The Essential Aspects of Project Management - Assignment Example

Project Management Project Management The war that had engulfed Iraq for the last few years resulted in the partial or total destruction of schools, other institutions and amenities. Reconstruction during that time was impossible as a result of insecurity and fear of attacks. After the war had subsided, the government initiated a series of reconstruction and construction work to build new schools and other amenities and repair old ones (SIGIR 2009, p. 19). We won one such tender for the construction of a new school in the Dahuk region. The project’s objective is the construction of a ten-classroom school in the Dahuk area of Iraq. The project has an overall performance period of three hundred days, but the agreement allows for an extension of up to thirty days. The project’s guidelines and objectives are in the contract signed between ourselves, the Iraqi government and the relevant funds donor for this project. The contract outlines the hierarchical system of reporting project progress from the relevant Iraqi Ministry to the donor group. The project contract also allows for continuous monitoring of project progress by the other partners, whenever there is a need. The Chief Engineer of the Dahuk region provided the architectural designs of the project. The scope of work for the project’s classrooms construction begins with clearing and marking the site. The school is to be constructed on an unoccupied lot, donated by the Dahuk Governorate. The area was previously used for agricultural purposes thus will require digging up and removal of plants, excavation of buried non-organic materials, which may have an adverse effect on the building. In addition, there is a need to remove the upper unsuitable soil primarily made of sandy and loamy soils, before lastly; trenching is done to mark the school boundaries. The removal of unsuitable soil followed the compilation of soil tests results, which showed that appropriate soil was at a depth of two meters. Digging was done to the stated point. Moreover, findings from the Global Resources Network (GRN) show that the area’s underground water rose to high heights; it is paramount to construct a filter layer to redirect water flow from the project area. Upon completion of site preparation, construction of classrooms, a supplementary building and a generator housing room begins. Firstly; classroom construction takes center stage as it is the most critical part of the project. Ground slabs, reinforced by steel, are used in floor construction where trenches are dug around the proposed classroom perimeter before cages are laid in for reinforcement. Concrete, which is premixed, is poured into the trenches up to the ground level. Vertical steel bars are used for reinforcement; these bars protrude above the floor slabs. Termite and moisture, protective systems are laid before additional concrete is poured onto the floor. The poured concrete forms one large floor slab, which is strong and resistant to regular wear and tear (Levy 2002, p. 85). Wall construction entails the use of solid masonry techniques whereby construction of walls utilizes concrete blocks and natural stones. Using these materials ensures temperatures inside the classrooms are optimal, considering that the area is a semi-desert and experiences extremely high temperatures. Wall construction is done keeping in mind allowances for fitting of doors, windows and wall ventilators. Being a two storey building, the walls and floors are reinforced using steel bars to prevent caving in due to weight and pressure being exerted on them. Once the ground floor is fully constructed, and the concrete and finishing have been given sufficient time to dry, construction of the first floor ensues. This construction is done similar to that of the ground floor. Construction of the roof takes place as soon as confirmation that verifies that the flooring and walls are capable of holding the extra weight is in place. Choosing and appropriate roof construction style and material are crucial as largely impacts the quality and appearance of the building. In the project, aluminum is used in constructing the roof; aluminum is the best material for this project as it is both durable and cost effective. A slightly inclined roof is the appropriate choice in this case as it allows for easy drainage of rainwater. Upon completion of construction tasks, electricians begin their tasks of electrical circuitry and fitting, other electrical fixtures. Electrical circuitry is done before painting to ensure minimal interference with the paintjob. The project contract allows for ceiling fans as the only allowed electrical fixture. As soon as electrical work is complete, windows are set in their respective frames and painting, both inside and outside, ensues (Levy 2002, p. 96). Construction of an auxiliary building adjacent to the classrooms should commence as soon as the latter construction is done. This reduces on manpower costs, and considering that the project is on schedule, there is no need to hire additional construction workers. However, construction of the auxiliary building and generator housing unit will run concurrently. The auxiliary building will house student and teachers’ lavatories as well as hand washing stations outside the building. Floor, wall and roof construction of the auxiliary building utilizes the same materials and techniques as the main building. The only difference in construction is, however, laying of toilets, sinks and plumbing implements in the flooring slabs before more concrete is poured on top. Plumbing pipes and pumps are set up leading to the rooftop where tanks will eventually be placed. The generator building is a single-roomed building, which is constructed a few meters from the main classroom building to prevent generator noise from reaching the classrooms. Once both buildings are done, we embark on the construction of a play yard and garden area. The play yard and garden area need filling as the top level is too low, it is essential that more top soil is laid on the area before construction of football, basketball and cricket pitches are done. The garden will require lying of rich, loamy soil before the area is fenced off. Furthermore, the project entails the construction of a perimeter wall around the school and fitting of two school gates; one at the front entrance and the other at the back entrance point. According to contract, a two and a half meter long perimeter