D.R. McNatty & Associates, Inc. actively monitors trends and emerging technologies within project-focused industries to identify developments that will impact and create new opportunities for project management and control professionals. By staying at the forefront of industry advancements, we ensure our clients are equipped with innovative solutions to meet evolving…

The construction industry is rapidly evolving with the integration of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Machine Learning (ML). These technologies are transforming how construction projects are designed, managed, and executed. One of the key areas benefiting from this transformation is the identification and management of…

Project management is a well-established discipline, but the evolving global landscape is reshaping how organizations approach project management methodologies. Here’s our take on the trends that are making a significant impact. Agile Methodologies for a Digital World As businesses go digital, Agile methodologies are at the forefront, empowering project managers…

The concepts of Data Hub, Data Warehouse, and Data Lake are central to modern data management and analytics strategies. While they are often used interchangeably, they each serve distinct purposes, architectures, and use cases. Below is a comparison that highlights the key differences. Data Hub A Data Hub is a…

The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the expansion of charging infrastructure in the United States promise significant environmental and economic benefits but also pose considerable challenges to the existing electrical grid. Understanding these impacts is crucial for policymakers, utility companies, and consumers as they navigate the transition to…

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and its accompanying data centers marks a transformative shift in the digital landscape. While these centers are vital for processing and storing the vast amounts of data required for AI applications, their increased use has significant implications for the United States electrical grid. This…

Brightline West High Speed Rail Project Overview In December 2023, NDOT, in partnership with Brightline West, an intercity passenger high-speed rail service company, was awarded $3 billion from the Federal Department of Transportation toward its planned $12 billion Las Vegas-to-Los Angeles high-speed rail system. The 218-mile, all-electric high-speed rail service will…

Change management refers to the process of implementing and guiding organizational change. It involves a systematic approach to transition individuals, teams, and organizations from a current state to a desired future state. The goal of change management is to minimize disruption, ensure a smooth transition, and maximize the benefits of…

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are the means by which different software systems communicate with each other and share data. With APIs, developers can easily access and use data from a variety of sources without having to worry about compatibility or format issues. This is because APIs provide a standardized way…

Project risk management is a critical aspect of project management that involves identifying, assessing, and prioritizing potential risks to project objectives and developing strategies to mitigate or manage these risks. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of project risk management, including the key concepts, principles, and processes involved. Key Concepts…

With the increasing pace of technological advancements, new software applications are introduced every day. The effectiveness of these applications lies in the extent to which they are adopted by users. However, user adoption of new software is often challenging due to resistance to change, the difficulty of use, and insufficient…

How your organization deals with projects will drive your decision.  While Oracle can offer two solutions for the same problem, once you have a clear understanding of how each works it should be clear which is best in your environment. UNIFIER was developed to meet the “forever need” of project-based…

With more than three decades of experience helping clients improve their processes and performance, DRMcNatty has built a reputation as an overall provider of project management solutions to companies across various verticals, including transportation agencies, utility providers, and construction companies. Their success can be attributed to the company’s fully integrated…

No matter how well you plan for a project, you will not meet your goals without proper monitoring and managing of project execution. Implementing project controls helps maintain control over the flow of the project and, as a result, minimizes the performance gap between what was planned and what was…

Teamwork is a core discipline of project management, and every project requires effective teamwork to succeed. In the past, this would have involved in-person meetings, written memos, and face-to-face conversations, whereas these days, cloud-based project management allows collaboration to happen from anywhere.  Moving to the cloud can bring significant benefits…

A project’s success heavily relies on stakeholder interaction and communication. Effective communication practices can help foster a healthy, collaborative environment that will serve as a foundation for effective project management.  Better communication and excellent reporting provide more transparency in a project. This reduces the likeliness of misunderstandings and helps eliminate…

Why data management best practices are worth integrating into your project Proper data management practices are a project manager’s best friend. Collecting, storing, analyzing, and reporting on your data are fundamental disciplines when controlling a project of any size, because good information is the bedrock of decision-making, and correct management…

Managing hybrid teams is a must-have skill for the future The world of work has been forever changed by the global pandemic and the resulting emergence of hybrid teams. Where once whole teams would be co-located in a single office, holding meetings face-to-face and interacting in person, now the workforce…

The choice of software license type depends on some critical factors The decision on whether to choose a subscription license model as compared to a perpetual license when it comes to project management software rests on the requirements of your particular organization. A subscription pricing model with ongoing payments can…

Monitoring and controlling risk is a central part of project management Risk management has always been a core part of project management, but the importance of monitoring risk has been increasingly acknowledged in recent times. Risk monitoring shouldn’t be an afterthought which may be undertaken if there is enough time…

