Integrated project control is a long proven approach to providing the early warning of problems, and accuracy in the assessment. CMS Inc. has formalized this approach since 1986 to the project world under the Integrated Project Controls strategy. Integrated project controls are a controls strategy developed to benefit the owners of capital projects.
Through each of its functional modules this strategy provides the Owner’s project team with these advantages:
- Objective view of the project
- An early identification of potential problems
- Accurate analysis of current status
All of which provide the Project Team with these benefits:
- Ability to decide based on fact – not opinion
- Opportunity to fix the small problem, before it’s a big one
- Ability to quickly measure the results of their decisions
Project control comes through the ability to tie both cost and schedule together. The un-integrated approach to control may provide adequate cost control, and adequate schedule controls; but they don’t provide adequate project control.
Through the component controls of planning, scheduling, cost, and training, CMS Inc. provides the over-riding philosophy that ties the whole system together. Our integrated approach to project control allows each component of this strategy to quickly interface with the next, providing the owner the real answer to the questions: Where is my Project now? How did it get here? Where are we going to end up? The complete use of all integrated project control components provides the owner with the answers.
Real questions, real answers
Estimating
An Estimate is the foundation of cost control and cost management, predicting the quantities and prices for the resources required. Being able to make accurate cost estimates is essential to delivering a solid project plan. Cost estimating utilizes many techniques that translate the project scope into deliverables and develop an approximation of costs of the resources needed to complete project activities.
Cost estimating input includes formed deliverable oriented work packages in the form of a well-defined Work Breakdown Structure, historical data, chart of accounts, risks, duration of activities, resources and unit rates of resources. Based on this input, cost estimating utilizes estimating techniques and tools to produce an estimation of the costs of each project deliverable. Estimates are required at multiple points in the lifecycle of a project, as outlined by the AACE International Recommended Practice No. 18R-97 COST ESTIMATE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM – AS APPLIED IN ENGINEERING, PROCUREMENT, AND CONSTRUCTION FOR THE PROCESS INDUSTRIES
An Estimate is the foundation of cost control and cost management
Planning
The Planning component ensures that the plan is executable. Our planning philosophy not only determines the sequence that work needs to be completed in, but also addresses the organizational responsibilities required.
This Planning component identifies what needs to be measured, how it will be measured, and in effect, how we earn value for the project. What gets measured gets done.
Planning identifies what needs to be measured and how it will be measured
Scheduling
The Scheduling component puts the plan into action items. Through the use of the latest tools available, schedules are developed according to planned implementation.
Critical paths are correctly identified, and all schedules are optimized to eliminate lag. Each scheduled activity has it’s execution budget tied directly into the scheduled activity.
Proper Schedule Should Show:
- That All the Work Has Been Scheduled
- That All Critical Path(S) Have Been Correctly Identified
- That the Plan Can Be Accomplished
- That the Plan Can Be Measured
- And That Schedule Slippage Is Easily Recognized
All schedules are optimized to eliminate lag
Cost Control
The Cost Control component starts with a plan and an estimate, and breaks the project into execution budgets. The integration of these budgets with the scheduling component ensures that cost and schedule are both measured for the same quantity of work.
Actual project costs, and changes are gathered against the execution budgets, and current budget efficiencies are trended accordingly.
- Physical completion data with measured trends ensure the accuracy of the current cost forecasts
- A consistent measure of cost performance
- Early identification of cost trends
- An early measure of estimate accuracy
- An accurate forecast of final cost
- Management of change
Cost, efficiency, quality
Training
The fourth and final component is employee training. Through courses developed by CMS Inc. and delivered through Pathway Associates, we assist our clients to fully utilize our management tools and skills, by offering standard and customized courses in:
- Project Management
- Project Planning
- Project Scheduling
- Project Cost Engineering
- Management and Soft skills Training
