Category: Program Development

HPM Hosts Second Annual Georgia Education Executives Summit

Posted on May 1, 2024

April 24-26, executive leaders in Georgia education gathered for HPM‘s Second Annual Summit. School districts from across the state were represented at the event held in Adairsville. The Summit is a premier event designed to connect leaders in the K-12 industry to create unique strategies for navigating common challenges. Speakers included national experts in financing, staffing, planning and international business. Presenters shared insights on optimizing learning environments for students while maximizing facility lifespans.

About the Program

Featured keynote speakers included Cheryl Logan, Executive Director at the University of Pennsylvania and Casey Morris, Senior Director of Capital Planning at Ameresco. HPM’s Chris Allee, Megan Whitten Cordingly, Greg Ellis, Jake Ortego and Tracy Richter also shared best practices for navigating successful capital improvement programs. Each session was designed to foster a conversational, interactive environment to build connectivity among participants.

In a particularly insightful session highlighting program controls, attendees took an in-depth look at cutting-edge technology designed to empower leaders to make more informed decisions and better communicate with internal and external stakeholders. Embracing the digital world is paramount to achieving a successful program. Guests were also offered an approach to facility condition assessments that breaks the cyclical nature of facility planning. When implemented, this strategy enables K-12 leaders to create actionable, defensible and sustainable capital plans resulting in predictable outcomes.

The Summit’s closing session provided information on the role of educational facility standards in the development of an effective long-range facilities plan. These standards play a critical role in shaping the curriculum. Furthermore, they can be utilized to inform new construction, renovation and modernization, ultimately serving as a tool to generate improved educational performance.

“I was extremely satisfied with the quality of the content provided at The Summit,” said an attendee. “The Setting the Standard session brought everything together and was tremendously applicable. I am very likely to attend the event again and recommend that my peers in Georgia education do the same.”

Why HPM?

HPM partners with K-12 school districts to create and implement data-driven long-range planning initiatives. This team of seasoned planning professionals is comprised of former educators turned facilities conditions and assessment experts. They frequently teach the essential practice of integrated planning into capital improvement programs. HPM’s continuous planning practices consistently yield efficiencies and savings to K-12 clients. In turn, every dollar within a bond program is utilized to its full potential. Learn more about HPM’s extensive resume managing large-scale programs on behalf of K12 school districts.

Why Hire an Outsourced Project Management Team?

Posted on April 22, 2024

The ever-increasing approaches, expenses and decisions that accompany the construction process may drive hiring an external project management team to the bottom of your priority list. Paradoxically, the overwhelming nature of these demands may be the very reason you need professional support. In this article, we will take a look at three of the most transformational benefits of procuring a project management team to sit on your side of the table as you undergo a capital building program.

Elevated Technology

Project management firms are often well-versed in the most up to date, cutting edge technology. HPM makes it a priority to sharpen every tool in our technology tool belt to best serve the owners we represent. From tracking expenses and change orders, to monitoring project schedules with acute attention to detail, technology enables project management teams to ensure excellence. Procore, one of the most commonly used construction management platforms, specializes in streamlining processes related to project management, quality and safety, project financials, invoice management, design coordination and bid management. Implementing this software allows you, as the owner, to build with fewer risks and bigger profits.

SmartPM, an automated project controls and schedule analytics software is another frequently used tool. This platform can be used as a standalone or integrated with Procore to automate the most complex aspects of project management. To visualize the data collected from SmartPM and Procore, project management teams often use Microsoft Power BI. This tool transforms data into an easily digestible dashboard, allowing you to make informed decisions. Employing a project management team well-versed in these technologies allows you the freedom to carry out your daily responsibilities while remaining informed of progress on the job site.

Stakeholder Involvement

Owners undergoing construction projects are charged with the tall task of satisfying varying ranges of stakeholders. It can be difficult to balance the input of all vested parties. Project management teams help create an environment of thorough, transparent communication, ensuring all voices are heard. The elevated technology PM teams implement enable your stakeholders to feel involved and included throughout the construction process. Access to stream-lined, concise points of data fosters a high level of involvement, allowing the project to achieve optimal outcomes. A project manager fully committed to your project can serve as the go-to expert, fielding questions and alleviating your workload.

Peace of Mind

Last but certainly not least, employing a team of project management experts provides you the invaluable gift of peace of mind. With a qualified team of experts on your side, you can rest assured, knowing your investment is being safeguarded at all times. Project management teams independent from the general contractor bring a unique perspective on the job site. Your priorities are their priorities, and your interests are their interests. They serve as your full-time eyes and ears on the project, protecting your budget, maintaining your schedule and ensuring your expectations are not only met, but exceeded.

