IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance Engineering Project

ET113 LEVEL 1 PROJECT EXAMPLE

Group B

IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance

Engineering

LEARNER NAME

To be used as an example only

 IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance Engineering Project

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Aims and Objectives

The aim of this project was to develop my understanding of how to run and monitor a
project in an engineering environment.

The objectives of this project were to develop my skills and knowledge of the importance
of projects in an engineering environment. This included developing skills and
knowledge in time management, target setting, self awareness, personal development
and a number of practical skills in engineering related subjects. The overall objective
was for me to complete my course of study and achieve my qualification.

Scope

The scope of this project was to complete my chosen course of study to the best of my
ability, monitoring my progress throughout, identifying my strengths and weaknesses and
all within the agreed timescale.

The timescale for this project was over two academic years for one day per week. This
related to 66 academic days in college over the two years each of which was 7 hours.
The breakdown of the project was 36 weeks in my first year of study and 30 weeks in my
second year which allowed me to study my chosen vocational course as well
concentrating on my GCSE studies at school.

Project Plan

Throughout this project I have worked to a detailed project plan (Appendix A Excel
spreadsheet) which highlights all the key elements of my course of study including target
dates for assessments. Planning a project is essential to ensure the smooth running of
it. Setting target dates also enables the project to be monitored at pre-determined points
throughout the length of the project.
 IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance Engineering Project

PROJECT

General

This project has helped me improve my understanding of projects in an engineering

environment. It helped me develop essential skills that I will need in my future career as
an engineer.

In order for me to understand project management I chose my course of study with my

course leader that best suits my career aims for the future. This course of study fit with
the timescale I had and will allowed me to continue to study my GCSEs at school whilst
also allowing me to study my chosen vocational area. The units I chose for my course of
study were as follows:

ET111 Health and Safety Practices in an Engineering Environment

ET112 Introduction to Engineering Tools, Equipment and Materials

ET113 Introduction to Projects in an Engineering Environment

ET114 Basic Mathematics and Science for Engineering Technicians

ET115 Introduction to Working in the Engineering Industry

ET116 Introduction to Working with Customers and Colleagues in the Engineering

Environment

PSD01 Self Development

PSD03 Knowledge of Environmental Issues

PSD06 Preparing for Work

ET118 Forming and Joining for Engineering Applications

ET121 Introduction to Internal Combustion Engine Systems, Components and

Operation

ET130 Routine Vehicle Maintenance Processes and Procedures on Vehicles

 IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance Engineering Project

These units give me a broad range of skills and knowledge which will enhance my
opportunities in the engineering industry but they also helped with my GCSE studies at
school. The maths and science unit complimented my GCSE maths and science at
school and put these subjects into an engineering context. The personal development
units gave me employability skills and time management skills which are essential in the
lead up to my GCSE exams. The remaining units helped me develop my knowledge and
skills in specific engineering disciplines alongside transferable skills such as health and
safety and tools and equipment.

Throughout the Project I have worked with a number of key stakeholders (identified in
appendix B) who have helped me with my studies and have been key to the completion
of my course of study.

All of these stakeholders have played a role in developing my knowledge and skills and
have helped me monitor this project throughout. I have also learnt the importance of
having a contingency plan in place just in case some key target dates cannot be met. I
was unable to attend for one of my assessments and originally I hadnt planned for this
so I was not sure how I would fit this assessment back into my project timescale.
Discussing contingency planning with my project liaison tutor enabled me to review my
original target date for the assessment and plan for an alternative day. From that point I
was always aware of the necessity to plan for the unexpected. It also made me realise
that although a project plan has to have some rigidity it also requires a little flexibility.
The key point I gained from this experience was that although I missed one target date
the overall project was completed on time, which highlights that when something goes
wrong there is no need to panic but a clear approach to reviewing the overall project will
help get it back on track.

At the start of the project I completed a SWOT analysis (appendix C) which enabled me to
identify my personal strengths and weaknesses but also to highlight any opportunities
where I may improve my weaknesses. I also highlighted the threats to completing my
course of study such as illness, external factors like weather conditions affecting travel,
additional school commitments and if some of the resources available did not work. This
has helped me develop a much broader way of approaching projects. I also completed a
SWOT analysis (appendix D) at the end of my course of study and compared them. This
showed me where I have improved my skills and knowledge throughout my course of
study and it has shown me how I have developed as a person, I am much more confident
now.
 IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance Engineering Project

Resources

Throughout this project I have required a number of resources some of which I have had
to provide but major resources have been provided by the college. I have attached a list
of resources (Appendix E) that I have used throughout the project, I have evaluated the
resource and the impact on project completion if the resource was not available.

