Just about anything we do in the biomass feedstock supply business can be broken down into the basic process groups typically defined by standard project management practices.  These process groups are:

  • Initiating
  • Planning
  • Executing
  • Monitor and Control
  • Closing

These groups break down the steps required and provide a management process and structure to our tasks—What do we want to do?  How are we going to do it?  Let’s go do it!  How are we doing? What did we do and how can we do it better next time? Following these standard project management protocols will lead to success in any project, especially in establishing feedstock supply chains.

In the context of a large scale commercial biomass-based project, project management tools become essential for streamlining communication, managing risk and controlling change.   Feedstock supply chain planning and operations may involve the acquisition or lease of land, contracting, establishment of feedstocks such as switchgrass, miscanthus, or sorghum, quality control, harvest operations, supply chain logistics and material handling.  These dynamic tasks culminate at a just in time delivery to a biorefinery or other biomass feedstock consumer.  This requires managing multiple schedules driven by seasonal agricultural practices and biomass conversion facility demands as well as managing quality parameters required by the consumer.

Project management tools ensure that a deliberate process is in place to efficiently define a project’s business objectives, customer’s needs, scope and structure.  Developing project templates or guides tailored to specifically address your organization’s structure, resources and leadership allow a seamless flow from one project to another and maximize the effectiveness of your team.  These unique procedures define the standards for how we control scope, schedule, costs, communication, quality and risk.  When we overlay these methods on our biomass feedstock supply chain, we then have the recipe required to cost effectively meet our objectives and deliver feedstocks to our customers on time with superior quality.

Contact Genera Energy today to learn more about how our efficient project management strategies can make your project a success!

By Clay Dye, Project Manager