Chambers County High School Breaks Ground Ending 50-Year Federal Order

Posted on February 27, 2024

Chambers County Schools, located in East Alabama held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new high school on Friday, February 23. The new facility merges Valley High School and Lafayette High School, creating the long-awaited Chambers County High School. The property is located on Ram Stadium Drive.

For 50 years, the county has been under a federal desegregation order. Superintendent, Casey Chambley has worked diligently to upend the order throughout his tenure. To move the district forward, the county’s school board procured HPM‘s planning department to develop a facilities master plan for a consolidated facility. HPM guided the district in terms of construction requirements, as well as the allocation of resources to ensure an optimal learning environment. The site selected by the board minimizes time spent on buses and maximizes instructional time.

As the process has evolved, HPM has managed the design, budget and preconstruction. The district hired Cooper Carry to serve as the architect of record for the school system.

Vice President of Business Development, Andi Sims joined city leaders to speak at the groundbreaking ceremony at the new property.

“I could not be any prouder to be on this journey with my friends –my people — as Chambers County looks toward a new history as the Fighting Falcons”, said Andi. “Thank you for bringing me and my HPM colleagues along for this exciting chapter in the life of our community.”

What Does a Field Coordinator Do?

Posted on February 21, 2024

The Ninjas of Program Management

HPM offers a unique approach to program management because of our construction origin. Born of an 80-year-old construction company, we are well-versed not only in managing projects, but also in constructing them. Essential in leveraging our construction management expertise on-site are our Field Coordinators. But just what does a Field Coordinator do? More than anything, their role is to protect the investment of the owner, serving as their eyes and ears on the project. The client’s interests are their interests, and the client’s priorities are their priorities. As the “boots on the ground”, their responsibilities can be summarized in three primary categories.

Schedule

Schedule delays are one of the most common and detrimental threats to construction projects. With a Field Coordinator on site, progress is measured daily. This provides project managers and project controls teams with up-to-date, accurate information to foster better planning, communication and courses for remedial action if necessary. Having a representative on site also provides a level of accountability for all parties working on the project. With clear milestones mapped out and regular assessments taking place, contractors and subcontractors are motivated to deliver projects on time.

Safety

Field Coordination entails a great deal of safety monitoring. Though safety is the ultimate responsibility of the General Contractor, Field Coordinators are there to ensure protocols are being strictly adhered to. This protects the owner from potential lawsuits. An important factor is ensuring the job site is safe, particularly when located in a highly trafficked area. For instance, HPM manages numerous projects for clients in the K-12 and higher education industries. On these projects, students and faculty are often attending classes near active job sites. Field Coordinators add tremendous value in implementing the highest level of safety precautions to protect everyone in the vicinity of the project.

Quality

Another risk accompanying construction projects is verifying the quality with which the project is built. The standard inspection processes employed on most projects require only bi-weekly or monthly walk-throughs. With a full-time Field Coordinator, these inspections happen daily. Even better, the FC walking the project is inspecting with the owner in mind. This means potential trouble spots are evaluated and reported daily, avoiding threats to quality that may be overlooked and cause headaches throughout the lifetime of a building. Having a Field Coordinator is a wise way to guarantee your facility goes beyond meeting a checklist and is built to last!

HPM Expands Preconstruction Department Hiring Chance Mitchell

Posted on February 6, 2024

HPM’s in-house preconstruction department continues to grow, most recently bringing Senior Preconstruction Manager, Chance Mitchell on board. Chance will work in the firm’s Huntsville office, serving clients in the North Alabama area and beyond. Chance joins HPM having worked in the industry for fifteen years, but his construction experience goes much deeper than what can be shown on a resume. Born into a family-owned construction business, Chance has been well-versed in the industry for as long as he can remember. He enjoys the fast-paced, people-oriented nature of the industry.

Career Path

Chance previously served as Preconstruction Manager at Doster Construction, providing detailed budget estimates while developing relationships with clients, architects, engineers, and subcontractors. Earlier in his career, he worked on the operations side, managing large-scale federal government projects from start to finish. No matter his role, Chance excels in delivering best-in-class client-centered service.

“As a creative problem-solver, the preconstruction phase is well-suited for my skillset”, said Chance. “I enjoy building relationships with owners in the early stages of a project to catch their vision and carve a path for bringing it to life.”

