Managing Multiple Projects: Strategies, Challenges, and Improvements

This assignment details a student's experience managing three construction projects concurrently, each with unique challenges. Project 1 involved the construction of a long-term care facility, facing issues with contractor cooperation on safety protocols and dust control. The student resolved this by fostering open communication and presenting a detailed risk assessment, ensuring adherence to safety regulations. Project 2 focused on renovating a college, where the primary challenge was meeting compaction standards during winter. The student's proactive approach, including continuous monitoring and contractor coordination, ensured successful completion. Project 3 involved building an airstrip building in a remote area, with challenges stemming from team inefficiencies. The student improved team performance through tailored management skills, assigning roles based on individual strengths and fostering a more collaborative environment. The student reflects on these experiences, highlighting the importance of stakeholder engagement, proactive planning, and effective team management. The assignment also includes a detailed description of difficulties faced in each project and how they were resolved to ensure project completion within the set deadlines and budgets.

Describe a situation where you had to manage several projects at the same time.
Your answer should also include the following:
 Describe the size and complexity of the projects, along with any challenges involved.
 Describe how the objectives of the various projects were managed to be achieved.
 If placed in a situation involving the management of several projects again, would you do
anything differently? What could you have done better?
Answer 1
I managed and coordinated the three projects mentioned below:
Project 1:
I was responsible for project management and contract administration of the construction for
long term care consisting of fifty beds in Goose Bay, Labrador while working as an Engineer III
for Transportation and Works, NL. The project costs about $ 9M.
Challenges: For the construction of a long term care facility, the contractor was supposed to do
tie ins for structural and electrical work as per the things issued for construction drawings.
The stakeholder requested a risk analysis, taking into account the Occupational Health and
Safety Act and and asked to submit the procedures for hoarding the task. It was because there
were patients who were allergic to dust and the demolition of the existing structure for tie ins
would result in huge amount of dusts. The contractor was not cooperating and was in hurry to
finish the task in as cheap as possible and was not willing to acknowledge the stakeholder’s
request.
Objectives Achieved: Understanding the clients’ views, I decided to approach contractor,
stakeholder in positive way in order to commence work as per safety requirements. After going
through detail study following the occupational health and safety act regulations, I prepared a
detail report concerning the need of risk assessment and procedures for inspections control
plan which followed safety standards, legislation act and which would help contractor and
stakeholder in an open, transparent and inclusive discussion. I then discussed this report with
contractor explaining him the importance to do risk analysis, prepare procedures, and follow
safety requirements and their consequences if not followed. At the end of the discussion
contractor saw the other side and was ready to cooperate for stakeholder request. Thus, with
this approach, I was able to commence work on site effectively following safety requirements
and was able to satisfy stakeholder request with no delays.
Do Differently: Next time I will understand and look outside of my area to understand the role
and perspective of stakeholder in the project. I will build an open platform right from day one
with contractor and stakeholders.
Done Better: I should have spent appropriate time on the health and safety documents in
contracts to identify the necessary requirements before commencing the project activities. I
should have taken time to discuss with the stake holder before the award of project.

