Project Engineers – Q4 – Wrap It Up

I’ve been doing a “Plant Manager Walk” post on Fridays. Today is the first of a weekly post for Project Engineers. We’re now suddenly in Q4 – if you’re finishing an installation or upgrade, it’s time to wrap it up!

I spent years installing and upgrading equipment in manufacturing plants. All those “fun” things that pop up, and are going to pop up? I’ve been popped by those!

So, it’s officially Q4. If you’ve fallen into that cycle of Q1 – Proposal/Funding, Q2 – Bids/POs, Q3 – waiting on parts and doing prework, and Q4 – Installation/Startup, you’re in the thick of it!

I know: “Next year we’re not scheduling a Q4 installation!” I believe you. And you won’t hand over the line to Ops on a Friday, too, right?

Oh yes – if you work for a large company, you’ll probably have your “EOY” review this month. Goals in March, Mid-Year review in June, EOY in October – I know. I know.

EOY conversation # 1.
Boss: “So, the project is not closed?”
You: “It’s on track to be closed by mid-December.”
Boss: “But it’s not closed now?”
You – [In your head – It was never intended to be done in freaking October.] Out loud – “Everything is on track.”
Boss – “Hmm. But it’s not closed.”
You – [Do I lose my pension if I’m fired for assault?] – “On track.” – [Don’t argue – we both get muddy and he likes it.]

Good times.

But anyway, here we are. Trying to stay on track so your contractors don’t have to work the Friday after Thanksgiving this year. Updates for the weekly status meeting. Watching the spend, managing change orders, fighting scope creep, answering contractor questions, resolving conflicts, keeping your other obligations going.

I hate to pile on, but remember a few things at this stage:

• Prints – keep an accurate set (ONE) of red-lined prints. You need an updated final as-built set ASAP when the project is done. Maintenance will thank you – well, not out loud.
• Punch list – stay on top of it. Keep ONE master copy. Review it with your Process and Operations folks, programmers, and contractors regularly. It’s not a wish list!
• Spare parts – make sure you have everything on hand that you need for startup. Long term spares documented and on order. Document pricing and part # info so you can add that info to your system.
• BOM and equipment list – Hey! Get those part #s and serial #s from those components BEFORE they’re all installed this time.
• Equipment labels.
• PM/PdM schedules – see what the equipment manufacturers recommend and work the new stuff in to your existing maintenance plans.
• Collect those manuals and prints that come with equipment. You’ll need some of them.
• Do all those gearboxes have oil in them? “Surely the contractors would have…” No! Better to have maintenance check. Do you keep that oil in stock?
• Work Instructions, Manuals, Training material – is somebody else working on these? What info do they need from you?
• Have your HSE folks walked the new equipment? You don’t want to find a list of things that have to be fixed on that Thursday before startup, do you?

It’s going to be OK.
Stay focused and finish strong.
Just don’t work every weekend between now and the end of the year!
There are much better things to do on a Sunday morning. Catch-Up Time! – Bridge Technical Services, LLC

If you need some help, call me! I can help you wrap it up!

If you need help, call me!