Although SoftwareProjects.org has its focus on software projects, project management can be found in any industry. And every industry has its own details, that makes its PM-process slightly different from other markets.

For for industrial plant maintenance turnaround projects InterPlan Systems created the project management system ATC Professional. We talked with Bernard Ertl from this company about how his product contributes to reaching the 7 goals for implementing project management software.

What is ATC Professional and how does it help reaching "the 7 goals"?

ATC Professional is a project management system designed specifically for industrial plant maintenance turnaround projects. It is a proactive, work order based system incorporating procedures that involve the entire turnaround management team to promote ownership and visibility of the plan, and objectivity and communication in the reporting cycle. It encourages cooperation and allows all team members to contribute and succeed.

1. Improve project reporting and tracking

ATC Professional has over 50 specific reports targeting all members of the turnaround organization (including the Warehouse, Safety, Operations, Field Supervision, Planning and Management) and all phases of the project (including scope development / cost estimating phase, pre-turnaround, turnaround and post-turnaround analysis).

ATC Professional encourages large, detailed schedules to improve accuracy in scheduling and progress reporting. ATC Professional's Lap Book progress reporting system ensures complete progress updates are completed before the start of the next shift - allowing field supervision updated shift schedules to keep focused on changing priorities and management to make critical decisions based upon fresh information.

2. Improve estimating and scheduling

ATC Professional's work order based structure allows easy storage of plans for re-use on future projects. Plans can be detailed with numerous built-in codes for segregating costs (including lump sum contracts/time and material, pre-turnaround, turnaround and post-turnaround, and overhead/direct).

ATC Professional's scheduling engine and bar chart reporting allow for complete transparency of the critical path. Schedules are shown with both working and non-working time on a 24 hour basis so the calendar basis and true float of every task can be read directly from the display/reports.

3. Reduce cost or speed process up by automating workflows

ATC Professional allows managers an effective means to manage/control their turnarounds for the best possible outcome. ATC Professional's Critical Mass and other analysis reports flag potential problems early enough for corrective action to be taken before time and money gets wasted. ATC Professional can also reduce the time required for turnover meetings between shifts.

4. Improve resource assignments

Because the scope for turnaround projects is only partially known at inception (until vessels are opened and inspections performed) and because of the dynamic and unpredictable nature of turnarounds, ATC Professional uses a flexible scheduling procedure for generating workable schedules where field supervision have discretion within their responsibilities. ATC Professional levels resources when reporting resource requirements. It does not level the schedule in an attempt to produce a static plan for the complete project. This flexibility allows field supervision to have confidence in the schedule and buy in to the system leading to greater cooperation and success.

5/6. Improve project communication / team collaboration

ATC Professional disseminates targeted schedule and progress information to all departments within the turnaround team every shift. The project schedule and status is visible and known throughout the organization.

7. Improve overall project success

ATC Professional allows managers to maintain visibility and control of dynamic, high performance turnaround projects.

ATC Professional Shutdown / Turnaround Management System