In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, optimizing project portfolios for maximum return on investment (ROI) is critical. However, many organizations struggle with misaligned project goals, inefficient resource allocation, and difficulty measuring project value. To address these challenges, Info-Tech Research Group, a leading IT research and advisory firm, has released a new blueprint titled “Transform PPM to Optimize Value From Every Investment.” This comprehensive guide provides project management leaders with actionable insights and innovative strategies to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and enhance their Project Portfolio Management (PPM) practices. Transforming PPM with AI for Sustainable Growth Info-Tech’s research highlights the transformative potential of effective PPM. The “Transform PPM” blueprint equips project management leaders with the tools they need to drive superior business outcomes and ensure maximum ROI. “With AI and Gen AI, humanity is once again at the dawn of an era where the separation of realistic, near-term technology targets from longer-term ones is murky,” says Travis Duncan, research director at Info-Tech Research Group. “PPM practitioners might not have kept their reputations intact if they had burned the boats a year ago based on vendor hype, and they shouldn’t do so today. They should make and validate a plan to integrate new technology…
Buildots, a firm focused on AI-powered construction management, today announced the launch of its new Integrated Tracking feature. This innovative solution combines the power of AI-driven automation with the essential human element, enabling construction teams to track both automated and manually-recorded tasks within a single platform. By merging AI and human expertise, Integrated Tracking addresses a critical challenge in the construction industry: the management of scattered data from various sources. The new feature allows project teams to leverage AI for automated progress tracking while simultaneously enabling professionals to log and verify tasks requiring human oversight, such as quality assurance checks and inspections. “Following our recent Delay Forecast feature launch, Integrated Tracking is the next step forward for us,” said Aviv Leibovici, Buildots co-founder and CPO. “By merging the precision of AI with the indispensable expertise of field teams, we’re providing a tool that enhances more aspects of project management. This is just the latest stop on our journey, as we move towards offering a fully integrated and holistic tracking solution.” The Buildots mobile app has also been enhanced to support Integrated Tracking, allowing managers to update activity statuses directly from the construction site. These manual updates are seamlessly integrated with the…
Wade Shelden has been named CRB’s new Vice President of Design and Construction Operations. Shelden’s more than three decades of experience in construction project management and integrated project delivery has fueled success for many of the company’s most impactful projects. Based in the company’s Cary, N.C., office, Shelden will support CRB’s U.S.-based design and construction operations, engage with key clients, provide guidance and support for critical projects and pursuits with specific responsibility for project management, project controls, procurement, and field operations. Bringing these critical functions together allows CRB to consistently leverage best practices and execution strategies across the business. “Wade has extensive project delivery expertise within the life sciences industry, including formulating and executing strategies for operational excellence and continuous improvement,” said John Pignataro, CRB’s Vice President, Project Operations and Risk. “He brings broad perspective to each project, informed by his diverse experience as an executive, an owner’s representative, a general contractor, and an engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) program manager.” In his previous role as CRB’s ONEsolution director for the Southeast Region, Shelden delivered operational excellence through teamwork, integrated project delivery and lean design and construction best practices. His CRB resume includes numerous large-scale design-build and EPCM projects across…
The Climate Project at MIT has appointed leaders for each of its six focal areas, or Climate Missions, President Sally Kornbluth announced in a letter to the MIT community this week. Introduced in February, the Climate Project at MIT is a major new effort to change the trajectory of global climate outcomes for the better over the next decade. The project will focus MIT’s strengths on six broad climate-related areas where progress is urgently needed. The mission directors in these fields, representing diverse areas of expertise, will collaborate with faculty and researchers across MIT, as well as each other, to accelerate solutions that address climate change. “The mission directors will be absolutely central as the Climate Project seeks to marshal the Institute’s talent and resources to research, develop, deploy and scale up serious solutions to help change the planet’s climate trajectory,” Kornbluth wrote in her letter, adding: “To the faculty members taking on these pivotal roles: We could not be more grateful for your skill and commitment, or more enthusiastic about what you can help us all achieve, together.” The Climate Project will expand and accelerate MIT’s efforts to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and respond to climate effects such…
MOCA Systems Inc. (MSI) has announced important enhancements to Touchplan. These improvements enable seamless synchronization with Oracle’s Primavera P6, a widely used project management and scheduling system. This powerful integration tackles the issue of “schedule drift,” a common problem where master schedules (often in P6) become disconnected from real-time field operations managed in Touchplan. This disconnect can lead to increased costs and schedule delays for large, complex construction projects. Understanding the Disconnect: CPM vs. LPS Traditionally, project management relies on the Critical Path Method (CPM) – the foundation of P6. CPM provides a top-down view, focusing on timelines and identifying the longest chain of dependent activities (critical path) that dictate the project’s overall duration. However, P6 schedules require periodic updates to reflect actual workflow sequencing and task durations captured in the field. Touchplan, on the other hand, leverages the Last Planner System (LPS) – a bottom-up, action-oriented approach. It empowers production managers and executives with detailed insights, facilitating collaboration, commitment, and accountability among workers through daily and weekly plan iterations. Touchplan’s production plan adapts to new project requirements, supply chain deliveries, and labor availability dictated by the master schedule. A Human-Centered Solution While both systems play crucial roles, their different data…