We run through the top construction industry trends  The last couple of years have been anything but straightforward for the construction industry. With global lockdowns, supply chain disruption, economic turmoil, and an increasingly remote workforce, it’s been a challenging time for projects of all sizes. Issues such as the increasing…

Our take on the emerging project management trends  Project management is a mature discipline with well-established procedures and processes, which remain relatively consistent over time. What’s happening globally and in the working world has an impact on project management methodologies. A move towards Agile methodologies With the world becoming more…

Project controls provide a roadmap to a successful end result Projects, especially construction projects, are often large-scale, complex programs that continue for long periods of time. They can be expensive, involve many people, and have substantial impacts on their local environment. For this reason, it’s essential to introduce proper controls…

Resource capacity planning is a powerful tool when carried out correctly Resource capacity planning is the discipline of comparing available resources such as people and equipment with the likely scheduling needs of a project or portfolio of work. The aim is to ensure that there are always the correct amount…

Staff augmentation is a great tool for project managers Staff augmentation opens the door to a whole world of talent for your organization. Where staffing numbers or skills may be lacking in a project, augmentation gives the ability to call upon experts who can join your team to give their…

Good data is the foundation of a smoothly-run project Access to good quality data is a core part of project management. Good data leads to good business decisions, and is one of the key elements of running a project. Having access to the right data at the right time makes…

Measuring the effectiveness of your communication plan helps improve delivery Good communication is a key component of any project. Without good communication, employees can fall into the trap of working on siloed projects without understanding or contributing towards the shared organizational goal.  Communication is an essential discipline in the construction…

Cloud-based solutions are the smart choice for all types of construction business  Construction projects require instant, reliable access to data. Projects of all sizes run on shared information, whether that be related to scheduling, costs, risk, or resources.  Traditionally, information would have been stored on local computer drives or ring-fenced…

Good reporting can be the make or break of a project Data within a project is only as good as the reports which access it. While it’s important to collect and collate information, if you can’t access it easily when needed, that information loses a portion of its power and…

Document control is an integral part of good project management   Tips for better document control The purpose of a document control system is to a) create order for the various products involved in project management and b) ensure that anyone who needs to can access information easily and quickly. …

A comprehensive communication plan is the backbone of project success Good communication is a critical part of good project management. Effective communication is the bedrock upon which the rest of the project rests; without effective communication, delivery can be compromised, and deadlines missed.  Within a project environment, it’s usual to…

One size doesn’t fit all: it’s a smart business move to customize a tool to fit your business needs There are as many off-the-shelf IT and software solutions available as there are business problems to be solved. These standard solutions may address many common problems and look fit for purpose…

Our industry experience leaves us head and shoulders above the rest. DRMcNatty & Associates Inc. is a complete professional services provider with extensive experience in the Utilities, Transportation, IT, and Construction sectors. We are your best choice as a trusted advisor, with decades of success delivering on projects both large…

Hate Waiting In Line? Our Excellent Customer Service Sets Us Apart As specialists in project management, IT deployments, and managed services, we work with businesses of all sizes on projects with very specific requirements. It’s therefore vital that we offer a level of customer service a cut above the rest,…

Why tailoring your staff training program brings real benefits The past few years have seen a shift in training approach for many businesses, from a one-size-fits-all program to a more tailored approach that is personalized to individual staff members. Deciding to implement this type of personalized staff training program is…

The 2028 Olympic Games will bring big infrastructure changes to LA   Becoming the host city for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is not only a culturally exciting event, but it also brings a range of benefits for the region. The host city can look forward to advantages such as…

Using resource capacity planning as a key part of project management success Resource capacity planning is a critical part of project and portfolio management. No matter the size and scope of the project, there is always only a limited amount of resources available. Therefore it’s vital to understand whether those…

Assessing the critical functions of your PMO brings significant benefits   Carrying out a Project Management Office maturity assessment is a critical step in ensuring that your PMO delivers maximum value to your organization, as well as highlighting areas where improvements or developments could be made. The core function of a…

Good project planning is the bedrock of successful project delivery A good project plan is an essential guidebook for your project team. It clearly defines the scope of your project, the processes and procedures involved in delivery, and the desired outcomes. For each activity in the schedule it should seek…

How to get the best staff augmentation fit for your business Staff augmentation is a flexible, adaptable business model that allows you to add skilled and specialized members of staff into your workforce for a defined period. Instead of spending time recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding staff, augmentation allows you to…

Could a data lake help feed your thirst for knowledge? Good data management is the bedrock of good decision-making. With all of your information at your fingertips, you can make smart, evidence-led decisions that move your business forward. Without that information in hand, you can struggle to see the big…

Good project governance achieves great results All projects benefit from strong project governance. With a good governance structure in place, project managers can feel confident and empowered to deliver to their best abilities; without a good structure, risk levels increase, and delivery can fall short of specifications.  The Association for…

