Cost Control

Relying on your company's accounting system for cost reporting? Not getting the reports you want? That is because it is an accounting system and not a cost control system.

We make a separate cost control system in Excel, Access or the simplest software that will still do the job. The cost data will be imported from the accounting system to the cost control system, and customized reports will be generated in the cost control system. The cost control system provides detailed, accurate, transparent cost reports that match the accounting system to the dollar. Any problems that the accounting system presents can be solved in the cost control system. Example: If the accounting system only generates cost information in a raw cost form, the cost control system can add any burdens needed automatically to get direct cost (add fringe) or total cost (add fringe, overheads, cost of money, etc.) If the accounting system does not include fields for service date or service month, these fields can be added. Invoices can be split in the cost control system and the costs placed in the correct task numbers for project control's analysis.

Our Cost Control Systems are not shadow systems. They do not require separate data entry from the accounting system. Our cost control systems will also never deviate from the accounting system, they will match transaction for transaction. Our cost control systems are extensions of your company's accounting system to perform cost control activities.

Cost review meetings are paperless, relying only on a PC and a projector. Costs are reviewed and error-corrections made directly into the cost control system. No paging through computer print outs, no submitting corrections to accounting and running reports later to see the corrected results. Everything occurs at real time.

Scheduling

PCE has expertise in all commonly used scheduling software - Primavera (P3, P3e/c 5.0) and MS Project.

We can produce schedules from scratch or take over an existing schedule. For existing schedules, we straighten them out, if needed, eliminating open ended tasks (no successors), and cleaning up activity codes, cost loading, and resource loading. We also set up cash flow analysis and reporting, resource planning/analysis and reporting, delay analysis, and integration with delay claims.

In addition to the above, we will set up layouts and sub schedules for specific sub tasks, areas, and resources and managers, while retaining complete integration with the entire project schedule.

Project Controls

Project going south with no warning? Deteriorating project margins, accompanied by rosy forecasts from the project team, yet the project continues to deteriorate?

Is the PM or the project controls engineer "lost in the sauce" in the scheduling or database system of their own creation, while the project suffers?

Maybe you have a PM or project controls engineer that has experience in your industry, but not enough experience in Project Controls.

PCE designs professional Project Controls Systems, and when accompanied by effective Cost Control and scheduling, gives the project team the information needed to effectively manage the project.

PCE's Project Controls Systems are independent of the scheduling, accounting and budgeting system, but draw information from these sources for effective project controls. PCE's Project Controls Systems do what you want a project controls system do, which is the following:

1. Tell You What Happened

For work completed, accurate progress and performance measurement (all costs and revenue by service period - actual and accrual), drilled down to task level, and individual cost transaction level.

2. How Does This Compare to Plan?

Comparison of actual project work to the project plan (budget and schedule) for any time period. Allows for analysis of entire project, down to individual tasks, and any grouping (by area, task type, manager, etc) in between. Heavy use of Earned Value metrics to identify variances from project plan.

3. Why Did The Project Vary From The Plan? Can We Correct?

PCE's Project Controls Systems allow for detailed analysis of project variances to discover the causes of the variances (unit cost overrun, duration overrun, excessive resource use, Scope of Work Change, etc.). PCE's engineering experience allows us to construct and submit plans for mitigating these issues that cause negative impacts and optimizing the project's performance through to project completion.

4. What is The Project Plan Now, Through Project Completion?

PCE's Project Controls Systems allow for complete flexibility in "What If" analysis of Estimate to Complete (ETC) and allow for multiple scenarios to be constructed, analyzed, and revised through project completion (Best, Worst, and Average case scenarios, resource price change scenarios, resource availability scenarios, government approval delay scenarios, etc, and any combination therein).

PCE designs effective project controls systems because we have experience and expertise in accounting, corporate accounting systems (J.D. Edwards, Oracle, etc), project controls software (Excel, Access, P3, P3e/c, MS Project), Project Controls* and project management.

NOTE: Just like the Cost Control meetings, the Project control review meetings are paperless, and are based on a PC and projector. Review and analysis is carried out real time on the screen, without using paper reports. Corrections and changes are made immediately and the effects are seen immediately. Time periods can be brought up in seconds for comparison and analysis. Tasks can be grouped by area, resource, manager or task type, again for comparison and analysis. Budgets can be modified with change orders instantly. Forecasts, and endless "What If" exercises can be done instantly. At any time, reports and other documentation can be printed from the system for record keeping.

*PCE's Principal taught Project Controls in a graduate program.

Turnkey or Project Staffing

We design and operate project control systems for projects.

Why keep a project controls department? Save overhead costs and have professional project controls personnel at your company's disposal.

Outsource your project controls to us. We will provide everything - project controls technicians, computers, software, printers, etc., everything needed for project controls for your project. (Everything is done in the USA, either on-site or at our firm's offices. No overseas labor is used.)

We design systems for new projects, and take over existing projects, even troubled projects - applying state of the art project controls techniques to get the best outcome possible.

If you have a project controls department and just need staffing for a project, we can provide project controls project staff that will adapt to your company's methods and systems.

Most failed projects fail before they even begin. Give your projects a fighting chance - let us provide you with an effective project controls system.

New or Existing Projects

PCE can be brought on for new projects, or can be retained to take over existing, even troubled projects.

It is preferable to be brought on before the project begins. The project budget can be analyzed, cost codes can be set up, and the schedule can be constructed, all in a way to optimize project controls during execution.

When PCE is brought in for troubled projects, we will analyze project performance and the project controls procedures currently in place. Troubled projects are usually accompanied by poor project controls. Recommendations will be formulated to improve project performance and also project controls procedures.