Web Based Project Management

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Web Based Project Management

• A General Contractors Perspective

Leif Marvin McCarthy Building Companies
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What Well Discuss Today

• Who I am and what my role is
• Our companys use of a WBPM system
• What a WBPM system can do
• The advantages of WBPM from a GCs standpoint
• Keys to success What weve learned about
  implementation
• The possible pitfalls of WBPM
• What does the future hold?

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Who I Am and What My Role Is With McCarthy

• Application Engineer A technical title for a
  person whos good with software applications
• Software Trainer Design and implement training
  programs for the software applications our
  company uses in both jobsite and office
  environments. Provide training to external
  companies using our WBPM system (Architects,
  Owners, Consultants, CMs Subcontractors)
• Consultant Provide information for Owners,
  Consultants and CMs investigating the possible
  use of McCarthys WBPM system (Prolog Website)
• Support Provide helpdesk and jobsite level
  support for Prolog Manager Prolog Website

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McCarthys Use of a WBPM System

• Prolog Website Self hosted by McCarthy
• Prolog Manager Prolog Website How the two
  work together
• 29 Active collaboration websites
• 356 Users Comprised of employees, owners,
  architects, consultants, CMs, inspectors
  subcontractors

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What A WBPM System Can Do

• Requests for Information
• Submittals
• Drawings Specifications
• Cost Reporting
• Meeting Minutes
• Project Documents
• Project Photos
• Contact Information
• General Project Updates News
• Hotlist (Task List)

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The Advantages of WBPM from a GCs Standpoint

• Decreased response times, especially RFIs may
  help to reduce schedule times
• Movement of information is tracked more
  effectively, in real time
• Accurate, up to date reporting is immediately
  available to everyone
• Decreased data entry The Prolog database is
  updated automatically
• The latest change, RFI, submittal drawing
  information is available to everyone, without
  increased administrative time
• The Owner/Consultant has the ability to post
  their own documents within Prolog Website
• Can be accessed from anywhere without special
  software
• Less paper and faxes

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What Does All This Mean?

• Increased Communication
• Improved Relationships
• Better Productivity

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Keys To Success What Weve Learned About
Implementation

• Start yesterday
• Start from the top down, commitment from everyone
• Plan together as a team
• Discuss and understand everyones expectations
• Discuss and understand the workflow and processes
  of each members group
• Training Avoid crashing in the learning curve
• Establish a single point of contact for problems
• Follow-Up Create a user group to discuss
  progress and methods of improving efficiency

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The Pitfalls

• The Learning Curve Its almost inevitable,
  proper training can help you negotiate it
• Lack of commitment the rowboat moves forward if
  we all row together
• Stagnation Unwillingness to change old habits,
  Ive been doing this for 20 years.
• Communication I have no mouth and I must
  scream If theres a problem, you have to
  communicate
• Lack of high speed internet access

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What Does The Future Hold?

• Well heck, if I knew that Id have Wednesdays
  Super Lotto numbers

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Oh, You Mean the Future of WBPM for GCs?

• Willingness to change the old way of doing things
• Experience - GCs working closer with Owners and
  Consultants in web based collaboration
  environments
• Involvement Seminars such as this one
• Training and exposure
• Sharing Information
• Internet Capabilities