Helping construction project managers face challenges specific to their industry Every project will face challenges at some point in its life cycle, and construction projects are no different. In fact, the challenges faced by construction project managers can be more significant than most, as construction projects tend to be inherently…

Understanding current project management trends will help future-proof your PMO As with all aspects of corporate life, project management has changed over the past 12 months. Features that were once considered ‘business as usual’- in-person meetings, office-based collaboration, easy-to-access site visits- have disappeared in many cases.  Instead, Project Management professionals…

Carrying out a PMO Maturity Assessment can improve organizational performance Whether you have recently introduced a PMO into your organization or have had an established function for a while, running through the process of a PMO maturity assessment can pay real dividends. It can help identify potential improvement opportunities and…

CALIFORNIA, May 24 2021: DRMcNatty is today launching an enhanced professional services offering, to be led by the Director of Project Management, Mark Atkinson. DRMcNatty has decades of experience in professional services and technology solutions. The announcement of these expanded service offerings further cements their expertise in the fields of…

How to achieve the best results from your PPM Implementation Achieving a successful Project Management Software Implementation brings tangible benefits to your business. If you have a product that fits your needs, a workforce that is enthused to use the software, and a business process that meshes with the product,…

Using a decision matrix to achieve a successful PPM tool implementation Once a project portfolio has reached a certain size and complexity, a business must have a strong project and portfolio management solution (PPM). Whether you’re improving on your current capabilities or starting from scratch, there are a number of…

Staff augmentation can add huge value to your organization Staff augmentation allows you to add skilled, expert staff to your workforce for a defined period and a specified reason. Using an augmentation approach means you don’t have to spend time recruiting and training staff in-house to deal with work that…

Good communication is an important factor in successful enterprise software implementation Change can be challenging for an organization, but there are ways of communicating change which can make the process run smoother. People in general can have the tendency to feel negatively about change, especially when it involves introducing something…

Training is critical to help users adopt a new software solution A new enterprise data solution is a hugely exciting time for any organization, and brings with it many potential benefits. The user adoption phase doesn’t always run as smoothly as it should, however, and the number one reason for…

Leading a remote team is becoming a key management skill If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that being remote work-ready is a vital skill for teams and managers. As the pandemic took hold, more and more companies needed to operate remote teams across the world, and there was little in…

What 2020 Taught Us About Remote Work The world of work has changed in 2020, and there are some valuable lessons to be learned 2020 has been a year like no other. Covid-19 has changed the world as we know it, including the world of work. With stay-at-home orders in…

Start 2021 in the right mindset with these actionable project management resolutions The holiday season is the ideal time to assess the past 12 months, and to look forward to the new year ahead. Granted, this year’s look back is probably a bit more mixed than most, but that simply…

Staff augmentation can give access to a whole new pool of talent Staff augmentation provides a bridge between the skill set of your permanent workforce and the talents of specialists who can add value to your business. Every company is built on a core team of employees who know their…

Our personal, knowledgeable approach makes all the difference When you need support with any aspect of your business, you want it quickly, and you want it from a subject matter expert. This is especially true when you need to talk to someone in an emergency and rapid resolution of an…

Asking the right questions is an important part of choosing a hosting provider Choosing a hosting provider is a big decision. It’s certainly possible to pick a provider after a quick Google search, and they’ll likely make it sound quick and easy to get you set up.  Having the right…

Having secure, real-time access to your data and information is a key element of success when operating in a dispersed project team environment. It’s crucial that team members can access accurate, timely project controls information whenever they need it. Investing in managed services in a private cloud gives you the…

Which is the right approach for your business, Outsourcing or Augmentation? When companies need additional resources to complete large or complex pieces of work, they need to consider how best to bring those resources on board. Developing in-house capabilities to deliver on every element of work is not always cost…

DRMcNatty’s data integration process gives you the whole picture As program managers of large, complex capital schemes will know, visibility across all types of data is critical when it comes to keeping work on-track and on-budget. One of the most common reasons for problems in project and program delivery is…

Your business flourishes when you and your staff have access to the right information at the right time. At DRMcNatty, our specialty is ensuring that you have the data you need at your fingertips 24 hours a day, and our in-house developer team plays a critical part in that process.…

Cloud based hosting could change the way you do business Choosing the right hosting solution is an essential step in future-proofing your business. The correct hosting choice will offer you security, scalability and reliability, whereas making the wrong choice could prove costly both in terms of time and resources.  More…

Data Integration can unlock the power of your projects and programs Integrated Data helps give you the knowledge you need to deliver projects and programs on-time and on-budget. As large scale programs get more complex, it’s more important than ever to make sure your workforce has access to the information…