Step into the spotlight with Valsa Kumar Unniyattil, a dedicated and brilliant Project Manager at Douglas OHI. In this illuminating Q&A session, we delve into the critical role of a Project Manager in the intricate world of construction projects. Valsa generously shares insights drawn from his wealth of expertise in leadership, team management, and project coordination. As he navigates through the challenges faced by project managers, Valsa provides valuable perspectives on effective and efficient solutions.

Join us in uncovering the multifaceted journey of a Project Manager and the pivotal role they play in shaping successful construction endeavours.

1) Can you explain what a project manager does in construction and how it impacts the project’s success? Also, what essential skills and qualities do you think a project manager needs to lead a team effectively?

• As a project manager in the construction industry, my role is pivotal in ensuring the success of a project from inception to completion, with responsibilities that significantly impact overall project success.
  • Meticulous Planning
    • Engages in meticulous planning for the project.
    • Outlines project milestones for a structured approach.
  • Resource Allocation
    • Effectively allocates resources for optimal utilisation.
    • Ensures seamless collaboration among team members, sub-contractors, and stakeholders.
  • Effective Communication
    • Prioritises clear and transparent communication.
    • Facilitates effective interactions to keep everyone well-informed about project progress, changes, and requirements.
  • Budgeting and Cost Control
    • Develops detailed budgets for accurate financial planning.
    • Monitors expenses and implement cost-control measures.
  • Risk Management
    • Identifies potential risks and develop strategies for mitigation.
    • Addresses and manage risks proactively to ensure project success.
  • HSSE and Quality Standards
    • Enforces rigorous Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) standards.
    • Upholds high-quality standards to meet project requirements.
  • Client Relationship Management
    • Acts as the primary point of contact for clients.
    • Addresses concerns, provide updates, and ensure client satisfaction throughout the project.

2) What types of construction projects have you managed in the past?

• With experience spanning various sectors, I’ve led the management to an array of construction projects. These include industrial ventures like desalination plants and commercial structures such as apartments, office buildings, shopping malls, and hotels. Additionally, my expertise extends to projects involving structural remedial works and fit-out refurbishment.

3) How do you approach project planning and management? Can you share any specific strategies or methodologies that you find most effective in ensuring the timely delivery of projects?

• The foundation of project success hinges on meticulous programme preparation. I focus on developing a detailed, logically sequenced, and efficiently timed programme, optimised through resource levelling. Once approved by the employer, I create an aggressive target programme for internal monitoring, shared with the project team for execution. This approach allows flexibility to address unforeseen challenges during construction or procurement, averting undue pressure from clients due to potential delays.
  
  The second priority centres on material and subcontractor procurement. Ensuring timely material delivery is crucial. Hence, I meticulously prepare a procurement schedule, closely monitoring progress throughout the project to guarantee swift and efficient material delivery.
  
  Construction projects come with inherent demands, requiring strict adherence to schedules. Here are the strategies I implement for precise time management within the project:
  • Establish clear, achievable project goals and break them into smaller milestones for direction.
  • Prioritise high-impact tasks for early completion.
  • Efficiently assign and rearrange resources based on daily tasks.
  • Conduct regular walkthroughs with the team to review and track progress, fostering motivation and meeting designated targets.

4) How do you identify and manage project risks? What are your risk management strategies that have helped mitigate potential project issues?

• Establishing detailed risk registers for each project area, categorized by discipline, ensures a comprehensive approach to risk management. These registers are regularly updated and include essential details such as Risk Opportunity Category, Risk Description, Risk Categorisation (Low/Medium/High), and Method to Manage Risk (ERIC and Description). This meticulous approach is crucial for mitigating potential project issues.

5) Quality assurance is essential in construction projects. What measures do you implement to ensure that project deliverables meet or exceed the required quality standards?

• To uphold quality standards, we initiate a Contract Quality Plan (CQP) outlining procedures for meeting project quality standards. Additionally, for each activity, a Quality Control Plan (QCP) is developed, detailing stage-wise quality checks. Regular audits ensure compliance with both the CQP and QCP, maintaining desired quality levels throughout the project.

6) Budget management is another critical responsibility of a project manager. How do you ensure that projects are delivered within budget constraints? Can you share any cost-saving strategies that you have implemented?

• To ensure projects stay within budget constraints, we establish individual budgets for each work element, reviewing them monthly to identify any cost overruns and implementing control measures as needed.
  
  As an example of a cost-saving strategy, we faced the challenge of storing furniture and operator assets in a temperature-controlled area. There was no available space within the site without expected remedial work. To address this, we marked propping footprints in every room and separated areas using isolation screens. This strategy enabled us to store furniture within the site, eliminating the need to relocate assets to an external storage area.

7) Can you tell us about a challenging project that you have managed? What were the key obstacles you faced, and how did you overcome them to achieve project success?

• One of the most challenging project under my management centered around structural remedial works for a hotel.
  • Challenge 1: The initial challenge surfaced when the engineer outlined a bearing capacity for the grade slab that fell short of the required propping standards.
  • Solution 1: To tackle this issue, we implemented a plate load test directly on the grade slab. The results showcased that the actual bearing capacity surpassed the engineer’s specifications. Armed with this evidence, we successfully navigated past the obstacle, paving the way to proceed with propping at the revised bearing capacity of the grade slab.
    
  • Challenge 2: Erecting heavy steel collars at heights of 4-6 meters posed a challenge in safeguarding finishes, fixtures, and MEP services.
  • Solutions 2: We designed a site-specific lifting mechanism, subjected it to rigorous third-party tests for safety certification. Organizing teams with specific duties, providing training, and ensuring continuous supervision allowed us to systematically protect/remove finishes and fixtures, overcoming the challenge effectively.

8) Stakeholder management is an important aspect of project management. How do you identify and prioritise stakeholders, and what steps do you take to engage and manage their expectations throughout the project lifecycle? Moreover, how do you handle conflicts or disagreements that arise within the project team or with stakeholders?

• In managing stakeholders, I start by analysing their requirements and prioritising them based on importance. Regular communication is maintained to keep stakeholders informed about project updates and address concerns promptly. Seeking their support for project decisions and leveraging their influence for project benefits is also crucial. Moreover, I regularly organise site walks to update stakeholders on the current progress and outline the projected plan ahead.
  
  Addressing conflicts with stakeholders involves presenting multiple resolution options and collaboratively choosing a solution that satisfies all parties involved. For instance, when significant design changes were introduced late in a project, stakeholders insisted on the original plan for handing over the project to the operator. We proposed a plan, emphasizing critical areas for timely occupancy and requesting additional time for less critical areas. This proposal received mutual agreement from all stakeholders.

9) Professional development is important for project managers to stay current with industry trends. How do you stay updated and continuously improve your skills as a project manager?

• To stay informed about the latest developments in the construction industry, I regularly access online media sources. Additionally, I keep an eye on new projects that incorporate advanced technologies to enhance my knowledge and stay up-to-date with industry trends.

10) Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring project managers who want to excel in their roles? Any key lessons you’ve learned throughout your career that you would like to share?

• For aspiring project managers looking to excel in their roles, my advice is to embark on a journey of continuous learning, adaptability, and a commitment to delivering results. Stay persistent and passionate about your work, and you’ll find yourself well-equipped to handle the challenges that come your way.

Immerse yourself in the stories of our exceptional team members through the Employee Spotlight blog series. Uncover their extraordinary journeys of professional growth, career development, project management excellence, adherence to HSE best practices, successful teamwork, and the vibrant company culture that underpins our success. Click here to read their experiences and find inspiration in their dedication to Douglas OHI!