Great Leaders Programme - Aspiring Directors Application Summary

Darren Harlen

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL Collaboration: During my time at FM Conway, I have seen a great improvement in this area but there is still room for more. Consultancy work closely with many of the other divisions, but the collaboration is mainly through partnerships that have developed by individuals over time, not something that forms part of business as usual or that runs across all work streams. Even when teams have good relationships, the drive to meet individual divisional targets can sometimes distract from one company thinking. I have also found that where collaboration happens it can be left late in the process, this leads to a higher-pressure working environment, which in turn can result in lower quality outputs, mistakes, and stress or anxiety for staff. This could be improved by greater transparency of future workloads and processes that allow adequate time for input from all parties. I believe this will lead to higher quality outputs and more efficient project delivery. This could also lower work-related anxiety and stress, which in turn could also improve staff retention or mental health-related sick leave. THREE PILLARS PROPOSAL Consultancy is in a position where it can contribute to all three of the pillars, but the use of Technology during the design stage is something that we are uniquely positioned to drive forward. I am currently working with John Holliday on the use of Augmented Reality (AR) for buried services. I am also looking at how we can use AR to provide clients with a better understanding of the finished product. I am aware that it is possible to provide finished 3D models to our AR partners, which they can then import to their platform. This will allow the finished scheme to be viewed on site via tablets of HoloLens. This will require some investment in the production of 3D models as not all projects we design require this level of detail for approval or construction. We have started to build 3D models of standard HMV infrastructure and have utilised existing software to undertake clash detection. AR visualisation would be the next step. I have also spent some time talking to a cloud-based provider that are able to provide a system where all complex 3D models can be viewed. This removes the requirement for anyone viewing the information to hold an expensive 3D licence. I have always found that explaining 3D interaction to clients on a 2D plan or PDF difficult. Being able to view a 3D model at the same time will greatly improve the ease of conversations with stakeholders and collaboration with design partners. Whilst holding discussion I have confirmed that this would be fully compactable with Asite, which I believe is the favoured provider of our Common Data Environment (CDE). Finally, I have investigated the use of 4D BIM. I have not taken this too far yet as it would only be applicable to larger or more complex schemes. The basic idea here is that you have a 3D model of the site which is coordinated with the build programme. The model can show equipment and all temp works required during any stage of the project, in still images or as a time-lapse video. This could be used to clearly identify H&S risk, access conflicts etc. It could also be a viable way of showing TM and access arrangements during the approvals process of bigger or more complex projects.

APPLICATION SUMMARY

Wendy: Application was acceptable. Wider focus was missing.

Sam: Application was acceptable. Concentrated on own divisional area.

Sue: Application was late. Company have spent funds over the last two years already by supporting an NVQ Level 6 in Construction Management and Level 5 Management. Would benefit from consideration next year and perhaps time to put into practice previous studies and what he has learnt.

Decision: Candidate for 2022

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