Using his vast experience, Chance will manage the entire preconstruction process from the initial concept to the final design and contractor selection. He will guide projects from early design until ground-breaking– maintaining the owner’s established budget while implementing phasing and contracting requirements to keep the design team on schedule.

Chance was drawn to the family-oriented culture at HPM, along with the extensive potential for growth. He looks forward to fostering relationships with clients and trade partners while laying strong foundations for projects to be built upon.

Preconstruction at HPM

For almost 30 years, HPM has delivered successful, measurable preconstruction services to projects across the United States. The HPM preconstruction team formulates construction cost data for budget development and verification based on the programmatic requirements. Information from historical cost databases, market surveys, cost verifications, comparative data on the project type and recent experience are utilized to develop a total program budget.

Program Management: An Essential Tool in Today’s Volatile Building Market

Posted on January 31, 2024

What to expect when embarking on a building project in 2024

There is no denying the volatility of the current building market. More than ever, project owners must be intentional in earning and maintaining the trust of their constituents and partners. Remaining informed of the most up-to-date trends is key – below are important considerations for owners as they continue to navigate inflation, supply chain shortages and staffing challenges this year.

It’s a Contractor’s World

In today’s excess of work and shortage of people, general contractors are positioned to be highly selective in the jobs they take on. Owners must make their projects attractive to procure desirable industry partners. Realistic budgets and tight schedules are paramount in doing so. Contractors are seeking practical clients who are confident in their needs and committed to the longevity of the process.

A Dwindling Labor Force

A large pool of skilled workers in trade industries are on the brink of retirement. Meanwhile, the number of younger workers going into trades continues to thin. This, combined with the stimulus money that must be spent in a specific timeframe, creates a unique conundrum in the construction labor market.

Budget, Budget, Budget Before Building

Numerous projects were put on pause last year due to supply and labor shortages and a surge in expenses. Prior to resuming building, owners should rework their budgets. Contractors typically do not guarantee prices beyond 30-60 days. Owners must communicate with their contractors and revisit their projected expenses.

Why Hire a Program Manager?

Without a partner offering extensive knowledge of market conditions and counseling them through the building process, owners are likely to have to go back and request additional funding. A lack of confidence in a project can cause doubt among stakeholders, which leads to difficult conversations down the road. HPM’s job is to lead the way, enabling owners to deliver on the projects they have promised their communities, by positioning them for success.

Demystifying Construction Progress Using Forensic Schedule Analysis

Posted on January 23, 2024

Odds are, if you have embarked on a construction project of any shape or size, you have heard the dreaded words, “There’s been a delay in the schedule.” Building in today’s climate has become almost synonymous with delays. Maybe your contractor insists that everything is on track, but you are observing consistent slippage in critical activities over time. The reality of construction in the K-12 industry is there is no time for hidden delays or surprises—the school calendar demands accuracy and completion with little room for schedule adjustments. If your instinct is telling you progress is behind, but you can’t quite prove it, HPM has the solution for you.

Half-Step Period Analysis

Half-Step Period Analysis can help reveal what is going on under the surface of a construction schedule. This method stores schedule updates and quantifies the impact, whether good or bad, of field progress on a schedule at large. Conveniently for the user, this approach collects the progress information from a new update to the schedule and applies only that piece of information to the prior schedule. The schedule is then recalculated and the impact on progress can be observed and analyzed. At this point, you will find answers to your most pressing questions: Did the end date move? Did the critical path change? How will our plans be impacted? Once this data is calculated, it can easily be mapped out in a visual format for further analysis.

What Next?

Now that we have proof that slippage has occurred, we can begin studying the updated critical path. Reviewing the schedule changes provides insight into how the lost time will be recovered. Studying these adjustments spelled out on paper enables you to see if the changes are reasonable. Armed with this information, you are then prepared to discuss a plan of action with the contractor that will allow the project to truly remain on track.

Is This a Recognized Method of Schedule Analysis?

A recent project utilized this method to encourage schedule transparency with a contractor. This case used modularized construction, an approach in which main portions of the facility were fabricated like building blocks. This method demands that stages of progress build upon one another in order to move on to the next phase. In this instance, production of these “blocks” slipped behind by four months with significant delays to production. In spite of an obvious delay, the contractor maintained the position that the project was on track to reach its original completion date.

By applying half-step period analysis, data came together to prove gaps in the unaffected schedule the contractor was promising. Identifying these issues early in the project allowed for impactful remediation plans to be implemented, as well as identifying staffing needs well in advance of their respective start dates. This knowledge on the front end proved critical in today’s market where manpower can be difficult to acquire.

