Registration @Gate 3 Entry
Introduction :
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Welcome & Opening Remarks :
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Keynote : The Process Less Travelled: A Learning Organisation’s Journey
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Session P1 : Why mega projects need AI
In today's rapidly evolving project landscape, megaprojects and 'gigaprojects' face increasing complexities, with over 70% experiencing schedule delays and 80% exceeding budgets. Traditional project controls are no longer sufficient to manage these high-risk, high-complexity ventures effectively. This presentation explores how AI can revolutionise project controls by enabling predictive analytics, automated benchmarking, and proactive risk management. We will showcase 'what good looks like' for professionals delivering successful outcomes for complex projects in the APAC and MEA regions. This session will demonstrate how various AI-driven tools can optimise resources, reduce delays, and enhance decision-making.
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Panel discussion : Shaping Australia's Future through Megaprojects
The successful delivery of megaprojects requires robust project controls, aligned and integrated with multiple functions under a well-defined and effective governance framework, based on innovative management strategies. This discussion will focus on insight into some of Melbourne's largest megaprojects, identifying good practice for project controls and governance establishment and operation, potential challenges, lessons learned and strategies for success.
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Session P4 : Portfolio Controls in Sydney Water's Once-in-136 Years Capital Infrastructure Transformation
This case study presents a real-world application of portfolio controls in managing Sydney Water's unprecedented $34 billion AUD infrastructure transformation program. As Australia's largest water utility, Sydney Water faces unique challenges in overseeing projects across 12,700 square kilometres, serving over 5 million people. We will discuss how we utilize project controls concepts, methodologies and frameworks to managing concurrent delivery of large scale projects and development of a pipeline of future projects.
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Session P5 : Establishing a fit for purpose project controls function for the NSW energy transition
Keiron Burchell will present on his experience establishing a fit-for-purpose and value-adding project controls function within the New South Wales energy transition. His session will provide context on the NSW energy transition, including the Renewable Energy Zones and Priority Transmission Projects. He will describe the role of EnergyCo as Infrastructure Planner, and that of the Project Management Office, and will discuss the opportunities and challenges for industry in improving project controls maturity inside a growing and fast-changing infrastructure program.
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Session P6 : Performance Measurement and Monitoring on an Infrastructure Mega Project
Performance measurement and monitoring is vital to success within Infrastructure Mega Projects. Explore how ACCIONA implements Performance Measurement and Monitoring on a Infrastructure Mega Project through capture and analysis of daily costs and quantities to understand progress, performance and drive positive action and decision making to optimise time, cost and productivity outcomes.
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Session P7 : Revolutionizing Mega Project Delivery: Leveraging Integrated Construction Management Solutions to Overcome Time and Cost Overruns
The construction industry, particularly in mega projects, faces significant challenges in delivering on time and within budget. While other sectors effectively leverage modern technologies to enhance productivity, construction is plagued by inefficiencies that result in frequent delays and cost overruns. Key Issues: Mega projects are inherently complex, involving multiple stakeholders and variables. Studies show budgets can exceed projections by up to 53% and timelines can extend by 85% (McKinsey & Company). Fragmented management systems and siloed teams worsen these issues, leading to miscommunication and rising costs. The Technology Gap: Unlike manufacturing and finance, construction has been slow to adopt digital tools, which perpetuates inefficiencies and heightens project failure risks. Introducing Project On Track: I will present "Project On Track," an innovative Construction ERP that integrates 25 modules into a unified platform, offering real-time visibility to enable proactive management and enhance project delivery.
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Session C1 : Driving effective decision making at governance forums for capital projects
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Session C2 : Prioritising Portfolio Productivity
As we navigate our way through economic uncertainty, finding opportunities to improve productivity has become critical. Ensuring that portfolios of work have measurable ways to make improvements that flow down through to projects creating efficiencies and freeing up resources is on the agenda of all leading organisations. This case study will explore common challenges experienced across multiple clients and will provide you with practical tools to self-assess your organisation and develop an improvement roadmap.
