ConstructionAdvisorToday

Expert Offers Advice on Scheduling in the International Environment

When scheduling for a construction project in a foreign land, it is important to understand the area’s climate, local culture, and other circumstances that may contribute to the project’s success, construction expert and scheduling author Saleh Mubarak told professionals attending a webinar that WPL Publishing hosted last month. Among other things, Mubarak urged those involved in such projects to gain a thorough understanding of the area’s climatic patterns. “You have to know the weather, and not only the weather but also the seasons. [Is there a] monsoon season, a rainy season, a hot season, and so on?”

DOE Releases Cost Estimating Guide

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a document providing uniform guidance and best practices that describe the methods and procedures recommended for use at DOE in preparing cost estimates for construction projects and other work.

DOE’s new “Cost Estimating Guide” (DOE G 413.3-21) references, and includes as an attachment, AACE RP 18R-97, “Cost Estimate Classification System -- As Applied in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction for the Process Industries,” as the model for the estimate classifications being used within DOE. The guide incorporates certain recommendations made by AACE International (Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering) President-elect Michael Nosbisch, who was invited to present them to the April meeting of the Energy Facility Contractors Working Group Cost Estimating Subgroup at DOE’s Y-12 Facility in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Autodesk Announces Buzzsaw Mobile App for iPhone, iPad

Autodesk Inc. earlier this month announced an app for iPhone and iPad that provides Buzzsaw collaboration software users with “more secure, remote access and exchange of building project information.” Buzzaw Mobile enables users to view DWF files and standard office documents and images as well as upload project photos to a designated Buzzsaw project site.

“With support for mobile viewing of DWF files, one of the most widely used design exchange formats, Buzzsaw Mobile app users can collaborate across teams,” Autodesk stated. “When used in conjunction with the AutoCAD WS mobile app, iPad and iPhone users can view and edit AutoCAD DWG and DXF files and save the changes to a Buzzsaw project site directly from AutoCAD WS. Buzzsaw Mobile is considered a key component of the Autodesk BIM 360 (building information modelling) strategy for collaboration and data management for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries.

ProContractorMX Mobile Connect for Construction Project Managers Released

Maxwell Systems Inc. a provider of construction business management software solutions, has introduced Maxwell Systems ProContractorMX Mobile Connect, which the company described as a comprehensive iPad application that provides project managers with “real-time access to critical project information.

“Available on the Apple App Store, ProContractorMX Mobile Connect gives project managers the ability to streamline business processes in the office and in the field and more profitably execute projects,” according to Maxwell.

ComputerEase Cloud Construction Management Software Solution Released

A Cincinnati-based company earlier this week released ComputerEase Cloud, a web-based construction management software solution. The offering permits access to ComputerEase from any computer with an Internet connection and from mobile devices such as tablet PCs and the Apple iPad. In cloud computing, applications are hosted at a secure data center and accessed by an end user via a web browser.

Construction Management Group Updates Publication on State CM Laws

The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) has published a new, updated edition of State by State Review of Licensing Requirements Affecting Construction Managers, a which the group considers a key reference for any organization or individual practicing CM in multiple states.

The State by State Review summarizes the state laws governing the practice of CM with references to relevant statutes. The publication also provides mailing addresses, contact names, and telephone/email information for the government agencies that regulate licensing of architects, engineers, and contractors.

Oracle's Primavera Contract Management Solution Chosen for $4.6-Billion Water System Improvement Program

San Francisco utility officials recently selected Oracle’s Primavera Contract Management solution to assist in one of the largest water infrastructure programs in the United States. The solution will serve as the backbone of a construction management information system (CMIS) for the $4.6-billion Water System Improvement Program (WSIP).

Maxwell Systems Introduces ProContractorMX Version 2.5

Maxwell Systems Inc., a provider of construction business management software solutions, has released ProContractorMX Version 2.5.

Designed as an "all-in-one construction management solution," ProContractorMX provides end-to-end control from takeoff and estimating through job cost accounting and project management. The release of 2.5 offers more functionality to optimize project execution for maximum profitability, according to Maxwell.

Our Project Has A Great WBS!

I recently heard, "Our project has a great WBS [work breakdown structure]! What could be wrong when the project has taken the time needed to do a comprehensive WBS?" Then, in the next moment, I heard something that I could not believe: "Yes, we have it already loaded into Primavera P6, and there are 50,000 elements at level 5 [the control account level]. We also have had matching cost codes issued from Finance and Accounting to match these WBS control accounts."

The Oil and Gas Engineering Guide Reviewed

James Zack, director of the Navigant Institute for Construction Dispute Avoidance and Resolution (a division of Navigant Consulting Inc.), has provided the following review of a book entitled, The Oil and Gas Engineering Guide.
This is a remarkably readable and useful short book (200 pages) on what is entailed in the process of designing and delivering an oil-and-gas (petrochem) processing facility. It was written by an experienced engineering manager of large turnkey projects, Herve Baron. The author started this book as a one-day presentation to students at a French University and ended with the publication of the book.