Project Management
At RPM we carefully oversee our client's interests on a construction project. This means they can focus on their business and know their project is in good hands. It's all about managing their risk so you can relax!
A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT:
- Pre-Construction Planning & Documentation: This is where you save the money!
-
Technical management of all the complex preconstruction planning matters is a major strength within RPM. Years of experience means speed in processing consents and the skilful management of the consultant team.
- Contracting: Main contracts or labour only contracts.
-
RPM manages main contracts. In addition, a unique aspect of RPM's skill set is its method of running on-site construction as a managed labour-only contract. All trades and suppliers are tendered individually by RPM and contracted by RPM for and on behalf of the client. The benefits of this system include major savings through dealing direct with suppliers, no contractor margins or unaccounted 'preliminary & general' sums; Greater control of project quality.
The RPM website is capable of securely hosting project documents. These can be accessed at any time by the consultant team, using passwords, to either mount their own documents or to examine the documents of others in the consulting team. It's a great way to keep documents current. It's a revolutionary tool for the tendering process as contractors, again through use of a unique password, can access the site to download the documents necessary for their costing purposes.
No Surprises. Budget control from the earliest stages on a project ensures there are no surprises at the end.
Development and maintenance of the project budget is ongoing and is adjusted as required during the project for variations when/if they occur, as well as each month to reflect monthly payments to contractors. The budget would typically be managed in conjunction with a project QS (quantity surveyor) where one is engaged to sign off on payments made to the main contractor through a private client, lender or government body, depending on the type of project.
- Critical path programming: You can never waste time programming!
-
Time is money. This was never a truer statement than in construction. Critical path programming means a full project strategy is established at the inception of a project to ensure all relevant preconstruction and construction activities are accounted for.
Programming is assisted through use of specialised software such as Microsoft Project for the development of detailed analysis of time and resources.
Project programmes are a fundamental tool for the daily management of the site, on display for all members of the construction crew. In the case of a main contract programmes will generally be established and maintained by the main contractor but overseen by the project manager. 'No time is ever wasted on programming'.
At every site meeting the programme is addressed and if aspects of a job are falling behind then the contractor will be required to advise how they will bring the project back in line with the required timeframe.
- Quality assurance: The quality of a project stays with it forever so it is worth spending time on.
-
Quality assurance recognises that attention to detail and building standards are a fundamental part to delivering a successful project. For each project a specific quality assurance programme/process is established to suit the specific requirements of that project.
Where regular site meetings are held, quality assurance is dealt with as a topic on its own. Procedures and outcomes are recorded to ensure their proper application to the project and thus the best outcomes. This takes the form of a quality assurance form that the project manager utilises whenever they are on site. It records quality issues that arise, details them and recommends solutions. A copy is provided to the main contractor who is required to remedy the specific matter.
All the projects RPM has been involved in have had a very strong emphasis on quality. This is supported by my own extensive experience in the construction industry and involvement with on-site activities. We know construction and know the difference, when we see it, between good work and bad work. Quite apart from good management skills, knowledge of construction and constructional methods is a basic requirement of our project managers. It flows directly into quality.
Our firm's attitude on quality control has been further honed because RPM has, in many cases, also been responsible for the marketing and selling of properties and unless the quality is there then properties will be marked down as purchasers will highlight quality issues.
RPM has not been involved in any leaky home claims.
Health and safety is another key component in the effective day to day running of a site. We would oversee the establishment of a comprehensive H&S policy along with its implementation and ongoing maintenance. As with programming, budget and quality assurance, H&S would form a standard part of the site meeting.
- Established systems: This is not an art-form. All projects follow a similar pattern.
-
Well established systems and tightly administered contracts are essential for a well run project so all parties that make up the project team know from the outset what their obligations and responsibilities are.
RPM is highly systems and processes orientated with an emphasis on standard forms that are utilised throughout a project. We are motivated by the essential requirement in this industry for accurate record keeping that is then logically filed and easy to access. Data bases include: contractors, suppliers and consultants. Standard form correspondence include: invitation to tender and acceptance of tender. Forms include: notice to tender applicants, variation price requests, variation orders, site instructions, quality assurance document and the keeping of site meeting minutes. Short form contracts are also available where constructors are engaged directly as opposed to a main contract.
- Reporting: You are never left in the dark
-
Monthly reports are provided during preconstruction and construction stages. Clients generally have responsibilities to funders. RPM provides detailed reports so their clients can keep their other stake holders abreast of progress and developments, including actual budgeting, programme and quality issues against earlier forecasts.
Typically a formalised site meeting along with the establishment of detailed meeting minutes would take place every week throughout the duration of the project. Meeting minutes are sectionalised and distributed to all members of the project team. All items are recorded as to whether they require action, when, and by whom.