Plant construction projects

Mechanical and plant engineering are often mentioned in the same breath. This could lead to the assumption that projects in plant engineering do not differ significantly from those in mechanical engineering. However, this is not the case and requires different approaches. However, software designed to support plant engineering projects also has to fulfil special requirements, as does software for mechanical engineering projects.

Difference between mechanical engineering and plant engineering

The best way to separate the terms mechanical engineering and plant engineering is to describe their relationship: The mechanical engineer supplies the plant manufacturer with the products and equipment, which the latter then assembles into complex systems. Of course, the world is never so clear-cut in practice. For example, a mechanical engineering company quickly becomes a plant manufacturer when its products are integrated into a complex system at the customer's premises. Or a company in the plant engineering sector also acts as a mechanical engineering company because it designs and produces parts of its own systems.

Projects in plant engineering or mechanical engineering - projects remain

No matter whether you want to build projects or mechanical engineering projects to qualify as such, the definition given in the DIN standard should apply. DIN 69901 is described:

"Project that is essentially characterised by the uniqueness but also constancy of the conditions in their entirety, such as objectives, time, financial, personnel and other limitations; differentiation from other projects; project-specific organisation."
DIN 69901

Almost 100 % of the work in plant engineering can be described with this definition. In mechanical engineering, project work is usually only one aspect of the range of organisational tasks. Projects in mechanical engineering usually deal with the development of products. Plant engineering projects, on the other hand, aim to design processes. They often utilise existing components.

The differences between projects in plant engineering and mechanical engineering

Plant engineering projects almost always take place at the customer's premises. Product development projects in mechanical engineering, on the other hand, are usually carried out in-house.
The requirements for a plant engineering project are determined by the customer and their specific needs. The mechanical engineering project derives its requirements from the market requirements. Ultimately, however, the company defines the objectives of the project for itself.
The mechanical engineering company must ensure smooth communication within the project team during the process. The plant manufacturer's project involves two-way communication internally and externally with the customer.
Plant engineering projects must coordinate the processes in your own company with the customer's operational processes. In the machine manufacturer's internal project, you can concentrate entirely on your own processes.
The planning team for product development in mechanical engineering usually also accompanies the realisation of the project as a project team. A project in plant engineering is often initially developed and offered by a team. A long time then passes due to an often complex selection process. The team carrying out the plant project is then often completely different from the planning team. This results in special requirements for the documentation and transparency of all project steps.

Significant difference in planning costs

Special attention must be paid to the costs. Namely those that are incurred before the project even begins. Planning is also necessary for a project in mechanical engineering, but this takes place in the certainty that what has been planned will usually be realised.
A plant manufacturer always plans and calculates a proportion of projects that it will not realise because it has not been awarded the contract following its bid. However, he had to make the effort in order to be able to bid at all. The resulting costs are usually not insignificant.

Software for plant engineering projects

The different requirements that projects in plant construction have in contrast to those in mechanical engineering also indicate some special requirements for software that is intended to support such projects. The consistency and transparency of all data and information in the system play a major role here. However, all communication within the company and with the customer should also be available in an integrated manner and be affordable. The be-all and end-all, however, is continuous progress and cost control.

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