IEE Management & Design Division: Chairman´s address. Some art, some science and a lot of feedback

The paper examines the methods adopted for the management of major projects. It concentrates on the management of the design and construction of conventional power stations by the CEGB in the UK. The roles of the owner, the engineer and the contractor are discussed together with the process of setting up a giant project. Project definition, contract strategy, the design, the construction, commissioning and taking over phases are discussed in terms of project management and the controls associated with time and money are described. Reference is made to the last three decades of construction and to the analogies of the very different problems arising in each decade. Examples are quoted using the Grain and Drax completion power station projects to emphasise some of the lessons of the 1970s. A few examples of feedback of operating problems to designers are given with the solutions to these problems leading to the high availability and flexible operation of the 500/660 MW sized units now achieved.