How long do capital projects take in different New York State counties?

For an explanation of this data viz, I’m using the format at beginning of each of the Tableau Software training module: “Let’s say you have construction happening in your state, and you want to know budget amounts and project durations in certain counties…”

I’m fairly happy with this dashboard as it breaks out different market segments and — by extension — allows us to see comparisons of project management done in house (projects with no CM) vs. projects with a CM as agent. For the uninitiate this means: the ‘agent’ portion is a Construction Management (CM) firm which operates on behalf of the agency (in this case DASNY) to ensure the protection of its interests. This is complex work (I am currently employed by an AE/PM/CM firm,) and the skills are fairly specific in their requirements.

Details included in the tool tips will allow you to research the project further to uncover scope complexities and environmental conditions and create deeper analysis of parity between projects. NOTE: These are all DASNY (Dormitory Authority — State of New York ) projects.

Thumbnail of the viz

The filters allow you pare down the list to look at projects by New York county, architecture firm, or construction management firm. A smattering of CM firms included: TDX Construction Corporation, STV, Jacobs Hill International, Inc. The LiRo Group, DACK Consulting Solutions, Inc, Gilbane Building Company, Skanska McKissack and URS Corporation which is now AECOM.

The specific portions of this viz are:

1. Map of New York State,
2. Overall budget amounts managed by each CM firm in the study
3. X-Y Graph of Total CM Firms ranked by number of projects under management (Note how this is not exactly equivalent to the total amount of budget under management.)
4. A table of projects, sortable by county, architect, and CM firm (including no CMa.)

“So, David.” you’re saying (I can hear you,) “this is all nice, but what’s the point? Who needs it? Why is it important?” Let me explain:

1. You need a map to see if the county you’re studying is near you, or a project on which you’re planning to submit a bid. Then you’d be able to study interesting conditions: transportation, resources, local subcontractors…
2. Budget amounts managed will let you know if a firm has the financial capacity to undertake the level of projects that are upcoming, or, if you are a subcontractor, which firm you’d like to approach to work under on the next project.
3. One item that agencies look at when they are considering firms to work on projects is their active project portfolio and whether or not they can take on more work. If a firm is overbooked compared to their staffing levels, an agency or client may decide to not engage them because of the potential for them not to complete (on time, in budget, according to requirements…)
4. The sortable table lets you know: who frequently works with whom, as well as project titles and DASNY Project IDs, which allows you to investigate scope statements, which then allows you to investigate who has worked on a project similar to the one you’re considering, or may already be working on, and with whom you may want to partner next…

Have you developed anything similar to engage in corporate strategy? How does your organization plan to bridge the strategy -> execution gap? Has your organization prioritized project management as a strategy -> execution methodology? Let me know in the comments!