Construction

Once a capital project enters the construction phase, the project controls function must adapt to realities at site.  This function works closely with project managers, engineers, and construction teams to offer expertise in areas like cost management, planning, risk management, and contract administration.  Techne enhances the effectiveness of project controls at site by leveraging decades of hands-on site experience and the ability to fully integrate across functions and disciplines.

Cost Control

Budget tracking, forecasting, and on-site change management feature prominently during construction. To understand how a project is progressing, we enable our clients to continuously monitor expenditures against the approved budget. The project controls team provides ongoing cost forecasting to predict potential overruns before they occur, allowing for timely interventions. And any changes to the scope, design, or other project elements that affect costs are documented and managed through change orders. Project controls ensure that these changes are properly approved and that their impact on the overall budget is understood and managed.

Schedule Management

Schedule performance is a top priority for owners and stakeholders. Drawing on extensive site experience on capital projects, we bring confidence in schedule management. The baseline schedule set at the project’s start serves as the benchmark for tracking progress. Our project controls teams regularly update the schedule with actual site progress, monitoring whether tasks are on track or delayed. This includes closely watching the critical path—the sequence of tasks that directly impacts the project’s end date. In the event of delays, we identify the root cause, assess the impact on the timeline, and recommend corrective actions to recover lost time.

Risk Management

Once a project reaches the construction phase, numerous risks identified earlier in the project, and their potential mitigations, become a reality.  Additional unforeseen risks may also materialize.  Project controls teams work to identify these risks early and develop mitigation strategies.  By tracking potential risks and uncertainties, Techne can recommend contingency plans and reserves to handle risk events to mitigate the impact to the project.

Performance Metrics

Teche uses proven Earned Value Management (EVM) methodologies to measure project performance in terms of cost and schedule. EVM compares the value of work completed (earned value) with actual costs and the planned schedule to give a clear picture of how the project is performing.  The key EVM metrics of Cost Performance Index (CPI) & Schedule Performance Index (SPI) help determine whether the project is within budget (CPI) and on time (SPI), enabling site managers to make informed decisions.

On-Site Change Management

Changes in scope—whether due to design modifications, client requests, or site conditions—can have a significant impact on costs and schedules, which become increasingly more sensitive as construction progresses.  Techne’s personnel have worked on construction sites and are experienced at assessing the impact of change on cost, schedule, and resources helping ensure that any change is properly understood and accounted for.

Progress and Performance Reporting

Techne’s experienced site project controllers generate regular reports on site progress, including detailed updates on completed activities, materials used, labour hours, and any issues that arise.  Key performance indicators (KPIs), such as productivity rates, cost per unit of work, or safety metrics, are monitored to provide an ongoing assessment of performance. These reports help keep owners well informed of site activities, helping ensure alignment between on-site management and overall project objectives.

Quality Control

Leveraging experience earned on construction sites, our quality control personnel help ensure that construction activities meet the quality standards outlined in the project specifications and various contracts. They work closely with quality assurance teams to track inspections, testing, and compliance.  If quality issues are identified, our team can leverages Techne’s extended resources to address the problem and minimize its impact on the project.