Participating in day-to-day projects is very different from simply presenting a results report. With that in mind, ST-One proposed an alternative way to demonstrate how execution actually happens within the routine of an industrial plant.
To illustrate this scenario, ST-One Automation Analyst Aline Simonini shared one of the projects she is most proud of today. She talks about her experience from the starting point of the solution’s implementation to the developments built throughout the process.
When recalling the context, she explains that the project started from a limitation: there was only one sensor per line available to collect data. Instead of restricting the delivery to the basics, she and the team decided to explore how far they could go within that reality.
They sought to extract as much value as possible from a scenario with little automated information, significantly expanding the visibility of the operation: […] “what made this implementation special was the team’s ability to deliver an extremely complete and analytical solution, starting from very limited initial information.”
Another factor that contributed to the project’s progress was the involvement of an internal reference who already understood the benefits of the solution. This support facilitated team engagement and helped bring more fluidity to the implementation.
[…] “We were able to show the client that data input through forms could calculate and monitor many more variables directly within the platform, providing greater traceability and reliability of information.”
The implementation took place on-site and required direct immersion in the factory routine. Although connectivity itself was not an obstacle, precisely because it involved few collection points, there was a specific challenge with the hardware initially chosen.
[…] “The installed optical sensor did not adapt well to the environment, since the accumulation of particles compromised the readings. The solution was to recommend replacing it with a mechanical sensor, more suitable for the operating conditions,” Aline comments.
The Experience Behind Implementation
Behind the technical structuring of a project, there’s also the background of those who lead it. In Aline’s case, the path to industrial automation wasn’t linear. Her initial interest in STEM fields led her to choose a program that would allow her to balance studies and work. Over time, hands-on experience showed that her role could go beyond technical execution.
The transition from an administrative function to the technology sector marked this process. Even with changes in context and pace, it was through direct involvement with projects that the development of a broader operational vision began to take shape.
Currently, what she identifies with most is the project management side within automation projects. This includes client engagement, activity planning and scheduling, connecting not just systems, but also people, workflows, and decisions.
For Aline, project experience brought a lesson that has accompanied all her work since then: the idea that there’s always a way to build a good solution, even when initial conditions aren’t ideal: […] “today I understand that there’s always a way to achieve the result the client needs, even when information is limited.”
For her, what defines a well-executed project goes beyond technical delivery. Meeting scope and timeline is important, but what really matters is the perceived value from those in operations, especially when the deliverable manages to exceed what was initially requested.
[…] “Beyond the metrics, building a good relationship and networking with the client also counts. This includes how the team conducts itself and manages the project, which can open doors for future expansions,” she concludes.
