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Project
Planning
&
Scheduling |
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Project Planning and Scheduling is
related to Project Management. I define Project
Management as the process of implementing a project so that
it is completed within the time stipulated and the budget
allocated and of the required standard of quality. |
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The stipulation of budget, completion
time and standard of quality is determined by the engineering
consultant with the aproval of the Owner of the project. The
Project Management Team ensures that the wishes of the Client
shall be respected and therefore endeavour to fulfill those
wishes to the fullest. |
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The Beris Dam |
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View of the dam from
downstream. The Spillway is on the right and the Valve
House on the left. |
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It is regretted to note that due to certain
weaknesses, which can be just one or a combination of
many, most projects are not completed within the
required budget and time. So, how does the Project
Management Team ensure or avoid Cost Overruns and Delay
in Completion? One of the answers is to have
a proper and effective Project Planning and
Scheduling tool. . |
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It is used to plan on what and
when all the works are to be executed and completed,
monitor the progress in terms of time and cost and take
the necessary actions to catch up for any delay so that
the project schedule is back to its original target
of completion on a specified date. |
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Administration Building, Substation
& Control Room
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The above buildings
are constructed as part of the Beris Dam
Project
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When monitoring
the progress of the works, special attention is to be
given to the Critical Path, which is defined
as the time given to complete a critical task, without
any allowance being given for any delay. The Project
Manager must always ensure that the Critical Path is maintained to
ensure that the target date of completion can be
achieved. |
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What tools
do we use to carry out Project Planning and
Scheduling? |
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In the olden days, when computer technology was
not so developed, the program of works was charted on
a large piece of paper and every
time there was a change in the schedule, the draughtsman
had to change it manually. It is so time-consuming
that it was difficult for the Client who stayed far away
to monitor the progress of the project from his
desk. |
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Nowadays,
we have many types of computer programs to choose to plan
and monitor the progress of works, such that the
Client can get the latest information instantly. Thanks to internet facilities,
he can even get the information "online" if he
wishes. |
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The Twin Conduit Pipes and Valve
House |
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The above structures form part of the Outlet Works in
the Beris Dam Project
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The choice of the tool depends on the nature of the project
and how complex it is. When I was with the Dewan Perniagaan
Melayu Malaysia (The Malay Chamber of Commerce), I was
assigned to implement the project to design and construct a
total of fifty (50) schools in the whole of Malaysia within
two (2) years on a design-and-build basis. I used the
Primavera as the Project Planning and Scheduling Tool to plan
the programme of works and monitor the progress of each
school. . |
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When I was at the Beris Dam Project in Kedah, I used the
Microsoft Project 2000 to monitor the progress of
works of the Contractor. |
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The tools not only helped me to monitor the progress
of the works, it also helped me to establish the progress
records, which were useful when it came to evaluating
and assessing the claims submitted by the Contractor for
extension of time. |
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For further enquiries or information, please
write to roslan@roslank.com |
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or fill and send the mail
form |
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