Study on a Smart Hybrid Car Development Project

Course - BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Engineering

Introduction

Project management refers to the handling and leading team members keeping all the resource utilization and implementation-related constraints under threshold limit so that determined deliverables-related objectives might be met without any deviation in the perspective of pre-determined performance metrics (Siegel, 2019). The study is an extension of assessment 1 which is about a simulated case study in which an engineering product manufacturing and retailing company, Tourat Industries, is proposed to develop a smart hybrid car so that an edge over rivals might be achieved in the respective industry. A smart hybrid car is designed in engineered in such a style that it might be driven using both solar energy and conventional fuel (secondary source of energy) as per the situation along with having automated machine learning and AI (Artificial Intelligence) powered mechanical features like the autopilot(Chakir, et al., 2022). With the support of the project report, initially, the main stages of the smart hybrid car project are analyzed along with discussing the result of every stage from a practical point of view so that appropriate inferences might be used to augment the efficiency of the project. Further, the efficiency of each phase of the proposed smart hybrid car development project is analyzed in the context of performance metrics expected by Tourat Industries, targeted customers, and respective engineering industries so that defined sustainability-related objectives might be met appropriately.

Table of Contents

• Project Report
• Introduction
• Identification of and Discussion of Each Stage of the Proposed Project
• Analysis of the Outcome of Each Phase in Practical Perspective
• Summary
• Detailed Report
• Discussion of Project Activities
• Progress
• Milestones
• Delays and Project Changes
• Analysis of the Process of Monitoring and Managing the Project Activities and Scope of Alternative Strategy
• Reflection Report
• Discussion on Performance and Behaviours Exercised Across the Project
• Critical Look at the Outcomes of the Proposed Project
• Reflection on the Efficiency of the Project
• Recommendation for Potential Future Improvement
• References

Managing a Professional Engineering Project

Conducting a Project with a Report and Presentation - A Study on a Smart Hybrid Car Development Project

Question: Conduct planned project activities to generate outcomes which provide a solution to the identified engineering problem.

Project Report

Identification of and Discussion of Each Stage of the Proposed Project

As per the principle of project management, the strategic identification and discussion of each activity involved in a project help the project authority to understand the strength and weaknesses of adopted techniques and resources and this eventually helps in taking corrective action to improve overall efficiency(San Cristóbal, et al., 2018). The main stages through which the proposed smart hybrid car development project is supposed to progress are identified with the analysis of the respective Gantt chart as it has assisted in identifying significant stages by knowing respective criticality in terms of time and dependency. Gantt chart is an analytical project management tool that helps in assessing activities involved in the completion of a project in graphical and dependency format(Dostatni & Trojanowska, 2017). With the analysis of the Gantt chart (developed in assessment 1), the main stages of the smart hybrid car development project are illustrated as follows along with the following significant sub-stages and results-

Main Stage 1: Need Identification
Need identification refers to the understanding and analysis of the expectation of the client about the product or service which is supposed to be developed so that appropriate resources and techniques might be used to develop necessary functionalities effectively(Moraes, et al., 2020). Need identification is the first main stage of the smart hybrid car development project as it has helped the team of engineers of Tourat Industries to understand the kind of technical, mechanical, and electrical functionality-related needs associated with the advanced car. The primary significant stage of the smart hybrid car project is expected to start from 5th march 2023 and it will last in 6 days by the end of 10th March 2023. The primary stage of the smart hybrid car development project is accomplished with the support of the three different sub-activities and these are highlighted as follows along with respective results-

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Listing of technical and mechanical functionalities
This is the primary activity that is performed under the need identification related main phase of the smart hybrid car development project and its duration of accomplishment of 6 days which is scheduled to start from 5th March 2023 and last on 7th March 2023. During this sub-phase, a meeting is conducted with the marketing and management team of Tourat Industries and focussed on finalizing the technical and mechanical functionalities which should be developed with the smart hybrid car so that any customer dissatisfaction-related situation might not be faced. The primary sub-activity is found helpful for increasing the efficiency of the smart hybrid car project as it helps in understanding the real needs and expectations of targeted potential customers and this has eventually assisted in taking the right resource procurement and engineering-related decisions (Cruz Villazón, et al., 2020). During the primary sub-activity, the result which is achieved on discussion with internal and external stakeholders of Tourat Industries regarding the smart hybrid car project is mentioned as follows-

Cost Estimation of All Resources

This is the second significant activity of the need for an identification-related primary stage in which the cost for entire resources including labor, inventory, and machines needed for the production of the smart hybrid car is estimated based on available market trends. The duration of the resource cost estimation-related sub-phase is 1 day and this is expected to begin on 7th march 2023 and last on 8th march 2023. The cost estimation-related activity is found essential for the primary main stage because it has helped in predicting the amount of working capital needed for the accomplishment of the smart hybrid car development project and this has eventually assisted in taking the right procurement method(Koopmans & Mouter, 2020). During this phase, it is found that the total working capital which is needed for the production of the smart hybrid car is around GBP 9, 378 out of which 30 % belongs to inventory cost, 10 % is R&D (Research Development) cost, and 14 % labor charges. Apart from it, 18 % of the total estimated working capital belongs to administrative costs, 2 % to utility charges, 3 % to transportation charges, 10 % to overhead, and the rest 13 % to other costs including depreciation and maintenance, etc.

