I’m Christoph Kuhle, Operations Director at Projecting Success. I’m thrilled to share the key highlights from yesterday’s dynamic webinar, which I had the pleasure of leading. The session featured valuable insights from Dave Turnbull of EDF and Gareth Parkes from Sir Robert McAlpine. Together, we explored the complexities of project data analytics and discussed the collaborative efforts propelling the PDA community forward.
Key Takeaway's from the webinar
1. Overcoming Challenges in Data Analytics
I emphasised the importance of overcoming challenges in data analytics with actionable strategies. Dave Turnbull shared a real-time example from EDF. The transition from monthly to weekly data updates in Primavera, visualized through Power BI, highlighted how presenting data to senior leaders can catalyse change. For instance, a milestone dashboard unveiled discrepancies in milestone baselines, prompting a shift in behaviour and better data integrity.
Gareth Parkes focused on the significance of bridging the gap between IT and business functions. By creating a Data Governance Board, Sir Robert McAlpine is aligning priorities and fostering collaboration between data owners and system managers, ensuring a holistic approach to data management.
2. Prioritising and Implementing Solutions
Both speakers discussed methods for prioritizing and implementing data solutions in large organisations:
- Dave Turnbull: EDF's approach involves integrating data inputs from various systems into a central data lake. This centralised approach supports real-time decision-making and helps address issues like grey IT, where unofficial systems might skew data reliability.
- Gareth Parkes: Sir Robert McAlpine uses a centralized IT function and Data Management Office to address detailed problems and ensure effective collaboration across business and IT professionals.
3. Moving from Descriptive to Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics
Vivian’s question about advancing from descriptive to prescriptive analytics sparked a discussion on industry readiness. Gareth acknowledged that while the construction industry is not fully there yet, efforts are focused on improving real-time reporting and predictive insights.
Dave highlighted the role of predictive analytics in decision-making, using historical data to forecast trends and enhance project delivery. His analogy of shopping behaviors across generations illustrated the shift from intuitive decision-making to data-driven approaches.
4. Educating Senior Leaders
Christoph asked about educating senior leaders, a crucial aspect for data-driven transformation. Dave noted the challenge of shifting mindsets, especially for senior leaders accustomed to traditional decision-making methods. By presenting data in a more predictive and visual format, EDF is gradually changing perceptions and improving decision-making.
Gareth emphasised the need for continuous education and the role of apprenticeships in building data literacy. The coalition’s focus on data-driven skills and collaboration across organizations is essential for advancing the industry.
5. The Coalition’s Impact and Future Steps
The discussion wrapped up with thoughts on the coalition’s role. Gareth highlighted the importance of data sharing and pooling, as outlined in the Belfast Paper and the manifesto for data-driven projects. He stressed the need for collective problem-solving and shared solutions.
Dave underscored the coalition’s value in fostering collaboration and leveraging collective knowledge. By solving problems together, organisations can avoid reinventing the wheel and drive more effective project delivery.
next steps
Thank you to Dave Turnbull and Gareth Parkes for their invaluable insights and to all attendees for their participation.
For further information on our apprenticeship courses, reach out to us at enquiries@projectingsuccess.co.uk
