Project Control

Winter 2020

pathadmin — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 15:57:39 +0000

Winter 2020

As you may know, Project Management PANORAMA is Pathfinder's industry focused newsletter. We present the "Capital Project World as seen by Pathfinder, LLC" with regard to "trending" or "controversial" industry related topics.

In this issue you will find the following articles, Simplifying In-Plant Project Cost Estimates and Who's Overseeing My Investment - Part 2.

Also in this issue you can find information about Pathfinder's 2020 CII Project Management Training Series schedule.

Below you will find a link to the Winter 2020 PANORAMA Newsletter. We hope you enjoy this issue and as always, if you have any comments or would like to voice your views on the industry, please contact us directly.

Let's continue to strive for safe, efficient and successful projects!

pathadmin Mon, 02/24/2020 - 10:57

Available downloads

Panorama Winter 2020

Panorama Winter 2020 Newsletter is Out

pathadmin — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 15:55:24 +0000

Panorama Winter 2020 Newsletter is Out

pathadmin Mon, 02/24/2020 - 10:55

In this issue you will find the following articles, Simplifying In-Plant Project Cost Estimates and Who's Overseeing My Investment - Part 2.

Also in this issue you can find information about Pathfinder's 2020 CII Project Management Training Series schedule.

To view this newsletter and all archived newsletters, you can sign up to to be a subscriber.

Let's continue to strive for safe, efficient and successful projects!

Come join Pathfinder, LLC at the AACE Northeast Symposium

pathadmin — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 15:37:57 +0000

Come join Pathfinder, LLC at the AACE Northeast Symposium

pathadmin Mon, 03/25/2019 - 11:37

March 28-29, 2019 in Philadelphia, PA

To register click here

Stephen L. Cabano, President, Pathfinder, LLC presents on Thursday, March 28 from 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Supporting Owner Estimate Classes with Engineering Maturity and Accuracy

For decades, AACE has provided details around the level of cost estimating accuracy related to the maturity of the engineering deliverables across front end phases of a project. This established an industry accepted criteria for communicating the level of cost estimating precision as a project moves from its earliest development phases to the full project funding step. This single dimension has long been the mechanism for assuring engineering deliverables are at the level of completeness to support the cost estimating effort. But is it enough? The Construction Industry Institute (CII) recently completed a research effort which concluded it was not enough in today’s market. A second dimension/second lens is needed to evaluate the level of accuracy of engineering deliverables. This presentation will provide the basis for this research and the data that supports the application of the approach.

Paul Williams, Vice President, Pathfinder, LLC presents on Friday, March 29 from 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Owner Project Planning Supports Estimate and Schedule Accuracy

When developing the owner’s cost estimates, the maturity of engineering deliverables has often used to define the class of estimate produced. This has long supported the standard estimate classification model but should not be the only parameter considered when defining the class of estimate in support of capital programs. There are several equally important aspects of the quality of the front end deliverables such as the accuracy of the engineering as well as the maturity of the project plan. The project plan needs to evolve at the same pace as the engineering deliverables and will likewise affect the level of schedule and cost estimate accuracy. Significant improvement in project cost and schedule outcomes are possible, depending on the details of the project plan and its relationship to specific project characteristics and risks. This paper will identify industry best practices for content of the project plan and the typical evolution of the plan through the project front end efforts and execution. Examples of owner project plans will be provided and as well as the impact various components of the plan have on the estimate/schedule accuracy and corresponding project risk.

Winter 2018

pathadmin — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 15:50:13 +0000

Winter 2018

In this issue you will find the following articles, Short Supply is Creating Big Dreams and There's A New Tool In Town.

Also in this issue you can find information about Pathfinder's 2018 CII Project Management Training Series schedule.

Below you will find a link to the Winter 2018 PANORAMA Newsletter. We hope you enjoy this issue and as always, if you have any comments or would like to voice your views on the industry, please contact us directly.

Let's continue to strive for safe, efficient and successful projects!

pathadmin Mon, 03/19/2018 - 11:50

Available downloads

CII Conference Logo.png

Pathfinder's Panorama - Winter 2018

pathadmin — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 15:48:36 +0000

Pathfinder's Panorama - Winter 2018

pathadmin Mon, 03/19/2018 - 11:48

In this issue you will find the following articles, Short Supply is Creating Big Dreams and There's A New Tool In Town.

Also in this issue you can find information about Pathfinder's 2018 CII Project Management Training Series schedule.

To view this newsletter and all archived newsletters, you can sign up to to be a subscriber.

Let's continue to strive for safe, efficient and successful projects!

Pathfinder, LLC Project Controls Seminars at the AACE International Annual Meeting

pathadmin — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 15:13:44 +0000

Pathfinder, LLC Project Controls Seminars at the AACE International Annual Meeting

pathadmin Wed, 04/13/2016 - 11:13

Pathfinder will present the following seminars at the AACEI Annual Meeting. The next available seminars are June 25-26, 2016 and June 29-30, 2016.

Plan now to attend these seminars to enhance your professional knowledge and growth.

