Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) is an international language that is used on engineering drawings to accurately describe a part. GD&T is a precise mathematical language that can be used to describe the size, form, orientation and location of part features. GD&T is also a design philosophy. An engineer familiar with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) has an edge over other engineers.  A closer look at the components of GD&T.

Dimensions: 

A numerical value expressed in appropriate units of measure and used to define the size, location, orientation, form or other geometric characteristics of a part.

Tolerance:

 Tolerance is the total amount a specific dimension is permitted to vary from the specified dimension. The tolerance is the difference between the maximum and minimum limits.

History:

Mass production created the need for interchangeable parts. This meant drawings that were simple and standardized. The first standard was coordinate based, 1966 saw the publication of the first GD&T standard Benefits:

 Improved Communications – Design uniformity allows design, production and inspection to all work from the same view. There is no argument over what to do. Better Product Design – Allows designers to say what they mean instead of having engineers explain what to do Increased Production Tolerance – Bonus Tolerance: saves cost of manufacturing, Tolerance based upon part functional requirements. Engineering drawings communicate – Geometry of the part, structural functional relationships and Tolerances.

Any endeavor that must be completed in a time bound manner and bring about the desired output can be termed as a project. Project management is the discipline that ensures that projects are carried out in an organized and planned out manner to ensure specific goals are met. The frontrunners in the field of Project Management during the 1950s were Henry Gantt and Henri Fayol. The use of Gantt chart, as a project management tool to map out a project schedule, was popularized by Henry Gnatt. It is for this reason that he is known as the father of planning and controlling techniques. Henri Fayol is credited with the creation of five management principles: to forecast and plan, to organize, to command or direct, to coordinate and to control.
Modern Project Management is carried out with tools that aid. One such tool is Primavera systems launched in 1983, and published now by Oracle. Primavera systems comprises of a range of software products that collectively forms a comprehensive enterprise project portfolio management (EPPM).Project Management is closely linked with the Engineering industry; the benefits of project management are evident in this field. Project management enables engineers to have better efficiency in delivering services, increased risk assessment and management, increased quality and quantity of deliverables. A strong grasp of project management concepts leads to a successful engineer.