Why your project is on track!

I was recently asked if I can project manage a 7 year greenfield infrastructure project here in Thailand. Very little information was offered for my review, but from what I can see, the owner has already awarded a Turn Key project. I like a challenge, the status quo and the subject is far from ground breaking. The starting point in this is unclear, so there is a challenge in itself.

As an experienced Project Manager and Contract Administrator, what steps do you take to ensure this particular contract goes the right direction before you take the job and if you do - from here forward? Here is what you do, how you do, and why.

There are 12 steps according to Claude Lancome in his 2017 book "Construction Contract Administration" and I interpret these from both an Owners and Contractors perspective as follows: (my interpretation & application).

Step 1: Reading the Contract

The objective is identifying the gaps, and there will be some, hopefully not many. Then building a bridging document between all of the contracts, and managing the gaps. The output of this exercise will be the initial input in your project management plan. This is the what and how. The managed performance is the bonus and why you conduct this exercise.

Why in further detail? It is possible to sustain and improve the projected way forward so actual performance is on track and remains as such. But this must be done by planning and managing from as early as practical and with the right people and appropriate support. The overwhelming why at this point is to use as much foresight as possible to gain an advantage that will not be available to you later except at a very high cost. If you have not budgeted at the front end of the project for this, don't be alarmed, call it a needed loss leader to get you on track early and reap the benefits of saved time and money later when the project is up-and-running.

Step 2: Identifying and Obtaining Benefits

This is a live article and I will add the other 11 steps needed and my interpretation in due course.

If you would like my assistance to keep you on track, please do contact me at [email protected] and let's discuss.