Project management of generator design and manufacture for three data centres in Sweden
Scope
Our client’s project manager became unexpectedly unavailable and RJDP was asked to take over management of a major power generation project, overseeing the design and manufacture of twenty-eight 3 MW diesel generators for three new data centres in Sweden.
We responded to this urgent request by assigning one our experienced project managers within a week. Then, utilising our adaptable project template, aligned our delivery approach with the project's unique requirements and initiated a kick-off meeting, marking a seamless transition and project commencement.
Challenges
Integration efficiency: Ensuring our rapid and seamless integration to minimise disruption and maximise project benefits.
Understanding client needs: Quickly understanding the client’s expectations and project scope to tailor our management approach.
Stakeholder coordination: Coordinating with diverse stakeholders, both in and outside the UK.
Quality assurance: Maintaining high product quality to meet the end-customer’s stringent expectations and specifications.
Risk and issue management: Diligently controlling existing and new project risks and issues.
Our approach
Seamless rapid integration: We assigned one our expert project managers within a week of our client’s request and began to tailor our project management template to suit the unique requirements of this project. This was supported by a kick-off meeting with the client and regular follow-up meetings with key stakeholders over the first few weeks.
Leveraged experience: We leveraged our extensive power generation project experience to rapidly tailor our management approach, ensuring that all necessary project controls were designed and deployed.
Objective decision-making: We maintained objectivity throughout, ensuring solutions-focused, independent decision-making, and shared conclusions and recommendations.
Custom connected databases: Our team created interconnected project-specific databases to capture and track risks, issues, and other key data. These provided rich contextual information to enhance decision-making and our team’s project control capability.
AI enhancements: We harnessed the Artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities of our chosen software package to produce summaries of database entries and translate information into a principal stakeholder’s native language. Both of these features were well received by the wider project team and improved project efficiency.
Data access and security: Access permissions were configured to allow non-RJDP stakeholders access to pertinent data stored in our software, while respecting sensitive information. This enabled all stakeholders to review stored information and provide updates directly with each database, helping streamline collaboration and reduce the project’s dependence on meetings.
Regular progress updates: Project progress was reviewed weekly, led by our project manager. This activity was complemented by meetings between the client’s and RJDP’s senior leadership teams to align critical project objectives and ensure governance.
On-site quality inspections: We regularly attended the client’s factory to inspect generators during manufacturing and despatch stages, engaging directly with the client’s quality, operations, and engineering teams to rapidly address challenges.
Proactive risk and issue management: Our proven risk and issue databases helped our team effectively mitigate escalations and control outcomes. This was achieved through regular database reviews with key stakeholders, capturing detailed notes, and tracking actions.
Efficient meetings: We maintained a high level of meeting attendance and engagement by nurturing a collaborative and action-driven environment, reducing average attendance time to a minimum (often under 30 mins). We used our project databases to support meetings, giving our team the ability to easily filter priority items and capture and share detailed notes with attendees. All attendees were given access to meeting records.
Learning for the future: We led numerous lessons learnt workshops throughout the latter stages of the project to identify and document key project lessons. All of these were linked (at a software level) to their source risk or issue, and were shared with the wider project team to support continuous improvement of future projects.
Benefits
Enhanced project management: Stakeholders praised our collaborative and tightly controlled approach by highlighting the unprecedented access to comprehensive project information, our solutions-first attitude, and interlinked project controls. Our team enhanced stakeholder collaboration and decision-making, drove the efficient use of project resources, and contributed to positive project outcomes.
High-quality deliverables: We ensured the on-time despatch of high-quality products from the production facility, with significantly fewer defects per unit compared to similar projects.
Controlled risks and issues: The effective management of risks and issues ensured project outcomes were achieved without disruption and zero issues escalated to the client’s senior leadership team.
Efficient meeting management: The frequency and duration of traditional project meetings was minimised, allowing teams to focus on productive tasks.
Future project baseline: Our interlinked Risk Issues Lessons (RIL) data will provide a valuable baseline for future projects.
Summary
RJDP's handling of this large-scale power generation project highlighted our clear communication, quality oversight, and agility. Our expertise and tailored controls ensured collaboration with international stakeholders, high-quality deliverables, and proactive risk management. This project not only showcased our capabilities but also enriched our client’s future project planning with valuable insights and lessons learned.
Let diver™ solve your toughest project challenges
At diver™, we partner with you to tackle your most challenging projects, bringing a data-driven, solution-focused approach that empowers your team and drives project success. Start your journey toward a new approach to project execution by contacting us today.