PROJECT MANAGEMENT: past, present and future

PROJECT MANAGEMENT: past, present and future
Earlier the construction processes were quite fragmented, with the involvement of different project parties overseeing different stages such as sales and tendering, design, detailing, production, delivery, and erection/installation. For almost half a century, the industry used flat 2D drawings and later developed 3D parametric technology.
In days gone by, the Indian building design and construction industry has shown an escalating interest in Building Information Modelling (BIM). At the same time, construction companies themselves have become increasingly open-minded about technology, due to an immeasurable pressure on developers, contractors, and architects to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
BIM has been one of the most promising developments in the recent years in the architecture, engineering, construction, and facility management (AECFM) industry. The integrated database allows everyone involved in the building lifecycle (that includes architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and building owners) to collocate together, allowing them to view the model in different ways, and impeccably share information.
Project management helps general contractors to manage the risk of unforeseen costs and loss of time, especially in the project delivery phase. From design to supply and installation, all the key data needed for the project delivery can be embedded into the model. This allows proactively responding to deviations and managing the project in an intelligent, visual system.Tekla, being one of the BIM solution providers, has developed model-based project management software solution that has immensely benefited users. Some key benefits include:• Manage large models created in either Tekla structures or another BIM application. • Manage construction projects from conceptual design to pre-construction planning and through ongoing site management.• Efficiently manage a variety of project information in a 3D context, including spreadsheets, schedules and punch lists, and create actionable analysis and deliverables like drawings and reports beyond basic 3D visualisations.• Users can incorporate time-sensitive data into the Tekla model to control the schedule at various stages and levels of detail throughout the construction project.• Create, store and manage scheduled tasks, and link the tasks to their corresponding elements. • Create customisable model views and comprehensive simulations of project proceedings. • Easy import of tasks from external project management tools • Preserving schedules that have been created outside the model environment, thereby maintaining schedule intelligence.Tekla’s construction management module is being continuously improved to address the needs of the contractors.
The scope of BIM has extended beyond 3D to 4D where the aspect of time is added to form schedules and to 5D where the cost component helps create estimates. Even the 6D aspect with project controls and lifecycle management is being developed. More and more contractor firms have started implementing 4D and 5D aspect of BIM.
Case study: Sutter Medical Center, Castro Valley, USSutter Medical Center is an innovative 130-bed replacement hospital still under construction. This seven-storey building is a composite-steel and concrete-framed structure. The centre is scheduled to be delivered 30 per cent faster than comparable health care projects in California, which requires implementation of lean construction principles and technologies such as BIM.
Sutter Medical Center has been carried through on stringent schedule and costs with outstanding results. Tekla BIM technology was used in an exemplary way of maximised collaboration. The project was managed based on the model with all disciplines using the modelled building information and fitting in a huge amount of HVAC pipes and equipment needed for a hospital to function. By using BIM technology, there were considerable savings in time and money.To know more about the Tekla  Project Management Solution: Call on 022-61387777 or e-mail  to info.india@tekla.com

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