Project Management Life Cycle – Phases 1, 2 & 3

Sedlak will manage your project based on your individual needs.

Speak with one of our supply chain specialists

Home Project Management Life Cycle - Phases 1, 2 & 3

Sedlak Assists with All Phases of a Project

Sedlak employs a fully collaborative methodology, precision data analytics, the unbiased, intelligent application of technology, and a focus on process optimization to achieve operational efficiency, productivity improvements, optimal customer service and an appropriate return on investment.

Sedlak uses proven project management phases to meet your objectives. In Phase 1 of the project life cycle, we use your business data and business projections as the basis to evaluate and select the most viable storage, material handling, and process and information system solutions to develop the optimal facility design that will serve your needs for years to come.

Without sufficient detail, the best conceptual designs will never translate to reality. Sedlak uses a meticulous process for Phase 2, Design. In this project management cycle, we finalize drawings and RFP documents that provide the necessary details for vendors to accurately quote and then manufacture and install equipment and systems. As an independent firm, we are able to get competitive bids for all the proposed systems and equipment. Our process encourages vendor enhancements to the design. You will ultimately save money as a result of the detailed specifications and competitive bidding process.

Phase 3 in the project life cycle can include building construction/modification, equipment installation, and IT implementation. These projects are complex with many moving parts. Tight coordination between vendors, the builder, and end-users is critical to success. The objective for any implementation is to bring the new operation live on time, within budget, and running as intended.

Sedlak also provides post-go-live support to ensure the realization of project goals.

Phase 1 - Discovery and Conceptual Design

Your participation is critical. The following team meetings serve as checkpoints throughout the process:

A project kick-off meeting with your team and Sedlak
On-site business discovery – Site tours and interviews
Design data validation – This is the foundation for properly addressing your operational needs and is imperative to the development of the optimum facility design. During this meeting, we will discuss the storage and MHE concepts to be evaluated to obtain feedback and gain consensus from the team
Concept evaluation review – The collective group will meet to understand the decision criteria and confirm the selected concepts before layout drawings and budgets are prepared. The required investment, staffing and space required per option are evaluated along with the flexibility and scalability of each concept.
Executive presentation – Sedlak will present recommendations based on sound business fundamentals to your management.

Upon completion of Phase I, Sedlak delivers:

Project Report
Project scope and objectives
Executive summary
Supporting information:
- Design criteria
- Benefits
- Recommendations
- Preliminary schedule
- Direct labor
- Facility requirements
- Description of operations
- High-level systems requirements
Facility layout of the proposed operation
A project schedule for detailed planning, sourcing, and implementation
Next steps to facilitate the go-forward plan

Phase 2 - Finalized Design & Competitive Bidding

Finalize drawings – layouts, elevations, and details
Write functional specifications – MHE equipment, IT, and associated building criteria
Qualify vendors and create a list of competitive bidders
Prepare RFP Documentation – drawings, specifications, and response forms to solicit accurate information for comparison
Manage vendors as they prepare responses
- Field questions and distribute answers fairly
Bid evaluation
- Review bids for completeness and accuracy
- Create an evaluation document that compares each vendor’s capabilities and pricing
Coordinate vendor presentations/facility tours
Prepare bid summary and recommendations
Contract review and negotiation

Upon completion of Phase 2, Sedlak delivers:

Finalized drawings that are the basis for equipment and layout expectations
Functional specifications that provide:
- Translation of requirements
- Installation expectations
- The basis for accurate quotes
Competitive bid packages to solicit the information needed for a fair comparison
IT WMS/WES/WCS Interface / Impact
Only Qualified Vendors
Communication
- Stakeholders stay up to speed
- Vendors all receive the same information
Identify bid shortfalls – no surprises down the road
Bid evaluations focused on project requirements – the best vendors win. You will not be oversold.

Phase 3 - Implementation/Integration

MHE Drawing Review – drawings from every vendor are reviewed to ensure feasibility and verify adherence to specifications
Maintain Master Schedule and lead review sessions with the internal team and all vendors/contractors
Lead Kick-off and periodic meetings with the project team, vendors, and the building contractors
- Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and expectations
- Provide vendor crews with a clear understanding of work site requirements
On-site installation management
Equipment delivery coordination and quality check
Transition Assistance
Equipment Testing and Punch listing – follow through to completion of all issues
Testing, Training and Go-live support
Spare parts review and maintenance recommendations and training coordination
Project Management – Status Reports, Open Issues, Budget Tracking, and Change Order Management
Post go-live support to ensure project success at the conclusion of the project management life cycle

