Hi all
I wonder if you can help me? I have recently started a new project, which is a bespoke design. There are many prototypes to be designed and manufactured. These prototypes will tested against eachother and further design will be required until they are satisfied they have the right design to build the final product.
I have obtained a task list/drawing output list from the design team for the first prototype. I also have a build schedule from the manufacturers.
I have asked the design team for their work estimate against each task but I have been told they cannot give me this. Their reasoning is that being designers, they will keep refining and refining the design as they want to acheive optimum results. I was told they expected me give them the drop dead need date for each drawing, and they would deliver to these dates.
My argument is this: without knowing work estimates, and resource assignments to each task, how can I demonstrate to my boss (the PM) that the design team have enough resource to deliver the required drawings within the timeframe required?
Surely if I do what has been suggested by the design team then as a project we are accepting that we work on the "we'll get it done" philosophy and this cannot be sustained?
Can someone please give me some advise, as I really do not know what to do? Ultimately my boss has bought me in to create a project plan which shows realistic delivery dates. Whichever way I look at this, there still remains a finite resource with dealines to meet. Without work estimates how can I ensure resource is level loaded, and without doing this then how can a reasonable design duration be estimated effectively?
I look forward to hearing from you, and please, if I have got this wrong then do explain.
Thanks
The design team has already made a "no commitment" statement in regard to schedule. Surely a budget (with designer manhours) has been set for the design phases. Few get into a project like this without having some type of handle on the costs. I'll bet there is a design budget based on manhours.
Hi Jo
It is the design team that are putting their necks on the block.
I would suggest that you create a hammock using 2 milestones:
1. Linked to the start of the design process.
2. Linked to the start of the manufacture set ALAP
The summary over these milestones can be loaded with the design resource for that element.
As soon as they start the design for this manufacture the first milestone will be 100% and they will have the target milestone to aim for.
Do this for every manufacture task and you can create a design resource histogram to show your boss and put the frightners on the design team.
Best regards
Mike Testro