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AGILE PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR A NEW GENERATION OF PROCESS ENGINEERS

Connor, T.J.

For many years, the waterfall project management methodology has dominated how projects are managed at process sites. This methodology works well with projects where the problem and solution are well defined, however quickly can deteriorate into a bureaucratic mess when this is not the case. Bayer process projects and problems frequently expose this flaw.

Bayer engineers can be more effective with a wider set of project management skills. Application of the agile mindset and skills adapted from the software and start-up worlds provide a valuable set of additional tools to better manage projects where either the issue or solution are not clear at the commencement of the project. A flexible hypothesis-based framework that allows for rapid feedback loops and iteration towards a solution, has proved very successful in managing process projects. It requires a change in management style away from the Gantt based linear task flow and developing trust in the process steps to deliver a solution without it being laid out sequentially at the commencement of the project. This can be difficult to sell as organisations are looking for clear milestones and timelines against which to measure progress. This paper explores the path of introducing the tools to enable engineers to apply the agile framework and some of the ups and downs experienced so far on this journey.