Is The Secret of Successful Projects in The Management of Design and Engineering

Major projects face many hazards that can jeopardise success if not managed skilfully. Some of the risks facing project managers are foreseeable, others come as nasty surprises. One of the most critical determinants of project outcome lies in the management of design and engineering, which should clearly be controlled by the project manager. However, this is an area where problems can be expected to afflict every major project.

With contributions from various industry sectors, including highways, space, oil and gas, nuclear submarines and construction, the seminar looked at factors involved in the management of design from the viewpoint of the different stakeholders involved in a project. There were presentations on the ways in which design teams are drawn together, organised and managed, the influence of contractual relationships, and the importance of early and effective investment in design briefs and front-end engineering.