The Power of Period Analysis

When implemented early on in construction, period analysis can detect impacts to schedule before they occur. This data provides actionable information and a path forward. Using this knowledge, project teams can implement recovery plans and avoid critical delays.

Foundations for a Successful Facility Shutdown

Posted on January 23, 2024

Construction Executive recently published an article written by HPM’s Chandler Creel detailing the shutdown process. The article entitled “A One-Year Design for a Three-Week Project” can be read here.

A One-Year Design for a Three-Week Project

Intravenous immunoglobulin is a medical treatment that involves the infusion of concentrated antibodies derived from donated plasma, which boosts the immune system in individuals with various immunodeficiency disorders, autoimmune diseases and certain other medical conditions. The increasing demand for IVIG necessitated a strategic approach to bridge the supply-demand gap.

In a real-life scenario, a leading global manufacturer of IVIG faced the significant challenge of enhancing its IVIG production within the confines of its existing facility while adhering to a stringent three-week shutdown window. Aptly named IGMax, this life-sciences shutdown project exemplifies the challenges of contractors to maximize product within the confines of both time and space—even more confined than usual.

The Challenge

The demand for IVIG in the United States witnessed substantial growth over the years, surging from 6.6 million grams in 1990 to an impressive 67.3 million grams in 2015. This growth trajectory is projected to persist at a remarkable 8% annual rate, underscoring the pressing need for expanded production capacity. Consequently, the company confronted a daunting question: How could the existing facility be optimized without encroaching beyond its current footprint?

Given the constant high demand for IVIG, the facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, with a brief shutdown period occurring every other year. This relentless operational schedule left a mere three-week window for any modifications enhancing production. Considering these physical and calendar constraints, a comprehensive analysis of the facility’s processes, equipment and operations was conducted to chart a course toward achieving a 40% increase in production capacity.

Thoughtful Planning

One year of design; a seven-month lead-time; a three-week shutdown. The carefully designed project was finally ready for execution and had to be executed precisely. The equipment had a six-month lead time, thousands of feet of new piping, hundreds of pieces of new equipment such as valves, pumps, fans and all the wiring to connect everything.

When tackling such an intricate design plan, it is crucial to first determine what is necessary to have in place to set the brief shutdown up for success. What can be done ahead of time? What work will have to wait until the shutdown? Certain tasks, such as replacing air handler fans, can’t be started until the facility shuts down. However, equipment such as fans and necessary materials, can be staged in advance, directly within the working area.

Because lab shutdown windows are often extremely tight, contractors don’t have time to waste searching for or moving materials during the shutdown, making proper design-planning crucial.

If vital long-lead equipment such as heat exchangers or clean-in-place skids were to be late, the entire project would fail. Weekly check-ins with the equipment vendors are important to expedite all equipment as much as possible. By also including client stakeholders in these meetings, solutions can be made immediately.

Prior to shutdowns, creative solutions should be generated to gain access to areas previously thought to be inaccessible. Once the team determines what can be worked on ahead of time and all agree on processes for execution and problem solving, completing the work is relatively easy. As the shutdown approaches, all team members are prepared and positioned for a successful shutdown, allowing for some short weeks and for much needed rest ahead of the 21-day sprint.

Foundations for Success

The nature of the life sciences industry is marked by its concrete and tangible aspects, where formulas and calculations govern the design, and the final product comprises various materials, ranging from stainless steel piping to silicon chips. However, the cornerstone for success on a shutdown project is the trust cultivated among the team members.

For instance, say on a project you have a partner who has an unnecessarily negative attitude towards you and your responsibilities on site. They don’t like to be told what to do and are laser-focused on just getting their work done without any niceties involved. This leaves a lack of effective communication and respect between you and that partner, making trust hard to come by and possibly affecting the outcome of your project. This is where relationship building and leadership really come into play. Getting to know the people you’re working with on a personal and human level can help instill a sense of trust that is needed to ensure the job gets done most effectively. Do you both have children? Similar hobbies? Establishing these connections can increase the level of respect between two people on a project and ease any challenges with communication that might happen.

Trust plays a pivotal role in transforming individuals from mere problem identifiers to problem solvers. Collaboration and mutual support between team members facilitated the seamless execution of the project, leading to its resounding success.

