Borroloola School Role: Design, Construction, Project Management Value: $6.5m Challenges: In the completion of this project Wildgeese Building Group Australia experienced a number of difficulties that resulted in significant challenges to meet the required outcomes. These challenges directly related to:
Communication on-site between tradespeople and management
Significant delays in relation to the required timeframe
Wet weather delays including flooding
Significant changes in site management
These difficulties were in conjunction with normal construction elements that contributed to the management of projects within remote communities. The capacity to achieve required benchmarks in this project was significantly impaired by the above issues. Personnel: The following mixture of tradespeople, subcontractors, management and trainees applied to this project:
Management:
15
Total On-site:
80
Permanent staff:
24
Subcontractors:
56
Indigenous Trainees:
4
Apprentices:
2
Apprentices (subcontractors)
7
Outcomes: Wildgeese Building Group Australia completed this project inside the budget. However significant delays were experienced in relation to works being completed within the timeframes.
Benefits: Wildgeese Building Group Australia draws on this experience significant benefits through the analysis of our operational structure that contribute to issues impacting on our ability to meet outcomes. As a direct result of this project the following internal changes have been made:
Internal improvement for communication between tradespeople, site management and client
Changes in reporting structures provided to the client
Increased authority over projects from head office
Implemented system to prequalified site managers
Ensured site management team are fully informed of the challenges faced by each construction project
Improved site accommodation to assist with staff retention
Since this project Wildgeese Building Group Australia has had a significant focus on improving internal quality management systems and procedures relevant to the completion of projects inside all specifications and milestones. Two external quality audits have been conducted since this project in order to identify areas for improvement and contribute to long-term sustainable change across all internal systems.
A significant outcome as a result of this project is the capacity to make the changes resulting real and sustainable outcomes for projects. Wildgeese Building Group Australia has recently completed another school project in Lajamanu. This project was delivered on time, within specifications and budget. Several visits by the client including the Chief Minister has congratulated Wildgeese Building Group Australia on the completion of a high-quality project. This project demonstrates our capacity to make significant change and fully utilise internal quality management systems and procedures at a project level.
