At Beta, we constantly look for opportunities to deliver greater value to our customers. To strengthen our commitment to delivering high voltage projects on time and within budget, Beta is adopting the critical chain project management (CCPM) approach.

What is critical chain project management (CCPM)?

Critical chain project management is a method of planning and managing projects that considers the tasks and the resources required to complete a project. The critical chain is the longest path in the schedule that accounts for activity interdependence and resource constraints.

CCPM looks at the schedule and then determines which set of activities that, if delayed, will extend the end date of the project. Using the critical chain scheduling software Prochain, project teams gain insight into resource demands for specific projects, as well as for Beta’s entire portfolio of work. This tool gives us better visibility into our capacity, resource needs, department interdependencies and our processes. It also gives our team a better understanding of how Beta functions at all levels.

Why is CCPM important?

The goal of CCPM is to develop a roadmap of activities from the beginning to the end of a project. By following this map, teams can maximize use of time and resources and identify potential bottlenecks before they occur. The approach helps ensure accurate project schedules and budgets.

At Beta, this increased certainty will strengthen our commitment to delivering projects that are on time and on budget for customers. With increased visibility across the entire company, we can make more informed commitments to customers so that Beta, together with our partners and our customers, can all achieve a successful project. Beta team members Chris Wilson and Logan Barton recently completed certifications with the ProChain program to help them successfully implement critical chain project management (CCPM) methods across departments within Beta.

Wilson is a Continuous Improvement Manager at Beta and is now a Certified ProChain Expert. To achieve this certification, Wilson had to first assist in launching a project using critical chain methods. Then he had to take the lead in launching a new project.  Wilson was responsible for educating, training and helping the team understand the process, value, and benefits of CCPM.

Barton is a Manager of Project Management and earned a professional ProChain certification. To achieve this certification, Barton had to work directly with a certified professional to implement the critical chain methodology of execution within one of Beta’s project teams.

Wilson and Barton also incorporated the ProChain method A5, which stands for: Agree, Align, Advance, Assess, Adapt. The “Agree” step means you know what you are trying to accomplish together, including both the goals and the roadmap to reach them. “Align” means you understand how you are going to achieve your vision. “Advance” is making excellent progress while maintaining agreement and alignment within the team. With “Assess,” you evaluate where you are on the path to reaching your objectives. And “Adapt” is about how you should always be improving. This five-step methodology sets the framework for teams to execute projects with excellence.

Both Wilson and Barton worked with a ProChain consultant to understand each step of the process, from defining the scope of work to defining a detailed project network, which involves identifying all of the tasks and resources required to complete a project. They also held weekly project review meetings to understand the progress of the week, the work ahead, and potential roadblocks. They worked with the project managers and the engineering teams to ensure alignment and agreement while planning out the weeks ahead.

Quality project management is key to the success of any project. Learn more about Beta’s approach to project management or start the conversation about your next high voltage project today.