Following are some real life success stories of Project Scorecards™!
Success Story: Safety
Project Scorecard™ Evaluation Statement
Safety – “The Project Team will perform work in the safest manner possible consistent with good construction practices and with regards to the health and safety of all parties.”
Problem Identified in Project Scorecard™
Several Project Scorecard™ participants reported concerns about near-misses of dangerous buried utilities, including high voltage power cables and high pressure gas lines, by equipment and workers on the site, including high voltage power cables and high pressure gas lines. The locations of the buried utilities were not consistently identified and the field procedures for exposing the cables and lines and working around them were sometimes dangerous.
Actions Taken
As a result of the dangerous conditions identified in the Project Scorecard™ Report, the project management team held a special meeting to address these concerns. As a result, the utility locating practices and field practices working around buried utilities were revised. These revisions were communicated to the project team at a special safety meeting. Future Project Scorecards™ ratings and comments in the safety category showed measured improvements in this area.
Success Story: Design Build Project – Document Submittal Process
Project Scorecard™ Evaluation Statement
Design Process – “We will follow the strategies identified in the partnering workshop to ensure that there is a good information flow between the parties, the design process does not impede the schedule or budget, re-work is minimized, and the review procedure is effective and efficient.”
Problem Identified in Project Scorecard™
On this time sensitive design-build project, the team’s comments on the Project Scorecard™ identified problems that were causing significant schedule delays. It quickly became apparent that a lack of verbal communications and poor information flows were contributing to the problem.
Actions Taken
At the next project meeting after receiving the Project Scorecard™ Report, the project management team thoroughly reviewed the communications requirements and practices around drawing submittals and approvals in the design build process. It was resolved to increase face-to-face discussions and telephone conversations rather than having delays caused by formal “bureaucratic” commenting and feedback processes. The written approvals were still required, but the process of finalizing the design was greatly expedited by improving the communications leading up to the required written acceptance of the final design.
As a result, the schedule delays were greatly reduced, and the project was brought back on schedule within less than one month.
Success Story: Relationships
Project Scorecard™ Evaluation Statement
Celebrations of Success – “We are recognizing contributions and achievements of teams and individuals throughout the project, and are getting together as a group to celebrate the successful progress of the project.”
Problem Identified in Project Scorecard™
Teamwork and relationships on the project were sliding, and that the Celebrations of Success evaluation statement on the Project Scorecard™ also received a low rating for several consecutive Project Scorecards™.
Actions Taken
At the first project meeting after receiving the Project Scorecard™ Report, the project management team felt that there was a direct relationship between a decrease in teamwork and quality of relationships on the project, and the lack of celebrating project successes.
The team scheduled periodic events to bring the team together, including a family summer BBQ, a Saturday golf match, and monthly pizza lunches. Relationships and teamwork improved significantly on the project, and the ratings increased in future Project Scorecards™. These trends continued through the end of the project nearly one year later.
Success Story: Traffic Management / Safety
Project Scorecard™ Evaluation Statement
Traffic Accommodation – “Traffic accommodation will work well for the safety of workers on the project and the safety and convenience of the traveling public.”
Problem Identified in Project Scorecard™
The Project Scorecard™ identified several concerns about the safety of workers and the travelling public. Traffic was not slowing down to the posted speeds on this bridge project, and there were several close calls where workers were almost struck by motor vehicles. The travelling public was also at risk due to the large equipment on site and narrow traffic lanes.
Actions Taken
At the first project meeting after receiving the Project Scorecard™ Report, the project management team discussed the problem and identified several positive steps to increase safety of workers and the travelling public.
Radar speed display signs were installed at each end of the bridge. Additional signage warning of the dangers and police enforcement of speed limits were also erected, and increased periodic police presence on the project was arranged.
The next Project Scorecard™ showed a major improvement in safety to protect workers and the travelling public.
Success Story: Teamwork
Project Scorecard™ Evaluation Statement
Teamwork – “We have a true team spirit characterized by respect, trust and collaboration.”
Problem Identified in Project Scorecard™
The rating for teamwork in this Project Scorecard™ showed a decline of nearly one whole point since the prior Scorecard. Participants commented that weekly meetings were becoming non-productive due to one project manager’s negative approach to other team members and aggressive conduct in the weekly meetings. They reported that this was affecting field relations between team members.
Actions Taken
At the next project meeting after receiving the Project Scorecard™ Report, the project management team discussed this concern. While the specific project manager was not identified in the Project Scorecard™, weekly meeting participants knew who the person was, but prior to the Project Scorecard™ report were hesitant to address the issue.
As a result of his behavior being identified, recognized and discussed by the team members (and a desire not to be seen again in this negative light), the individual’s behavior in weekly meetings improved significantly, resulting in steadily increasing teamwork ratings in future Project Scorecards™.
Success Story: Public / Citizen Concerns
Project Scorecard™ Evaluation Statement
Public Awareness and Satisfaction – “We will keep the public informed about this project and will address citizens’ needs and concerns to eliminate backlash to municipal administrators and elected officials.”
Problem Identified in Project Scorecard™
Municipal administrators and elected officials were included as participants in the Project Scorecard™. They reported several specific complaints that they had received from irate citizens due to excessive dust, noise and traffic delays. As well, project personnel were having problems on-site with citizens living near the project, and also the travelling public. As a result of these complaints, relationships between the municipality and the project team were also suffering.
Actions Taken
As a result of the concerns identified in the Project Scorecard™ Report, a special meeting was held between the project management team and municipal administrators and elected officials. Specific remedies were developed to address the concerns, including improving dust and noise control and improving communications through a special website that was identified on project signage.
Future Project Scorecards™ showed that public and citizen concerns were virtually eliminated, resulting in a smoother running project and improved relations between the project team and municipal representatives.
