Download PMW_0032_Competing_Projects.mp3 (20.2 MB)
Capital projects provide some of the best examples of some of the most complex stakeholder relationships and portfolios that project managers can face. The sheer magnitude of capital projects pushes the envelope in adhering to the ultimate delivery goal of every project manager – on time, within budget and within specification. At the core of these projects are the multitudes of stakeholders that need to be managed. Whether it be those who manage the purse strings funding the project or the policy makers that can change the course of the plan on a moment's notice; stakeholder management requires that all involved parties are kept in the loop every step of the way. Documenting progress and continuous communication of project status are key elements in facilitating that these projects move forward and obtain the necessary approvals to meet projected timelines. Additionally, planning for change due to funding issues or a shift in priorities require project professionals to have the necessary tools and methodologies in place to quickly adapt and prevent the potential derailing of the project’s successful outcome.
For the Delaware Department of Transportation (DOT), it, like many state agencies, was facing a budget shortfall due to the economic downturn and was re-evaluating the priorities of capital projects in the state to determine which projects would be shelved and/or canceled. This planning was interrupted and complicated when the US federal government passed its economic stimulus plan for "shovel ready" projects. Unfortunately for the Delaware DOT and other state agencies, they simply could not allocate the federal dollars towards existing projects and narrow their budget gaps. The new federal funds came with a host of conditions, and the Delaware DOT had to sort them out before it could understand the true implications that the economic stimulus plan would have on its scheduling of capital projects.
In this episode, industry insiders, Bob Perrine and Connie Post of the Delaware DOT, will share their insights and experiences in overcoming the challenges and complexities of managing a portfolio of capital projects.
Bob Perrine is a civil engineer with 30 years of experience in the construction industry. He has worked in federal government, private industry, and state government. Currently, Bob is the Constructability Review Engineer / Master Scheduler for the Delaware DOT.
Connie Post, my other distinguished guest, has over 28 years of experience in Information Technology, and 18 years of experience in Project Management. She is currently an independent consultant with the Delaware DOT and her responsibilities include project management, requirements analysis and implementation of new systems, systems integration, and business process review.
Today, Bob and Connie will discuss the difficult task of managing and scheduling resources for large, complex projects in the face of limited funds and competing stakeholders.
For more information about capital projects at the Delaware Department of Transportation, please check out Episode 28, Delivering Capital Projects on Time: A Case Study on the "Road" to Success using Oracle Primavera.
Music Notes
1. The opening of the episode – “Catwalk”
2. Interview with industry insiders – “East Ender”
3. The closing of the episode – “Two Seater"
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