Organizational Review of Plant Automation Group
Organizational Review of Plant Automation Group
It is intended that this organizational review, will provide the Districts with a better understanding of the changing process computer hardware and software support needs. Also to review the department location for the Plant Automation
Group (Group), and develop recommendations on the proposed reporting relationships. ¨ Review the background information.
¨ Identify the primary and secondary functions of the Plant Automation Group
¨ Review possible location of the Plant Automation Group.
¨ Identify and review reporting relationships options
DEFINITIONS
Definitions used within this organizational review.
SCADA Supervisory and Data Acquisition System PLC Programmable Logic Controller HMI Human Machine Interface ITD Information Technology Department PAG Plant Automation Group GM General Manager
BACKGROUND
When the Districts first began consideration to form a focal group with responsibility for Plant Automation, a task force was formed to make recommendations. The one recommendation this task was unable to come to agreement on was the location of this new Plant Automation Group (PAG). An executive decision was made by the General Manager to center the PAG in the
Information Technology Department (ITD).
In September 1994, the Joint Board contracted with Ernst & Young to produce a
"Management Review of the Proposed Plant Automation Group for the Sanitation
Districts of Orange County". Their report recommended the location be with ITD but noted that for the duration of the J-31 project, some engineering-related activities would be involved and require close coordination with the Engineering
Department. As late as July 1995 when Ernst & Young performed the Finance
Function Review (which included the Information Services Division), they echoed their previous recommendation but provided a timeline of approximately two years to revisit the issue
It is intended that this organizational review, will provide the Districts with a better understanding of the changing process computer hardware and software support needs. Also to review the department location for the Plant Automation
Group (Group), and develop recommendations on the proposed reporting relationships. ¨ Review the background information.
¨ Identify the primary and secondary functions of the Plant Automation Group
¨ Review possible location of the Plant Automation Group.
¨ Identify and review reporting relationships options
DEFINITIONS
Definitions used within this organizational review.
SCADA Supervisory and Data Acquisition System PLC Programmable Logic Controller HMI Human Machine Interface ITD Information Technology Department PAG Plant Automation Group GM General Manager
BACKGROUND
When the Districts first began consideration to form a focal group with responsibility for Plant Automation, a task force was formed to make recommendations. The one recommendation this task was unable to come to agreement on was the location of this new Plant Automation Group (PAG). An executive decision was made by the General Manager to center the PAG in the
Information Technology Department (ITD).
In September 1994, the Joint Board contracted with Ernst & Young to produce a
"Management Review of the Proposed Plant Automation Group for the Sanitation
Districts of Orange County". Their report recommended the location be with ITD but noted that for the duration of the J-31 project, some engineering-related activities would be involved and require close coordination with the Engineering
Department. As late as July 1995 when Ernst & Young performed the Finance
Function Review (which included the Information Services Division), they echoed their previous recommendation but provided a timeline of approximately two years to revisit the issue
References: Banner, D. K., Gagné, E. T. (1996). Designing Effective Organizations. Robbins, S. (1996). Organizational Behavior: Concepts, Controversies, Applications Fisher, D. (1993). Communication in Organization. St. Paul, MN: West Publishing Co Hersey, P. (1996). Management of Organizational Behavior. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc. Steers, R. (1993). Organizational Behavior. Glenveiw, IL: Scott, Foresman and Company. Timm, P. (1992). Supervision. St. Paul, MN: West Publishing Co. Smeltzer, L., Leonard, D. (1994). Managerial Communication: Strategies and Applications