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45th Professional Development Seminar:
Managing the Design in Engineering and Architecture
Society of PM Professionals
of Greater Vancouver

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Click on a presentation or workshop title to view the abstract, biography, contact information, and documents available for download.

Seminar Program, September 23, 2009

• Value by Design: Aligning Application of Value Engineering with Triple Bottom Line Alady Sukumar, MBA, Ph.D., S.E., P.Eng, PMP
• PM at a Crossroads � The Role of PM in Green Buildings Alberto Cayuela, P.Eng, PMP, LEED AP
• The Top 10 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Estimation Jamal Moustafaev, MBA, PMP
• Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED): Best Practices for Any Industry George Stefan, PMP
• Workshop � Facilitating Integration Right from the Start � But How? Chris Quaife, P.Eng, CMA, PMP

• Value by Design � Aligning Application of Value Engineering with Triple Bottom Line Alady Sukumar, PMP
  
  Abstract A case study from a Canadian Crown Corporation
  
  Value Engineering is a collaborative approach to project or process design that draws out creativity and innovation of the people integrating their ideas to develop the most efficient and cost-effective model. Ruskin Dam, owned by BC Hydro is located on Stave River, in the district of Mission. The facility is being upgraded to meet current seismic standards and improved operational needs; the design is currently underway.
  
  For the Ruskin Value Engineering Study, more than 30 engineers from all over North America, including BC Hydro staff, came together to develop ideas that would result in significant cost savings. The VE group produced more than 150 ideas and 26 detailed proposals that would otherwise not come out. Through the VE process, there's been a cost savings of $ 8 million, with potential for more. Several ideas also resulted in safety, environmental and general design improvements. Cost savings is only one aspect of Value Engineering; it is about enhancing value project by improving social, environmental and financial aspects. The Ruskin VE study received the 2009 Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Society of Value Engineers (SAVE), recognizing the successful application of Value Engineering for a major project
  
  Biographical Outline Dr. A. P. Sukumar, PMP came to BC Hydro in 2007 with more than 20 years of experience in academia, consulting, and government sectors in Canada and abroad. At present, he manages a team of 13 Project Engineering Specialists leading major projects for the Crown Corporation.
  
  Sukumar has led a number of major projects, published/presented papers, and presented professional development sessions at APEGBC. He was a keynote speaker at the Concrete Platform (2007) in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. He is a recipient of the First Annual APEGBC Sustainability Award (2003), CEBC & CEC Awards of Excellence (2004), and the BCRMCA Awards of Excellence (2005). In 2009, SAVE awarded "Outstanding Accomplishment of the Year" for his work on the Ruskin Dam Upgrade.
  
  Dr. Sukumar was with Metro Vancouver from 2000 to 2007 and a consulting engineer for 10 years prior. Sukumar is a registered professional engineer in BC and Washington State. His PhD (1990) is from Dalhousie and MBA (1996) from SFU. His bachelor and master degrees in engineering are from Kerala University, India.
  
  Documents for Downloading By using or downloading any material from this site, you agree that the material shall be for your personal use only and shall not be reproduced for other parties without the consent of the author. Right click on the document name to download the document to your computer. Left click to open the document in your browser window if your browser supports the file extension.
  ValueEng-SukumarPD45.PDF
  
  Contact
  A. P. Sukumar, PMP
  Generation Engineering, BC Hydro
  6911 Southpoint Drive
  Burnaby, BC V3N 4X8
  (604) 528-7971
  Fax (604) 528-1940
  [email protected]
  [Back to seminar program]
  
  
• PM at a Crossroads: The Role of PM in Green Buildings Alberto Cayuela, PMP
  
  Abstract As trusted advisors of our clients and, in light of the current environmental imperatives, project managers must become active and engaged participants in the movement that is transforming sustainability thinking into mainstream project development strategies. Project managers have an ethical and professional responsibility to be part of the solution.
  
  There are still significant obstacles blocking the development of sustainable projects. Some of these barriers originate at the organizational or institutional level where inflexible guidelines prevent innovation; some are the result of a risk-averse decision-making culture; while others are simply the result of common green project myths and misconceptions.
  
