When Ahmed Chilmeran was named project manager
to oversee construction of three zuniversities in Abu
Dhabi, the Parsons executive knew it would not be
a simple assignment, especially when partners
included companies from around the globe, operating
in different time zones and languages.

Ideally, all subcontractors would relocate
temporarily -- but this is seldom a viable option.
(In this case, California-based Parsons is working
with a French design company, a German
technical consultant and a British project-estimating firm.)

Ideally, all subcontractors would relocate temporarily -- but this is seldom a viable option. (In this case, California-based Parsons is working with a French design company, a German technical consultant and a British project-estimating firm.)

"If you're managing a design process and you have people scattered all over the place, quality may be an issue," he said. "Technology can only do so much and get you to a certain point. Communication and experience are really the keys to success."

But Parsons' use of Web-based project management software has dramatically streamlined the process by giving all users real-time access to up-to-date information, said Chilmeran.

Previously, contracts lost time -- and efficiency -- since the design company would send a schematic via overnight delivery or courier. Upon receipt, Parsons would review and amend the document, return it to the design company and await changes. "You can imagine the time lost in the process," Chilmeran said.

Today, using Web-based project management software, Parsons can meet virtually with all relevant parties, make real-time changes and save hours or days, not to mention the printing and production costs associated with initial drafts, he said.

"All the drawings are available online. Even if you don't have AutoCAD on your computer, you can view the drawings," said Chilmeran. "You can instantly go online, view them and share comments. You might have three or four different subcontractors who need access simultaneously. This is definitely the correct approach."

Shared access supports the design-build concept, which aims to reduce costs and time-to-market. In turn, clients are assured that all parties will meet deadlines or, worst case, are easily kept abreast of any speed bumps. After all, said Chilmeran, "There’s a lot of pressure to finish projects on time."

Parsons has standardized on several tools from Primavera, Meridian and Microsoft. (A complete list is available in the chart at the beginning of this article.) "We use the same tools, the same software and procedures all around the company and the world," said Chilmeran.

"I'm finding a new trend where [construction] companies provide a Web-based collaborative software tool," he continued. "We can access our project information -- documents, communication, databases -- over the Internet. This software is extremely helpful, as you can log in to see drawings, read communications, add comments and have a conference all over the Internet. To me, it really seems to be the solution to the problems of communication and document control."

Web-enabling and standardizing on these applications creates consistency, reduces training and technology maintenance tasks, and improves productivity and efficiency, he noted. At the same time, the process has built-in capabilities to manage and add client preferences, whether they are related to procedure, partners or tools, added Chilmeran.

"In the United States we use a construction management consultant to make sure it's being built according to specs and quality," he explained. "Over here [in Abu Dhabi], they hire a project manager and a quality surveyor. It is totally driven by the program or project you're working on."

The three Abu Dhabi universities are under staggered construction. As part of the $1.7-billion project, the first higher-education facility is slated to open in August 2009, and will serve between 3,000 and 4,000 students. The university, which will open in two phases, is scheduled to enter its first phase in August 2009 and its second phase in 2010. The other two universities -- designed to serve 8,000 and 4,000 students each -- are expected to open their doors in the summer of 2011.

Chilmeran noted that firms working on smaller projects can also benefit from Web-based project management software, as it allows them to communicate with and track multiple partners, no matter where they are located or the role they play in a project.