Audio version

16

Generation & Wholesale Markets

October/November 2013 www.esb.ie/em


PROJECT DELIVERY MODEL - SUPPORTING ESB'S 2025 TARGET

» ESB's strategy to 2025 involves the development and construction of an additional 2,000MW of thermal and 1,200MW of wind generation, as well as maintaining a significant portfolio of existing generation assets. In order to achieve this, an effective method for delivering both large and small scale projects is required. ESB's Project Delivery Methodology (PDM) combines the extensive project delivery experiences of the organisation and our people, with international best practice.

THE MODEL PROVIDES a framework and structure for projects throughout their lifecycle, and can be adapted to both large and small scale endeavours. To ensure the process is utilised effectively, training on the use of the process is provided to all project managers. This training is arranged via the Project Management Office (PMO) and is accredited by the Project Management Institute. To date more than 300 people have received project management training. The methodology has been successfully used to deliver a number of significant projects, including the development phase of Carrington CCGT, and a number of wind farm projects, including, most recently, Car-rickatane, Betws and Fullabrook.

STRATEGIC BENEFITS

The benefits of using the Project Delivery Model to realise ESB's strategy to 2025 are many including:

• Increasing the confidence in the organisations’ ability to deliver major projects.

• Standard project approach be comes embedded into the or ganisation enabling continuous process improvement and effectiveness.

• Improved business case realisation.

• The standard approach facilitates the capture and dissemination of new knowledge, practices, approaches and learning across projects.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of PMO is to provide project management support and assistance to project teams, in order to support projects to reach a successful conclusion.


THE RENEWABLES EXPERIENCE

Overhead shot of wind turbines in a rural setting.
Fullabrook 66MW Wind Farm (Devon) is the UK's largest on-shore.

All wind project are now delivered using PDM. The PMO is central to implementing this system, which includes best practice project management techniques to address significant risks which present with building any significant infrastructure.

“We have seen the benefits of taking the structured approach that PDM supports on many wind farms over the past few years - and have great confidence that our continued use of it will assure successful delivery of the significant upswing in Renewables as called for by the Corporate Strategy.” - Sean Hegarty Wind Construction Manager


THE CARRINGTON EXPERIENCE

Overhead photo of a wind farm.
Overhead view of Carrington Power Plant.

A graphic showing a wind farm design.
A 3-d model of how the Carrington Power Plant will look when completed.

From the very beginning the PMO and the PDM process has been closely linked with the Carrington project. This large-scale project proved the ideal testing ground to both develop and test the new tools and processes, benefiting both the project and the PDM.

“The rigour and structure of the PDM process was invaluable when bringing the Carrington project to financial close, in particular when dealing with the vast array of external stakeholders.”
-John O'Connor, Project Director Carrington CCGT Project


CORE PMO SERVICES INCLUDE:

A chart showing core services to the model.
Services Provided by the PMO

• Provide project management orientation and training

• Create, maintain and enhance Project Delivery Model (PDM) processes, tools and templates

• Create, maintain and enhance Project Delivery Model

• Coordinate Project Management Forums and knowledge sharing

• Collate, analyse, validate and disseminate lessons learned across projects

• Provide PMO SharePoint site administration support and training

• Identify, develop and coordinate project management training.


THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE

Three men stand behind a couch as two peole sit on the couch while posing for a photo.
The PMO team (l-r): Robert Scott, Mary Kavanagh, Fergus Keane, Arthur Stephens and Alan Canty.

Originally set up in 2009 following a review of Major Capital Project delivery, the Project Management Office was established to support projects in their application of the PDM and to provide a general project management advice and support service. Today the PMO has become the custodian of project management tools and templates for a variety of projects throughout ESB International and G&WM, including Thermal, Wind, Overhaul and other business improvement projects.


PMO - THE PEOPLE

Arthur Stephens- PMO ManagerManages the services provided by the PMO to the project teams.Extn: 26493
Mary Kavanagh - PMO SupportWorking as a key interface with the project teams, and administrator of the PDM SharePoint site.Extn: 26431
Fergus Keane- PMO Engineer for OverhaulsWorking with the ESB Overhaul Programme Team to develop the Overhaul Project Management Methodology.Extn: 26286
Alan Canty- PMO Engineer for Thermal projectsWorking closely with the Carrington project team both in Asset Development and in ESB International, as well as supporting teams developing future thermal projects.Extn: 27839
Robert Scott- PMO Engineer for Renewables projectsWorking between the concept, development and construction teams in Asset Development as well as ESB’s engineering team to support the delivery of the ESB wind programme.Extn: 27659