Newsletter Archives




UNIFIER or ACONEX: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

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…

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AN OPTIMAL APPROACH TO COMBATING DATA SPRAWL AND INEFFICIENCIES

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…

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PROJECT CONTROLS: AN OVERVIEW

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…

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HOW MOVING TO THE CLOUD INCREASES COLLABORATION

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…

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THE KEY TO BETTER PROJECT COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTING

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…

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DATA MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES

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…

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HOW EFFECTIVELY MANAGE HYBRID TEAMS

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…

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SUBSCRIPTION VS. PERPETUAL LICENSE: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU

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…

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RISK MONITORING: WHAT PROJECT MANAGERS NEED TO KNOW

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…

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CONSTRUCTION TRENDS

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…

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT TRENDS

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…

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PROJECT CONTROLS: WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT

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…

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RESOURCE CAPACITY PLANNING CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

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…

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STAFF AUGMENTATION CHALLENGES AND HOW TO SOLVE THEM

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…

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IS YOUR COMMUNICATION PLAN EFFECTIVE

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…

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THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS MOVING TO THE CLOUD AND HERE’S WHY

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…

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PROJECT REPORTING ESSENTIALS

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…

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5 TIPS FOR BETTER DOCUMENT CONTROL IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

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. …

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HOW TO CREATE A GREAT COMMUNICATION PLAN

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…

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HOW CUSTOMIZATION SAVES TIME AND MONEY

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…

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DRMcNATTY IS YOUR TRUSTED ADVISOR

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…

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TAKE A SEAT, NOT A NUMBER.

Hate Waiting In Line? Our Excellent Customer Service Sets Us Apart Our ‘Take a seat, not a number’ approach to customer support is second to none 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…

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THE VALUE OF PERSONALIZED STAFF TRAINING

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…

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2028 OLYMPICS – WHAT IT MEANS FOR LOS ANGELES

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…

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RESOURCE CAPACITY PLANNING: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

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…

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WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A PMO MATURITY ASSESSMENT

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…

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THE IMPORTANCE OF PROJECT PLANNING IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

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…

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HOW TO CHOOSE A STAFF AUGMENTATION PROVIDER

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…

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DOES YOUR BUSINESS NEED A DATA LAKE?

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…

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PROJECT GOVERNANCE: KEYS TO SUCCESS

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…

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CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

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…

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TIPS FOR MANAGING DATA SPRAWL

Dealing with data sprawl will bring big benefits for your business A good organization runs on good data. It’s both your most valuable resource and your ticket to sound decision-making, but keeping your data together in a coherent, manageable, searchable format is a more significant challenge than many realize.  What…

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN A POST-COVID WORLD

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…

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HOW TO ASSESS YOUR ORGANIZATION’S PMO MATURITY LEVEL

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…

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DRMcNATTY LAUNCHES ENHANCED PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES OFFERING

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…

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FIVE PITFALLS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTATION

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,…

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NEW PPM TOOL IMPLEMENTATION: WHAT STAYS AND WHAT GOES?

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…

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STAFF AUGMENTATION CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

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…

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IMPLEMENTATION CHANGE MANAGEMENT – LETTING PEOPLE KNOW

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…

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THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING TO ASSIST USER ADOPTION

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…

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HOW TO MANAGE REMOTE TEAMS IN 2021

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…

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WHAT 2020 TAUGHT US ABOUT REMOTE WORK

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…

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT RESOLUTIONS FOR 2021

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…

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THE TOP BENEFITS OF CLOUD HOSTING FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Cloud Hosting for Project Management makes perfect sense Cloud hosting for project management brings multiple benefits, including offering enhanced flexibility, accessibility and security compared to a more traditional local hosting approach. Successful project and program management means being able to rely on having accurate information at your fingertips wherever and…

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THE BENEFITS OF STAFF AUGMENTATION

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…

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THE BENEFITS OF A DEDICATED SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

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…

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QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD BE ASKING YOUR HOSTING PROVIDER

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…

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WHY YOU SHOULD INVEST IN MANAGED SERVICES IN THE PRIVATE CLOUD

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…

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PROJECT OUTSOURCING VS. STAFF AUGMENTATION

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…

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4 STEPS TO DATA INTEGRATION SUCCESS

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…

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WHY A SMALL BUSINESS COULD BE YOUR BEST HIRE

When it comes to business, bigger is not always better. When you’re choosing a company to work alongside you for your next project or program, it can be tempting to go with the big name, the familiar name, the name that everyone in your company knows. Big means best, right?…

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THE VALUE OF A PROJECT CONTROLS FOCUSED DEVELOPER TEAM

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.…

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FIVE KEY BENEFITS OF A DRMCNATTY HOSTING SOLUTION

DRMcNatty is a trusted name in the project controls solutions industry. Founded in 1989, we have more than 30 years of experience helping clients run successful capital construction projects, and are specialists in designing, implementing and supporting reliable dedicated hosting environments. As an independent, family-run business, we go the extra…

