Project Management

Successful projects don't just happen, they are made to happen. Rutter Hinz Inc. believes that a successful project starts with project management that is dedicated to your project and focused on completing it on budget and on schedule. Solid project performance begins by ensuring open communications exist between all decision makers and project executors involved in the team.

During the initial project kick-off meeting it is imperative to ensure that the scope of work is well understood and to identify exactly what parameters will define a successful project. What are the project risks, training costs, maintenance costs and downtime concerns? Being able to identify project concerns and related issues early on in a project is key to project success.

The definition of project documentation needs as well as the establishment or understanding of project procedures for items such as scope changes are required. Identifying key players and decision makers and creating a reporting methodology are also necessary. Who needs to receive what information and when? Common goals need to be determined along with the measures of success.

Ensuring close cooperation and coordination of project activities between Rutter Hinz, our client, and potential third party involvement is best achieved through open communications. Rutter Hinz has superior computer applications to track and report all project activities both internally and to our clients. These tools provide proper task definition, budget implementation, timesheet & expense tracking, budget variances, % complete, estimate-to-complete, material purchase orders, and inventory control as well as detailed invoicing.

Project management is tightly controlled through procedures we feel confident to openly review with our clientele.

The Project Roadmap

If we just think we know what everyone else is doing then there is a likelihood somebody has a misconception. Documentation is vital. Rutter Hinz strongly believes in a systematic methodology to project execution, and documentation is the cornerstone to that methodology. Project kick-off meetings define project procedures, but what defines how the project process works?

Project execution documents such as Functional Requirement Documents (FRDs) or Design Basis Memorandums (DBMs) help define the details within the project. The FRD or DBM helps define the multiplicity of project elements that need consideration during the detailed design phases. Often this helps determine which industry standards, environmental laws, or safety Codes need adherence. Descriptions of the process functionality and dependencies are defined and may dictate redundant supplies of power, or duplicate process equipment. Influences on Vendor selection, issues regarding risk, and impact of technology upon the project will be detailed. The order in which equipment is started or shut down is often defined. Often these issues lead to a direct impact on written specifications for the project.

Issues such as the capital cost of a project are frequently high profile items however project life cycle costs take a higher priority when reviewed and documented in the FRD. The FRD or DBM provides a detailed road map for engineering design and is a tool applicable to everything from electrical design through to control software program requirements.

Structured Design

Frequently our projects involve the design of a variety of software applications. Whether for a PLC, DCS, or SCADA Host, getting it right the first time is a major factor in ensuring not only budget control but also quality control.

Our projects include the creation of a Software Design Specification (SDS) that precisely defines the code or program structure. A SDS is a powerful design tool that defines items such as, communications routines, memory mapping, program flow and layout, interface areas, database design or architecture, first-out alarming, and documentation methods. Often the SDS identifies issues requiring consistency with a client's existing programs. The SDS removes client's concerns such as, "how will my program look?", "Will it be easy to follow?", "Will it be flexible?" These issues and more are addressed in the Rutter Hinz SDS.

Test Before It's Shipped

Prior to shipment to site of any major component of a project, the item must be shown to function properly through demonstration testing. This "Test Before It's Shipped" philosophy of Rutter Hinz extends to everything from vendor-manufactured equipment to Rutter Hinz-generated software programs. We dedicate in-house office or lab space to effectively stage and test their programs for the client.

These Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) are important procedures in demonstrating to our clients that the functions depicted in the FRD and defined in a SDS are properly executed in our programs. We simulate Input/Output (I/O) devices to demonstrate that the process will be properly controlled.

This method of FAT is also beneficial to operations training where operators can actually see their plant functionality being displayed. Clients are ensured through documentation that FAT test procedures are followed. FAT testing is a great aid in shortening Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) periods providing a faster start up, hence reduction of overall costs.

Rutter Hinz Services

You have read how we do it, but you want to know what is it that Rutter Hinz offers for services. We focus on a variety of projects, which are primarily electrical or controls in nature. This includes all aspects of electrical power engineering, process control and automation, instrumentation and SCADA system integration.

We service a wide diversity of industries including: Oil & Gas, Forestry, Pipeline, Manufacturing, Mining & Mineral Processing, Food & Beverage, Utilities and Municipal projects.

We pride ourselves on our repeat customer base. Of prime importance to our clients is the Rutter Hinz Inc. commitment to offer long-term support, and to provide our clients with the necessary tools and documentation to be self sufficient at the completion of the project.

Our scope of services extends from system studies, the initial project conceptual design and budget preparation stage, through to the phases of specification development, equipment selection, detailed design, and installation. It continues to include training, commissioning, start up and post start up support. These services may be provided as a turnkey supply, engineering only, or combinations of fixed price or time and expenses.

Rutter Hinz is neither vendor owned, or influenced in their decisions by any commercial links to vendors, fabricators or construction contractors. Rutter Hinz contracts out all construction and fabrication service components of our scope of supply. Our focus is always on you as a client.

Projects executed by Rutter Hinz span from small retrofit systems to enterprise wide solutions. Projects have included a variety of control equipment including: Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs), Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), Distributed Control Systems (DCSs), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA), and a wide variety of electrical and instrumentation equipment. Software applications have involved a wide selection of personal Computer (PC) control software - extensive HMI graphics packages, data archiving, management reporting, intranet / extranet / internet applications, and WAN/LAN network communications.

Using the latest software and engineering tools in both electrical and automation arenas Rutter Hinz has developed techniques to streamline your project design requirements. These include the frequent use of a common database that is imported directly into PLC, HMI and SCADA applications as well as into CAD for automated drawing generation, electrical cable, motor and instrument data sheet listings.

The Rutter Hinz Team

Technology is in a state of constant change and it should be reassuring to you, the client, that Hinz has maintained a core technical group for many years. Our personnel specialize in many technology areas including; software, computing hardware, instrumentation, automation & control, SCADA and plant electrical power distribution systems. We employ a mix of engineers, technologists, computer scientists, CAD operators, and a dedicated support staff.

The Rutter Hinz focus on automation projects enables the us to stay current with technological changes, providing you with a highly specialized team of professionals. In addition to quality personnel, Rutter Hinz offers an infrastructure of computer equipment, WAN/LAN communication connections, support systems, and a wide selection of software tools. The Rutter Hinz team is flexible, willing, and able to work jointly with our client's chosen multi-discipline consultants or internal experts.

Rutter Hinz History

Since 1971, Rutter Hinz Inc. has a focus on the design of industrial automation, process control and power distribution.

We were established as an industrial electrical engineering firm at a time when software-based control systems were in their infancy, and solid-state electrical equipment was just becoming popular.

Over the Company's history, industrial controls have changed significantly. Advances in power distribution, while not as high profile, were equally impressive. We have stayed on the leading edge of these technologies by continued training for existing personnel, and by always looking for the best when recruiting new engineering talent. These philosophies ensure we remain a leader in industry offering you the finest in specialized engineering expertise.