“It’s not the Same” or “Go see”

One rookie project manager mistake is deciding you don’t need to check something yourself.

• “It’s the same thing we used before.”
• “It’s just like this other thing.”
• “The vendor is checking that.”

I started one project engineer job years ago and took over a project on a plastic compounding line. The folks before me had already ordered a screen changer and melt pump.

“We ordered the same thing this other line has so all you have to do is install it. Don’t worry about it.” Putting on my Bubba Gump Shrimp hat here – “And I said, that’s good! One less thing.”

But I am a worrier. Checked the prints, and hmm. The screen changer and melt pump are exactly 4” too short. “Oh. Right. Yeah, we put this extruder on a 4” housekeeping pad.” OK. Caught it in time, so we had a week or so to take our brand-new pieces of equipment, cut the legs, add 4” and put the casters back on. Good times!

Another one (not mine) was swapping out a gearbox between a 3000 HP motor and a mixer. The guys ordered the same part # as the old gearbox. Went to install it, and the feet didn’t line up. “But it’s the same part number!” The new gearbox had been on site for months. Easy to go check, if you expected it.

Gotta go see. Check the prints. Verify the equipment matches the prints. Walk the installation site. Stare at it until your eyes bleed. Involve other folks before it’s too late.

As a EE in a plant, I used to hate those “Hey. How fast can you move that conduit? We can’t finish installing this XXX because there’s a conduit run in the way.” You mean this conduit? With 480VAC cable going through it? Which are in use because the line is running? Might be a minute.

Go see. Check. Trust, but verify.

You’re going to have surprises and things are going to happen. Just minimize the self-inflicted ones.