pace_pm

PACE Keeps Distribution Centre Open

info@pacepm.co.nz (Pace PM) — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 05:59:31 GMT

After a freight train derails PACE step in to repair the damage

When it looked like one of our clients would have to close down one of the busiest freight distribution centres in Christchurch as a freight train had derailed and crashed into one of the main supporting columns of the roof of the premises, our client rang us. It was Monday morning and the client was understandably in a bit of a panic. Our project management team swung into action. We had engineers on site within the hour and had the site open for business. It was then a case of implementing a temporary structural fix with scaffolding and propping. We then project managed the design and replacement of the damaged steel column all whilst keeping the freight moving in and out of the premises. Working in with the freight company and the railways was an added complication to the repair, which required all parties to work as a team with Pace Project Management organising the program of works for the repair to run smoothly. Craning the replacement column into position on a Sunday when the freight company had a window of opportunity for the works made the repair possible. All works on site were completed in the allotted time frame and the whole project was completed in fourteen weeks.

Lincoln University Hudson Hall

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 05:57:41 GMT

Student Accommodation

Project and Construction management of the refurbishment of the Hudson Hall Accommodation building blocks A and 50% of block B spanning over three floors composing of a mixture of bedrooms, communal meeting spaces and communal amenities amounting to circa 110 rooms.

Works commenced late July 2021 with a view to the completion of the refurbishment works before Christmas 2021 to allow FF&E works to take place in the new year of 2022 prior to semester one residents arriving on campus.

During the works the decision was made to refurbish the existing sash windows, complete minor repairs to the facades, then plaster and repaint all facades to A and B blocks. Expected time frames extended the project works to mid January 2022. With a little luck of only having to deal with a two week lock down due to covid and a very experienced team of trades and excellent project and Construction Management, the project was handed over to LU five weeks early

The results of the refurbishment were well received by Lincoln University right across the board.

Project management at Pace

Sun, 03 Jun 2018 04:58:01 GMT

Pace Project Management is based in Christchurch and has been in the construction project management industry since 2000. It is a nationwide project management company and its team members have developed a wide range of skills.

"We are driven by a pragmatic approach to ensuring our clients' objectives are realised. By aligning our international experience with our local knowledge we can ensure your construction project is delivered on time, on budget and to the quality you expect," says PACE Project Management director Andrew Christian.

"At Pace Project Management we view our client relationships as partnerships and tailor the management of every project to that partnership - whether it's pure project management, development management or construction management of a project from conception through to completion."

"The open nature of our partnerships enables us to reduce the risk to the stakeholders and maximise outcomes."

Origins of modern project management
Wikipedia describes project management (PM) as 'the discipline of initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing the work of a team to achieve specific goals and meet specific success criteria'. The general idea of PM goes back to the late 19th century. However, we can trace our current concept of PM to as recently as the 1950s.
Henry Gantt was one of the originators of PM as we know it. With his creation of the Gantt chart, a now universally recognised visual management tool, Henry's name is one you'll often come across in PM. Henri Fayol's development of the five management functions, the precursors to our current five PM phases, cemented his position as one of PM's founding fathers.

While PM tools were prevalent in the space, government, engineering and military sectors, soon private businesses began to understand the benefits of work organised around a specific project. A clear way to manage these special projects emerged when companies realised that coordination and communication at every level, across business units and including different areas of expertise, was crucial to their overall success.

What is a project manager?
A project manager is the person who leads the project team and together accomplish the project goal. A project manager's leadership is usually temporary, in order to accomplish a specific project.
While every management position incorporates time management, organisation and people skills, project managing necessitates a singular focus affected by resources and results dictated by a designated timeframe. Pace Project Management has developed the personnel with these skills and the experience to complete your construction project to time and budget.

Choosing the best project manager to avoid project failure
Choosing the best project manager for the job can mean the difference of the project's success or failure. The manager plays a crucial part in taking any project from concept to completion. He or she must have the technical and soft skills needed to orchestrate every detail that comprises the project strategy. Mistakes result in missed milestones, wasted time and money.

The team leader must have strong critical thinking skills to anticipate any risks so that he/she can create contingencies along the way. A PM must be able to articulate what each team member's goals and precise lines of communication are. As you may imagine, successful projects don't just happen. A successful PM would be an established leader, possessing good communication, conflict resolution, time management and critical thinking skills. Pace Project Management, not only has skilled project managers, but has office support and systems in place, developed over 17 years in business.