Throughout Phase 3, Sedlak delivers:

Dedicated Project management
- Clear timely documentation of the project and budget
- Issues resolved early
- Participants up to date on project progress
- Up to date status of project costs
Communication
- All players meet deadlines
- Efforts are coordinated
Efficient installation and early problem detection
Guidance during challenging transition activities
Coordination of associate training
Change management
Confidence the system will operate as intended

Success Stories

DC Design for Pharmaceutical Network

Coming in under budget, we met one client’s standards for capital return on investment by creating a new distribution center operations model which was replicated network-wide. This enabled the client to handle large volumes, accept late-day customer orders for next morning delivery, and achieve higher overall throughput with fewer facilities, all while maintaining customer service levels.

Distribution Automation for Northern Tool

Sedlak provided project management from initial concept planning through start-up, assisted in planning and implementation of improved operational methods and practices, developed facility layout to improve flows and optimize use of space throughout current and expanded facility and facilitated conversion of warehouse transactions to the new Manhattan WMS.

Distribution Center Design for Chick-fil-A

We performed a data analysis, conceptual evaluation, ROI estimations, layout design, budget development, and preparation of RFP documents for potential suppliers.

DC Expansion & Automation for Buyers

Buyers enlisted Sedlak to conduct two separate, related efforts to optimize operations/fulfillment and free up manufacturing space that was being consumed by DC operations.

Supply Chain Strategy for Vitacost

Our client, Vitacost.com, an e-commerce company that sells vitamins and supplements, had a west facility not performing as expected. Not only did we deliver an improvement plan for their west facility, but we offered a project management plan, including a timeline, budget and vendor for their Midwest facility as well.

LEED Certified Distribution for VF

Sedlak and VF have been trusted partners since 1960. We have completed 33 projects for them over the last sixty years.

ERP/WMS Solution for Optimal

Sedlak assisted in the requirements development, cost and benefit evaluation, vendor selection and implementation project management of a new ERP/WMS system for The Palm Tree Group, now Optimal. Our team managed the successful, on-time and on-budget implementation of Palm Tree Group’s entire information support systems, including full integration, volume, stress testing and user acceptance testing prior to readiness assessment and go-live.

Project Management – Pharmaceutical DCs

Coming in under budget, we met one client’s standards for capital return on investment by creating a new distribution center operations model which was replicated network-wide. This enabled the client to handle large volumes, accept late-day customer orders for next morning delivery and achieve higher overall throughput with fewer facilities, all while maintaining customer service levels.

Distribution Network Redesign for Academic Healthcare Institution

Sedlak made recommendations to our client, one of the largest academic institutions in the U.S., specializing in advanced biomedical research and graduate-level education in healthcare and the life sciences, which were projected to achieve or $1 million in operating cost savings.

Automated DCs for DSW

More than a Decade of Projects: New Automation & Systems, Brownfield Facilities, and Uninterrupted Operations

DC Expansion and Retrofit for Knitwell Group

Sedlak and Knitwell Group, formerly Ascena Retail Group, have a trusted business relationship that starts but does not end with our conversion of their retail replenishment facility in Greencastle, IN, to ecommerce fulfillment for multiple brands currently being serviced out of five 3PLs.

Contact Us

Do you need assistance with a project?

Call us at 216-206-4700 or fill out our contact form and one of our supply chain professionals will be in touch shortly to discuss our project management phases.

Blog

Why Internal Resources Need More Help Than You Might Think

Why does a company seek help from an outside consulting firm? Usually the reasons are simple: they lack the manpower, bandwidth and/or skillset needed to complete their projects.

Optimizing Supply Chains in Response to Ocean Freight Shipping Challenges

Over a quarter of the way into 2021, supply chains are still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies have been reviewing ways to sustain and even improve business moving forward, especially when it comes to transportation.

How to Handle the New Normal in 3 Steps

So far, Sedlak and several of our clients have been experiencing the effects of the “New Normal” on the supply chain and taking steps to mitigate them. Three of these migitation steps include (1) strategy, (2) project activities & communications, and (3) operational design.

White Paper

Automating Warehouses and Distribution Centers to Reduce Your Dependence on Labor

Today’s growth in e-commerce fulfillment is converging with record full employment levels and a diminishing skilled labor workforce. As a result, retailers, wholesalers, and industrial distributors are looking for creative ways to reduce their dependence on labor. This situation has spurred a renewed interest in warehouse automation and robotics and the systems that drive these solutions.

Download White Paper

Let's get together.

Email Send Message

Call (216) 206-4700

Visit View Location