Differentiating “process” from “project” is a vital aspect in attaining any firm’s goals. A process is more of a series of actions that yield the desired result, while a project is a detailed plan that is designed to accomplish a specific goal. Integrated project management tools make it easy for design engineering teams to differentiate the two.
Manufacturing plants often face the challenge of miscommunication between different departments in the project approaches, creating ‘islands of knowledge’ about project management. But how can you ensure that you get a whole-company approach to your design engineering? Think Integrated Project Management.
What Is Integrated Project Management?
The term refers to a collection of processes that ensure various elements of a project are effectively implemented to achieve your firm’s goals. It creates and manages the contribution of the relevant stakeholders and resources allocated to a specific project. IPM works on an organizational scale, implementing project management knowledge and best practices.
Here are five ways that you can benefit from an integrated project management company.
1. Improve Scope Definition
There are two main categories of plastics, thermosetting and thermosetting. To find the right long-fiber reinforced thermoplastics for your 3D modeling, you may need to define the project’s original scope accurately. You can achieve it by drafting a detailed project charter. It helps keep all departments in the loop of the desired solution and the alternative pathways to achieving the result.
2. Keep Your Communication Channels Open
Communication is arguably the most important facet for your project’s success. You may need to inform all stakeholders of the direction picked to actualize your plan. The sophisticated integrated project management software allows the different teams to communicate freely about the project, reducing the risk of ‘data silos’ in the departments.
3. Effective Assessment and Feedback
Integrated project management allows for your firm to set up schedules and deadlines for your project easily. You can effectively inform the long-fiber reinforced plastics supplier of your intended quality and composition. You can achieve the final project deliverables by a quick evaluation of your project plan. You can compare the product performance against a baseline and provide quality feedback to your supplier.
4. Utilize and Customize Project Templates
Circumstances and requirements for thermoplastics may change as you explore new product lines. You can leverage the information attained from the integrated project management software to craft customized project templates for your RandD. You can view the IPM as a playbook that allows you to create unique workflows for the different projects. Using defined checklists, you can standardize the process of coming up with new projects.
5. Reduce Inter-departmental Confusion
Ultimately, integrated project management unifies all the relevant departments. Through an organized, easily accessible web platform, the IMP generates work documents and reports at the click of a button. The relevant teams involved in design engineering can access the information, keeping them in the loop about the project’s progression. You can minimize inter-department confusion and data hoarding.
You may need the cooperation and collaboration of the different departments in your plant to improve your product design and launches. Integrated project management allows you to achieve just that. However, to enjoy all these benefits you need to work with the right partner. To discuss more on the integrative approach for your firm, reach out to Oak Tree, LLC.