The management process
The following are the five project management phases used to deliver a successful project outcome which apply to every project, not just a construction or fit- out project:

Initiation Phase. This step includes the formal commencement of the project and the scope explanation. In a construction project, it will outline the purpose of the project and define the scope of the project and usually the client brief.
Planning Phase. The project manager formulates the best strategy for the team to accomplish the client's objective. It may fall on the project manager to choose the team members, in addition to requisitioning other resources. Setting the timeline, budget, schedule and communication lines would also take place during this phase.
Execution Phase. The project manager will implement and oversee all activities that will create the outcomes as outlined in the project plan. In a construction project, this will usually be the on-site construction phase.
Control Phase. Execution and control occur simultaneously. The project manager monitors the team assuring that the projected performance from the planning phase becomes a reality.
Closure Phase. During this last stage, the project manager will facilitate the finalisation of any administrative tasks, reporting documentation, updating and present the resulting deliverable(s) to the client. You can calculate your individual managerial and your project team's success by answering one important question:
Did you meet and/or exceed the client requirements for the project?

The Pace Project Management website has a number of completed projects , all of which have encompassed these five phases, the project has been completed and Pace has met the each client's expectations.

Wrap Up
Implementing change efficiently and effectively is the project manager's job. Each project includes a specific timespan during which your team executes numerous activities. The project manager's goal is to meet the client's needs, whether internal or external, while hitting milestone targets and staying under budget. Expertise in planning, monitoring the team and providing the support they need is the key to successful project execution.

What it all means to a Pace Project Management client
Construction project management is about meeting and exceeding the client's expectations. A very important element of gaining positive outcomes for a construction project is by carefully managing expectations at the start. The professional project manager will elicit from the client the criteria for the project and work with the client to ensure those expectations are realistic.

Expectations for a commercial property will typically include:

A building that will attract tenants.
A building that gives the client an acceptable return on investment.
A building that meets the building code as a minimum, and where possible, exceeds it.
An appealing and potentially environmentally friendly building.  
A timely and well executed build phase which gives prospective tenants and the client certainty of occupation.  
The life cycle-cost of the building that will acceptable to the client.

Project Management . Pace provides upfront project management by assembling a project team to follow the project through. In the current environment in Christchurch it may be necessary to have the design of certain types of buildings led by the structural engineer, whose input around the new structural code may significantly affect the design. The foundations and structure can be up to 30 percent of the total construction cost, so to keep the overall construction budget to an acceptable level, the structure is the first element that has to be appraised and budgeted.

The structural engineer will work closely with the architect to ensure a new building has enough "structure" to be economically constructed and has the look the architect and project owner are trying to achieve. The project manager has to ensure the client's expectations are met as closely as possible in this process. The project manager is the leader of the consultant and construction teams and their role is to manage and mentor this team to ensure that the objectives are met harmoniously and expeditiously.

Key project management functions include:

Provide independent professional advice
Develop and finalise the project brief, including objectives
Project structuring
Establish communication, reporting and authorisation procedures
Scoping, selecting and appointment of design consultancy services
Progressive definition and refinement of the budget and programme
Project master planning and scheduling, including planning project timelines, monitoring and managing progress to ensure milestones are achieved
Budget establishment and cost management
Design review management, including incorporation of sustainable features
Buildability review o Value engineering o Quality assurance
Development of appropriate procurement and contractual procedures and documentation
Manage the consent and approval process
Contractor selection and appointment
Project start-up
Management and administration of owner/ designer and owner/contractor contracts
Engineer to contract, where appropriate
Decision, approval and change management
Health and safety management
Manage the coordination between separate contractors
Compliance management
Risk analysis and management
Project completion, commissioning, handover and close out.

Development management . Pace Project Management manage all key functions surrounding the project, including bulk and location studies, finance and feasibility and the facilitation of the building process through to completion and hand-over. Development management can be an all-encompassing role, with Pace directly involved in all levels of the development.

Key development management functions include:

Site assessment and selection
Bulk and location and feasibility analysis (master planning)
Working with the client to ensure the project meets pre-development objectives of sales and leasing
Market research
Managing architectural and design professionals
Providing independent, professional and strategic advice
Project completion and post project audit.

The Pace Project Management difference
In the process, Pace Project Management uses in-house quantity surveying expertise to establish the viability of the project and after liaising with real estate professionals - who will provide the market rental rates for the proposed building.

Pace provides the client with a development budget for the project, including the projected return on investment. At this stage the project's viability can be ascertained and changes made if required.

Timeframe/Accountability . The proposed program for the project is generally set at this stage with timeframes for each individual stage ascertained. Once the timeframes a nd works within each stage are known, they are incorporated to further the refine the project program.

Compliance . Pace ensure the budgetary requirements are met by reviewing the drawings and project budgets at the 30 percent design stage, again at 60 percent design stage and then just prior to building consent being submitted to the council. The building consent is the critical path of the project at this stage, as works cannot start on site until the consenting process is completed. In the Christchurch rebuild, the council and their consenting team play a pivotal role in keeping projects on-program. It is also the responsibility of the project team to ensure the consent process runs smoothly by providing all the information council requires to process the consent efficiently and in a timely manner.
The contract works are tendered and a contractor is chosen to construct the project whilst the council is considering the project's consent application. Once the building consent is granted, any alterations required by council are notified to the contractor and the fixed price contract is agreed. The project plan is updated and a completion date is set. The contractor's detailed program of works on site is inserted into the project plan and checked by the project manager at each stage of the project.