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Session C3 : Using AI to transform your PMO from reactive to predictive: a case study with Anglian Water
In this presentation, Dev Amratia, CEO and Co-founder of nPlan, will demonstrate how AI is enabling its client, Anglian Water to: - Quantify portfolio deliverability/risk - Assess contractor change requests during Portfolio 'boards’ - Assure more projects more comprehensively and faster than ever before - gaining more confidence in outcomes. Amratia will explain how nPlan's portfolio AI works, and discuss how nPlan Portfolio Pro customers are using the insights provided by its AI to make smart decisions regarding interventions, resource allocation and stakeholder management. Overall the session will feature a powerful case study of how AI has already started to drive positive transformation in the water/utilities sector
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Panel discussion : How leader's from North East Link project plan and control a mega project
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Session C6 : Achieving Program Reporting Across Diverse Project Types, Structures and Systems
Established in 2019, the Melbourne Transport Infrastructure Authority (MTIA), now known as VIDA, merged LXRP, RPV, MRPV, NELP, and WGTP one authority. A primary challenge was integrating these diverse offices into a single project controls enterprise system, each with distinct project types, Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS), and reporting requirements, while producing effective program reporting. This case study outlines strategies for achieving program reporting using varied CBS datasets, focusing on minimizing changes to existing structures and processes. We will also explore different integration architectures and storage solutions, including API setups between enterprise systems and Microsoft applications.
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Session C7 : Project Management Modeling Capabilities for Increased Submarine Production and Maintenance Throughput
Submarine production and maintenance has benefited significantly from more detailed project management modeling capabilities allowing for more accurate scheduling during planning and execution. Project management tools provide various capabilities for modeling and analyzing projects, including methods for modeling tasks, their relationships.. These capabilities provide a great foundation, but they often fall short of capturing enough real-world details in order to maximize throughput. Without further real-world modeling capabilities project managers in complex domains are overwhelmed by the inaccuracies of the resulting schedule during execution resulting in delays. This presentation explores modeling capabilities that bridge this gap.
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Session B1 : Integrated project controls emphasizing cost as a key competency
My presentation will talk about some of the minor things that has to be kept in mind while doing an estimate as well as 3 do's and dont's of creating Estimates. I am currently carrying out the tender evaluation for one of the jobs and I would like to showcase through my presentation that there are many factors that go into creating an estimate and that no two jobs are the same and often finding the balance between profit and positive customer relationships can be tricky. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to strike a balance by giving your clients an accurate and fair price without compromising on costs and quality. I would also touch base on some of the technical intricacies involved while doing an estimate i.e. estimate types, uses, accuracy, work breakdown structure, cost breakdown structure, cashflows, escalations, risk and contingency, rate build ups, productivity, allowances etc. I would also be talking about how Artificial Intelligence can transform the way we estimate construction projects.
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Session B2 : The art of risk-based decision making
Are you using Monte Carlo simulation in your projects? Project failure occurs due to incorrect project estimates. Therefore, accurate forecasting is crucial for projects. Wait a moment, what about project and company risks? Have you added them to your projects? Can those risks be included in your Monte Carlo simulation? And how those risks are affecting the initial estimates? Join me for an overview on Monte Carlo simulation for project schedule estimates with and without risks/opportunities.
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Session B3 : Project Performance Cycle: the Key to Successful Projects
In the world of project management, getting things right from the start is crucial. The Project Performance Cycle plays a central role in making sure projects run smoothly and deliver great results. But what is the Project Performance Cycle and how does it impact a project? Imagine the Project Performance Cycle as a loop that guides everything from planning to execution, monitoring, and improvement. It's like a roadmap that helps teams stay on track and make sure they're heading towards their goals effectively. The Project Performance Cycle acts as a compass, guiding project stakeholders through complex decision-making processes, ensuring that they remain informed, enabling them to make informed adjustments and strategic interventions as needed. Its meticulous setup not only establishes a foundation for effective project control but also amplifies the significance of reporting as a transformative function. Timely and accurate reporting is not merely a formality but a strategic imperative in today's project landscape. Attendees to this presentation will explore the criticality of setting up a Project Performance Cycle correctly and its profound implications across various project facets. We will underscore the role of reporting as a dynamic function within the Project Performance Cycle. Drawing from practical insights and industry best practices, this session will explore case studies where the implementation of a well-defined Project Performance Cycle has resulted in tangible project success. By highlighting lessons learned and pitfalls to avoid, attendees will gain actionable strategies for optimizing their own project control frameworks.
