Leaders Turn Vision into Infrastructure
Warren Bennis, a scholar, consultant, and author is credited for saying “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” I have tailored that famous quote to our industry by altering it to say, “Leaders turn vision into infrastructure.” We’ve all been a part of teams led by strong leaders. I have observed that one trait all of these leaders have is the ability to see what the project end goal looks like. They have a vision. They don’t always understand how to get there, but they know where we are going. It is important for those leaders to rely on and empower their team members to help us all reach the end goal together.
Many alternative delivery projects we work on are led by Project Managers who have never managed a CMGC or PD-B project. These are very competent project managers, and they fully understand the project scope and end goal, but they need help navigating alternative delivery method processes such as risk management, innovations implementation, cost reconciliations, and so on. Our role on some of these projects is to consult with the project leader on the processes and upcoming activities to ensure they can communicate the process to the team. And sometimes the project leader simply asks us to lead those meetings and guide the team through the process. We can adapt to the project leaders’ style and level of experience. In any case, Owners should not shy away from implementing alternative delivery methods due to their lack of experience. If you have a project vision, you can lead a team and successfully achieve your project goals. All you need to do is rely on your team’s expertise. Innovative Contracting and Engineering are alternative delivery experts. Allow us to help you implement your alternative delivery program.
Contact Dan Bender at (702)523-2354 or DanBender@IceTeams.com for more information about how we can help implement your alternative delivery program.
Opinion of probable construction cost (tool and Process)
Communication is the most important element required for successful project planning. That’s why at Innovative Contracting and Engineering we use every tool we can to support it. In this article, we are talking about the proper use of the OPCC comparison form. Its simple format visually displays the contractor’s unit prices and identifies the bid items that are in and out of range of the ICE unit prices. Our process helps our clients control costs during the project preconstruction phase, mitigating potential cost overruns that can stall a project as it unfolds.
And the process is simple:
1. Bid items, units of measurement, and quantities taken from the quantity reconciliation exercise are input into the OPCC form.
2. The contractor and ICE unit prices are input into the OPCC form, and the spreadsheet calculates Totals, % Difference, and Price Delta for each bid item, and sums up the subtotals at the bottom of the sheet.
3. Any items within the range of 5% or less are within an acceptable price range and the cell in the Divergence column turns green. Prices that deviate greater than 5% are outside of the acceptable range and the Divergence cell turns red. The red items are discussed by the team during the OPCC meeting for reconciliation and alignment.
4. Typically, both estimating teams will have estimate adjustments to make based on the OPCC discussions and each will submit a “reconciled estimate” to complete the OPCC Cycle.
5. It is common practice to hide the ICE unit prices from the Contractor. If the ICE values are “blinded”, then hide the ICE Unit Price, ICE Total, % Difference, and Price Delta columns, and then save this form as a PDF before distributing to the team.
This comparison method allows the project team to collaborate, to pinpoint, and to control cost issues before they become obstacles. At the same time, it creates trust through objective analysis and practical methods.
Using standardized processes, reliable methods, and effective communication builds trust and results in project success. Click this link to go to our toolbox and download the OPCC Comparison Form.
Jeremy Harvey, Lead Cost Estimator
We welcome our newest member to the team! Jeremy Harvey is from Utah and joined our team as a Senior Cost Estimator in April of 2022. Mr. Harvey received his Bachelor of Science in Business & Information Technology in 2007 at Montana Tech of the University of Montana. Jeremy has over 14 years of extensive experience within the corporate, subcontractor, leadership, business, and financial aspects of the construction and transportation industry. His work history includes cost estimating, project management, and field engineering on highways, bridges, and aviation alternative delivery projects. Jeremy has proven to be a self-motivated and well-organized team member and leader with the ability to rapidly learn and execute new tasks under high pressure within a fast-paced environment. He has a track record of consistently exceeding personal and company goals while building strong and lasting customer and client relationships. He is proficient in HCSS Heavy Bid and Primavera P6.
Jeremy is currently leading estimating teams on DRBA ship collision dolphins and West Memphis Interchange and has major estimating roles in Las Vegas Wash Stabilization Project, and Coastal 29 Fish Passageways. We are honored to have him on our team!
Alternative Delivery Consulting Services (PDB, CMGC, CMAR, DB, P3)
Alternative Delivery Processes Training
Independent Cost Estimating (Production-Based Cost Estimating)
Critical Path Scheduling Using Primavera P6
Constructability Reviews
Risk Management/Mitigation
Innovation in Construction Techniques
Negotiation
Change Order Reviews
Training
We love what we do! We have a passion for finding creative approaches to construction. We are constantly looking for innovative construction techniques to add value to the projects we are working on. Our team has found ways to reduce schedule and/or construction costs on every project we have worked on to date!
Innovative Contracting & Engineering (ICE) is a team comprised of former contractors and professional engineers who have a thorough understanding of market fluctuations, pricing trends, construction strategies, and innovations. Our experience working on alternative delivery projects across the United States has provided our team with a tool bag full of industry best practices. Construction cost estimating and scheduling is our primary focus. This focus is how we stay current on construction trends and price changes, and that helps us produce more accurate estimates than our competition. We have a passion for finding creative approaches to construction. We are constantly looking for innovative construction techniques to add value to the projects we are working on. Our team has found a way to reduce schedule and/or construction costs on every project we have worked on to date! ICE works closely with our clients to improve the quality of their most challenging projects.
Past Newsletters:
Early completion milestone bonuses in CMGC contracts
Risk Management Best Practices
Vision 2020?? Nobody saw this coming!
How can we help you? Send us your questions, comments, and request.
Email, Call, or Text: Dan Bender, 702-523-2354, danbender@iceteams.com