Prath Mehta

PMehta-Prath-11-2013-ghaper (36): Managing owner’s cost and earned value metrics development

Abstract: The presentation is focused on total project cost management for an owner using case-studies of design-bid-build for owner-agency. The paper outlines set of processes that were implemented to manage project costs from design stage transitioning to construction and closing out the project. The presentation discusses various data points tracked from engineer’s estimate developed during design phase that is being used to derive conceptual cost estimate for future project items. Costs during construction phase is validated using quantities summarized on a monthly basis in the form of ‘progress estimate’. The progress estimate costs are utilized to develop burn-rate to forecast the project health and pro-actively manage contracts and change orders. Dashboard style reports were developed to provide earned value metrics using real-time project information. Discussions involves challenges faced in areas of cost management concepts, communication, information sharing and consistent use of defined processes by sections within agency.

Biography: Mr. Prath Mehta, CCM, PSP,  has 14 years of project and construction management experience, including project controls, scheduling, and cost estimating. His experience includes work on a wide variety of project types including commercial, industrial, courthouse, educational, healthcare, park facilities, water and waste water treatment facility as well as a variety of transportation projects. Mr. Mehta has successfully managed General Contracting firm and has applied industry standard tools and techniques to control cost, time, quality and risk. Mr. Mehta participated in meetings with clients and contractors for the purpose of evaluating extra work and time extension change orders, quality issues, claims and monthly payments. He has experience in preparing budget estimates, conceptual and design development level estimates, and final construction cost estimates. He is well versed in Primavera Systems tools, scheduling techniques, progress reporting methods, earned value analysis, program management, and also certified Primavera implementation specialist by Oracle.