30 Aug 2024 Project Controls News

Dear Planning Planet Member,

Join the Global Community [1] - welcome to the newsletter; did you know that this newsletter goes to the largest community of project controllers on planet Earth?

MEET OUR PARTNER - NPLAN! THEN TRY OUT THEIR FREE SCHEDULE INTEGRITY CHECKER…

nPlan! Then try out their free Schedule Integrity Checker…

Our newest partner nPlan builds tools that give Planners superpowers - including the ability to automatically identify an incredibly comprehensive range of schedule integrity issues with a single click.

nPlan is inviting all Planning Planet members to use their free Schedule Integrity Checker, as often as they want, for as long as they want.

Here’s what nPlan has told us about the tool:

Our customers use their schedules for AI-powered forecasting - we can’t afford to have that process disrupted by schedule integrity issues. We had no choice but to develop a schedule integrity tool that is incredibly thorough - and goes way beyond the standard DCMA 14-point check. The result? nPlan’s Schedule Integrity Checker, which you can use to:

Upload your schedule and view your results in minutes
Hunt down, quantify and report on schedule integrity errors like negative floats, incorrect logic and long durations at the push of a button
Create accessible and actionable reports that drive change

Best of all - it’s browser-based, free for everyone to use - and it always will be. Stop paying for install-heavy expensive schedule integrity software and give it a try today [2]...

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT SCHOLARSHIP

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Are you or someone you know pursuing a degree in Project Management or Construction? Applications for our Project Management Scholarship are due next month!

Find more information on how to apply HERE [4]...

ACOSTE Awards at the Cavern Club Liverpool

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ACOSTE and 2024 Awards now open for nominations - CLOSING DATE 1st September 2024

The ACOSTE 2024 Annual Awards are now open for nominations and without nominators we wouldn’t have any winners!

There are four categories for nominations this year, which are:

Project Controls Apprentice of the Year

The Project Controls Apprentice of the Year Award is dedicated to recognising an emerging talent who has demonstrated exceptional promise, skill, and dedication in the field of project controls. This award celebrates an apprentice who has shown remarkable progress and achievement in mastering the essential elements of project controls, including cost management, cost estimating, scheduling, or risk analysis.

The recipient of this award is an individual who not only exhibits a strong grasp of technical knowledge but also demonstrates a proactive attitude, eagerness to learn, and a commitment to excellence. They have shown outstanding potential to contribute to successful project outcomes and have made significant strides in their professional development within their apprenticeship.

The Project Controls Apprentice of the Year Award honours those who have embraced challenges, displayed a keen ability to adapt and innovate, and have actively contributed to their teams and projects. This award highlights the importance of nurturing new talent in the industry and celebrates the achievements of apprentices who are poised to become future leaders in project controls.

Leadership in Project Controls

The Leadership in Project Controls Award is earned by an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment in the field of project controls. This award celebrates those who have excelled in integrating and enhancing the core aspects of project controls, including cost control, scheduling, and risk management, thereby ensuring successful project outcomes.

Recipients of this award are visionaries, operating at any level in an organisation, who have not only excelled in their technical skills but have also inspired and mentored others, driving a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. They are known for their strategic thinking, ability to navigate complex challenges, and for implementing best practices that set new benchmarks in the industry.

The Leadership in Project Controls Award honours those whose contributions have significantly advanced the field, fostering innovation and efficiency, and whose leadership has made a lasting impact on their organisations and the broader project management community.

Positive Environmental Impact

The Positive Environmental Impact Award honours an individual or team who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation in integrating environmental sustainability within project controls. This award recognises those who have made significant contributions to reducing the environmental footprint of projects through meticulous planning, resource management, and implementation of eco-friendly practices.

Recipients of this award excel in incorporating sustainable methodologies in project control, ensuring that environmental considerations are at the forefront of project execution. They are champions of green initiatives, driving projects that not only meet their objectives but also contribute positively to environmental conservation and sustainability.

The Positive Environmental Impact Award celebrates those who have set new benchmarks for environmentally responsible project management. Their work exemplifies the integration of environmental stewardship into the core of project controls, inspiring others in the industry to prioritise sustainability and make a lasting positive impact on the planet.

Lifetime Contribution

The Lifetime Contribution Award is a distinguished honour that recognises an individual's extraordinary and sustained contributions to the field of project controls over the course of their career. This award celebrates a professional who has devoted their lifetime to advancing the discipline through innovative practices, thought leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Recipients of this award are trailblazers whose work has significantly shaped and influenced the principles and methodologies of project controls. They are esteemed for their profound impact on project controls, and for setting industry standards that others strive to emulate.

The Lifetime Contribution Award honours those whose dedication has not only enhanced the efficiency and success of countless projects but also inspired and mentored future generations of project control professionals. Their legacy is marked by their passion for the field, their role in fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and their significant, enduring impact on the industry.

ACOSTE 2024 Award Nomination [6]...

At the Awards night in Liverpool on 8th October, we will also be presenting two further awards :

ACOSTE Article of the Year - recognises exceptional contributions that captivate our readership through insightful analysis, innovative ideas, and compelling narratives found in the Project Controls Professional magazine over the last 12 months. This is being judged by our ACOSTE Volunteers group

ACOSTE Member of the Year - Commending individuals who have gone above and beyond to support the ACOSTE community and advance our profession. This is being judged by our group of Directors.

Our Awards night culminates 2 linked events afternoon and evening (2-11pm). Attend both or just one. The choice is yours.

The afternoon at the Liver Building to hear about the new look association, To listen to some awards entrants. To meet and network with old and new colleagues. To enjoy the stunning views from the Liver Building.
The evening at the world-famous Cavern Club for the awards. To talk and celebrate over a Liverpudlian meal and entertainment from the Cavern Club Beatles.