Project 2:
I was responsible for project management and contract administration of renovating a college in
Labrador, NL. The cost of the project was 1M. The scope involved washroom, roof, plumbing
renovations and build additional laboratory. The size of project was 100 sq. m and the project
involved construction during busy student semester.
Challenges: The foundation base structural fill for laboratory construction for footings was failed
to meet 98% of the standard proctor maximum dry density. The placement of structural fill was
made difficult as the fill was being placed during winter conditions and the contractor was in
hurry to finish the structural fill since the construction date for footing was coming near.
Objectives Achieved: In the morning, I instructed the contractor to remove and stock pile the
entire fill that had frozen overnight and any wet, soft fill that had melted in the morning. The fill
that was to be placed as structural fill had to continuously monitor to ensure that this material
was not frozen, but yet had adequate moisture to meet compaction requirements. After the fill
had been levelled it was compacted immediately and tested frequently to ensure it met the
project specifications. Placing fill during winter requires a great deal of inspection and
coordinating with contractor. Thus, with approach the contractor was able to achieve the bearing
capacity of filling to make the foundation base meet the specifications and get ready for forming
the work installation for footing.
Do Differently: Next time I will undertake new work activities without specific direction and with
independent action. I will engage appropriate expertise either in-house or external. I would
advise contractors to be respectable to department authority and follow specifications in the
project kick off meeting.
Done Better: I would have open honest communication with contractor related to freezing
weather conditions before the start of project to avoid any delays and misunderstanding. Before
any unsupportive assumptions I would have done thinking ahead of project activities which is
very critical to success of the project.
Project 3:
I was responsible for project management and contract administration of building envelope for
airstrip building at the coastal Labrador. The cost of project was $ 300,000. The project was in
remote area with no access to paved road and extreme weather conditions.
Challenges: In this project team there were three employees for inspection, testing and
monitoring contractor’s task for construction work. After going through detail, I found that the
work was not progressing as per schedule, specification and safety rules.
Objectives Achieved: I decided to take corrective action to change my approach to get things
done and planned accordingly. First and very important task that I did was I studied each and
every employee of mine. I had several discussions with employees to get their views,
suggestions and then decided to apply proper management skills. Out of the three employees I
found one employee who was best in getting work done from others with good communication
and problem-solving skills, apart from that he had good relations with other coworkers and
contractors, all these shows qualities of leadership. I motivated, inspired him and showed him
the way how he can develop himself and gave him responsibility of team leader which I
considered was best part of my approach to get things done. For others I assigned them jobs in

which I found their skills are best enough to get work done faster in more efficient way. Due to
proper management skills our team became one of the efficient working groups in department.
Do Differently: Next time I will work effectively with others to capitalize the strengths of all
members in order to achieve the group activities. I will provide employees with required training,
resources to complete their projects efficiently.
Done Better: I would have made connections with employees by having coffee with them to
understand their views, suggestions for better team building. I would have assigned time on
Reviewed technical specification for Missing or duplicated drawing notes and specification
section, Conflict between drawing and technical specification. Checked the drawings are sealed
and signed in accordance with their respective acts and regulations. Verified drawings followed
Canadian metric practice guide and national building code of Canada. Also verified tender
documents and environmental impact assessment report prepared by consultant.
Difficulties: The consultant requested to amend the contract amount to redesign the washroom
as per universal design requirements saying this was not mentioned in the scope of work. I
revisited scope of work and showed to consultant the mention of word accessible requirement in
the scope of work for washrooms. After the discussion consultant agreed to produce universal
washroom drawings within the contract amount.
During execution phase prepared request for contract form to procure contractor services for
construction. During construction stage conducted project kick off meeting, carried out routine
inspection, verified testing, and geotechnical report, prepared change orders, paid invoice as
per cost breakdown for contract amount.
Difficulties: The contractor supervisor had very little respect for specification, drawings, design
requirements and departmental authority or anything else other than to get job done as cheaply
as possible. Also, there were numerous safety violation and use of poor quality material. I had
close watch took pictures and documented everything contractor did. I had frequent
communication with supervisor to explain him the importance to follow specified quality material
and departmental safety requirement. I informed him that I have advised client of the delays and
any cost associated with this will be deducted from his contractor amount. Also notified him his
contractor evaluation will be affected and the bonding company will be informed of this problem.
At the end of discussion, the contractor saw the other side and was able to complete the project
within deadline, budget and approved quality of material.
During closing and post project phase conducted commissioning, prepared substantial, final
completion certificate. Paid outstanding invoices, disputed claims, turnover of the property for
operation, conducted training and closed the file.
Difficulties: During commissioning of project deficiencies were identified and the contractor
was not agreeing to the amount to be hold from the contract for the deficiencies. I did detail
study and prepared accurate estimate amount for each deficiency and accordingly discussed
with the contractor the report. The contractor after going through my report was unable to
defend and agreed to the hold back amount from the contract until the deficiencies are rectified.