Executing HVAC project in Challenging times

Current times have impacted one and all sectors of the industries. We have gone through past several months and still struggling to cope of different scenarios emerging almost on a daily basis. Covid has given a ‘pause’ in every one’s life.

As every industry got impacted, HVAC Projects industry too got affected badly. However, HVAC industry played a very critical role of management of conditions inside the isolation wards, hospitals, ICUs, Pharma facilities, essential services considering the spread of infections of Covid19. It was a difficult task for the industry to respond in such a limited time and come out with right solutions and innovative approach to avoid spread of infections in such areas. The treatment of exhaust air from ICU of these isolation wards also became critical while leaving it to atmosphere. With a lot of challenges of lockdown, HVAC industry performed and made sure that the solutions are delivered in very limited time. People who were sitting at home were enjoying the internet and data services due to HVAC teams who made sure that the data centres and other facilities were effectively air conditioned.

While unlock period is on, HVAC industry is busy to make sure that the facilities are made operational considering the Covid protocols. Yes, this situation has taught us a lot of lessons to all. But, as Rahm Emanuel said, “Never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.”

Project Economy will continue to grow whatever may be the challenges. HVAC industry is directly attached to Projects. Projects build nations. Projects strengthen the economy of the region or country. Projects Empower people to make ideas a reality. Whatever, mind can conceive, project help to bring it in reality. India is poised for growth. India is project economy power house. A lot of Investment is made by the government to on projects and there are big plans ahead. HVAC helps in brining energy to any project.

Three things are going to be critical in times ahead. In all HVAC has a very important role to play. “Extra ordinary situation requires, extra ordinary actions”. Things are changing rapidly. Hence, the way we execute HVAC project will also need a shift. The traditional approach won’t work. Some fundamentals cannot be ignored. But how can we work around those fundamentals and innovate our approach will play a differentiating factor in delivery of projects successfully.

Elements consideration for project execution the important elements which we need to look at the future while executing HVAC projects.

Many thinks and take pride in doing firefighting on the project and complete the project somehow. This will not be sustainable henceforth. One need to plan their projects very well. Planning will play a very important role. Planning gives clarity on

• What we are going to do (Scope)?
• How are we going to do? (Cost, Quality, Resources, Risk, Procurement, Stakeholder, Communication, Integration)
• When we are going to do (Time)?

Planning is not making bar charts. We need to look at rolling wave planning. Plan for a bigger picture in macro way but do a micro planning for immediate milestone. It is similar to what is shown in picture below.

When one wants to swim and reach deep inside the sea. One has to keep in mind the final goal and be ready but it is important to tackle the first wave and then further waves.

Risk Management

No important was given to risk management so far on HVAC projects. But the Covid 19 has taught importance of risk management. Effective risk management will plan a very important role. It cannot be ignored. But it is important to change and be intelligent and become ready for any eventualities. Risk Management will give a competitive advantage.

Lessons Learnt

Another important element which will play an important role. Documenting lessons, and using it on future project will help HVAC project organisation to deliver project successfully. It will help in wasting time and money from learning every time from same mistakes again and again. It will help in repeating mistakes.

These are unprecedented times and lot of lessons can be shared by properly managing these lessons learnt and making it available for future generations.

Up skilling and Multi Skilling

Organisations and individuals have to invest a lot of time in upskilling and multiskilling. One has to erase the boundaries in mind and play multiple and different roles. In today’s situation when one of the important team members is out of action, other team members must raise the hand and fill in the gap. This can only happen when one is trained and acquired those skills.

Automate site activities

Dependency on Manpower need to be reduced considering the scarcity of skilled manpower for doing site work. Covid 19 has amplified this problem. We have seen the issues of migrant labour. It is important to automate a lot of site activities and reduce the dependency on manpower. Innovative approaches can be adopted. There are a lot of avenues available which can help in improving the productivity, quality, safety and reduction of cost.

Prefabrication

This is one area which need a lot of attention in coming days. It is important to identify works and activities which can be totally managed off sites. With better accuracy, many site activities can be done outside and only installation works can be done at site. Prefabrication has following advantages.

• Faster Execution
• Reduction of Waste
• Consistent Quality
• Controlled environment and hence safe
• Less dependency on manpower
• Cost Reduction.

Adoption of new technologies like BIM

When one wants to swim and reach deep inside the sea. One has to keep in mind the final goal and be ready but it is important to tackle the first wave and then further waves.

BIM is playing a role which is explained in picture above. Clash free accurate drawings can help improving the execution quality and time, resolving site disputes and hence cost. This also can help in doing a lot of prefabrication.

Regular Monitoring of Projects

Regular review of projects is important. Live information on various parameters like cost and time is possible through various methods like EVM (Earn Value Method/ Management). One must know what is happening on the project at any point of time to take corrective actions before it becomes too late.

Stakeholder and communication

Stakeholder is defined as a person, group of people or an organisation who is impacted by or make an impact on the project activities or project outcome. Managing stakeholders is like Juggler’s act. This can be effectively managed by an effective communication. It is said the Project Manager spend 90 percent of his/her time on communication. Study reveals that 20 percent of the projects are failed due to poor communication management on project. Technology is playing key role in communication. Right selection and disciplined used of technology can help in maintaining right communication. Making right information available at right time with right medium and in right format is critical in communication management. Communication matrix and protocols have to be defined at the start of the project and have to be maintained in disciplined manner. In current context, ‘Empathy’ plays an important role. Keeping all stakeholders engaged is key to success delivery of the project.

Integration

Many time the pockets or some department do a good job in isolation. However, the project is not successful due to lack of integration. If some aspects in HVAC system are done and if they are not effectively integrated, the project will not be able to deliver the right conditions or deliverable. It is important to see that teams come together and deliver the right conditions. HVAC system deliver experience and it is important to work like Maestro in Music Orchestra. Maestro integrates the music which is played by different musicians like Violinist, pianist, drum /table payers, guitar player etc. and brings an excellent music to our ears.

At last HVAC Industry must put a lot of focus in implementation of right project management practices.