Poor project management - from a contract point of view

[behindpropellers]

I just started a second project as a contractor at an engineering firm.

The first project went fine, a pretty clear list of what needed done.

This second project has been on the books a while with some work being done on it. I'm doing the mechanical work on it. I just started.

The project manager is not communicating on this one. I have suppliers asking me for details on specs and components which I have no idea on the (correct) answer.

I'm not sure what to do. I can do the design work but I'm feeling like the fall guy on it.

Tim

 

[KENAT]

Why not forward the questions to the project manager - or am I missing something?

Have you spoken to the project manager about this issue?

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[ztengguy]

why are suppliers calling the contracting engineer? I would explain that your the engineer, and the info has not trickled down to you. after a few more calls, the owner surly will get involved and talk to the PM.

Im sure the PM will use you as as scapegoat, just keep good records, and sometimes you have to expose the bad egg, no matter if it means breaking it.

 

[behindpropellers]

Well...its getting worse.

At this point I don't know what to do. I have tried talking with my main contact. I'm just the low guy on the totem pole.

I was asked to work on a design for this "thing" there were a few other concepts done on it.

I came up with my own idea, just to the conceptual stage.

I left quite a bit of room for error in my design for a few things were not sure of. I usually do this in the prototype stage for a quick switch to plan B if plan A is not the best.

So the PM asks for pictures of it (and I send them to him) and sends them to the customer. He didn't copy me on it. Just sent them pictures.

I'm really at odds now because I wanted to give the customer a detailed report of why I made the choices I did on the design, the materials they should consider and the manufacturing process(es) to use. Without this data they really cannot make the correct choice on their product.

I go into meetings and everybody throws out what they want without completely thinking through it. Then the decision is made....hey we will go with that plan. Go design it that way.

I'm really frustrated. At this point I could have had the product designed and in the prototype stage but their are too many cooks in the kitchen.

Tim