One of the biggest compliance issues immediately after the earthquakes was obtaining insurance - contractors' works insurance, then insurance for the building on completion. This is now less of a problem but is still one of the key elements the project manager needs to ensure is addressed and signed off prior to the construction contract being awarded.

On-Site . Once on site, Pace ensures the works progress is in line with the programme and ensures the on-site contractor has all the information required to complete the building project. The project team will be involved in compliance inspections and in ensuring the works are completed to a satisfactory standard. The client will usually be involved in all these processes and the project manager ensures that the client is kept well informed throughout.
Professional Finish. At the end of a new commercial project, the project manager needs to ensure all the documentation is available for the final code compliance and that all the contractors and consultants have completed the relevant documentation for the council's sign off. There is also the sign off of the quality of workmanship, mainly for the finishes of the project, which is usually signed off by the architect.

Investors now Developers . A number of property owners in the Christchurch market have been faced with the transition from landlord/investor to developer by necessity; generally, because their commercial building investment has been lost or badly damaged in the earthquakes. Many property owners in this situation have not previously undertaken much or any property development and require a project management company with the skills to assist them and guide them safely and cost effectively through the re- development process.
Pace not only provides the construction project management but manages the whole project, whilst being cognisant of who the project is for and ensuring the owner of the project remains informed. It is important to manage the consultants to the project, the contractor, the owner and sometimes the tenant - all of whom have their own priorities - in order to ensure all stakeholders are happy with the completed building.

Earthquake Repairs . Another significant area Pace Project Management is involved in, is the construction management of the scoping and repair of earthquake damaged commercial buildings, some of which are only just beginning to get underway. The management of these projects is generally similar to a new project but, in a number of cases, includes working around occupants of the damaged buildings. The health and safety of building occupants and any public who may be visiting the site is also of greater concern than in a new building, as the occupants and public may not be educated and trained in the health and safety.

In all project management of commercial construction projects, the project manager is the lynch pin and facilitator of the project. The project manager controls and directs the project team including the client, consultants and the contractors on site to ensure the desired outcome. The most rewarding projects tend to be ones where everyone in the project team works together seamlessly and these projects are generally the ones that have the best outcomes.

Pace Project Management's offices are situated at Level 3, 112 Tuam Street, PO Box 36-546, Christchurch 8001. If you want your project professionally managed, contact Neil Walker or Andy Christian.

This article was first published in Builders & Contractors Magazine, Issue #111 .

Christchurch Boys High School Memorial Repair

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT

The Christchurch Boys High School Memorial was originally built in 1926 to commemorate the 142 old boys killed in WW1. The listed historical building was damaged in the 2011 earthquakes, and required repairs and extensive seismic reinforcement and strengthening to be safe for use. The school raised the funds from Old Boys to complete both the repair and seismic upgrade.

The team consists of an Engineer, Stonemason, Project Manager and Heritage Consultant all working to achieve this goal with no original detailed drawings. Returning the appearance to the original state has proved to be a challenging project due to historical and craftsman requirements.

Initially there was a partial deconstruction undertaken and concealed seismic strengthening installed. 50mm holes core drilled to three metres inside walls, with high tensile reinforcing installed to connect structure and provide seismic resilience. A rebuild was then launched to return the memorial to its original appearance where every stone was labelled and replaced back in the original position.

Currently the memorial is 70% complete with six weeks until ANZAC day and a planned opening at the school dawn service.

Pace Supports Fanfare Sculpture Installation

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Congratulations! Pace Project Management Ltd. No1 Hero
For first to publicly support Fanfare as a Hero Club Member.
This is the highest level of membership in the Fanfare Club, and you will always be recognised as the No.1 Hero of Fanfare.

Pace PM has backed the bull!

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMT

New Zealand artist Michael Parekowhai's two bulls upon bronze pianos stood defiant amongst the devastation in Christchurch for 30 days and became an image of strength to the city.

In particular, Parekowhai’s 1.8-tonne standing bull sculpture named ‘Chapman’s Homer’ has become a much loved symbol of the perseverance and resilience shown by Christchurch after the earthquakes. For this reason Christchurch Art Gallery Trust wanted to bring back Chapmans Homer to stand strong outside the Art Gallery, and forever be a reminder of the underlying spirit of the city.

The trust met their requirement of $200,000 from their ‘Back the Bull campaign’ with Westpac and with the Christchurch Art Gallery Trust committed to matching the public donations. This has meant that Christchurch’s new resident bull is finally back for good and Pace was proud to be a part of donating to this cause.

