What is a "project manager"?
What is a "project manager"?
The project manager is essential in large-scale work, especially in the fields of construction or repair, whether it be of a large building, a road, a hotel or a vessel. Their role, put simply, is to coordinate the work of the different teams, workshops and suppliers, as well as the timelines for interventions and deliveries. This role, now implemented throughout the global industrial network, allowed the Americans during World War II to produce more ships, planes and tanks than their enemies. Only by following that spirit of centralized pyramidal optimization is it possible to take on challenges that would be unfeasible, or highly inefficient, for disconnected suppliers not centralized nor properly coordinated by the figure of the “project manager.”
Siloé Sánchez is one of the ten project managers at Astilleros de Mallorca for its large and complex vessel repair work:
What do you have to study to become a project manager in the naval field?
A technical background in the naval sector, such as an engineering degree, is essential, although I also consider it vital to have certain qualities that are not taught at university and are linked to a person’s character. In addition to technical training, having knowledge of project management is highly recommended. Having previous experience at sea is also very useful and valuable.
Since when have you been working in this profession?
After finishing my studies in England in August 2017 (MSc Marine Engineering), I was fortunate to be able to join the group of project managers at Astilleros de Mallorca.
Why is a project manager necessary in large vessel repairs?
A project manager is essential mainly because large repairs involve a large number of simultaneous tasks and different companies. In addition to planning and coordinating, it is necessary to forecast and monitor costs at a global level, conduct risk analysis and contract management, as well as good management of human and material resources. It is also necessary to coordinate procurement, subcontracting or supply orders, and—very importantly—to manage communications.
What is a “centralized responsibility” project?
Centralized responsibility is precisely managing the entire project as mentioned above. Basically, the shipyard acts as the main contractor, thus assuming responsibility for the project—not only at the production level but also legally. So in addition to project management, the shipyard is responsible for all contracting of companies, occupational risk prevention, financing and guarantees, acting as the sole legal entity responsible.
What are the main challenges in your daily work during the repair of a large vessel?
I would put communication as the top challenge in day-to-day work. You could say that a project manager at Astilleros de Mallorca handles communication on different levels: with clients, with in-house workshops and other internal departments, with subcontractors, and with regulatory entities such as Classification Societies. So it is very important to know how to communicate depending on the interlocutor to ensure the correct progress of the project. Another difficulty is having to deal with vessels built in different parts of the world, as not all of them meet the same standards. The lack of information or technical documentation on some vessels also makes the budgeting and execution phases less agile and reliable. Another factor that adds difficulties to the work is the difference in nationalities between clients and subcontractors, with different cultures and languages, which has a direct effect on the progress of each phase. Another challenge to mention is achieving a balance between the client’s expectations and what is realistically feasible within the available time.
What digital tools are currently used to coordinate the work, teams and suppliers?
The digital tools we use are agile methodologies such as Trello or Smartsheet, which allow us to plan projects and map out each of the tasks with their execution times and necessary resources. They also allow direct interaction with clients, optimizing communication. On the other hand, we have a high-capacity ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system that is tailored to our specific needs and sector. This integrated management system handles a large amount of information and greatly helps us manage repairs.
What technical and human qualities should a good project manager have?
A project manager cannot be an expert in everything, but must have good general knowledge of the sector. This is because their role is to manage and coordinate the specialists in each field, who are the ones who ultimately address each technical issue. In other words, a good project manager must be a “conductor,” leading with empathy for others, with flexibility and communication and negotiation skills. The most essential quality is being decisive. That is the key to moving forward quickly, unblocking tasks and avoiding having idle resources that ultimately generate unnecessary costs and delays.
How many people and different companies are usually coordinated in the repair of a vessel at Astilleros de Mallorca
Apart from our own resources, we subcontract a large number of tasks, so many external companies from the sector participate in the end, whether local, national or international. In large-scale projects there can easily be more than 30 different companies involved, along with the participation and management of our workshops, machinery, blacksmiths, carpenters, pipefitters, etc. If we also add the participation of some crews, up to 250 people may be involved on a vessel under repair at Astilleros de Mallorca, which represents an enormous coordination challenge.
Source:
https://www.diariodemallorca.es/mallorca/2021/04/12/jefe-proyecto-46434917.html