Balancing Act: Successful Multi-project Management Gives Us a Competitive Advantage
Estimators and Project Managers throughout our offices keep projects moving efficiently through consistent communication and expert project management
Gaines takes on projects of all sizes – from small roadway improvements to multi-phase, turnkey residential developments. We have the crews, expertise, and equipment to successfully deliver any site development project on-time and within budget. But how do we juggle job after job after job across four states with varying regulations? Our competitive advantage starts with our expert team of Project Managers (PMs). And we have to say, we have some of the best in the industry!
At each of our locations (Reisterstown, Maryland and Spring Hope, North Carolina), we have three PMs, as well as assistant estimators, CAD technicians, and other department support staff. Because the life cycle of a job ranges from prework planning to punch-list items, it’s not uncommon for each of our PMs to juggle 10-20 projects at once. Looking at it in another way, we have multiple Utility, Grading, and Punchlist crews (Maryland crews: 11; North Carolina crews: 15). Meaning, on any given day, we could be actively working on up to 26 projects!
Is your head spinning yet?
How do we seamlessly manage each project, giving it the time, dedication, and attention that our customers deserve?
“It’s a team effort between PMs, Superintendents, and Foremen,” said Estimator/Project Manager Tighe Harrison. “We plan and coordinate efficient operations with Superintendents daily. The PMs order materials, stakeout, negotiate and coordinate subcontractors. On the project site, Superintendents handle the daily issues with the Foremen. Foremen also provide daily production reports to allow us (PMs) to track real-time production against what was included in the original project estimate.”
Our Project Managers are continuously checking progress against schedule, resolving issues as soon as they arise
That sure sounds like a lot of spreadsheets to keep organized.
But it’s what we do. And it’s what we’ve been doing for over 70 years, setting us apart from younger site development companies. We know how this process works and keep information flowing in a succinct, organized way.
“Communication is paramount as each piece has their specific role to play and can’t function without the others. Client schedules are often very aggressive and can’t be met without everything marching in lockstep toward the common goal,” said Estimator/Project Manager Eric Yandrofski.
We effectively channel information, progress, and future needs through weekly scheduling meetings and frequent Superintendent/PM meetings to discuss:
- Ongoing projects
- Upcoming projects
- Crew schedules
- 12-month look ahead
- Material allocation
- Specialized needs
- Safety considerations
- Local regulations
- Additional concerns or priorities
After getting all this information, PMs then go back and update their tracking systems (What?! More spreadsheets?) to balance estimated production or materials, subcontractor budgets, contractual obligations, client expectations, and crew needs.
“It’s a constant give-and-take to ensure all of these things go together to ensure a successful project,” added Eric.
Thanks to our 70+ years of experience, expert production teams, and seamless communication, we continue to safely deliver projects on-time and within budget with the quality our customers deserve.
Gaines and Company is a full-service grading and excavation company with offices in Maryland, North Carolina, and the Eastern Shore. The organization has over 70 years of experience in underground utilities, grading and excavating, sediment and erosion controls, and road work. Gaines and Company delivers safe, reliable, turnkey site development services in Maryland, North Carolina, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, and Delaware on time and within budget.
