In order to fulfill their missions, public sector organizations have a responsibility to plan, budget, prioritize, fund and roll out large numbers of projects year after year. A typical project cycle starts with the development of a multi-year master plan that encompasses the various sectors, regions, and programs in which the organization operates. Once the master plan is approved, funds are allocated to projects, cashflow needs are estimated and the procurement and implementation phases are kicked off. At that point, the challenge becomes: “how to manage, monitor and report on the progress of these projects and initiatives?”

Public sector organizations are in continuous search for tools, solutions and services that would enable them to manage their capital and procurement programs more efficiently and cost effectively. Primary on their list of needs is the ability to capture, maintain and utilize the large amount of information, data, and documents typically associated with public sector projects. Of great importance too is the ability to streamline the procurement process starting with preparing and issuing bids, short listing vendors, negotiating and awarding contracts, and, finally, administering and closing these contracts.

In most industries, capital projects and procurement programs are merely interim steps that enable the organization to bring into being its final sellable products. This is not the case in the real estate and hospitality industries where capital and procurement programs are at the heart of the organization’s P&L. Whether it’s an office building, a residential complex, a hotel or a convention facility, developers seek to create products that compete in a certain market in a specific period of time. As a result, time-to-market determines the success or failure of the business more than any other metric.

Real estate and hospitality companies generally look for solutions that focus on project management and collaboration solutions. Activities like schedule management, forecasting, design reviews, bid & award, submittal reviews and contract administration need to be carried in the most efficient and collaborative manner in order to meet the business objectives of the program.

Oil, gas, & energy organizations carry out a wide variety of projects that vary in size, scope, location and objective. Whether it’s a small renovation of an office building or a large “plan, build & operate” facility, the industry’s project management environment is often described as “complex”. The primary factors that add to this complexity include:

• A high profile at the national level with much visibility and scrutiny at both the local and global levels
• Operations typically span the globe with offices, plants and subsidiaries in a several countries
• A wide range of products and services, each with its own needs, logistics, requirements and controls
• A wide range of facilities from small office buildings to large exploration, production, refining, and distribution facilities. 

The lifecycle of the industry’s capital and procurement projects also vary widely depending on project type. With some projects focusing on the early stages of exploration and others focusing on distribution the industry is looking for more flexible solutions and a wider range of services in the areas of project and procurement management.

For higher educational institutions, a well-thought-out capital program is an essential part of any plan to remain competitive. Whether it’s a renovation of a dormitory, upgrading a laboratory or building a new office building, higher educational institutions are continuously appealing to new students with new and improved facilities. As a result, many universities have established project management offices within their facilities departments to manage a growing demand by university end-users for new or improved facilities.