Managing projects in engineering and construction - Lab Report Example

 Managing projects in engineering and construction Project Autonomy and Organisation ` Engineers perform triaxial experiments to determine soil properties exhibited in particular soil samples. The universally tested soil abilities include shear properties, hydraulic conductivity and soil effectiveness (Soyoye and Ademosun, 2014 p.2). Considering ethical and safety requirements during experiments is crucial not only for personal safety but also for environmental protection and the safety of others. As a requirement before graduating from the engineering school, I performed a triaxial experiment on a sample of soil. This empirical analysis is aiming at allowing students demonstrate their learning outcomes in planning so far. First, before commencing my project, I developed a time schedule to guide me during the project. The activities listed in my time schedule included organizing for meetings with my supervisors and lecturers for training and orientation before commencing the experiment. Besides, I came up with a separate project plan outlining the specific phases and procedures of the actual experiment. In addition, I made a visit to the school laboratory to book a date on which to perform the triaxial tests. An early reservation ensures that all the necessary pieces of equipment for the experiment are available on the experiment day. A tamping rod, a measuring scale, a measuring cup, de-aired water, a spatula and, pair of scissor is the equipment required in the experiment. Additionally, I acquired a small notebook on which I recorded my meetings with the lecturer and supervisors. I also ensured that the supervisors and laboratory technicians signed the notebook. Signed notebooks serve as evidence for the attended meetings and the booked experiment date. Project planning In an attempt to account for the resources I used during the research, I prepared a budget and a time plan for the activities. Budgets and time plans ensure effective and efficient use of resources. Besides, time plans and budgets act as monitoring and evaluation tools, helping me identify failures and making necessary adjustments to the project In any experimental project, there are potential challenges likely to occur. In my case, I planned for some difficulties liable to affect my experiment. For instance, I was ready to experience limited availability of lecturers and supervisors. Lectures and supervisors are busy people attending to quite a big number of students hence making it difficult to access them every time you want their help. The situation could derail my project resulting to postponement my project to a later date when my supervisors were available. Additionally, inadequacy and unavailability of types of equipment in the school laboratory provide a potential risk. Apparatus used in the experiment are quite expensive and complicated (Soyoye and Ademosun, 2014 p.5). In this situation, procrastination of the project to another date is inevitable. Another potential risk is disparities in the results due to the natural discontinuity existing in the specimens. However, the risk causes an inconsequential discrepancy in the results. The project safety plan adopted for this experiment included ensuring personal safety by putting on protective clothing during the experiment. Besides, safety to others is guaranteed by following the right procedures for the test. This prevents experiments from backfiring posing a threat to others. The primary ethical consideration in the experiment was to ensure proper use of the apparatus and equipment. As earlier mentioned, the apparatus for the experiment are quite expensive. Hence, any damages could cost the school a lot. In addition, the level of accuracy of the experiment may remain affected due to calibration, operator, and output errors. To ensure accuracy, and reliability of results, proper handling of the apparatus was attainable. Stakeholder requirements The main stakeholders in the experiment included the laboratory technician and my academic supervisor. The university supervisor’s requirements were a performance of experiments with minimal errors in the results. Additionally, the supervisor required that the projects should clearly define the elasticity modules in the provided soil samples. Other expected deliverables from the experiment include the shear test, soil pressure, and the type of soil used (Soyoye and Ademosun, 2014 p.4). On the other hand, the laboratory technician expected proper care to the apparatus during the experiment. Fines were applicable on any damages to the laboratory equipment. Most of the stakeholder requirements for this experiment were met. For instance, the accuracy of the results was achievable through the following ways. First, before commencing the experiment, I ensured that all the equipment were cleaned and sterilized to get rid of errors due to contamination of the specimen. Besides, the experiment was performed under the right temperatures to minimize output errors that affect the accuracy of results, hence meeting my supervisor’s requirements. However, I happened to break accidentally the measuring cylinder I was provided with. The laboratory technician helped me get another one so that I could complete my experiment in time. I also agreed to buy a new measuring cylinder to replace the damaged one according to the school laboratory rules Professional conduct To maintain respect and professionalism with my stakeholders, I ensured that I met with them in person. I highly avoided phone conversations with my supervisor because phone conversations do not provide any evidence that I consulted them. Additionally, I ensured that at the end of every meeting, they signed my logbook to serve as prove of consulting them. Besides, when presenting my ideas to the supervisor, I maintained a high degree of confidentiality. I provided evidence to any of my claims of which the supervisor was in disagreement with. Besides, when facing any challenges or in situations of the uncertainty of the procedures, I consulted my supervisor immediately. My relations with the laboratory technician were right. For instance, after breaking the measuring cylinder, I informed her immediately to hold me accountable. Errors likely to occur during the experiment have an insignificant effect on the accuracy of results. However, the quality of results was censured by use of a transducer to measure the confining pressure in the provided sample of soil (Soyoye and Ademosun, 2014 p.6). In addition, to reduce the effects of friction, the axial load of the soil sample was measured directly (Soyoye and Ademosun, 2014 p.6). Finally, I used universally accepted equipment and apparatus free from any pressure influences to limit deformation of the provided specimen. Reference Soyoye, B. O., & Ademosun, O. C. (2014). Investigation into some soil strength parameters using a locally developed soil shearing equipment. Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR Journal, 16(1), 12-20 Read More