The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) is playing a pivotal role in the state’s efforts to bridge the digital divide and provide high-speed internet access to all residents. Hawaiʻi has been awarded over $149 million in federal funding to expand and upgrade broadband infrastructure through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. UH is leading key components of the state’s Connect Kākou initiative, which aims to leverage over $400 million in federal grants and matching funds to improve internet connectivity across the islands. This funding will be used to deploy and upgrade high-speed internet networks, ensuring reliable and affordable service for all Hawaiʻi residents. “Strengthening and upgrading our broadband pipelines is crucial to keep us connected to each other and the rest of the world,” said UH Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Garret Yoshimi said. “Hawaiʻi’s location in the Pacific means we depend heavily on internet access, which will be integral to all our future endeavors.” Once deployment goals are met, remaining funds will be allocated to support internet adoption, training, and workforce development initiatives. “Ensuring that every person in Hawaiʻi has dependable access to affordable high-speed internet service is crucial to our state’s economic, educational…
From July 14 to 16, 2024, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, visited Central America and announced $35.75 million in development funding and $5.4 million in humanitarian funding, met with counterparts and saw first-hand the impact of Canadian development projects in Guatemala and Honduras. Minister Hussen began his program in Guatemala with a visit to a migrant and refugee assistance centre, where he heard from representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Guatemalan Red Cross and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), as well as from local authorities and migrants about the challenges migrants face in their journeys. These partners protect and improve the living conditions of women and girls affected by migration and forced displacement, through services ranging from immediate health and protection services to help for starting local businesses. At Guatemala City’s San Juan de Dios Hospital, accompanied by representatives of Guatemala’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance and the Tula Foundation, Minister Hussen saw Tula’s Kawok digital health platform in action. Kawok supports community health workers, nurses, doctors, supervisors and epidemiologists in their daily work. The Tula Kawok digital health platform provides community-level care in remote regions and monitors thousands of pregnant…
Tutor Perini Corporation (NYSE: TPC) announced that Elevate Inglewood Partners (EIP), a consortium led by Tutor Perini, has been selected as the Best Value Proposer for the Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC) Project by the City of Inglewood. The consortium includes Plenary Americas US Holdings, Inc., Parsons Corporation, Woojin Industrial Systems Co., Ltd., and Alternate Concepts, Inc. The ITC project involves the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of a 1.6-mile automated people mover system. The system will connect the Metro K Line to major employment and entertainment destinations in Inglewood, including the Kia Forum, SoFi Stadium, YouTube Theater, and the Intuit Dome. The City of Inglewood, in partnership with LA Metro and the County of Los Angeles, has established the ITC Joint Powers Authority to oversee the project. The consortium is currently in negotiations with the City to finalize project terms. The project is expected to create significant economic opportunities and improve quality of life for residents and visitors to Inglewood.
Crystal Clean, Inc., a leader in specialized environmental and waste management solutions, today announced the successful completion of its largest PFAS remediation project to date. Utilizing its proprietary 4never™ solution, the company treated 1.46 million gallons of PFAS-impacted water at an industrial site in the midwestern United States over a three-week period. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are persistent chemicals found in various consumer and industrial products. Their widespread presence in the environment and potential health risks have necessitated the development of effective remediation solutions. Crystal Clean’s 4never™ solution is a comprehensive service that addresses PFAS contamination through a tailored approach based on specific project requirements. For this project, an on-site PFAS processing plant was established, featuring four SAFF® (Surface Active Foam Fractionation) units, manufactured and exclusively distributed by Crystal Clean partners EPOC Enviro and Allonnia. The SAFF® technology effectively separated and concentrated PFAS from the contaminated water, reducing the contaminants to a minimal volume. The concentrated PFAS was then transported to a Crystal Clean facility for final management and destruction. “The combination of technologies, expertise, and infrastructure to deliver a complete PFAS remediation solution at this scale is one of the key benefits and a testament to the…
The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity (USAMMDA) has successfully completed rigorous environmental testing of its arctic shelter kit and support systems at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory (MCL) at Eglin Air Force Base. The five-day program, conducted from July 11-15, 2024, exposed the equipment to extreme cold temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit and hurricane-force winds. In collaboration with industry partners and MCL test engineers, USAMMDA advanced developers subjected multiple shelter kits and support systems to a range of simulated arctic conditions. The goal was to assess the equipment’s ability to withstand the harsh realities of an arctic environment and identify areas for improvement. “We are testing to make sure that the systems will even work under these extreme conditions. At such cold temperatures, screens and fabrics can crack, water will flash-freeze, oils and adhesives can dry and fail, and engines can potentially freeze and not function,” said Jack Philpott, an assistant program manager with USAMMDA’s Soldier Medical Devices Project Management Office. “We also captured temperature data on the shelters, determining how well the systems will keep personnel and casualties warm, looking for leaks, cold spots, and other potential weaknesses and limitations.” The MCL’s unique capabilities, including its…
