Project planning and performance

A common practice in the engineering and construction industry is to allow project control engineers to define project plans and performance without input from the project team. Such a practice divorces the people charged with realizing the project from the constraints that influence the project. This article examines a planning and performance approach for engineering and construction projects that engages the project team in all areas of project development--from inception to completion. It details the five basic components and the four critical elements of developing project plans; it outlines the four primary project activities as well as the four elements of project monitoring, the two functions of project reporting, the three components of project progress, and the four critical activities of project performance.