Collaboration
Many of the projects that are tasked to manufacturing engineers are typically assigned to a group of engineers. If a group can dynamically work together, the quality of the work can be astounding. Most of the projects performed in the field are for multiple people. These groups typically have a hierarchy
of order when it comes to responsibilities. The team leader is typically known as the project manager, who distributes the work and leads the team in the proper direction. Below the project manager is the Sr. Manufacturing Engineers, Sr. Mechanical Engineers, Works Manager, and Accounts/Administration. For the practical application of the typical manufacturing setting, stores are not typically directly involved in any projects typically. The following picture is a representation of the type of
hierarchy involved in engineering.
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| Project Management Hierarchy |
This is applicable to many types of project, if a team leader can be assigned one should be. A team leader brings a sense of control to a project. The leader is able to keep scheduling and tasking organized to get from start to finish. The members that are listed in the level below the project manager can perform one of two things. The first is being the actual work and development for the project, or they can be in charge of the levels below them and prepare that information.
For the application of this type of group work for the re-design project, the project manager position was split between two of the four group mates. The other two were the second level of the hierarchy, but the two project managers performed tasks that the second level performs. So it was a mixed use of both for them.
Usability & Design
Lee's Seed Farm is a small family seed company that my father owns that was chosen for the website. The usability for the website re-design was derived from questionnaires that peers have filled out. A brief explanation and use of the website was given to the peers to help with the questionnaire. The questions were geared for the appearance and design of the website. The CRAP Principles were a main focus for the appearance and overall layout. The simplicity of the website was another critical aspect for the focused group of users. The users are farmers who may not all be tech savvy, so the questionnaire also asked about the user friendliness of the website. This meant the tabs and links were relevant and easy to access. The feedback of the usability was incredibly helpful to get a nice, well laid out website.
