The Alaska Contractor: Fall 2006

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stakeholders and provides a common platform for collaboration in order to reduce schedule delays and risk associated with project change during construction. With Primavera’s collaborative platform, companies can immediately respond to RFIs, issues, submittals and other daily events. Project team members have instant and easy access to the most accurate project information including drawings, answered RFIs, and approved changes. “The benefi t of any Primavera product is that it eliminates surprises and gives project managers the ability to proactively, instead of reactively, manage projects,” said Sappe. “Traditionally, construction companies have been very reactive to changes in the fi eld. With Primavera, they can manage changes earlier, thereby protecting the profi tability of the project and the profi tability of the company as a whole.” On-demand project management On-demand construction project management uses Web-based technology hosted by an Application Service Provider (ASP) to manage construction projects. Companies using this type of service can access information and documentation through their Web browser without the need for special software. “Web-based software connects all of the key members of a project, making communication and collaboration more effi cient. It also makes the process more transparent to those involved.” – Jon Antevy “What on-demand project management provides is speed and accountability,” explained Jon Antevy, CEO of e-Builder, which has been pro- viding this type of online service for 12 years. “Web-based software connects all of the key members of a project, making communication and collaboration more effi cient. It also makes the process more transparent to those involved.” In an ASP confi guration, information generated by project members is automatically saved to the project server for easy Web access. Team members can log in to communicate with each other, ask questions about a project in an online forum and even create drawings online without the use of AutoCAD software. e-Builder’s project management system includes four modules; document management, business process management, schedule management and cost management. “With Web-based or Web-enabled systems, team members can easily research information about a project,” said Antevy. “For example, on each specifi c project there is an Action Item section that includes all of the questions and responses made by members of the team. For companies that 30 The Alaska CONTRACTOR Fall 2006
deal with hundreds of questions on different projects every day, this is an easier way to keep track of what decisions were made on a specifi c project and to assign accountability.” Because the projects are online all the time, everyone who has been given access to the data can see minute-byminute updates. “This type of project management system really changes how projects are run,” Antevy said . “It is an open-book mentality. In the old days, a person might give you a report that was massaged so that you would see what they wanted you to see. With e-Builder, all of the information is out there in real time for everyone to see. “Some companies actually don’t like this type of transparency,” he said, giving the example of a construction owner who could see online that a consultant hadn’t yet opened drawings he’d been given days before. The advantages to this transparency, however, are the creation of a streamlined construction management process that can signifi cantly improve delivery time and decrease the likelihood of budget overruns caused by delays. It also decreases risk as team collaboration and communication is improved and everyone responds to issues in real-time. “I believe the construction industry is fi nally beginning to understand the power of these types of tools,” said Antevy, who believes that Web-enabled systems are still in the infant stages of growth.“ They no longer call us and ask ‘what is this?’ They ask what it costs and how it can make their companies more effi cient.” Making the Change While there are many issues to consider when making a new technology investment, one of the most important is training. Staff who is used to a paper-based system may have diffi culty transitioning to a computerbased program; those who are computer savvy may not know how to best utilize the many features inherent in program management software. When considering a computerbased project management system, it is important to determine what types of training they provide. Some, like Sage Software, offer training by certifi ed trainers and consultants, as well as an Anytime Learning service and unlimited customer support the fi rst year. Others, like Primavera, offer ondemand user training online, or inperson training at their annual conference and at Primavera sites around the world. e-Builder offers on-site training for administrators and users after setting up and confi guring a company’s system. Once the technology is in place, however, the benefi ts soon follow. “We will continue to see a trend to- ward construction companies using more computer-based applications,” said Sappe. “It enables contractors and subcontractors to meet or undercut budgets and complete projects on time, and it allows contractors and owners to standardize their systems, helping them serve their clients more effi ciently.” Vanessa Orr is a freelance writer who specializes in construction, business, health and travel writing. Fall 2006 The Alaska CONTRACTOR 31
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Page 7 and 8: ANCH ABBOTT LOOP COMM PARK IMPROVEM
Page 9 and 10: CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY $500,000,000
Page 12: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE CIPF
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Page 18: SAFETY REPORT Who really drives saf
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Page 53 and 54: Fall 2006 The Alaska CONTRACTOR 51
Page 55 and 56: The Anchorage Construction Academy
Page 57 and 58: Statewide need Given the steadily g
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Page 73 and 74: Fall 2006 The Alaska CONTRACTOR 71
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Page 77 and 78: ed $81 billion in lost productivity
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Page 83 and 84:
Key Bank, N.A. Klondike Advertising
Page 85 and 86:
Fall 2006 The Alaska CONTRACTOR 83
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BACK COVER
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The Alaska Contractor: Fall 2006

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