wall made of concrete blocks with cement finishing should be done. The perimeter wall provides an allowance of up to five meters adjacent to the play yard. This will serve as an entry point for easy delivery of materials to the play yard. Lastly, the project contract calls for the setting up of a septic tank system for the auxiliary building. This entails the connection of underground sanitary sewer lines to the manholes to enable flow of sewage (Salvadori 2000, p. 134). In the course of the project, several constrains limit effectiveness. For instance, the time issue is a significant constraint on the project. This is because the set period of up to three hundred days does not factor in the rainy season, which caused serious setbacks in the completion time. As earlier noted, the area is a semi-desert; mostly dry, but its rainy season is characterized by extremely heavy downpour and strong winds. This affects the project’s success as precipitation deters concrete from becoming consolidated thereby posing a serious setback. The project performance term is also minimal considering that the region’s infrastructure is in a deplorable state so impedes on the transportation of both materials and manpower to the site. We note that, on some occasions, workers from nearby towns are unable to arrive at the site on time after torrential rains leave the dirt roads impassable. In addition, another project constraint is the cost factor. We note that the project is set on a fixed term contract, which stipulates the total project costs shall not exceed $300,000. However, the project manager experience difficulty in managing this amount amidst unexpected rises in costs of materials and labor. Construction material prices are on a constant rise all over the world as the cost of raw materials and fuel escalates. This makes it difficult to determine the actual cost of materials and labor involved in the construction process. In addition, finding qualified construction workers in the area is a grueling task because the war drove off most of manpower in the area. In addition, most of the available workforce in the Dahuk area is unskilled as they have never undergone any construction training. We have; however, managed to train a few able bodied persons to undertake various tasks in the project. Moreover, the area is surrounded by several slum areas, which house many residential properties; safety is, therefore, a key concern. We need constant surveillance to guarantee the security of manpower and materials from armed bandits (SIGIR 2009, p. 31) The chief strategy employed in this classroom construction project is to adhere to the satisfactorily designed projects module constructed by the Dahuk Chief Engineer prior to initiation of construction. The project plan clearly outlines the construction module together with providing detailed depictions of the proposed building when completed. We, however, note that the project faces significant regulatory issue in waste management. The Dahuk area lacks an adequately established sewage collection system as most of the earlier systems were destroyed in the war. In some areas, sewage sips onto the surface and runs off along the earth. The project has made provisions for the collection of wastewater in a septic tank, as outlined earlier. This septic tank connects to the lavatories and hand washing bays through a series of sewage pipes, which channel wastewater into the septic tank. Once the septic tank fills up, it drains by the aid of pumps which pass through a vent placed at the top part of the tank. The project programme should be adhered to ensure timely and effective completion of the project’s scope of work. The proper sequent to be followed begins with site clearing and marking, followed by construction of main and ancillary buildings before the construction of the play yard and atrium. Installation of interior fittings such as lighting and ceiling fans is then followed by the construction of a generator building. Lastly, installation of pumping systems and septic tanks is done before the construction of the school’s perimeter wall, and gates (Salvadori 2000, p. 94) As earlier noted, the area is devoid of purchase points for high quality materials. Prior to the war, Iraq was a leading manufacturer and distributor of cement and other construction materials, but the war resulted in the destruction of these manufacturing plants. The project’s purchasing programme, therefore, entails the importation of construction materials from neighboring nations such as the UAE. The project’s head of procurement is in charge of locating and importing high quality materials. She ensures importation of standard materials, which are allowed by the Iraqi General Technical Specifications guidelines. The head of procurement works hand in hand with the project’s Resident Engineer to ascertain the amount of materials required before importation. The project encompasses a number of highly specialized persons; these include a Project and Contracting Officer,in charge of ensuring that the project abides by the stipulations of the contract terms and conditions. Furthermore, the Resident Engineer is in charge of technical aspects of the projects’ constructions and ensuring they are to the highest standard levels. The Project Quality Assurance Manager ensures that the materials and manpower utilization is at par with the Iraqi standards as well as the donor’s stipulations in the contract. Lastly we have the delivery team, which is in charge of the actual hands-on construction of the project’s proposals and implementation of the specialists’ instructions. The anticipated success outcomes include achievement of a construction that abide by the Iraqi General Technical Specifications as well as obtain the universal UN design for primary schools. Moreover, the key success factor is for the school to accommodate up to five hundred students and forty teachers comfortably (Berkun 2008, p.235). Bibliography Berkun, S. 2008. Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management (Theory in Practice). New York: OReilly Media. Salvadori, M. 2000. The Art of Construction: Projects and Principles for Beginning Engineers & Architects. 3rd ed. Chicago: Chicago Review Press. Levy, S. D. 2002. Project Management in Construction. 4th ed. London: McGraw-Hill Professional.  Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR). 2009. Hard Lessons: The Iraq Reconstruction Experience. Iraq: US Independent Agencies and Commissions. Read More