Unit 2154: Automotive Project Management

1. Introduction to Automotive Project Management

• Overview of project management principles
• Automotive industry context and relevance
• Project lifecycle phases: Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring & Control, Closure
• Key stakeholders in automotive projects (manufacturers, suppliers, customers, regulators)
• Challenges unique to automotive projects (complexity, innovation, regulation, supply chain)

2. Project Initiation in the Automotive Sector

• Project identification and selection criteria
• Conducting feasibility studies: technical, financial, operational
• Developing project charters: purpose, objectives, scope, constraints
• Stakeholder identification and analysis: mapping influence and interest
• Setting project goals aligned with automotive business strategy

3. Scope Management in Automotive Projects

• Defining project scope: deliverables and boundaries
• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) development tailored for automotive projects
• Scope verification and validation with stakeholders
• Managing scope changes and preventing scope creep
• Documentation and scope control mechanisms

4. Time Management and Scheduling in the Automotive Industry

• Project scheduling fundamentals and automotive-specific considerations
• Tools and techniques: Gantt charts, Critical Path Method (CPM), Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
• Resource allocation and leveling for automotive projects
• Managing dependencies and constraints in complex automotive workflows
• Time tracking and progress reporting

5. Cost Management in Automotive Project Planning

• Budgeting processes and cost estimation techniques
• Cost types in automotive projects: fixed, variable, direct, indirect
• Cost control strategies and variance analysis
• Financial risk considerations and contingency planning
• Reporting and documentation of cost performance

6. Quality Control and Assurance in Automotive Projects

• Understanding automotive industry quality standards (e.g., ISO/TS 16949, IATF 16949)
• Quality planning: defining quality objectives and metrics
• Quality assurance vs. quality control processes
• Inspection, testing, and validation techniques
• Continuous improvement and corrective action processes

7. Risk Management in Automotive Project Execution

• Risk identification specific to automotive projects
• Qualitative and quantitative risk analysis methods
• Risk response planning: avoidance, mitigation, transfer, acceptance
• Monitoring and controlling risks during project lifecycle
• Case studies of automotive project risks and mitigation strategies

8. Supplier and Procurement Management in the Automotive Sector

• Supplier selection criteria and evaluation methods
• Contract types and procurement methods in automotive projects
• Supplier relationship management and collaboration
• Managing lead times and logistics for component delivery
• Risk management in the supply chain

9. Communication and Stakeholder Management in Automotive Projects

• Communication planning and channels in automotive projects
• Stakeholder engagement strategies and management
• Conflict resolution and negotiation techniques
• Reporting and documentation to stakeholders
• Use of project management software and collaboration tools

10. Project Monitoring and Control in Automotive Project Execution

• Key performance indicators (KPIs) for automotive projects
• Progress tracking techniques and tools
• Variance analysis: schedule, cost, quality
• Implementing corrective and preventive actions
• Project closure and lessons learned documentation