Transit Industry – Services
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Whether your project is large or small, simple or complex, Premium TPATS, Inc. believes that sound project management is key to project success.
Customer Involvement
To maintain the established schedule and budget, and ensure final product compliance with contractual requirements, Premium TPATS, Inc. knows that involving the customer early allows all parties to better manage overall expectations and optimize the problem-solving process. Premium TPATS’ project management approach has proven to be an efficient and effective solution as it is based on time-honored industry practices.
Premium TPATS, Inc. management policy establishes ongoing communication with all stakeholders at every stage of a project. We promote customer intervention as appropriate throughout the development cycle. We address concerns with workable solutions to avoid major confrontations. Customer feedback allows the team to satisfy contractual requirements and avoid surprises without incurring extra costs.
Work Breakdown Structure
One of the first deliverables in any project is the schedule. This detailed schedule becomes a treasure trove of information. A detailed Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) not only reflects the time frame, but also provides an indication on the resources required to perform tasks and recommended processes. Consequently, the WBS allows the project management team to identify potential concerns early in the process, permitting the team to take the appropriate corrective actions, to discuss issues with stakeholders and to find solutions.
Tools to Plan, Organize, and Control
Premium TPATS, Inc. has developed a high-tech toolset that allows the team to monitor progress and to resolve any problems that arise during the course of a contract. The following reports are a sampling of standard communications from Premium TPATS, Inc. for project management we provide to the customer at different levels:
- Progress Reports
- Performance Reports
- Weekly Reports
- Monthly Status Reports
- Action Items List
- Comments Reports
- Memorandum of Conference (MOC)
Cost and Schedule Control
Premium TPATS, Inc. has also crafted reporting tools for the development team to monitor individual progress and compare it to objectives. The data is gathered weekly, allowing for continuous control of cost and schedule.
PRODUCT SUPPORT MATERIAL
End users now require that complex pieces of equipment be accompanied by effective product support material such as technical publications and courseware. In North America, the distinctiveness of each end-user work environment and the lack of standards in the transit industry require that the development of this material be managed through rigorous methods.
The expertise needed to develop and manage these parallel projects is becoming more and more unique. Most of the time, product development is spread over several months, requires specialized resources, and must continuously conform to an evolving master schedule. As a result, many North American transit authorities contractually require that carbuilders and their suppliers approve product support material before authorities accept the first unit.
Because of our distinctive expertise in developing such support materials, Premium TPATS, Inc., in conjunction with our strategic partner, TechProse, has developed unique processes and management tools that allow delivery of effective and contract-compliant product support materials on time and in budget.
Typical Product Support Material Development
Our team has developed a process adapted to the stringent constraints of the transit industry. This process is the baseline we use to develop support materials. Flexible enough to meet specific contractual requirements, our proprietary development process incorporates elements of reusable data elements, single sourcing, and quality control. Typically, North American transit authorities request the following material to ensure effective and efficient product support:
- Operating Instructions Manual
- Running Maintenance Manual
- Heavy Repair Manual
- Illustrated Parts Catalog
- Integrated Schematics Manual
- PTE and BTE Manuals
- Training Material
Premium TPATS’ team of specialists work hand in hand with the manufacturer’s subject matter experts to validate the information developed before it is submitted to the end user. The review is usually performed no less than three times during development: Book Plan review, First Draft review, and Final Draft review.
Book Plans and Training Plans ensure that product support materials adhere in their content and structure to the contractual requirements and meet the end user’s expectations.
The First Draft review ensures that all work is performed as scheduled and that the level of detail and quality meet the end user’s requirements.
The Final Draft allows reviewers to provide final comments and sign off.
INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL
The instructional model used by Premium TPATS favors a systemic approach to meet the specific target audiences. The ADDIE model is flexible, responsive, and interactive. ADDIE stands for:
- Analysis
- Design
- Development
- Implementation
- Evaluation
Analysis
In the analysis phase, the instructional designer identifies the learning objectives and ensures that the target audience is capable of achieving them with a training program.
Design
Working with the customer’s subject matter experts, the instructional designer uses the results of the needs analysis to design a customized learning and training solution.
Development
At the development stage, the storyboard is transformed into a training product. Learners get a first glance at what the training will look like. The result is the instructional material: courseware, training aids, and student and instructor guides.
Implementation
Once the development phase is complete, it’s time to deploy the learning material to the user population.
Evaluation/Validation
Evaluation and validation are the final steps. During this phase, the instructional designer collects data and information to verify the effectiveness of the new instructional material with the target audience.