Estimation of Additional Functional and Capital Needs

This is the third sub-stage of the need identification stage and this is expected to start on 9th march 2023 and will go on for the next 1 day. During this activity, the additional capital which is associated with the accomplishment of the smart hybrid car development project is estimated with the support of the financial manager and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Tourat Industries. During the sub-stage, the management of Tourat Industries has asked to make a provision for an emergency fund of 10 % of the total estimated working capital so that the project can be accomplished without facing any fund shortage-related issues. Apart from it, the engineering team of Tourat Industries has identified the need for different situation-based crash test-related activities at the quality test of the smart hybrid car so that the project might meet the expectation of customers belonging to different geographical regions appropriately.

Main Stage 2: Project Planning
Project planning is the second significant main stage of the smart hybrid car development project as during this, the strategy which is followed for developing and accomplishing the determined prestigious engineering project is developed following all the mechanical and technical constraints defined in the need identification phase(Pellerin & Perrier, 2019). The project planning phase is dependent on the accomplishment of the primary main phase, need identification, and this is scheduled to start on 11th March 2023 while it will last on 23rd March 2023. The major sub-activities which are performed during the project planning phase are depicted as follows in graphical format-

In the project planning phase, the primary activity which is performed in the first four days of the phase is related to the finalization of the place at which the proposed smart hybrid car will be designed, prototyped, produced, assembled, and stored. During this sub-phase of the project planning main phase, it is decided to produce the defined engineering project in the main workshop of Tourat Industriesso that necessary equipment, utility, and warehousing-related needs might be met without any additional capital investment. Further, in the project planning phase, the activity of finding a cost-efficient source of funding is performed on 14th March 2023 which went on for the next 3 days so that cost of capital might be minimized for accomplishing the project within the estimated budget. During the fund procurement sub-activity of the project planning main phase, it is decided to source the estimated working capital with the help of the venture funding method so that the risk of paying back capital in case of delay in revenue generation might be curbed(Lerner & Nanda, 2020). Apart from it, for ensuring a higher degree of accuracy in accomplishing the smart hybrid car designing and development-related work, the necessary kind of equipment is sourced with the authorized manufacturers so that any quality issue might not be faced along with the benefit of free-of-cost maintenance.

Besides this, in order to curb the possibility of deviation in expertise in terms of accomplishing the defined kind of work associated with the smart hybrid car development project, the job role of each staff is allocated based on respective expertise and necessary functionality-related need. For example, AI engineers are allocated to develop smart features like autopilot and sensor-based activity while electrical engineers are allocated to develop, design, and test photovoltaic features of the proposed smart hybrid car. Apart from it, mechanical engineers are allocated to develop mechanical functions like fuel-efficient engine development, stamping, and assembling so that determined overall functionalities of the smart hybrid car might be developed without facing any expertise-related issues.

Main Stage 3: Prototype Development and Testing

Prototype development and testing is the third significant main stage of the smart hybrid car development project as during this, its prototype is supposed to be developed and tested so that it might be ensured whether the considered design will work appropriately or not in the real-world(Deininger, et al., 2017). The third main stage of the smart hybrid car project is dependent on the accomplishment of the project planning phase and this is scheduled to execute on 24th March 2023 while it will last the next 19 days.

The main phase of the engineering project is accomplished in two different sub-phases and these are mentioned as follows-
• Framework development of Smart Hybrid Car with specific functionality
• Testing of Smart Hybrid Car with Determined Metric Involving Client

In the framework development stage, a required prototype of the proposed smart hybrid car is developed by developing some specific technical and mechanical features like autopilot and sole energy-based fuel consumption. With the support of the prototype development activity of the main phase, it has been easy to understand whether the defined mechanical and engineering design of the smart hybrid car is efficient or not in executing the determined technical functionalities and this is performed by executing test on it(Camburn, et al., 2017).

For ensuring the accuracy of the mechanical and technical features available within the smart hybrid car, the management of Tourat Industries is involved to run the car in the real world and this has eventually assisted in testing its developed automation and mechanical automotive features. During the testing features, it is found that the prototype of the proposed smart hybrid car is functioning appropriately in terms of features like autopilot, sensor-based security automation, the conversion ratio of sun rays in electricity, and usage of petrol as a secondary source of energy, etc.