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Session B4 : Avoiding cost blow outs (Surprise-free cost forecasting)
Risks and uncertainty are an inevitable part of any project. They cost money and, in some cases, significant sums. It doesn't have to be that way. In any project there are three areas that give rise to cost uncertainty; risks, the uncertainty associated with estimates and in a contracting environment the cost of resolving issues/claims. Each area has different variables. It has long been recognised that managing variables is readily handled using models and running Monte Carlo simulations. In the past this has been the domain of expensive consultants but thanks to straightforward software this can now be easily managed by any project team. This presentation describes the three models and how their integration leads to proactive governance of these critical project management functions. The result supports improved management of an organisation's finances and seriously reduces the potential for unexpected cost blow outs.
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Session B5 : Maximizing Efficiency in Project Control Services: A Collaborative Approach with PMO
The presentation "Maximizing Efficiency in Project Control Services: A Collaborative Approach with PMO" focuses on how combining Project Control Services with the PMO can improve project success. It explains that the PMO helps projects by creating a structured approach, setting standard processes, and overseeing everything to lower risks and use resources well. This leads to better project results. The talk also highlights the importance of working together between Project Control Services and the PMO. This teamwork improves project control, smooths operations, and encourages always getting better at what we do. The presentation suggests ways to work more efficiently, like understanding the current model, setting clear goals, being open to new ideas, using the latest technology, and creating training programs that fit each team.
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Session B6 : Pacing Delays - Application and Considerations
Although pacing delay is no longer a new type of delay, this form of delay can be considered, under some circumstances, highly controversial. Either party of the contract may opt to pace the project activities for a parent delay event, yet without reserving its right to claim additional costs due to the parent delay or even legally protect its action. This may turn into a dispute as the party that took the pacing delay decision may lose its entitlement for additional costs if appropriate proof of pacing action is not provided because the pacing action may be confused with concurrency. Although there is a great difference between concurrency and pacing, they are often confused, basically, due to lack of documentation and contractual control. The fundamental difference is that pacing should be a conscious decision taken in reaction and only after a parent delay has occurred. However, while pacing is easily asserted, it cannot be shown by forensic schedule analysis methods alone. This paper discusses the different scenarios for the impact of pacing delays, the practical problems arising from each scenario, the methodology and limitations for application, and the guidelines to facilitate proper management and informed pacing decisions.
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Session B7 : Beyond the Blueprints: Unveiling the Essence of Organisational Capability Uplift
Processes and frameworks are pivotal in elevating organisational capability within project controls and project delivery. They lay the groundwork for project management, providing a systematic approach to governance and execution. Frameworks establish structure and drive culture, and sometimes, they become the dominant culture. Nevertheless, their effectiveness hinges on several key factors. The effective implementation of frameworks must be complemented by governance mechanisms to ensure compliance with and mitigation of risks. Assurance activities are necessary for independent validation and to guide continuous improvement efforts. Additionally, capability uplift, training and mentoring, and investments in PPM systems are two other crucial parts of the successful implementation of frameworks. Lastly, flexibility within frameworks is paramount, allowing adaptation to project needs and fostering innovation. In summary, while processes and frameworks are essential, a holistic approach is necessary for organisational success and thriving in dynamic environments.
