Streamlining Project Management and Budgeting for a Shipping Company with Microsoft Dynamics

Overview

‍We partnered with a leading shipping company to enhance their project management, budgeting, and Bill of Materials (BOM) versioning processes using Microsoft Dynamics. Each shipbuilding endeavour undertaken by the company is a complex project that requires meticulous tracking of items, BOMs, BOM versions, budgeting, procurement, and purchasing processes.ChallengeThe shipping company faced several challenges in managing their shipbuilding projects:

• Complex Project Tracking: Each shipbuilding project involved numerous items and multiple BOM versions, making it difficult to track and manage effectively.
• Budgeting Difficulties: The company struggled with accurately budgeting for each project, leading to cost overruns and inefficiencies.
• Procurement and Purchasing Issues: Managing the procurement and purchase processes for each project was cumbersome and prone to errors, impacting timelines and budgets.
• Version Control: Keeping track of different BOM versions and ensuring the correct version was used at each stage of the project was challenging.

Solution

‍To address these challenges, we implemented a comprehensive project management and budgeting solution within Microsoft Dynamics, tailored to the specific needs of the shipping company.

1. Project Management and Tracking :
   • Implemented a robust project management process to track all aspects of shipbuilding projects, from initial planning to completion.
   • Enabled detailed tracking of items, ensuring that every component needed for the ship was accounted for and managed.
2. BOM and BOM Versioning :
   • Implemented BOM versioning capabilities to manage multiple versions of BOMs effectively.
   • Ensured that the correct BOM version was used at each stage of the project, reducing errors and rework.
   • Allowed for easy updates and changes to BOMs, ensuring flexibility and adaptability in the project.
3. Budgeting and Cost Management :
   • Implemented a sophisticated budgeting module to track project budgets in real-time.
   • Enabled detailed cost tracking and forecasting, helping the company stay within budget and identify potential cost overruns early.
   • Provided tools for setting and adjusting budgets based on project needs and progress.
4. Procurement and Purchasing Process :
   • Streamlined the procurement and purchasing processes, integrating them seamlessly with project management.
   • Enabled real-time tracking of procurement activities, ensuring timely delivery of materials and components.
   • Implemented approval workflows and automation to reduce manual errors and speed up the purchasing process.

Results

‍The implementation of the project management and budgeting solution delivered significant benefits to the shipping company:

• Improved Project Tracking: Enhanced tracking capabilities allowed for better management of shipbuilding projects, ensuring all items and BOM versions were accurately accounted for.
• Accurate Budgeting: Real-time budgeting and cost management tools helped the company stay within budget, reducing cost overruns and improving financial control.
• Efficient Procurement: Streamlined procurement and purchasing processes ensured timely delivery of materials, reducing delays and keeping projects on schedule.
• Effective BOM Versioning: Improved BOM versioning capabilities reduced errors and rework, ensuring the correct BOM version was used at each stage of the project.

Conclusion

‍By implementing a tailored project management and budgeting solution within Microsoft Dynamics, we helped the shipping company overcome its challenges and achieve greater operational efficiency. This case study demonstrates our expertise in delivering customized solutions that drive tangible business outcomes, particularly in complex project environments like shipbuilding.