Project Management Consulting- Functional Errors/Mythbusting
In my experience of Project Management Consulting, here are some errors that folks in both Client end, Contractor's end as well as evven those working as PMC Consulting Engineers frequently make and I am hoping to clear some of them here- for this misunderstanding causes much confusion and errors in "who does what here?" or "Who is the Stakeholder?" or "Who is the owner and responsible here?" sort of questions.
- If you see the picture above, it gives the briefest summary of what a PMC Engineer's role really is- It is a much broader oversight that the PMC is given to perform- in a FEED or EPC Contractual term- more of Contractual oversight, monitoring and controlling.
- Review- Review means oversight, not checking. Checking refers to a much more detailed examination of data, cross corelating information across different disciplines, different vendors/subcontractors etc- validating the information as correct and applicable and then forming a cogent, coherent Engineering/Procurement/Construction document/drawings etc- for further implementation. Review, on the other hand, involves oversight of critical aspects only, reviewing with respect to Contract and Scope (see Pic above)- ensuring project schedule and time constraints are honoured etc.
- Who is the owner? The Client is the owner of the Contract and the Contractor is one who delivers it- although both parties are bound by the all articles and terms and conditions of the Contract- PMC role is to oversee and administer the Contract- for both parties- Client and the Contractor. This is in terms of Engineering, Procurement, Construction, or in FEED cases- Design and Implementation within Design factors. PMC does not own the contract, but is merely the Contract administrator- for every disicpline as well as management. Why this is important to understand? Because it is frequently, and very erroneously demanded of PMC folks(management & discipline- at Client & Contractor ends), to think, act and perform as if the PMC is the owner of the Contract- and is exeecuting as if they are the Contractor of the Project.
- Who is responsible for delivery of Project? Both PMC and the Contractor are obliged to deliver the Contract. But these days, as is the case, there is no legal PMC Contract given as a package to be delivered by the PMC- It is usually discrete, and disparage group of hired manpower, who are bundled together to work on behalf of the Client- but with no real authority to determine or hold the Contractor accountable to the Client or the parent Company of the Client- what this leads to is a losely defined sense of responsibility, with no Contractual obligation on behalf of PMC to deliver the project- in terms of Quality, Cost, Budget, Schedule etc.
- Who is to ensure Compliance?(picture above)- Both PMC and Contractor are obliged to deliver Compliance to specifications, local and international standards etc- under the terms of the Contract. However, the main accountability rests with the Contractor who is delivering the Contract- and who has legally obliged by Contractual terms and conditions to deliver as per codes and standards. Once again, PMC role is of oversight of project, as an administrator, not as one who microexamines each and every detail of Contractor's work, through the course of the Project.