The New Age of Project Management

Jason Ruddle

Managing Director Elecosoft Businesses in project-led sectors such as construction must begin reshaping their operations around data and digital processes to remain competitive in the new era. Lip service to digital processes like building information modeling (BIM) is not enough. Companies must also drive deep internal change around digital skills, processes and information. The improvement of project management is central to the digital transformation of these companies. Project management is often a mobile profession, yet it has been limited in terms of easy access to information. Project data can be hard to reach remotely when it is based in silos, disconnected from the wider enterprise and unsupported by an integrated project collaboration platform. Enterprisewide planning and project tools enable greater visibility of projects and allow the better use of project data, though. A centralized, project data repository should be created along with strategies for project management that align with other aspects of the firm’s digital transformation. While many professional project managers already work with some digital tools, the pace of change is accelerating as the industry demands more efficiency and collaboration. Embracing digital dynamics inside the core function of project management will soon be synonymous with success.

Lad Dawson

Founder Guerdon Modular Buildings Modular design and construction is changing the way projects come together and provides benefits that advocate wider adoption. With modular design, project managers are bringing structures online in a fraction of the time of conventionally built projects, enabling developers to recoup their investments sooner. Simultaneous site preparation work and module building allow for considerably condensed construction schedules. In addition, modular construction addresses one of today’s biggest challenges: shortage of labor, which can lead to broken schedules, unpredictable construction delays and cost overruns. Each module can be built to exacting specifications in a climate-controlled environment, ensuring quality, adherence to building codes and minimal delays. Completed modules can be trucked to the building site and craned into place. Specialized trades make the final electrical, plumbing and HVAC connections. Throughout the process, project managers have a better handle on budgets, labor and timing. Less time on the jobsite helps mitigate weather and labor supply risks and reduces noise and disruption for neighbors.

Josh Newland

Senior Manager, Industry Marketing Procore Without a doubt, the cloud has had the most significant impact on project management in the last 10 years. The cloud has enabled instant access to current files, drawings, specifications, submittals, RFIs, action items and more. Cloud applications and workflows have removed an enormous amount of waste from many processes in the AEC industry. When you have potentially 100 or more companies collaborating to build something, it takes a very large amount of aggregate time for a team to manage copies and lists of the same information, through both digital and paper processes. This also means most everyone’s documents will be out of date and/or conflicting with someone else’s documents. With cloud-based collaboration tools, a small group of people can manage the information one time, in one place, that everyone has access to, with lists, actions and overdue reminders being generated automatically. This allows everyone to focus on whatever unique solution or service they are bringing to the project. They also know that the information they need is only a few clicks away.