Lessons Learned

Lab shutdowns like this one can be successful if deadlines are carefully adhered to or even beaten. This underscores the paramount importance of teamwork and trust in overcoming multifaceted challenges, sometimes years before construction even begins. While the decisions to increase production or expand facilities may be made in boardrooms across the globe, the success of those initiatives ultimately falls on the shoulders of a team made up of engineers, planners and workers. These professionals exemplify the ability to achieve substantial results with limited resources. Although demanding and intense, shutdown projects can be gratifying for those who thrive in such environments, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and excellence. As the world evolves and demand surges, these professionals’ collaborative spirit and trust will remain invaluable assets for industries compelled to do more with less.

City of Lewisville, TX Breaks Ground on New Fire Training Complex

Posted on January 19, 2024

Last week, the City of Lewisville, TX hosted a groundbreaking ceremony marking the beginning of construction on the John Ashman Fire Training Complex. The facility will include a commercial and residential training facility, located on a 1-acre site. The City of Lewisville will share the facility with Highland Village and Flower Mound. Here, firefighters from the three cities will receive access to hands-on training, equipping them to serve their communities.

HPM’s Role

HPM is providing project controls, ensuring that funding for the facility is maximized and spent with purpose and efficiency. Additionally, HPM will conduct regular schedule analyses, detecting and omitting potential delays before they occur. CORE Construction and Martinez Architects are serving as the design-build team on the project. Together this team will bring the vision of these cities to life.

John Ashman’s Legacy

The facility is named in honor of Lewisville’s former Division Chief of Training, John Ashman. John was a well-known figure in the community who served the city for 40 years before passing away in 2023.

“We’re incredibly proud of Mr. Ashman and what he gave the city,” said Lewisville Mayor TJ Gilmore. “He made so much impact within the region as far as being able to train. I don’t know a firefighter around that doesn’t have kind words to say about his competency and the tools that he gave them. I want to thank Lewisville as a whole for continuing the traditions of the fire department, including training at incredibly high levels. Whoever’s filling the shoes of Mr. Ashman has large ones to fill.”

HPM’s Capabilities

HPM partners with municipalities around the country, providing state-of-the-art facilities and dynamic user experiences. The services offered by HPM benefit athletes, foodies, outdoor enthusiasts, and first responders. From sporting venues to entertainment districts, recreational facilities to critical public safety hubs, HPM excels in maximizing budget capabilities and streamlining schedules, providing peace of mind throughout the life cycle of a project.

The Business Case for K-12 Boundary Realignment

Posted on January 18, 2024

Depending on building operational needs and the district’s enrollment trends, K-12 districts often need a boundary realignment. Boundary changes should occur in areas that have experienced a shift in population or a shift in demographics within the population. Older neighborhoods begin to have more “empty nesters”. Other areas of the district may have vacant land that has begun to be built out. Some new construction areas might have more affordable housing ripe for families, whereas other new housing might be more suited for an older, less family-intensive group of homeowners.

Facility Planning

Understanding the details of student enrollment and the data that impacts the enrollment is critical to Facility Planning. Facility Planning must look at the story the data tells us:

Conditions – has the campus lived its useful life, and is it now cost-prohibitive to keep it open?

Adequacy – is each campus able to reach teaching and learning goals within its current state?

Capacity & Utilization – is each campus maintaining a balance of class size and maximizing the use of the campus?

Programs – are there program changes affecting the functional capacity?

If a campus or campuses can’t effectively support the educational delivery model, then the district must review the demographics, feeder patterns and program profiles and boundaries.

Boundary Realignment Solutions

We have seen districts add classroom wings to campuses for short-term solutions. These short-term solutions, however, create long-term impacts such as overcrowding cafeterias and too many lunch periods, packed hallways, insufficient parking lots and dismissal challenges, and unavailable gym space, in addition to hardships on staff and the increase in the facility’s operational maintenance costs.

Understanding your district’s enrollment and trends is critical to the overall boundary re-alignment analysis. Tracking students as a group or “cohort” over time enables a district to measure changes in student enrollment by grade. These observed trends will typically align with the other data sets, such as live births and macro-level social demographic trends. One common trend is the seemingly counterintuitive declining enrollments, even as your city or county is growing in population. Knowing the enrollment projections supports the facility planning at all campuses in addition to teacher staffing and operational needs.

As programs and enrollments change, a closer review of feeder patterns should be completed. Transportation and operational costs may have increased due to population shifts. Conditions, adequacy, and utilizations also support the efforts to alleviate overcrowding and assist you with balanced enrollment. Accommodations for new programs and learning opportunities will continue to be updated. This establishes the balance between all data sets and may lead your district to a much-needed boundary realignment.