Organizational Review Of Plant Automation Group :: essays research papers

Organizational Review of bring automation free radicalIt is mean that this organizational limited review, will provide the Districts witha better understanding of the ever-changing process computer hardware and softwaresupport needs. Also to review the department location for the Plant mechanisationGroup (Group), and develop recommendations on the proposed reportingrelationships. Review the background in unionizeation. Identify the primary and secondary functions of the Plant mechanization Group Review possible location of the Plant Automation Group. Identify and review reporting relationships optionsDEFINITIONSDefinitions used within this organizational review.SCADA supervisory and Data Acquisition SystemPLC Programmable Logic ControllerHMI Human appliance InterfaceITD Information Technology DepartmentPAG Plant Automation GroupGM General directorBACKGROUNDWhen the Districts first began consideration to form a focal group withresponsibility for Plant Automation, a trade unio n movement force was formed to makerecommendations. The one recommendation this task was ineffective to come toagreement on was the location of this new Plant Automation Group (PAG). Anexecutive decision was make by the General Manager to center the PAG in theInformation Technology Department (ITD).In phratry 1994, the Joint Board contracted with Ernst & Young to produce a"Management Review of the Proposed Plant Automation Group for the SanitationDistricts of orange County". Their report recommended the location be with ITDbut noted that for the duration of the J-31 project, whatever engineering-re previous(a)dactivities would be involved and require nigh coordination with the EngineeringDepartment. As late as July 1995 when Ernst & Young performed the FinanceFunction Review (which include the Information Services incision), they echoedtheir previous recommendation but provided a timeline of around two yearsto revisit the issue of PAGs location. However, this wa s not a degeneraterecommendation.Over the past several months, a number of problems have made it clear that thetwo year time frame identified in the Ernst & Young report may have beenoptimistic. The problems of budget management, close coordination andcommunication have placed a strain on the vivacious management of the ITD,creating frustration and numerous problems throughout many parts of theorganization. particular FunctionsThe charter of the Plant Automation focuses on Support of the Operations Division Providing engineering integration assistance through software and hardware synopsis and the setting of standards Support of the Maintenance Division regarding system and softwaremodifications and changes Assisting in the roll-out of the J-31 contract so that a transfer of knowledgebetween CH2M pitcher and the Districts occurs Analyzing and the recommendation of system and network architecture, systemdesign, and integration proposals.The Plant Automation Group is made up of a number of disciplines. Process correspond programming is very different from the type of programming which