What we often call in everyday life a pilot project is essentially an advance project. In English, it is called a pilot project. In this article we will talk more about what an advance project is and try to answer the main questions.
What it is
In a different way, an advance project is a technical proposal that should give answers to questions as much as possible:
- how constructively the proposed technical products (appliance, machine, apparatus, etc.) will look like;
- its purpose;
- competitiveness in the global market;
- how strength and load conditions were calculated;
- Does it comply with the modern requirements of the industry for which future products are intended (mechanical engineering, instrument making, weapons, energy, etc.);
- what resources (material, financial, human) will be required for production;
- what production conditions need to be created, what equipment will have to be used;
- what production capacities will be needed.
Developers, inventors, designers must answer all these questions before starting work. That is, an advance project is an absolutely independent work that is carried out for the most complete presentation and to draw attention to the development and putting products into production.
In what cases is it necessary
Since such a project serves as the basis for the technical task in the future, from the Soviet times there are requirements that dictate the need to create an advance project in clearly specified cases.
There is GOST, which provides for the preparation of an advance project, the requirements for its design and content, as well as the procedure for its consideration. An order for preparation is given by a customer interested in the production of new products. He must choose a contractor on a competitive basis.
There are orders that require the implementation of not only an advance project, but also a prototype and even its testing. This applies to those cases when it comes to very complex projects that require huge investments, serious technical solutions and the use of a host of other resources.
May not be approved
Considering that an advance project is something that, in principle, may not be realized in the end, regulatory documents provide for a situation where the developer and the consumer ultimately decide not to approve the development. This may be in cases where either inexpediency or the inability to implement the project is recognized.
Thus, the advance project prevents cases of large losses, inefficient use of many resources and is a reliable tool for prudent management.