Project & Programme Management DD
With over 15 active projects and more in development, all funded through diverse arrangements, careful management of expenditures, cash flow, and contingencies were critical. Existing internal processes were insufficient to handle the workload, so GenNorth provided the expertise that were instrumental in streamlining expenditure, budget, and cash flow reporting for internal stakeholders and external funding bodies. GenNorth ensured improved reporting processes and procedures were implemented, leading to enhanced management of current projects and providing robust testing during feasibility stages and key decision gateways for future projects.
GenNorth also delivered cost management advice across various projects. For example, providing pre-contract Quantity Surveying for the Morley Learning & Skills Centre, engaging with the design team and college departments to define primary objectives and deliver value. The project required expanding the building’s floor area and allocating costs for specific teaching equipment for technology skills. Additionally, GenNorth evaluated potential acquisitions by assessing asset suitability and estimating costs needed to meet college standards.
GenNorth's support in Cost Management services extended to reviewing consultant fee proposals, cost manager reports, and contractor claims to validate cost overruns, align deliverables with requirements, and identify savings opportunities. This process ensures unnecessary expenditures are avoided. During this appointment GenNorth steered LEG in procuring new Facilities Management (FM) contracts, such as Asbestos management and complex Mechanical and Electrical maintenance works. Collaborating with estates and on-site teams, GenNorth refined contract scopes to reflect actual requirements while minimising change risks. The estates team emphasised the importance of cost certainty and cash flow reliability, which was incorporated into the contracts.
Key Achievements:
Establishing consistent and reliable reporting methods for the Capital Projects team.
Creating cash flow and project templates to monitor expenditure and risks.
Helping to resolve site issues, such as unidentified asbestos and contractor financial difficulties.
Ensuring budgets are scrutinized and accurately reported.
Challenges:
The team faced insufficient resources relative to workload demands, requiring effective budget allocation. Information sharing across the Capital Projects team and wider college was limited, delaying access to asset data and slowing FM contract progress.
Despite these challenges, GenNorth’s contributions have significantly strengthened Luminate’s project oversight and delivery capabilities.
Key Information
Location: Yorkshire
Date Started: July/December 2024
Sector: Education
Services: Cost Management
