Project Management

Division Overview

The Project Management (PM) division ensures that all areas of the Formula SAE team — engineering, business, and operations — are aligned, organized, and working toward shared goals. Project managers oversee timelines, communication, and resources, making sure the team delivers a complete, safe, and rule-compliant vehicle on time for competition. 

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Components (Key Responsibilities)

1. Scope & Change Management 

   
   

   • Define clear deliverables at the beginning of each phase. 

   • Adjust schedules and resources when scope changes occur. 

   • Communicate the impacts of scope changes to leaders and stakeholders. 

     
     

2. Conflict Resolution & Team Motivation 

   
   

   • Mediate disagreements between team members and divisions. 

   • Encourage collaboration and maintain morale during setbacks. 

   • Recognize and celebrate small wins to keep motivation high. 

     
     

3. Planning, Tracking & Communication 

   
   

   • Use project tools (WBS) to assign and monitor tasks. 

   • Facilitate clear communication across divisions. 

   • Provide regular updates and risk assessments to leadership. 

     
     

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Software

• Teams and Slack – for team communication and documentation. 

• ClickUp – all-in-one platform for project timelines, task assignments, progress tracking, and team collaboration. 

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Requirements

• ADMI 4085: Introduction to Project Management 

• Basic knowledge of all Microsoft applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) 

• Organizational skills

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Division Knowledge Guide

PM members must know how to manage scope changes: when new requirements appear, they should re-evaluate priorities, update the schedule, and communicate risks to avoid exceeding time or resources. They must also be skilled at conflict management, acting as mediators between divisions or stakeholders when disagreements arise. Leadership without authority is central in PM — success depends on influence, communication, and organization, not formal control. 

Maintaining team morale is another key area: when motivation drops, PM can reframe challenges, highlight progress, and remind members of the bigger goal (representing the university, sponsors, and Puerto Rico in competition). Technical skills are also useful: programming or data analysis can automate tasks such as inventory tracking, sponsor accountability reports, or task reminders, improving efficiency. 

Meeting deadlines requires setting clear expectations, breaking tasks into smaller deliverables, and following up regularly to identify blockers early. Project managers view every effort as a project: planning, executing, monitoring, and closing are processes that apply to both racing and everyday life. Finally, communication is the backbone of PM. Ensuring transparency through weekly meetings, shared dashboards, and clear documentation prevents misunderstandings and helps the entire team stay aligned. 

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