Project Management

Your critical projects have to come in on time and on budget. Success demands superior project management expertise.

Professional project management brings significant value to companies and resource holders, working with clients to effectively achieve the results they want. We have a long history of success in providing the expertise and processes needed to improve performance and increase efficiency by integrating all the client interaction, services and technologies a project requires. Our services can be performed collaboratively or on an outsourced basis. These services may include client liaison meetings, senior management experience, staff management, resource allocation, status reporting, potential problem identification and resolution to ensure on-time on-budget successful project completion.

Project Management breaks down the chaos of an overwhelming workload into manageable elements - scope, time, cost, quality, human resources, communication, risk, procurement, and integration.

Our case studies below provide examples of how we can help.

Our capabilities include

Expertise in all areas of project integration, including developing scope and charter, planning, monitoring and control
Proven ability to develop and maintain strong client, contractor and stakeholder relationships by managing expectations, ensuring project deliverables, schedules and budget objectives are met
Experience managing projects successfully in a wide variety of industries and in the public sector
Extensive experience with multi-firm, multi-office and multi-disciplinary projects
Superior cost management skills
Superior risk identification and mitigation skills
Strong emphasis on the goals of growth and profit
The highest standards of professional ethics and integrity

Case study #1: Project managing a corporate integration

The issue: A small services company had the financial backing to make its first acquisition. It acquired its target identified, but lacked the internal expertise to take it through the integration which would make the acquisition a success. A target of 18 months was established to finalize the integration, involving over 2500 employees.

The solution: Working with the senior HR team assigned to the due diligence process, Smith Knox assisted in interviewing key personnel, analyzing and assessing the cultural challenges that acquisition and integration would present. With the input of management regarding key skill sets and unit cost of business operations, we reviewed available staffing data, assessing the size of the workforce that would be necessary following merger. We estimated voluntary turnover, and the cost of employee contracts and severance. We also estimated the cost of litigation and pension and benefit plans, as well as the costs of the merger of HR policies, plans and programs. The estimated size of the required workforce reduction was provided to the facilities team.

Finally, Smith Knox helped put a price tag on lost productivity due to the challenges presented by the need to merge two disparate cultures, and began development of a plan to minimize these costs. Consolidated costs and a detailed breakdown were provided to the Finance team responsible for consolidating and finalizing the bid.

We worked with existing staff, managing a team and implementing a plan to merge operations and cultures, integrate HR policies and programs, and minimize productivity loss.

The impact: The two organizations were successfully merged, within the tight target timeframe and budget. Importantly, Smith Knox transferred knowledge and skills to the organization that would enable them to project manage their next acquisition.

Case study #2: Managing the implementation of technology

The issue: A national grocery chain had just purchased a new, comprehensive in-store system. The lacked the in-house skills to manage the installation.

The solution: Smith Knox managed the team, project managing the installation of 250 in-store processors, software and network deployment using multiple third party suppliers, five(5) phone companies supplying a private switched network, a wide variety of hardware and software installation and deployment, network installation and project billing.

The impact: A complex installation ~ time and on budget!

Case study #3: Managing the creation of a unique wind tunnel

The issue: A university, together with government, hired an engineering firm to manage and oversee the development of a climatic and aerodynamic wind tunnel to be used for a variety of vehicle, parts and components testing. The job involved planning, procurement and installation of all climatic chillers, pumps, air handling units and air make up units, snow and rain units. It also required superior relationship management and communication skills to ensure project coordination and provide necessary stakeholder updates.

The solution: Smith Knox provided project management services for acquisitions analysis, installation and start up for heating/cooling and power/electrical control components for this unique combination of the Aerodynamic and Climatic Wind Tunnel. We managed and directed a team of primary contractor engineers and various subcontractors covering a number of heating and cooling subassemblies.

The impact: A complex project successfully completed; demanding stakeholders satisfied!

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Last modified June, 2011