While the forecourt of the Gallery is being completed, Chapman’s Homer will be displayed at several sites around the city before taking residence outside the Art Gallery later in the year.

Harcourts Grenadier finds a new home with Pace

Sun, 01 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT

In a turn-around of roles, Pace Project Management has helped Harcourts Grenadier find a new home - this time for Harcourts themselves in their brand new Building at 98 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch. Prominent construction project management experts, Pace Project Management, managed the entire project, from design and build, fit-out through to completion and handover.

As early as 2004 Pace project managed the refurbishment of 323 Madras Street for Harcourts Grenadier CEO and business owner, Rob McCormack. The building was an old and tired one that McCormack and his business partners had bought to redevelop as their head office. The project was a prestigious one and the largest that Pace Project Management had undertaken at the time. The refurbishment was completed on time and to budget. Over the next few years a number of alterations were made, as Grenadier grew into the biggest Harcourts franchise in the world and the relationship between Pace Project Management and Harcourts Grenadier grew.

During the 2011 earthquakes the Madras Street building was damaged beyond repair. In a media conference in January 2012 an announcement was made on what was to be the first post-quake CBD rebuild, Harcourts Grenadier House, on its original Madras Street site, and managed by Pace Project Management. This was an exciting development that attracted national media coverage. The first foundation pile was drilled with the assistance of Earthquake Minister, Gerry Brownlee and other senior Government officials were also in attendance. The clear message was that this first, significant construction milestone and was symbolic of a city beginning to move forward once again.

Mr. McCormack and his partners had invested around $1.3M dollars in creating the design, obtaining consent fees and funding the first piles. But the project was halted in June 2012 when the Government announced the designation of the Madras Street site as being part of East Frame Green Corridor.

Meanwhile, the owners of the building at 98 Moorhouse Avenue, previously the old ‘Kitchen Things’ site, had contacted Pace in the wake of the earthquakes to repair the existing building. Pace quickly helped establish that the building was uneconomic to repair and managed the subsequent insurance claim. The insurer insisted the owners re-build in order to obtain the pay out from their insurance policy. The owners looked to Pace Project Management to re-establish the investment. Pace produced the development budgets, put together the design team and managed the design process to ensure that the client’s expectations of use and costs were met. Pace also conducted the tender process that was concluded with Higgs Construction as the best tender for the building of the new property.

With an extremely pro-active building owner, the rebuild process started well before the insurer had settled the claim the construction started on site before most earthquake-damaged building owners had even thought about their new buildings. The construction of the building was completed within budget and in the allotted timeframe.

At the same time as the Harcourts Grenadier Madras Street building was being halted, the owners of the newly completed 98 Moorhouse Avenue were seeking a tenant. Harcourts Grenadier viewed the property and made a successful offer to not only lease the building but to buy it when it was completed.

Pace Project Management was then employed by Harcourts Grenadier to project manage the fit-out of their new building. Pace Project Management put together the new design team and put together the budgets for the fit-out. In the design process Pace's in-house quantity surveying expertise was invaluable to ensure budgets were met. The design process for the fit-out was quite complicated with eight business centres and over 200 staff going into what is now one of the premiere Harcourts offices in the world.

The building was completed on time and to budget and on 16th December The Prime Minister officially opened the building. Three and a half years after the earthquakes, Grenadier House has finally taken its place in its new CBD location, home to the Harcourts Grenadier Head Office, 200 staff and the eight businesses operating within this important city franchise group.

New Lease of Life for Pace Project Management’s Key CBD Project

Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Friday marks another milestone in the Canterbury re-build as a key building project managed by Pace Project Management starts a new lease of life. The Pace banner will come down from 764 Colombo Street, better known as Forsyth Barr Building, a privately owned City Centre commercial building formerly home to many office and retail tenants.

Pace had carried out a number of the tenants’ fit-outs across many of the high rise’s floors prior to the events of 2011; in fact Pace was managing the decorative repairs resulting from the September quake when the February 22nd quake hit. Two Pace directors, Andy Christian and Neil Walker, along with one of their project managers, we’re on the 5th floor of a nearby building when the 6.3 magnitude quake hit. It's an experience none of them will forget.

Pace managed the extraction of each of the red-zoned building’s tenants after the quake, along with commercial and private property. They also helped pioneer a new project management discipline spawned by the Canterbury quakes - the management of the insurance investigation. This involved coordinating and controlling a team of engineers, quantity surveyors and insurance professionals to discover all the damage and ultimately come to a settlement offer.

Three and a half years on from the devastating quake Pace has completed it’s work, assisting the building's owner and insurance company in reaching a settlement. On Friday at 12:30pm the Pace banner will come down. The building has recently been purchased on an as-is where-is basis by a private sector developer who intends to refurbish the building and convert it in to a new hotel, creating a valuable new asset for the Christchurch CBD.