Every company in the mechanical engineering and automotive industry has its own specific product development process – but complex project management is common to all of them. Companies often have to manage globally distributed teams of development specialists. Quality Gates and Stage Gates help them ensure that the required quality levels and goals are achieved during the development phases.
In addition to project management, quality management is a critical issue in product development. Concepts such as Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) or Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) in the automotive sector help manufacturers ensure product quality.
These concepts tend to generate a large number of quality documents that need to be managed with efficient document management systems. These include lists of open points (LOP lists), which help project managers focus on quick decisions.
TPG The Project Group has worked with these concepts for over 20 years and has plenty of references in the mechanical engineering and automotive industries. Based on this experience, we have put together the following list of possibilities that should be included in an appropriate project and portfolio management (PPM) solution.
Expand the following text modules and read about the proven components of solutions for project management in the engineering sector based on the technologies of Microsoft or Planisware.
Microsoft Project Server / Project Online is an easy-to-use and very powerful tool for enterprise project and portfolio management (PPM). Key stakeholders, project managers and team members all use its common work and information platform.
More information on Microsoft Project Server or Project Online.
Microsoft Project Server can be extended with “Softlinks” to facilitate the convenient and transparent management of multiple sub-projects. This provides project managers, for example, with insights into the schedule of important tasks from other projects. The links enable important information to be exchanged in a secure manner and mirrored into Microsoft Project plans. If required, these links can also be implemented across several companies.
More information on TPG ProjectLink or TPG MultiProject(QS).
In matrix organizations, the resource coordination between project managers and department heads is a constant challenge. This enhancement of Microsoft Project Server / Project Online graphically supports the communication process between resource requests from projects and the team leaders of departments. This allows team leaders to identify spare capacity and to assign their staff to projects for the time required. Everyone works in the IT environment they are used to.
More information on TPG TeamManager.
Project managers work best with a project management tool that meets their needs (e.g. MS Project Server / Online), while controllers often prefer to work with their familiar ERP system (e.g. SAP). The integration of both systems streamlines processes and makes their work a lot easier. The solution provides excellent support for total cost forecasts and the controlling process, delivering many benefits for everyone involved.
More information on the TPG PSLink® middleware.
Microsoft Project Server / Project Online provides important reports on individual projects or project portfolios at your fingertips. A role-based concept and access rights ensure that project members and managers only see the reports that are intended for them.
The automated reporting system is tailored to your requirements and brings a wealth of benefits to your entire organization.
More information on the TPG ReportPack.
