us provide this service to reduce the risk inherent in all projects.

The Project Manager and Principal hold a review of the completed project with client's management to assess our performance, the project and the achievement of objectives. This feedback is important to Phoenix Process Engineering and helps us improve our organization and delivery of services.

Summary

Phoenix Process Engineering utilizes an approach that focuses on the client. The pathways of communication are well defined and ensure rapid response to questions and concerns. The senior management of Phoenix is closely involved in every project to ensure client satisfaction. Attention to costs, schedule the budget serve to uncover possible obstacles early and allow the formulation of solutions.

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