PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODS

OTAK Group, Inc.’s approach to each job is systematically laid out, regardless of the size of the project. A design review is conducted, an estimate is established, the cost control program is implemented, a schedule is developed, the quality control program is conducted throughout construction and open lines of communication are maintained throughout the entire process.

Option Analysis

Option analysis affords the Customer an opportunity to find cost savings without sacrificing quality. OTAK Group, Inc. will use its understanding of first time cost savings, long term maintenance, life cycle costs and project schedule impact to provide the best project for the available budget dollars. In the past, OTAK Group, Inc. has assisted school districts, municipal, governmental agencies, and private owners and their design teams in analyzing all of the above factors in this phase of the project. 

OTAK Group, Inc. performs the Option Analysis and reviews the results with the Customer to ensure that the chosen systems are consistent with the objectives of the project. Additionally, we will consult with subcontractors and vendors and acquire any additional expertise required to make an informed decision regarding the use of selected options.

Design Review and Construct-ability Analysis

OTAK Group, Inc. will work with our Customer to incorporate into the design documents the options that have been approved during the Option Analysis process. Also at the onset of the project, OTAK Group, Inc. will analyze the systems for the project, and consider factors such as the sequencing of construction activities, availability of materials and labor, and equipment access for maintenance and replacement. Recommendations will be made for design details and the equipment systems are tracked to make sure they are properly designed, procured, delivered and installed. Recommendations are made throughout construction to maintain cost/schedule/quality controls.

Budget Estimating

OTAK Group, Inc. has estimated a multitude of projects. This experience, combined with cost history reports of projects similar in nature, allows the estimators to develop responsive estimates. An initial estimate of the cost of construction is developed, taking into consideration the Customer’s project goals, i.e., performance, quality, and time constraints, in order to substantiate the Customer’s budget. Once all the plans and specifications have been finalized, a final budget is produced.

Value Engineering

OTAK Group continually provides alternate schemes for improving costs, constructability and serviceability by analyzing different systems and identifying alternatives throughout the life of the Project. While reducing the cost is always a goal, the lowest cost system is not always the best value. Practicality and long-term value need to be considered along with the ability to satisfy the aesthetic, form and function requirements.

Life Cycle Cost Analysis

Our staff regularly performs life cycle cost studies on various elements of a design. Life Cycle Cost is the total cost of an item to the user during the life of that item. These costs are generally calculated in terms of present worth or annual cost. The following are costs taken into consideration when performing a Life Cycle Cost Analysis:

• Capital Investment (First Costs) These include initial costs associated with an item to be analyzed such as: direct construction costs, architect and engineering fees, contractors fees, legal fees, other consultants fees and land acquisition expenses.
• Financing Costs These must be considered as they may vary from one item to another.
• Operational Costs As the name suggests, the costs associated with the operation of the item or system, including fuel, operating personnel, taxes and insurance.
• Maintenance Costs These costs are important for the overall analysis as this cost will likely increase over the life of the item.
• Replacement Costs These costs are important when comparing alternative items if the life span of one item is shorter that the other. In that case, the replacement cost of the item would need to be considered.

Other costs which might require consideration are; salvage value, lost revenue and added occupancy costs.

Construction Scheduling

Schedules are prepared to meet the needs of the Customer. For smaller projects, a more general schedule is usually prepared, however, each project can be broken down into divisional details as desired by the Customer, regardless of the size of the project. 

Contractor Quality Control (Design & Construction)

The Quality Control program is implemented on every project, large or small. The program assures that structures, components, systems, and facilities are fabricated, constructed, installed, inspected, tested and documented in compliance with the contractually established project scope and requirements of the technical documents, codes, standards, and approved project procedures. The goal of this program is foremost to prevent nonconforming work. In the alternative, the program promotes the early detection and correction of deficiencies. 

OTAK Group’s construction experience and ability to self perform most tasks ensures quality work. Work is timely inspected so that nonconforming work does not get covered up and material data submittals, including material samples when appropriate, is required form all project participants. The Customer will have access to project records and equipment for performance of audits and inspection of work performed, materials and documents.

The overall authority and responsibility for the Quality Control Program lies with Aaron Kato and the Project manager in charge of the project or a Project specific Contractor Quality Control Manager (CQCM) when necessary. However, the Project Manager is the force of the Program. He is responsible for his own daily inspection and for identifying and providing solutions for quality-related problems.

If non-conforming work is identified, the Project Manager or CQCM will have a notice of nonconforming work issued to the subcontractor immediately. The subcontractor will have 24 hours to correct the work. The Project Manager and CQCM will assist with recommended solutions makes sure the corrective work is completed or he has the authority to stop work. If the corrective work is not completed in a timely manner, OTAK Group, Inc. has the ability to self-perform the work to ensure the quality of the project. In the event that OTAK cannot self perform the work, another qualified subcontractor will be brought in the complete the work.

The project Quality Control organization is divided into the following quality control functions and basic responsibilities:

Construction Documents

The Quality Control Team assures that only the latest released for-construction drawings and specification are issued for inspection and testing activities and are distributed and controlled in accordance with an approved project operating procedure.

Project Close Out and Follow Up

Our Quality Control Program continues from initial project schedule through job closeout. Concluding activities include:

• Preparation of punch lists and appropriate corrections.
• Coordination of inspections by appropriate governing authorities.
• Coordination of facility start-up and instruction of personnel, including training by appropriate manufacturer’s representatives in the operating and maintenance of major building service equipment.
• Preparation of "as-built" drawings.

The Project Executive will implement project close out procedures. A swift conclusion to administrative paperwork; outstanding change orders; claims; releases; retainage payments to trade contractors; and other close out issues is possible because of our ability to maintain up-to-date records utilizing the project management information system. A thorough review of the operations of the facility will be scheduled with the Customer’s staff. As-built drawings and operation manuals will be provided to the Customer after they have been reviewed and accepted by OTAK Group. Warranty period procedures will be reviewed with the Board’s staff and a schedule for follow up visits will be developed.

Concrete Construction and Repair

OTAK GROUP, Inc. can restore that deteriorating concrete. Over the years, we have performed many variations of concrete placement, restoration and redesign. Major work items completed include, pier reconstruction, waterfront bulkhead construction & emergency repair, concrete slabs, walkways, walls, decking and piling installation, timber dock construction, boat launch apron repair, installation of geotextile erosion control fabrics & rip-rap shore protection, installation of vinyl sheet piling and more. Our management staff has managed the design and removal and replacement of an 8,000 foot long runway and the removal of an 8,000 ft and replacement with a 10,000 foot commercial / International Airport runway. They managed the design and construction of two International Terminals including International Arrival Facilities. Our crews are experienced in forming, reinforcing and pouring concrete in many shapes under the challenging environmental conditions.

One project recently completed by OTAK GROUP, Inc. was DEP Project No. 60231, Fort Clinch State Park Pier Restoration & Shot Crete Repair. This project included work items such as; timber handrail removal and replacement, water and electric utility relocation, fabrication & installation of custom scaffolding systems for an overhead shotcrete repair operation, timber boardwalk & decking repairs, surface spall concrete deck repair, precast concrete cap spall repair, and structural steel fabrication and installation for the existing 3,100 LF pier structure at the Fort Clinch.