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Main Stage 4: Product Development and Testing

This is the most critical main stage of the smart hybrid car development project as the production, assembling, and testing-related activities are carried out at this phase only and this is scheduled to start on 12th April 2023 while it will last on 14th July 2023. For accomplishing the product development and testing phase of the automotive projects, initially, smart features like autopilot, sensor-based car stoppage and automatic adjustment of lighting and other mechanical traits are developed with the strategic usage of machine learning and AI (Artificial Intelligence)(Tayeb, et al., 2017). Further, mechanical functionality development-related activity is performed during the main stage in which all necessary mechanical features like installation of solar panel, electrical wiring, stamping, and assembling of all parts are performed using necessary equipment and this is accomplished in 36 days. Apart from it, during the main phase of the work, developed automation-related smart features are incorporated within the assembled car and the necessary test is performed by including the team of Tourat Industries and the respective outcome is used to improve its both smart and mechanical functionality.

Main Stage 5: Deployment and Out for Delivery

This is the final stage of the smart hybrid car accomplishment project and this is expected to be accomplished in the last 11 days by initiating on 15th July 2023 and lasting on 25th July 2023. During this phase of the automotive project of Tourat Industries, the technical and non-technical feature of the smart hybrid car is tested using appropriate crash test and real-time deployment test and the car is found efficient during all the accuracy measurement activity. On 24th July 2023, the documentation and delivery-related process of the project is initiated so that the team of Tourat Industries might sell it to the targeted customers to meet the need of targeted customers to have an edge over rivals in terms of producing innovative engineering products.
Produce a project report analysing the outcomes of each of the project processes and stages.

Analysis of the Outcome of Each Phase in Practical Perspective

For having an in-depth understanding of the efficiency of the proposed smart hybrid car project in terms of increasing the competence of evaluation techniques in delivering innovative engineering products, a goal-based evaluation technique is followed. In the goal-based evaluation technique, the mechanical and technical traits of each part of the smart hybrid car are tested in a critical environment and this is eventually used to ensure whether it has been efficient in meeting the respective constraints or objectives or not(Habibi, et al., 2018). On the evaluation of the outcome of the "Need Identification" main phase of the smart hybrid car project, it is found that it has helped in identifying what the customers and team of Tourat Industries are expected from the product. During this phase of the project, it has been easy to list not only the features which are supposed to be developed within the smart hybrid car and it has been feasible to estimate the working capital which will be needed for procuring, developing, and deploying the traits. It means that the "Need Identification" related phase of the smart hybrid car project is found efficient in terms of knowing and estimating the overall features of the advanced car appropriately. Apart from it, the project planning phase of the smart hybrid car project is found efficient from the perspective of goal-based evaluation as the fund and resources which are procured during the phase are found competitive enough in terms of executing the designing and production activity(Kerzner, 2017).

On the other hand, the prototype which is developed during the "Prototype Development and Testing" phase is efficient enough as it contains all the smart and mechanical features which are expected to be within the expected modern car and this has helped in testing its accuracy. Further, the "Product development and testing" testing phase of the smart hybrid car project is found efficient because the technical and mechanical features related to the car are found more than 98 % accurate in meeting the respective constraints and this has eventually made it successful. Above all, the last phase of the smart hybrid car project is found efficient because the technical and mechanical traits of the car are found efficient in the real-life scenario as well as during the crash test and this has made the project competitive enough.

Summary
It is summarized that the Smart Hybrid Car development project has been efficient enough in meeting the determined technical and mechanical features from the perspective of both Tourat Industries and its customers and this has been possible due to strategic planning and testing.

Detailed Report
Discussion of Project Activities
The activities which are progressed and met during the accomplishment of the proposed smart hybrid car project are illustrated as follows along with highlighting respective milestones, changes-

Progress
The smart hybrid car development project is accomplished in five different main phases and all are interdependent. The need identification-related phase is accomplished in 6 days by starting on 5th March 2023 and during the progress, the estimation of the capital needed for procuring and deploying resources like labor and automotive parts is done. Further, the smart hybrid car development project is found in line with the budgeted metric in terms of timeframe and quality during respective progress and this is found for all the phases whether that is project planning or prototype, or product development(Maassen, 2018).

Milestones
Milestone refers to the significant point which indicates the sub-achievement level of a project and this plays a significant part in knowing its overall progress(Yemini, et al., 2018). The milestone of the smart hybrid car project is depicted as follows in diagram format-

The Smart Hybrid Car development project contains five different milestones and these are listed as follows along with respective accomplishment dates-
• Need identification (10th March 2023)
• Project planning (23rd March 2023)
• Prototype Development and Testing (11th April 2023)
• Product Development and Testing (14th July 2023)
• Deployment and Out for Delivery (25th July 2023)

Delays and Project Changes

Since all the elemental activities like project planning and cost estimation of the smart hybrid car project are accomplished following the real-time monitoring process due to which no substantial delays are noticed during the project. A marginal delay is noticed in terms of procurement of inventory and other automotive resources but these variations have been subsidized by making an appropriate change in the working hours of laborers and engineers to meet the stipulated deadline of the project accurately.