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Session T1 : From Fundamentals to Innovation: How Project Controls Technologies Drive Productivity
In a rapidly evolving technology landscape, can the construction industry finally leverage innovation to close the productivity gap? Doing so requires a robust implementation of project control fundamentals, which not only support current achievements but also facilitate future advancements. Join this presentation to hear a panel of industry leaders explore how a deep comprehension of these foundational principles can significantly enhance project management and spearhead a new era of technological integration. The panel discussion will begin by addressing the critical importance of mastering fundamental project controls in today’s construction environment. Our speakers will demonstrate how these essential elements provide the basis for adopting advanced technologies and innovative methodologies, such as artificial intelligence and complex data analytics. Benefit from firsthand insights based on the extensive, practical experiences of our speakers, offering a glimpse into how traditional project controls, combined with innovative strategies, have led to successful projects. These accounts will highlight not only real-world challenges, but also the inventive solutions and remarkable outcomes that can be achieved when fundamentals are paired with innovation. The panel will feature examples that highlight how adaptable strategies have improved project outcomes. Additionally, examples will be shared demonstrating the tangible benefits gained from integrating new technologies into various projects. These insights will showcase the practical application of innovative approaches in real-world scenarios, providing attendees with valuable lessons and strategies that can be applied to their own projects. Key learning objectives include: 1)Data Science Needs Structure: Emphasizing the importance of structured data in utilizing artificial intelligence to improve insights and decision-making. 2)Systematic Execution: Eliminate the noise by simplifying and systemising good business process and governance. Empower teams to focus on effective risk identification and apportionment through work packaging. In turn, delegate accountability, measure and manage performance. 3)Cultural Change: Cultivating a culture that proactively embraces change as an integral aspect of project management. Learn the crucial strategies and insights to manage complex construction projects more effectively. By integrating solid project control fundamentals with innovative practices, attendees will be prepared to address the challenges of today’s project environments and lead in the adoption of new methodologies. Advance your expertise in project controls by joining us for this essential session. Acquire the insights necessary to guide your projects with confidence and foresight. Embrace the fundamentals, champion innovation, and drive excellence in your project outcomes.
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Session T2 : Thinking You Know vs. Knowing: How to Bridge the Gap in Project Controls
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Session T3 : A4 to AI - Trust vs. Truth
With the volumes of information project controls professionals are expected to manage today, there simply isn’t the time or people to make sense of it. Yet, the construction industry continues to generate PDF reports that get messaged to be “correct”, Why? Our industry needs a culture change in accepting what our systems (and soon, AI) tell us. We have lost the ability to expect “gut feel” or “instinct” to add value to our projects. Just because we don’t trust the numbers, doesn’t mean they aren’t true, but how do we change this? Stop simply adopting technology and start embracing it. Work with it. Help make AI better. Work your technology partners to do this. Not embracing AI is one of the biggest risks to our future projects.
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Session T4 : Technology to support project control digitalisation
The project controls landscape is rapidly evolving with digitalisation and AI and ML. These advancements offer significant opportunities for improving project outcomes, but challenges remain in data integration, user adoption, and construction-specific requirements. Technology solution exist that alleviate some of these challenges. This presentation explores the evolving landscape of project controls, focusing on the integration of AI and ML technologies. It addresses challenges in data integration, user adoption, and sector-specific requirements, and highlights solutions that enhance project outcomes and competitive advantage in construction project management.
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Session T6 : Unlocking Project Excellence: Transitioning from Tradition to Innovation
For years, planning managers have used Primavera P6 to craft accurate, high-quality schedules—a process that, while effective, often requires significant time and effort. Now, a new era of project planning is here. In this presentation, Steve Ellis and Jim Fairchild will introduce how automation can transform scheduling by integrating new tools with Primavera P6. We’ll explore how critical reviews can be automated to enhance precision, save time, and reduce manual workload. Through real-world examples, we’ll demonstrate how real-time schedule analysis, compliance checks, and predictive analytics identify and resolve issues before they escalate. Key topics include: • Empowering Planning Managers: Focusing more on strategic priorities.
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Session T7 : Digital Innovation in measuring progress and productivity
Why Is It So Difficult to Predict Project Outcomes? Unpredictable project outcomes plague the construction industry, with many companies being the victim of insolvency or bankruptcy including Carillion (UK),WBHO, Clough (Australia) and most recently BCIS in the UK . Many companies blame the lump sum low price culture. But, why is it so difficult to predict time and cost? Advances in project data capture may provide the solution to this predictability problem. Automated progress measurement and resource tracking can for the first time provide unparalleled visibility of how construction projects really get delivered. Will this new technology set the platform for a new era of high productivity with improved predictability.
