Understanding Project Controls

In the construction and infrastructure sectors, maintaining control over costs, schedules, and resources is essential for successful project delivery. This is where Project Controls become vital, offering a structured approach to managing and overseeing all aspects of a project. For Quantity Surveyors, understanding project controls is crucial for ensuring that a project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

What is Project Controls?

Project Controls refer to the processes and tools used to manage, monitor, and control project performance. This involves planning, scheduling, cost management, risk management, and tracking progress. Essentially, it provides a framework for forecasting, analysing, and making adjustments to ensure the project remains on track with its objectives.

Key Elements of Project Controls for Quantity Surveyors

1. Cost Management: Quantity Surveyors are skilled at managing budgets and keeping project costs under control. Project controls encompass detailed cost planning, estimation, and cost control methods, helping to track and monitor spending throughout the project’s lifecycle.
2. Schedule Management: Project controls also focus on maintaining a reliable project schedule. This involves creating and monitoring timelines, identifying potential delays, and ensuring the project progresses as planned. Quantity Surveyors play a pivotal role in ensuring the cost plan is aligned with the project’s construction schedule.
3. Risk Management: All projects carry risks, and project controls help to identify, assess, and mitigate these risks early on. Quantity Surveyors, with their understanding of financial and contractual aspects, are essential in managing and mitigating risks related to cost overruns and other financial impacts.
4. Change Management: Construction projects often face scope changes or unforeseen events that affect costs and timelines. Project controls offer a systematic approach to managing these changes, ensuring that every modification is financially accounted for. This allows Quantity Surveyors to adjust budgets and forecasts accurately, maintaining project integrity.
5. Performance Reporting: Regular performance reporting is a key aspect of project controls, keeping stakeholders informed about progress. Quantity Surveyors provide insights into the project’s financial performance, ensuring it remains on track and adheres to contractual agreements.

Training and Qualifications in Project Controls

For Quantity Surveyors looking to enhance their expertise in project controls, there are various training opportunities and qualifications available. Many professional bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Association for Project Management (APM) offer specialised courses that focus on project controls, including cost management, risk assessment, and scheduling techniques.

Qualifications such as the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) and certifications from AACE International or PMI (Project Management Institute) can provide a deeper understanding of project controls. Additionally, software training in industry-standard tools like Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, and CostX can be beneficial for Quantity Surveyors who want to streamline their project control processes.

Benefits of Project Controls for Quantity Surveyors

For Quantity Surveyors, implementing strong project controls offers several key benefits:

• Improved Cost Management: With robust project controls, Quantity Surveyors can better monitor and manage project budgets, ensuring costs are kept within the agreed parameters and reducing the risk of budget overruns.
• Better Risk Management: Early identification and management of risks help minimise financial impact and delays, improving overall project stability.
• Enhanced Decision-Making: By providing real-time data and analysis, project controls allow Quantity Surveyors to make informed decisions, improving project outcomes.
• Efficient Change Management: With a structured process in place, project controls make it easier to manage and adapt to changes, ensuring that cost and schedule adjustments are accurate and efficient.
• Increased Client Satisfaction: Projects that are delivered on time, within budget, and with fewer risks are more likely to result in satisfied clients, enhancing your professional reputation.

Why Project Controls Matter

For Quantity Surveyors, understanding and applying project controls is key to making informed decisions and maintaining project alignment. By incorporating these processes into your day-to-day responsibilities, you can effectively manage costs, mitigate risks, and help ensure project success. This not only strengthens your role as a cost manager but also elevates you to a strategic advisor within the wider project team.

Incorporating formal training and gaining qualifications in project controls will not only broaden your expertise but also enhance your career prospects and professional standing. Whether managing complex infrastructure projects or smaller construction contracts, a strong grasp of project controls is a valuable asset in today’s industry.