Scope | Cost | Time

We have learned some keys to success for operating in a fixed price environment:

Technical "industry" competence in project management (PM). In traditional project management, experience in actual project functions (site acquisition, construction, installation) is considered to be non critical to the success of the project, treating PM as an actual project function. While we concur the function of PM is necessary to projects, we feel strongly that technical competence in this role is a must. We come to this conclusion by valuing technical competence within the typical project constraints:

Scope

Scope of work in this industry can be an arduous task to an untrained eye. When performing construction on existing facilities (co- locations or technology overlays), scope of work will be impacted by varying conditions on the existing site. Couple this with the fact that in most cases, these existing conditions will vary 100+ ft above ground on a monopole or tower. It's impossible to encompass all of these "what if" scenarios in a scope of work and properly plan the project. PM's who understand cell tower construction will plan for the typical occurrences.

Cost

Carriers seek to capture "typical" site conditions and look to expert service providers to validate, scale and include these occurrences within their service price. It's difficult for a non technical PM to determine out of scope items vs. typical existing site occurrences. Furthermore, an understanding of sub functions (civil, electrical, antenna & line) within site construction will support neutralizing cost impacts of these occurrences. Electricians, tower crews, etc. will be informed and prepared on what occurrences they may encounter, armed with a process for execution when facing these occurrences. Often sub-functions overlap, and understanding this can avoid multiple mobilizations (and mobilization charges). Some examples:

• Electricians can perform non-tower-top grounding if necessary
• Civil crews can perform trenching for electrical/telco conduits if necessary
• Electricians may be able to perform installation of the equipment pad if necessary
• Electricians may perform rooftop antenna & line installations.
  
  

Time (Schedule)

Industry experienced PM's have a greater chance of maintaining schedule integrity. CGACC PM process that supports schedule integrity:

• Parallel Process searches
  • Understanding industry supply & demand with respect to materials, using parallel process to offset long lead times for equipment delivery.
  • Performing telco conduit work first, while still in building permit process (where jurisdictionally allowed), neutralizing long T-1 delivery times.
    
    
• In the cost section, we relayed examples of cost improvements through understanding sub-construction tasks. These same items yield schedule improvement capability as well:
  • Electricians can perform non-tower-top grounding if necessary
  • Civil crews can perform trenching for electrical/telco conduits if necessary
  • Electricians may be able to perform installation of the equipment pad if necessary
  • Electricians may perform rooftop antenna & line installations