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Mid-Morning Coffee Break @Olympic Room B & Betty Curthber Lounge
Lunch Break @Olympic Room B & Betty Curthber Lounge
Afternoon Coffee Break @Olympic Room B & Betty Curthber Lounge
Registration @Gate 3 Entry
Introduction :
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Welcome & Opening Remarks :
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Keynote : Overview of Level Crossing Removal Projects
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Session S1 : Mastering Project Controls: Strategies for Success
This topic would shed light on the importance of project controls from an estimator’s perspective and how to master them, by exploring key components like planning and scheduling, cost management, and performance measurement (Earned Value Analysis). It would also share best practices that deliver value and visibility, including integrated project controls, Pareto’s law (the 80/20 rule), and effective communication and reporting strategies backed by real world examples and case studies. The importance of using specialized software tools, such as RIB Candy, will be covered for construction project controls, to enhance efficiency and accuracy followed by looking at future trends in project controls, machine learning and AI.
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Panel discussion : The Use of 4D Planning / Digital Engineering in Project Controls
In this engaging panel discussion on "The Use of 4D Planning / Digital Engineering in Project Controls," we'll dive into how these cutting-edge technologies are transforming construction projects in Australia. With 4D planning and BIM now playing a key role in connecting design and construction, our experts will share their experiences and insights on how these tools are improving project tracking, resource management, and overall project delivery. We'll explore the challenges of integrating BIM with traditional project controls, the keys to successfully using 4D BIM for progress reporting, and how AI and machine learning are shaping the future of project controls. Expect to hear about common mistakes to avoid, underappreciated functions within project controls, and ways to integrate sustainability without compromising budgets or timelines. This session is packed with practical advice from experienced professionals, offering you the tools and strategies to maximize the use of 4D planning and digital engineering on your own projects. Whether you're already using these technologies or considering their adoption, this discussion will provide valuable takeaways for enhancing project efficiency and success.
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Session S4 : The Intersection of Data Centers and Renewable Energy: How Green Technology is Powering the Future
Growing role of data centers in the renewable energy landscape, including how they are integrating with sustainable energy sources and the benefits of such synergies for reducing carbon footprints.
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Session S5 : Visualising Model Data in Power BI using ACC Data Exchange
Building Information Modeling (BIM) and data connection and integration has become an essential part of large-scale projects. While a massive amount of information is produced during the project lifecycle of a project on the Autodesk Construction Cloud, this data is trapped within the CDE. This becomes an obstacle for non-BIM users and stakeholders outside the ACC ecosystem. Using Microsoft Power BI and the Autodesk Data Exchange, interactive visualisation and analisys of data from a 3D Model in Power BI is possible. In this session, the speaker will demonstrate how to connect ACC data to PowerBI using the Autodesk Data Exchange process.
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Session S6 : Insite Project Monitoring – AI and human analytics providing true transparency.
The utilisation of artificial intelligence coupled with time lapse imagery showing construction progress over a shift / reporting period mitigates often one-sided reporting standards that blur the line between reality and a narrative to protect the various stakeholder’s interests. The provision of short videos showing footage of a reporting period, inclusive of AI labelling, enabling annotations and highlighting areas of focus / concern or query to support the efficient delivery of your project. We have found a multitude of benefits in each deployment including, night shift verses day shift productivity deltas, equipment inefficiencies, personnel being deployed to non-critical work fronts as well as obvious rework.
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Session S7 : Digitalisation and 4d program in project controls
The advancement of digital technologies is reshaping the landscape of project management and controls, with the integration of digitalisation and 4D programming emerging as a critical innovation. This paper explores the synergistic impact of digitalisation and 4D programs in enhancing project controls, focusing on improving efficiency, collaboration, and risk management throughout the project lifecycle. Digitalisation streamlines data management by automating processes and enabling real-time monitoring, while 4D programming integrates time-related data with 3D models to provide a dynamic, visual representation of project progress. The combined approach offers stakeholders better predictive insights, optimized scheduling, and proact
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