It's no longer just about being on time and on budget. In the world of project management, organizations need to find new ways to do more with less.
In the mining and metals and energy sectors, stakeholders continue to demand results despite serious market challenges.
Projects are becoming increasingly complex and more remote. Capital to back them is more difficult to secure than ever before. Existing plants and operations are being subjected to ever-increasing government regulations that handcuff expansion projects.
In the infrastructure sector, populations are urbanizing at an unprecedented rate. Cities cannot keep up. Governments need to invest in smarter cities and transportation, and deal with serious issues of water scarcity. But many are strapped by debt that mounts higher and higher, year after year.
Project management isn't just about delivering new programs, structures, and operations anymore. It's about finding new ways to improve efficiency, to address larger social issues, and balance short-term gains with long-term forecasts. Because the world needs things to be done right, right away. Now more than ever.
Projects come in all shapes and sizes. But success is always a matter of the same key factors. Most notably, delivering on budget and schedule—the ultimate domain of project controls.
Brownfield or greenfield. During shutdown or on regular time. Traditional or fast-tracked. Each project is different, varying as to location, execution strategies, contractual arrangements, labor availability, and logistical challenges. Regardless of the particulars, costs need to be estimated and schedules developed to establish realistic baselines for projects to be appraised and approved.
Estimators and planners must take all these factors into account. They bring their skills and knowledge, along with the project team, to develop realistic cost estimates and schedules during the project planning phase. Project risk analysis also needs to be performed, considering all the elements and possibilities, and how any or all of them could affect the ultimate result.
A project controls team needs to interface with all disciplines. It's the hub of the information wheel, receiving data from all levels, assessing, massaging, and transforming it into concise information and analysis for decision-making by managers. It's all about getting the right information to the right people at the right time. Because better information means better decision-making. And better decisions unlock value.
Because no two projects are ever exactly alike, controls must reflect the size and parameters of the task. Our skilled teams are led by experienced project controls managers who see the bigger picture. The starting point is the project controls plan, a component of the larger project execution plan.
Our project-management system integrates all project aspects to ensure correct, real-time information and a streamlined effort. Control charts and key metrics pinpoint potential variations from plan. We take remedial action to deliver your project and not only meet, but exceed, your expectations for cost and schedule.