  Project managers can effect positive change by providing management frameworks that make green projects easier to understand and easier to justify. They are strategically positioned to help establish the business case for green so that decision-makers can understand the associated costs and benefits of sustainable projects.
  
  Finally, project managers need to think 'outside the box' to help their clients and organizations take advantage of the opportunities being created by the need to go green.
  
  Biographical Outline Alberto Cayuela, PMP is an associate with Stantec Program and Project Management and a senior project manager with 18+ years' experience in the planning, implementation and delivery of complex building projects and high performance buildings. Alberto has a strong background in front-end project planning and project controls, as well as substantial expertise in project management best practices, project organization and governance, stakeholder management, and earned-value management and reporting.
  
  Alberto has been a facilitator and/or presenter multiple times at professional development seminars and conferences organized by the Cascadia Chapter of the USGBC/CaGBC, Canadian Solar Building Research Network, Construction Management Association of America, and the Society of PM Professionals of Greater Vancouver.
  
  Documents for Downloading By using or downloading any material from this site, you agree that the material shall be for your personal use only and shall not be reproduced for other parties without the consent of the author. Right click on the document name to download the document to your computer. Left click to open the document in your browser window if your browser supports the file extension.
  GreenBldg-CayuelaPD45.PDF
  
  Contact
  Alberto Cayuela, PMP
  Stantec
  T: 604-696-8403
  e: [email protected]
  [Back to seminar program]
  
  
• The Top 10 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Estimation Jamal Moustafaev, PMP
  
  Abstract The "Top 10 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Estimation" will focus on the art rather than the science of estimation. We will explore several misconceptions, techniques and even taboos in the area of project estimation including: ?
  • Are we good at estimating in general?
  • Estimates, Targets, Commitments: Are they all the same?
  • "Cone of Uncertainty" � What is it?
  • How do we set ourselves up for failure even before the start of the project?
  • Accuracy vs. Precision vs. Reliability: What is the difference?
  • Effort and Duration: How to understand them?
  • How do we improve our estimation efforts?
  • Three Degrees of Project Freedom
  • Five Degrees of Project Freedom
  • Is there a place for negotiations?
  
  Biographical Outline Jamal Moustafaev, PMP, MBA � president and founder of Thinktank Consulting, has more than 15 years of project/portfolio management, requirements analysis, process improvement and corporate training experience in the technology sector. He has done work for private-sector companies and government organizations in Canada and the U.S.
  
  Jamal is a contributor to various software development and project management publications including West Coast BC Project Management Association, Project Times, Better Software, and others.
  
  Jamal also teaches a highly acclaimed "Project Planning and Scheduling" course at British Columbia Institute of Technology. Mr. Moustafaev holds a PMP certification, MBA in Finance (Derivative Securities), and a BBA (Finance and Management Science) from Simon Fraser University.
  
  Documents for Downloading By using or downloading any material from this site, you agree that the material shall be for your personal use only and shall not be reproduced for other parties without the consent of the author. Right click on the document name to download the document to your computer. Left click to open the document in your browser window if your browser supports the file extension.
  EstimationTop10MoustafaevPD45.PDF
  
  
  Contact Jamal Moustafaev, PMP E: [email protected]
  Jamal Moustafaev, PMP
  Thinktank Consulting
  T: 778-995-4396
  e:�[email protected]
  [Back to seminar program]
  
  
• Scientific Research & Experimental Development SR&ED: Best Practices for Any Industry
  George Stefan, PMP
  
  Abstract Claiming Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credits can reduce both operating and capitals costs, and improve cash flow from operations. While many companies file SR&ED tax claims, many have claimed credits at a much lower level. This is mostly due to a lack of understanding of the SR&ED program scope and knowledge of what is eligible to be claimed under the program requirements.
  
  CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) defines a SR&ED project is "a set of interdependent activities that are collectively necessary to attain a specific scientific goal or definite technological advancement for a project." Qualification is not determined by the outcome of the R&D work, but by the nature of the work and how it relates to the program requirements for technological advancement. This focus on SR&ED work is both a challenge and a reward for corporate taxpayers. A challenge, because it requires a detailed analysis of the development process, the technological roadmap, and development work performed by scientists and engineers. Indeed, it is important to define work eligibility at the highest level and leverage it to include as many supporting activities as possible and, hence, as many project expenditures as possible.
  
  There are significant opportunities for companies to enhance the scope and size of their SR&ED claims, sometimes in the millions of dollars. George will provide an overview of SR&ED program requirements and qualifications to help companies in different industries to enhance their claims. He'll also share best practices for recognizing, developing and documenting eligible work activities and filing SR&ED tax claims.
  
  Biographical Outline George Stefan, PMP has more than 20 years' experience in the engineering, product and technology development, manufacturing and business operations of successful and rapidly growing organizations in the marine/defense, energy conservation, mining, oil & gas, industrial manufacturing, and technology development sectors.
  
  Upon joining Deloitte's Research & Development practice, George focuses on assisting clients to improve their R&D processes and claim SR&ED tax credits in the marine, manufacturing, mining & metal processing, agro-chemical and food processing industries. He utilizes his understanding of technology and the development process to prepare the technical portion of a claim, and assist clients during review by the CRA.
  
  Documents for Downloading By using or downloading any material from this site, you agree that the material shall be for your personal use only and shall not be reproduced for other parties without the consent of the author. Right click on the document name to download the document to your computer. Left click to open the document in your browser window if your browser supports the file extension.
  Research-SR&ED-StefanPD45.PDF
  
  Contact T: E: [email protected]
  George Stefan, PMP
  Deloitte
  T: 778-558-1779
  e: [email protected]
  [Back to seminar program]
  
  
• Workshop - Facilitating Project Success Right From the Start � But How?
  Chris Quaife, PMP
  
  Abstract The crucial importance of starting a project right is better known than its implications are practised. With the power of good facilitation, a process norm should be attainable where a team can build success right from the start. Can a PM involve team, stakeholders, experts and managers in a planning-based decision sequence? Can it be directed towards being fully ready for construction when required? Is there an equivalent process for IT?
  
  Principle, and Principal Questions
  When working with internal or external clients and user individuals/groups, project management is more about influencing than it is about directing. Does it involve a lot of facilitating? How much is done in planning sessions, or as a day-to-day "contact sport"?
  
  Other Questions
  How do project managers get clarity on (realistic) user requirements when the end users "want it all" or are unclear on their needs and priorities? Does setting and re-setting the facilitating stage require boundaries between what has been provisionally decided and what still needs a decision? Does the process test the planning process and its decisions?
  
  Workshop Facilitation and Invitation Each workshop group will address part of one of the two beginning stages of a project. One facilitator for each group will focus on reaching consensus within a time limit. For interest and comparison, one group will take an IT project.
  
  Biographical Outline When the Station Square (Save-on Foods) roof collapsed in 1988, it caused only one injury, but it was a fateful day for the industry � and for Chris Quaife, PMP, as well. In his own words�I and another new PMP presented a brief on project management to the resulting Provincial Inquiry. This undertaking started a not-yet-ended period of professional association activity. It has included work on the publication of the multi-association BC Practice Manual "Management of Building Projects," as well as the upcoming publication of National Guideline "Starting Building Projects."
  
  Much of my project work has been in heavy construction, where the start is complicated � as it is for buildings and IT. During construction, I sometimes found fundamental difficulties in linking the management of project scope, cost, schedule, contract and risk.
  
  Documents for Downloading By using or downloading any material from this site, you agree that the material shall be for your personal use only and shall not be reproduced for other parties without the consent of the author. Right click on the document name to download the document to your computer. Left click to open the document in your browser window if your browser supports the file extension.
  IntegrationWkshp-CQuaifePD45.PDF
  
  Contact Chris Quaife, PMP Symmetric Resources T: E: [email protected]
  Chris Quaife, PMP
  Symmetric Resources
  T: 604-985-1464
  e: [email protected]
  [Back to seminar program]
  
  
  

This page updated November 14, 2009