Come Together Getting Better for A Hard Day's Night with your Ticket to Ride Get your tickets today as space is limited !

ACOSTE 2024 Award Ticket [5]...

Hope to see many of you there

Regards

Christine McLean FACostE, CPCostE

President

INDUSTRIAL ASSET MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY (IAMTECH)

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Seamlessly Scope, Plan, Schedule, and Execute your next Shutdown, Turnaround, or Outage with iPlanSTO — while enjoying a x 4.5 ROI.

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Industry News - Fuelling Innovation: IAMTech's Strategies for Staying Ahead in Industrial Tech.

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Ross Coulman (MD, IAMTech) has been confirmed as a speaker on Day 1 of the
OPEX GLOBAL STO Conference - London, UK on the 25, 26 & 27th September.

WEBINAR DEDICATED TO SHOWCASING SCHEDULEREADER AND SCHEDULECLEANER

On August 29^th, Synami’s partner and official reseller of their products for the Benelux region, Aram Group, hosted a free webinar dedicated to showcasing ScheduleReader and ScheduleCleaner.

During this webinar, listeners got an opportunity to learn more about Synami’s innovative software products designed to enhance the communication between project stakeholders.

Learn more about this [10]...

AI CONSTRUCTION NEWS

AI is coming your way; Or are you already using it? Let us know your outlook on AI and receive your own copy of our exclusive Guide to ChatGPT in Construction

WPL Publishing Company, publishers of the AI Construction News newsletter, is running a short 6-question survey and would love your input. Please let us know what you think below. All participants who complete the survey will receive a complimentary copy of the 75-page Guide to ChatGPT in Construction published by AI Construction News, a $125 value! Survey closes August 9.

Click here to take the survey [11]...

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BLOG ARTICLE | NAVIGATING THE HUMAN AND CULTURAL CHALLENGES OF INDUSTRY 4.0

With the Industry 4.0 revolution, blending advanced technologies like IoT and AI with traditional practices, we're not just witnessing a technological upgrade but a complete shift in how work is performed.

Cleopatra Enterprise’s expert, Jos van der Stelt, delves into the dual challenges businesses face: upskilling the workforce and overcoming resistance to change.

Discover actionable insights and practical steps to manage these challenges effectively.

Read the blog now [12]....

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ON-DEMAND WEBINAR | CUSTOM CESK DATA FOR ENHANCED CLIENT EXPERIENCE

Many organizations seek to make more reliable decisions and conduct detailed studies on their data for specific project requirements. However, they often encounter challenges when communicating with external parties.

Cleopatra Enterprise’s on-demand webinar provides valuable insights into:

The role of CESK Data in supporting client decisions
Real-life examples from CESK Data’s case studies
Qualitative and quantitative improvements in CESK 2024

This webinar offers strategies to address these challenges and enhance project outcomes through custom CESK data.

Watch now [14]...

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RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN MICROSOFT PROJECT: TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES

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Effective project management relies heavily on efficient allocation and utilization of project specific resources, which is why this article will delve into understanding resource management within Microsoft Project.

Seavus Project Viewer, with all its features including its resource views and reports, can help provide clear insights into resource allocation, facilitating well-informed decision-making.

Learn more [15]...

A SUPERIOR ALTERNATIVE TO THE "MOST POPULAR" SOFTWARE FOR US AS PLANNERS?

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A superior alternative to the "most popular" software for us as planners?

Spider Project

Spider Project offers numerous unique functional features and is the only PM software that optimizes resource, cost, and material constrained schedules and budgets for projects and portfolios.

Check it out here [16]... Ask questions here [17]...

Construction CPM Conference 2025

Construction CPM Conference will be next be held in Philadelphia PA next January 19-22 2025.

Please note - the charge for attending goes up from $825 to $875 on September 1st.

ENIAC was created by Mauchly. CPM was then created as an exercise by Kelley and Walker to demonstrate a practical use of the newly invented electronic digital computer. It took James O’Brien to suggest and then spread to the world the impact to our construction and other time centric industries. It is OUR job to continue spreading of the discipline of Critical Path Method Planning as modified to utilize the more powerful computers of 2025 (rather than those of 1956) to further the goal of calculating the best schedules for our projects. Kelley, Walker, and others knew that the 1956 solutions were only approximations limited by the mathematics and computer power of the day.

Do YOU know that despite the many magnitudes of increased power of today’s computers, such are still only approximations and often off by weeks or even months as to earliest achievable completion? This is not rocket science - it is much more complex. So much more that even today’s computers can provide only an approximation.

The development of new computer software of, by and for software companies has not been used to address the issues of the leaders of 1956, and in many cases yield a solution inferior to those of yore. But we as Engineers already knew OUR job is to understand and make these tools still serve US.

Come to Construction CPM Conference to learn proper PLANNING, and to compare and contrast the solutions provided by these software developers. Go Home Trained in Three or More! Consider new features and Add-Ons to help YOU understand how to use these tools to best manage OUR projects.

The latest from SCOTUS ending “Chevron” tells us we can no longer say “the computer says” and demands we be able to explain and duplicate (by hand if necessary) the calculation to a Court. Beyond courtroom shouting, please remember that OUR job is to create best projects for our stakeholders.

Come join us in Philadelphia [18] to help further this goal [19]....

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE ON PLANNING PLANET?

We want to give more of our members the opportunity to advertise on our site. Click here to get started [20]!

THANK YOU FOR READING OUR MESSAGES

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Regards...

The Planning Planet Team

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