I don't write about construction projects all that often, but lately that's been my thing: construction... roofing, HVAC, electrical, even some plumbing and floors, etc
The PMO construction extension to the PMBOK is pretty much a non-starter in my opinion.
The place to start is the AIA -- aia.org -- the American Institute of Architects. And, it's not just for architects: general contractors, contract managers, and PM's all find really good stuff.
And,you don't have to be an AIA member to take advantage of a lot of the stuff, including sample contract documents, of which they have dozens, if not several dozens. However, be watchful of the copyright claims
Here's the thing. There are these important points to grasp:
- There are generally four day-to-day players in construction: the architect (or engineer), general contractor, attorney, and owner (or buyer). Read any AIA contract template and you'll find "the architect shall...; the GC shall..., etc)
- At a strategic level, you've got the regulators, construction code authorities, and the permitting authorities (And, the latter are often at the bottom of the political food chain involving public planning, zoning, waivers, etc)
- Often, the owner and the general contractor (GC) both will have project managers, though sometimes the architect or the GC plays the role of PM for the owner. So, which one are you?
But no! My observation and experience is that communications in a construction environment is not a mesh; the communications architecture is hub-and-spoke.
And, guess who is at the hub; guess who is the risk manager managing all the sequences and buffers among players? Right! You are, if you are the PMO for the owners (or possibly the GC if the owner is contracting "turn key" with the GC)
- It's almost childish the way the various independents and independent contractors insist on communicating through the hub. If a conference is needed, only the PM can call for it, it seems.
- And, since most of the construction industry multiplexes the white space among many jobs, to maintain any kind of project schedule requires constant attention to sequences of who works when
- And, did I mention the supply chain? Everyone seems to work "just in time", maintaining minimum inventory, and thereby pushing buffers and sequencing to the limit!
- Tell them what you are going to tell them
- Tell them
- Tell them what you told them!
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