Analysis of the Process of Monitoring and Managing the Project Activities and Scope of Alternative Strategy

For monitoring and managing the progress of entire sub-activities and main phases of the smart hybrid car project, a real-time monitoring process is followed in which the ongoing progress of each activity is evaluated against the budgeted one to ensure whether it will meet a deadline or not(Yemini, et al., 2018).Further, an appropriate corrective strategy for deploying any change management-related policy like a hike in working hours for subsidizing the impact of idle hours generated due to delays in the supply chain is deployed by involving engineers and the head of Tourat Industries. Apart from it, for monitoring and managing the overall progress and quality of the smart hybrid car project, the usage of an integrated MIS (Management Information System) system can help in augmenting the efficiency of monitoring activity. Using the combination of IoT (Internet Other Things) and integrated MIS, it will be easy to have real-time communication and monitoring of each department of the smart hybrid car project and this will eventually assist in taking corrective action to take corrective action to meet the objective.

Reflection Report

The experience which I have gained during the accomplishment of the Smart Hybrid Car project is analyzed following the principle of Gibbs' reflective learning model as it has helped in not only knowing the competencies which I developed but it also assisted in finding the scope of future improvement(Markkanen, et al., 2020).

Discussion on Performance and Behaviours Exercised Across the Project

At the beginning of the project, I was a little bit anxious about whether I will be successful in meeting the objective of the smart hybrid car project appropriately or not without having any deviation either in terms of technical functionalities or deadline. With the support of team members and the guidance of the assessor, I became efficient in utilizing the concept of the Gantt chart and other project management methodologies and this eventually helped me to monitor the progress of each phase of the project appropriately(Dostatni & Trojanowska, 2017). During the project, I became efficient in developing the knowledge of sustainable project development by modifying the working pattern as per the current and future needs of users and the company, Tourat Industries, and this eventually helped in augmenting the quality level of the project.

Critical Look at the Outcomes of the Proposed Project

On the analysis of the outcome of each phase of the smart hybrid car project, the cost of each resource which is estimated at the beginning of the project is found efficient in terms of procuring necessary inventory on time. On the other hand, the financial cost estimation related outcome of the primary phase of the smart hybrid car project is not found efficient in terms of knowing the cost of capital of the project and this has eventually adversely affected the cost of the overall project. The prototype which is developed during the framework development phase of the smart hybrid car project is found efficient in knowing whether the designed concept of a smart hybrid car is competitive or not for exploiting the respective needs of targeted customers(Deininger, et al., 2017). On the other hand, the end users of the smart hybrid car are not involved during the testing phase of the project due to which the possibility of marginal deviation in terms of meeting their driving experience-related needs might be faced.

Reflection on the Efficiency of the Engineering Project

On the analysis of the progress and overall outcome of the smart hybrid car project, it has been found efficient in terms of getting the overall technical and mechanical trait developed accurately without any variation and this has been possible due to efficiency in real-time monitoring. Apart from it, the monitoring and project management technique, agile, is found efficient in having a close eye on the overall performance and progress of the smart hybrid car project and this has eventually assisted in accomplishing it within the stipulated deadline without any quality deviation.

Recommendation for Potential Future Improvement

It is recommended to involve a real-time experimental activity within the engineering project so that it might be tested whether the proposed concept or product is feasible or not in the execution phase so that the acceptance of the project can be increased efficiently. Apart from it, it is suggested to evaluate the profitability of the smart hybrid car project from the perspective of investors using techniques like NPV (Net Present Value) and payback period so that its viability in the point of financial metric can be projected to make a respective informed decision.

FAQ: Conducting Planned Project Activities for Engineering Problem Solving

1. Q: What does it mean to conduct planned project activities to solve an engineering problem?
2. Q: What are the steps involved in this process?
3. Q: What are some important considerations during this phase?
4. Q: Are there any tools or resources that can help?
5. Q: What if the initial solution doesn't work?
6. Q: What is a project report analyzing outcomes?
7. Q: What are the benefits of creating this report?
8. Q: What should the report include?
9. Q: How can I make the report clear and concise?
10. Q: Who should receive the report?
11. Q: What is the purpose of presenting a project report with conclusions?
12. Q: What are the key elements of a successful presentation?
13. Q: How to draw effective conclusions?
14. Q: What are some additional tips for a strong conclusion?

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