The big question…“Can a strong Planning and Project Controls solution help win new business?”

We spoke to Rob Halliwell, Planning and Project Controls Director at Procter Street, and asked the big question – how can project controls help strengthen a bid for new business?

Q: Why should project controls form part of every new business bid?

A:    It’s straightforward really – you can have the best proposal and the most exacting plans but everything needs to be managed with tight controls, right from the beginning so you can keep on top of everything and nothing spirals off course. Our project controls take the very best plans, working with excellent teams, and keeps everything tight.

Q:   Where do you start with implementing project controls?

A:    Like anything, we like to be involved right from the start. We’ll work with the various stakeholders at feasibility level, modelling different options, creating inventories, gathering together costs for all the moving parts, from people to equipment, and get a solid understanding early on.

Q:   And can you also jump on a project at a later stage?

A:   We can, although honestly, it’s much easier to work with plans and controls from the beginning. Working through a previously unseen set of plans means we have to unpick things to a certain degree so it can be a challenge but we find a way.

Q:   So you’d recommend including cost control at the very beginning with every new proposal?

A:   Absolutely. We can add our perspective and knowledge to a project, understanding how different approaches will impact time schedules and costs. We know because we do this day in, day out, so can bring our experience to bear. If you’re bidding for a large project – or something with extra tight margins – having a control element is essential.

Q:   Do you support or advise on the impact of any suggested changes to the project plan?

A:   Yes that’s right, we can take any of the variables and reliably predict the outcome of even the smallest of changes. It’s fascinating to see how extending a pipeline or highway by just a few feet can cause a ripple effect involving cost, timings and resources. We can also support any such work with detailed Clause 62 reports, an important part of our compliance support.

Q:   What would you say is a key part of your role within any construction or civils project?

A:   Providing transparency. We can be totally up front and exact about the effect of the variables within the delivery cycle. We can analyse every aspect, report in detail and advise on potential changes. It’s precise work which we can back up with industry knowledge so it means we can overlay the analytics with common-sense and sense-check as we go. We include this in any tenders we’re part of because it resonates strongly with risk managers and financial teams.

Q:   So another aspect of your value is your knowledge on the ground?

A:   It would be tricky to do this successfully without having a good understanding of the processes involved in the different sectors. We spend time away from site in our roles but most of the team come from career backgrounds of working in busy site environments. It means we speak the right language. If you didn’t understand the industry you’d just be inputting data and hoping for the best – that’s no good to us.

Q:   It seems that much of your work is aligning plans with reality – a key strength for any project or work-winning proposal?

A:    That’s one way of putting it! We’re always ready to change course and react to any issue that a project can throw at you. Of course, the skill is to work with the different teams to keep both the expected and unexpected within budget and on time.