Project Goal Evaluation Using “SMART”

To evaluate whether the project is managed in a good manner and ensure the success of the project, we should use the effective evaluation concept ---- “S.M.A.R.T.”.  That means we will evaluate this project in terms of project Specific, Measurable, Agree upon, Realistic, and Time-framed.

In our plan, the project is specifically tailored to fit the small project like the sprinkler remodeling project. The target and the goal of the project are specifically defined in the proposal.  The project proposal provides a measurable plan at different stages of the project. According to the plan, each day has its own target and milestone, which are measurable for both project development path and achievement.  Before we start the project,  everyone involved have agree on this plan, they all have a clear picture about what outcome it will be, and what the efforts they should put in this project, including sacrificing the water usage in certain period of time . The plan was sketched based on realistic measurement and estimation. The budget, schedule, work effort, and time line are all calculated with realistic scope.  The plan is scheduled with right time frame including the estimation for new emerging issues.  The time-frame of the project is well defined so as to ensure on-time project with quality results.

With this proposal and plan, we believe that we will be able to complete the project with right design, quality result, relatively low cost and on time deliver.  Though it is a small home project, it indeed represents many of the important characteristics for bigger project in the industry.

Sprinkler System Remodeling Project

Project Description:

This project is targeting to remodeling our backyard sprinkler system.  The current existing one is a relatively old system, which only supports two zones of irrigation. With the need from new plants and landscaping, additional two watering systems are needed to be defined and installed to specified locations.

Project goal:

With given one week (7 days) of time frame, taking minimum cost (less than $100 if possible) to extend the current sprinkler system into a new one, which can control four zones of irrigation system.

Project planning:

This project will go through five phases.  First we need to analysis the existing system and current situation, which will help us to have a better definition for the project.  Second, we will architecture the project with help from precise measurement. Third, make the detail plan for the material, supplies, budget, tools, engineering effort, resources, time schedule, and potential issues.  Fourth, execute the plan with careful control;  Finally, the fifth, we will test the newly installed system, and close out the project.

Team members:  Primarily myself and two kids as assistances.  Also get agreed with all other family members.

Material and Parts:

(a) Outdoor sprinkler timer control system; (b) Automatic anti-siphon valves, (c) Sealing tape, (d) Water hose, (e) ¾” PVC pipes, (f) PVC glue, (g) PVC connectors, (h) Extending outdoor wire cable, (i) L-shape joints, (j) T-type jointer, (k) PVC adaptors, and (l) PVC cap, etc..

Time and schedule arrangement:

Since the project is conducted using spare time, we allocate one to two hours each day to dedicate to this project.

The execution schedule:

Day 1: Conduct the investigation on the current system. Identify key components needed in this project.

Day 2: Take measurement and architect the project. Provide accurate data for what parts and function we need to construct the system. Sketch the detail map for the system and pipe arrangement.

Day 3: Purchase the parts and materials, and consult with the expert in the store for suitable and economical parts and solutions.

Day 4-5 Execute the plan from preparation to installation. Work tasks include digging trenches, arrange pipes, connect and seal the pipe system,  install control valve system, make final system integration and install electronic controlling system.

Day 6 Test and identify remaining issuers.  Revise the plan and find solution for emerging issues. Fix found problem to ensure project finish on time.

Day 7 Submit the project for inspection and review.  Make closure for the project with filling the trenches and recover everything into the original status.

Chapter 2 -- Key Ideas

1. Chapter 2 provides the fundamental principles of the Project management.  To understand these principles, we should give clear definitions for many of the key concepts in the project management, such as,  what is a project, what are the ongoing operations, and what kind of result can be regarded as a success.  The projects are all the work that is done in one time. It has two major characteristics: on one hand,  it must has a beginning and a end, on the other hand, every project has to produce a unique product.  The characteristics for uniqueness and temporary distinguish a project from any normal ongoing operations.
2. Managing a project will face various kinds of challenges.  First, one has to be able to work and motivate people with different type of skill set. Second, he has to provide accurate estimation about the cost and schedule of the project. Third, project manager sometimes has to work with people who are not directly under his/her authority.  Fourth, the project manager has to be able to control project progress, time schedule, and budget situation.  Finally the ultimate challenge for the project manager is to meet the cost, schedule and quality goal of the project without hurting your human resources.
3. How do we evaluate a project management is determined by how we are going to define the success for the project management.  Normally we believe that a good project management should deliver high quality product on time with great scope and performance, and also under the given budget.  However, in real practice, due to various pressures from customer, market schedule, limited budget and manpower, project manager will face great challenge in conducting the project management.  They have to balance the cost, schedule, and quality and to create the optimal cost-schedule-quality equilibrium.
4. A good project management requires high level techniques or the functions. These functions form the responsibilities for the project managers. Project manager should start the project with a clear definition, then make a good planning, and finally execute the plan with good control. Sometimes, new situation may happen that is not expected in the original plan. The project manager needs to constantly check the plan and the progress course of the project, and make the modifications for the plan when it is necessary.
5. Project has its own life cycle which contains four phases:  define, plan, execute and close out. Project manager should distinguish the project life cycle from the product development life cycle.  The product development life cycle should be industry- specific, it describes the work required to create the product. In contract, the project life cycle should be industry- independent, and it will focus on the managing the work.

Chapter 1 -- Key Concepts We Learned

1. The chapter 1 provides us a brief and clear introduction about what is the project management, and why it is an essential skill for today’s leadership, as well as the focus of this book. 
2. Though I practice the project management in my work before, I never regarded the project management as a discipline like the new concept illustrated in the book. With this chapter, we now know that project management represents a set of methods, theories and techniques that have evolved to manage the complexities of work that is unique and temporary.  Project management encompasses the methods for choosing projects, establishing goals, creating action plans, and leading diverse stakeholders to achieve results.
3. The author talked about the project management techniques.  In my view, we would rather call them the key tasks for the project management. They include (i) Communicating with team member and stakeholders for project conception through completion; (ii) Establish the effort, cost, and time it will take to deliver a project; (iii) Rapidly building cohesive project teams; (iv) Coordinating the actions of a diverse workforce, assembled specifically for a project, to achi8eve the goal for the least possible expense and in a reasonable time frame; (v) Accounting for the progress and productivity to provide accurate forecasts for the project; (vi) Managing the varying staffing needs that results from constantly running multiple projects concurrently.
4. To achieve a good project management result and ensure the project be successful, one should pay extra attention on the following area: (a) Get good agreement among the project team, customers, and top management on the goals of the project; (b) Make a right plan to show an overall path and clear responsibilities and that can be used to measure progress during the project; (c) Conduct constant, effective communications among everyone involved in the project; (d) Provide a controlled scope with which to manage the stakeholder expectations. The project manager should ensure that everyone involved understand exactly what can be accomplished with a given time frame and budget.

Introduction

Hello everyone,

This is Song Xue, your classmate at CALMAT.  Project management is a very important topic not only for those who plays a management role in their work but also for everyone who will face a task in their daily life. I have over 15 years in the IC design and management background in the semiconductor chip industry. Worked as a design engineer, project manager, and design director, I conducted and managed many product design projects in my career. Although I practiced the project management in the industry, I didn't have a chance to take any systematic training specially focused on the Project management. Now at CALMAT, I am very happy that I can take this class and work with all of you to enrich our knowledge base on this subject. I hope, with the excellent instruction from Dr. Tao, we all will learn and master the key fundamentals that will benefit us in our future career and daily life.