October 28,2013 Lessons Learned on Grant Funded Projects George Brown College – Green Building Centre

Lessons Learned on Grant Funded Projects George Brown College – Green Building Centre Dr. Robert Luke Vice President, Research and Innovation, George Brown College John Alley Senior Advisor MHPM Project Managers Inc.

Context Green Building Centre FedDev Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario CFI/MRI Canadian Foundation for Innovation Ministry of Research and Innovation

Context Green Building Centre Success: Foster applied research capacity with industry Meet expectations of the granting bodies Maximize value to the College Tools for researchers to execute projects On time On budget Earn trust

Lessons Learned Project Management Best Practice The value of Lessons Learned What worked well? What could be improved? What did we survive only by good luck?

Lesson 10 Project Management Before you apply: Who is the Project Manager? Do you know the installation requirements? Who owns the unknown? Create project team buy-in

Lesson 9 Timing is Everything Changing the wheel on a moving car Managing milestones, metrics Work start vs contract start Team cohesion and change management

Lesson 8 Know the Contract Each funding agency is different Flexibility to change equipment Reporting requirements Content Timing Purchasing rules

Lesson 7 Handle Your Team Managing researchers Shiny new things Research plans Managing management Buy in Culture change Strategy, operational planning

Lesson 6 Good Procurement Saves $$ Funding proposal – 1 quote Funding execution – 3 quotes/RFP Bundle items Public RFP Savings = 10 – 15% RFP strategy

Lesson 5 Handle Your Handler Understand your handler’s role

Lesson 4 Good Reporting Saves Stress Finance systems = rear view mirror Cash flow projections Estimated cost at completion Operational deliverables

Lesson 3 Signs It is all about communication: Internal Neighbours Funder Signs where required Bigger is better Know who is responsible for procuring

Lesson 2 Be Ready to Adapt When it doesn’t go according to plan …. Scope ladder Contingency Escalation procedures

Lesson 1 Celebrate Show the funder the value created Identify your successes Make everyone a part of the success

Lessons Learned 10.Project management 9.Timing is everything 8.Know your contract 7.Handle your team 6.Good procurement saves $ 5.Handle your handler 4.Good reporting saves stress 3.Signs 2.Be ready to adapt 1.Celebrate

Questions?

Dr. Robert Luke John Alley