Project Controls from an Owner’s Perspective

Saturday - Sunday, June 25-26, 2016

REGISTER FOR THIS SEMINAR

This seminar will cover Project Controls Industry “Best Practices” (approaches, methods, techniques and tools) suitable to an Owner organization’s project portfolio and specific projects. Topical coverage will include:

Project Controls Perspective (relative to Owner’s role)
Project Controls Process
Roles and Responsibilities for Project Controls (Project Manager/Engineer, Owner’s Project Team, Owner’s Project Controls Team/Representatives, Contractors)
Planning and Scheduling (Development and Baselining)
Cost Estimate/Budget (Development and Baselining)
Cost and Risk Analysis and Contingency (Development and Management)
Progress and Productivity Measurement
Cost and Schedule Management
Project Controls Reporting
Change Management

A combination of material presentation in lecture format, examples and interactive sessions will be utilized by the instructor to provide attendees with an opportunity to engage in discussions and participate in an effective learning experience.

Advanced Project Controls

Wednesday - Thursday, June 29-30, 2016

REGISTER FOR THIS SEMINAR

This session will build off the basic concepts of “Project Control from an Owner’s Perspective.” Advanced Project Control issues will be addressed, including Cost and Schedule Risk Analysis, Engineering and Construction Productivity Evaluation and Influences, Schedule Analysis and Recovery Options, Reporting and Contractor Oversight. Discussion will be conducted on project control requirements and language required in owner contract documents. Facilitators will also demonstrate some of the more common software tools for scheduling, risk analysis, cost estimating, etc. Participants will be tasked with various workshop exercises that will challenge their skills in project control and project recovery techniques.

Learning Objectives:

Schedule Risk Analysis and Assurance
Cost Risk Analysis and Assurance
Engineering/Constr4uction Productivity Evaluation
Advanced Recovery Techniques

AACEI Delaware Valley Section presents...

pathadmin — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 18:47:15 +0000

AACEI Delaware Valley Section presents...

pathadmin Fri, 03/06/2015 - 13:47

Steve Cabano, President of Pathfinder, LLC, is presenting "Owner Gaps in Project Control - An Industry Overview" to the Delaware Valley Section of AACEI on March 11, 2015.

For detailed invitation see attachment below.

Pathfinder's Latest Article in Cost Engineering

pathadmin — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 15:11:08 +0000

Pathfinder's Latest Article in Cost Engineering

pathadmin Fri, 06/27/2014 - 11:11

OWNER GAPS IN PROJECT CONTROL - AN INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Recent years have seen an expansion of capital project investment activity on an unprecedented scale world-wide. While these projects include those traditionally considered “large” and “small”, multi-billion dollar capital investment programs (mega-projects) are also being developed at a rate and scale well above historical experience. In many cases, this growth has posed significant program and project management challenges, including control of cost and schedule. Recognizing these challenges, a number of these organizations have sponsored “Cold Eyes Reviews” and “Gap Analysis” efforts, focused on their Project Management and Project Controls “infrastructure” and capabilities to manage this exponential growth effectively as part of their “Due Diligence” and Continuous Improvement Programs. This paper will provide insights into “Common Themes” identified as a result of a cross-section of such “Gap Analysis” efforts. These “Common Themes” are based on findings identified, as well as approaches being taken to remedy deficiencies or proactively upgrade existing Project Controls capabilities in terms of processes, procedures, resources, roles and responsibilities, systems and tools, etc., with respect to capital project investment programs.

For a copy of the full article, please contact AACEI.

Pathfinder presenting at the CIM Convention in Vancouver in May.

pathadmin — Wed, 07 May 2014 15:28:03 +0000

Pathfinder presenting at the CIM Convention in Vancouver in May.

pathadmin Wed, 05/07/2014 - 11:28

Pathfinder is presenting “Cost Containment through Effective Project Management” at the 2014 CIM Convention. This session will be Tuesday May 13^th from 2:00 – 4:30 in the Construction to Production block. Below is the abstract, to register go to http://vancouver2014.cim.org/en/Register/Register-here.aspx

Costs Containment through Effective Project Management

Historically, the mining industry has been highly focused on cost containment associated with the production and operations of ongoing mining activities. Today, as opportunities abound, proper attention is also required to manage costs and delivery time on the significant investment associated with capital projects. However, the cost to capture these assets has increased dramatically. According to Bloomberg, mining companies will invest $244 billion on capital project expansion from now through 2015. The successful execution of these expansion projects is critical to the survival and profitability of the Owner/Operating companies involved. With the current decline in commodity prices and the significant increase in cost of production, companies are recognizing the importance of efficiently executing projects and eliminating unnecessary spending.

These challenges have put a strain on the capabilities and talents of the Owner company’s internal groups responsible for planning, executing and managing the capital project portfolio. To successfully accomplish this challenge, Owner organizations must continue to improve their capital project delivery and decision processes. The application of Project Management “Best Practices” is an integral aspect of this improvement initiative.

This paper/presentation will demonstrate many of the proven Project Management tools and techniques that, when applied appropriately, have driven the proper venture decisions and addressed the runaway cost issues plaguing the mining capital project execution environment.

Pathfinder to present at the AACEI Gulf Coast Chapter Meeting on November 12th

cmcintyre — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 19:17:45 +0000

Pathfinder to present at the AACEI Gulf Coast Chapter Meeting on November 12th

cmcintyre Fri, 11/08/2013 - 14:17

Jim Blevins will present Making the Transition from Downstream Projects to Upstream during the November AACEI Gulf Coast Chapter Meeting.

As oil and gas capital spending shifts to exploration and production projects, project management professionals find themselves having to move into upstream project roles. Jim Blevins will share his personal transition experience and highlight the similarities and differences between upstream and downstream projects from a project controls perspective.