Monitoring

During this project I have monitored its progress by ensuring my assessments were
completed by the dates set out in my project plan. When I missed my assessment I did
review the plan and add this in at a later date. Missing this assessment showed me the
importance of monitoring projects throughout the project length as I needed to re-
evaluate whether I would still meet my end date. I have also had regular meetings with
my project liaison tutor to ensure the project remained on target and my schools liaison
officer. Having this support enabled me to keep on top of the work required to complete
the project and to feel positive that I would be able to achieve the desired outcome.

Communication

Throughout this project I have used a variety of methods of communication including

email, text messaging, written communication, telephone conversations and face to face
communication. I have attached a list of the methods of communication (Appendix F) I
have used and their effectiveness throughout the project. Each method of
communication has its strengths and weaknesses but they were all essential to the
completion of this project

Project Completion

This project had an essential end date for me to meet as this needed to fit with my GCSE
exam timetable at school. Due to monitoring the project effectively this ensured I
completed it on time. If I had not completed the project on time this would have
impacted on my GCSE studies and possibly on my GCSE exam performance. Not
completing on time would also have impacted on my college tutors who may have had to
extend my course of study to allow me to achieve my overall qualification. This has
shown me that when agreeing timescales for projects it should be realistic and
achievable; it has also shown me that if I do not meet my targets this impacts on others
involved in the project.

Strengths and Weaknesses

This project has run fairly smoothly however, I have identified a number of strengths and
weaknesses of the project (Appendix G) and the impact these have had on the
successful completion of the project.
 IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance Engineering Project

Conclusion

Overall this project has been very enjoyable and successful; it has allowed me to develop
a broad understanding of projects in an engineering context. This has given me an
opportunity to monitor my development throughout my course of study while gaining
valuable engineering practical skills and essential knowledge. The key elements I have
learned have been time management, which is essential to all projects no matter how big
or small. Understanding time management has also helped me in my GCSE studies by
planning an effective revision timetable. An area where I could have improved the
project was to have a contingency built in from the outset, this would have allowed me to
overcome the problem I encountered by missing an assessment without having to review
and change my project plan.
 IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance Engineering Project

Appendix A to ET113 Project

Project Plan

INSERT PROJECT PLAN HERE

 IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance Engineering Project

Appendix B to ET113 Project

LIST OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Stakeholder Role Impact on Project Success

Mr Smith Project Liaison Tutor (ET113) INSERT COMMENTS HERE ON HOW

and Progress Tutor THIS PERSON HELPED WITH THE
PROJECT

Ms Evans School Liaison Officer

Mr Jones ET111/ ET112/ ET115/

ET116 Tutor

Mr Bloggs ET114 Tutor

Miss Clark PSD Tutor

Mr Brown ET118 Tutor

Mr Blake ET121/ ET130 Tutor

 IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance Engineering Project

Appendix C to ET113 Project

SWOT ANALYSIS

INSERT SWOT ANALYSIS FROM START OF COURSE

 IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance Engineering Project

Appendix D to ET113 Project

SWOT ANALYSIS

INSERT SWOT ANALYSIS FROM END OF COURSE

 IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance Engineering Project

Appendix E to ET113 Project

RESOURCES

Resource Evaluation Risk if Resource not available

PPE Provided by myself, I ensured I had
good quality safety boots and
overalls to protect me during my
practical tasks. The overalls needed
to be fire proof for unit ET118 where
I was required to weld. Any
additional PPE such as face masks,
welding masks and various gloves
were provided by the college.
Should any of the PPE not
been available I would not
have been able to carry out
my practical assessments
which would have had a huge
impact on my ability to
complete my course of study

COMPLETE THE REST OF THE TABLE

WITH RESOURCES USED
THOUGHOUT THE PROJECT
 IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance Engineering Project

Appendix F to ET113 Project

METHODS OF COMMUNICATION

Method of Evaluation Impact of Method of

Communication Communication

email Throughout this project I have been Email is a quick method of

able to email my project liaison tutor communication which gives an
to track my progress and monitor its audit trail if required.
completion. I have also been able to
use this method of communication
to send in written assignments and
to receive feedback.

COMPLETE THE REST OF THE TABLE

WITH METHODS OF
COMMUNICATION USED
THOUGHOUT THE PROJECT
 IMI Level 1 Service and Maintenance Engineering Project

Appendix G to ET113 Project

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Strength or Effect on Project Completion

Weakness

Communication Communication throughout this project has been a strength. This has
(strength) enabled me to monitor the project through to completion. A key
strength was the tutorials with my project liaison tutor where I was
able to discuss any issues I was having and whether I was on target
at each stage of the project.

COMPLETE WITH IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES