LARGE, multifaceted industrial projects offer major challenges and rewards by Daniel Rome Levine W hether designing a plant to turn out state of-the- art drill bits for the industry, developing an environmentally friendly distribu- tion center or making a natural gas compressor station more acceptable to nearby residents, engineers are spearheading industrial process and manufac- turing projects that improve people's lives in countless ways. Success on these complex projects requires organization, clear channels of communication among all parties, and the disci- pline to meet tight deadlines. It also requires creativity and quick thinking to deal with the inevita- ble surprises and challenges that so often crop up. Below are four case studies of how ACEC- member firms handled recent industrial process and manufac- turing projects and the chal- lenges that arose. 10 ENGINEERING INC. SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2006