The level of uncertainty and volatility associated with engineering and construction projects make a predictable outcome almost impossible to achieve, as these projects are complex and impacted by or impact others. These projects present great challenges to busy leaders, managers, and executives. The long history of staggering cost overruns and completion delays offers little assurance that cost and schedules estimates can be relied upon.
This one-day seminar introduces and defines assurance and oversight processes specifically developed for owners’ organizations, such as municipalities, ministries, and other organizations responsible for delivering major capital projects. Assurance and oversight are essential components of project management. Both assurance and oversight are integral to minimizing risks, controlling costs, and achieving the project's objectives.
Seminar Description
The instructor will discuss a process that is systematic, independent, and proactive for evaluating various aspects of a construction project. Assurance and oversight involve a series of activities and processes that are conducted throughout the project's lifecycle to identify potential issues and risks early on, allowing for timely corrective actions. Assurance and oversight provide an unbiased review and periodic assessment of the project's performance.
Learning Objectives
The main objective of this seminar is to enhance owners’ confidence that their projects are being executed effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with the defined standards and requirements.
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Improve their understanding of the assurance and oversight methodology
- Tailor the instructor’s materials to the specific needs of their projects. Participants may wish to develop the first draft of their assurance and oversight document or even a project playbook
- Understand their leadership role in supporting the project team and managing project predictability
Agenda
- Introduction
- How projects are delivered
- Characteristics of capital projects
- Assurance and Oversight
- Assurance and Oversight Questions
- Fundamental Questions - Ten high-level questions
- Issue Related Questions - Risks, budget and schedule estimates, selecting engineering firms and construction contractors, budget and schedule estimates, First Nations and stakeholder engagement, collaborative approach, project governance, and empowerment and claims management
- Phase Related Questions prior to each gate:
- Identifying followed by Gate 1
- Initiating followed by Gate 2
- Planning and Design followed by Gate 3
- Executing
- Procurement followed by Gate 4a.
- Construction followed by Gate 4b.
- Testing and Commissioning followed by Gate 4c.
- Turn Over to Operations followed by Gate 4d.
- Closing followed by Gate 5
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Regular monitoring of project health and performance
- Project Document Review: Evaluation of the quality of the project documents and processes
- Construction Readiness: Assessment of construction readiness and management practices