It has been already 8 months since we came together for our first full working day on the first of September. Since then, much has already happened and it turns out to be a real roller-coaster. Also for me as project manager, a lot has changed during the project. In each different phase of the project, different tools are used to manage the project in the right direction.

In the beginning, we mainly used Project Plan. With this tool it was relatively easy to draw up a individual planning for all the engineers. Namely everyone had his own part and also his own duties which he had to finish.

At the same time, scrum was introduced in our team. This is a management method in which small groups come together every morning to discuss briefly what they did the previous day, which tasks they will perform today and where there are problems. In this way everyone is aware of each other, problems are quickly detected and is it possible to switch quickly.

As the project proceeds, more and more parts come together. Components form assemblies and assemblies form a car. This is also a period in which more people increasingly have to work with each other, but at the same time there is less ‘space’ to work on the car. We can not work together with 22 people on the car at the same time of course.

To prevent this I prepared an integration scheme. In this scheme, each component is specified when this has to be build into the car. A component is realeased only when it meets all the requirements. In this way, we prevent that we have to get a part out of the car because there seems to be a defect.

Using these methods, I make sure this project is on the right track and we have a car which can drive on the second of July.

Last month was a month with highlights for me as responsible for both exterior and interior. Especially the last week of this month. The body moved to Eindhoven, the molds of the chairs arrived and the design of all the big interior components like dashboard and door panels are finished.

My biggest design tasks are completed, so my focus now shifts to smaller components, manufacturing and finishing. For example, I am busy with the livery of the car. Besides the livery, little components like cupholders, knobs and holders are getting more attention now. This project is really turning tangible. After monthes of designing components behind my PC, these components arriving at our office rapidly. This is necessary because in 5 weeks our solar-powered car is ready to drive!

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