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THE PROS AND CONS OF CLOUD BASED HOSTING

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…

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DATA INTEGRATION IS KEY TO PROJECT AND MANAGEMENT SUCCESS

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…

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OUR MANAGED HOSTING SERVICES MAKE PROJECT MANAGEMENT A BREEZE

Finding the right managed hosting service is mission-critical Finding the right managed hosting service provider is one of the biggest challenges faced by businesses running capital projects today. The traditional model of hosting mission critical applications, documents and data on in-house servers was appropriate once upon a time, but the…

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WHY ARE COMPANIES MOVING TO MANAGED HOSTING SERVICES?

Many questions have been asked over the last few years regarding cloud and hosting services. Clients and consumers are needing to adapt to ever changing software and technology platforms. How many times have you heard these questions? Why do we need cloud hosting? There is a need for cloud hosting…

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ORACLE RELEASES P6 V18

On August 6, Oracle released Primavera P6 18.8 for on premise delivery. P6 18.1 through 18.7 were releases only available on Oracle Cloud. The enhancements listed below are an accumulation of all versions incorporated into P6 18.8. Read More…

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MARKETING EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR PPM

DELTEK ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 2017 PARTNER AWARDS PROGRAM AT ITS ANNUAL GLOBAL PARTNER KICKOFF Deltek hosted partners from around the globe at its two-day conference, held outside of Washington, D.C. at the Gaylord National Harbor Herndon, VA – January 31, 2018 – Deltek, the leading global provider of software and…

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AACE SOUTHERN CA SECTION DINNER

Date: Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 6:00pm Speaker: Brian Criss, VP, DRMcNatty & Associates Topic: Schedule Review Techniques using Primavera P6 Primavera P6 is the scheduling application of choice for construction projects both large and small. Contractor requirements for P6 schedules and owner-agencies review and approval of schedule information is a core…

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DRMcNatty continues support for LA Metro

KKCS/TRIUNITY JV AND DRMcNATTY TO CONTINUE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES AT LA METRO In 2010 in response to Measure R, Metro deployed a Program Management Information System (PMIS) to facilitate program-wide project tracking, administration and management reporting. Since 2010, DRMcNatty has provided ongoing support and managed services hosting for the…

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DRMcNatty Teams with Hill International

    DRMcNATTY TEAMS WITH HILL INTERNATIONAL ON THE SFO: AIRPORT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM San Francisco Airport recently awarded a program management contract to a team led by Hill International, to manage and enhance their current program, which includes all construction projects at the airport.  The airport currently uses Oracle Unifier…

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2017 Community of Inclusion Award

Burns & McDonnell has awarded a 2017 Community of Inclusion Award to DRMcNatty & Associates, Inc. We are honored to receive the recognition and are proud of our work in helping to foster a Community of Inclusion alongside Burns & McDonnell. DRMcNatty is Certified as a Federal Service Disabled Veteran…

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AACE Annual Meeting Presentations

Did you miss our presentations at AACE International in Orlando, Florida? Download the presentations here: LA Metro Implements ProjectStatus for Collaborative Risk Tracking Program Level Scheduling – Enterprise Alignment for Programmatic and CPM Schedules The Awards Committee of AACE International has selected DRMcNatty & Associates, Inc. as the 2017 recipient…

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Primavera Contract Management Closeout

With the retirement from active support, many firms who have been using Primavera Contract Management (PCM) are shifting to other packages to manage projects. While companies can continue to use PCM, many are choosing to shift to another software tool to maintain current support for updates and changes in technology.…

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Ben Lee passes the Unifier exam!

It is with great pride that we announce that Ben Lee has recently become a Primavera Unifier Cloud Service Certified Implementation Specialist. To read about the competency criteria needed to pass this exam, click here. In addition to Ben, Rudy Ising and Lim Tan are also Primavera Unifier Cloud Service…

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Primavera Lives!

“Primavera Lives!” by Don McNatty In a recent web article in a project controls journal the author put forth a perspective that Primavera P6 is becoming extinct and cited our (DRMcNatty) support for other tools as one indication of this. In our opinion, this is far from the case and…

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DRMcNatty Receives the AACE Industrial Appreciation Award

The Awards Committee of AACE International has selected DRMcNatty & Associates, Inc. as the 2017 recipient of the AACE Industrial Appreciation Award and we are truly honored to receive such a prestigious award. Our hard work is something that we pride ourselves on, and thanks to the dedication of our…

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Transportation Case Study

This was a joint venture between DRMcNatty and another service partner. The client is a state agency responsible for the planning, designing, construction, and management of their transportation system. The client chose Primavera Unifier to support their new construction project initiatives, processes and document management. The Inspector’s Daily Report (IDR)…

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