Project Management
A Technician's Guide
International Society for Automation
2. Auflage April 2026
162 Seiten, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Project Management: A Technician's Guide, 2nd Edition
Books on project management typically focus on the theory of project management and the role of the project manager or project engineer. None address managing an automation project where the focus is operational technology. This text explores project management from a technician's perspective. In addition, the second edition addresses changes to managing automation projects due to the COVID-19 pandemic, team diversity, project teams working remotely, and changes in regulations and standards.
Subjects include documentation requirements, communication requirements, planning and resource coordination, monitoring and control, administration, and closeout. These subjects are covered in domains six (project organization) and seven (administration) of the ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) exam. As a bonus, the final chapter follows CCSTs through six automation projects. The book is a must-read for technicians preparing for this exam and those who manage technicians during automation projects.
Acknowledgments ix
Contributors xi
About the Author xvii
Preface xix
Chapter 1 Project Management Overview 1
Chapter 2 Project Documentation Requirements 5
2.1 Site Procedures 6
2.2 Safety and Procedures 6
2.3 Physical Security Procedures 15
2.4 Cybersecurity 16
2.5 Project Engineering Documentation 17
2.6 Documentation Location and Media Types 19
Chapter 3 Communication Requirements 25
3.1 Communication Plan 26
3.2 Communication Techniques 32
3.3 Other Communication Concerns 34
Chapter 4 Project Planning and Resource Coordination 39
4.1 Basic Duties of Other Disciplines 40
4.2 Project Lifecycle 42
4.3 Task Assignments 45
4.4 Overall Project Coordination 45
4.5 Individual Responsibilities 46
4.6 Supervision 47
4.7 Time Management 47
Chapter 5 Project Monitoring and Control 51
5.1 Monitoring Methods 52
5.2 Controls 52
5.3 Change Management 53
5.4 Reporting 55
Chapter 6 Project Administration 57
6.1 Document Management 58
6.2 Document Organization 59
6.3 Communication 62
6.4 Equipment and Personnel Records 62
6.5 Print Management 62
6.6 Archiving Project Records 65
Chapter 7 Project Closeout 69
7.1 Termination 70
7.2 Transfer of Ownership 70
7.3 Lessons Learned Session 74
7.4 Project Closeout Report 75
Chapter 8 Automation Projects 79
8.1 Power Plant Controls Upgrade 79
8.2 Oil and Gas Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Projects 88
8.3 Water Treatment Plant Projects 91
8.4 Specialty Chemical Plant Project 93
8.5 Dairy Processing Plant PLC Upgrade Project 103
8.6 Pharmaceutical EPC Instrumentation Project 108
Summary 110
Recommended Reading 111
Appendix A: Answers to Review Questions 113
Appendix B: Color Images 123
Abbreviations 129
Bibliography 133
Index 135
Notes 139
A few of his noteworthy projects include:
-Project manager for a project to design and produce a fully computerized boiler optimization test system for fossil-fuel power generation units
-Technical lead for a Continuous Emissions Monitoring project, which consisted of 13 power generation units
-Project manager for the electrical, instrumentation, and controls portions of a project to reactivate 2 1940s fossil-fuel power generation units
A Fellow in the International Society of Automation (ISA), Staples has authored and delivered technical and leadership papers at various events around the world. In 2011, Staples served as the ISA president. Since 2008, he has served in various leadership positions in the Automation Federation, and he chaired the organization in 2012. Staples served on the Automation Federation Cybersecurity team that worked with the White House and NIST on the creation and implementation of the Cybersecurity Framework, and he currently chairs the Automation Federation Energy Committee.
Since Leo retired from the company in December 2016, he has been providing consulting services through his company, Automation Solutions Advisors, LLC. In 2021, the company expanded its services to include physical, cybersecurity, and operational risk assessments for rural water systems. Leo is also involved in other business ventures like Staples Farm and Staples Properties & Construction, LLC. Staples Farm is a family business that follows regenerative agriculture practices and uses automation technologies to improve productivity and manage operations. Additionally, Leo and his son Jonathan own and operate rental properties, and they provide consulting services for construction projects, including new construction and remodels.