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Category: Projects £25-50m Name: John Deegan Company: Laing O'Rourke Scotland Project: Prestwick Air Traffic Control Centre, Ayrshire Contract: JCT 1998 without quantities |
Although Laing O'Rourke was not the lowest bidder by a long way for this traditionally tendered contract, John Deegan won it with his enthusiasm for the project, an emphasis on teamwork, and a highly professional and technical understanding of the key project drivers.
With the collaborative one-team approach such a central plank of the bid, John turned the aspiration into a reality. His projection of a no-surprises approach up and down the contractual chain generated trust and transparency between organisations.
John set up prestart meetings with all subcontractors and held weekly progress review meetings to ensure communication and monitoring of the programme. He also chaired daily co-ordination meetings with trades foremen so that immediate action could be taken to minimise areas of contention and resolve disputes.
He was at the forefront of the weekly technical meetings to review queries and requests for information. Compliance with specification was paramount for this one-off structure and John ensured his team went through a very fast and very detailed process to get it right first time, every time. During the project, his team raised and answered 1,500 technical queries and 500 subcontractor submittals.
Despite having only marginal design responsibilities contractually, John helped solve two major design issues for the project. The first was to redesign all the M&E services when it was realised that the building could not cope with the heat that would be generated by the bespoke air traffic control equipment. The second was to design and develop a gantry system to maintain the lighting systems for the operations room. Both solutions involved significant design and construction innovation.
Aware that any disruption of the existing air traffic control centre adjacent to the site would incur staggering penalties of £40m a day, John constantly reviewed all possible causes of disturbance, however unlikely, and worked out mitigation paths.
He also implemented a rock-solid health and safety regime. He was present at every one of the weekly safety committee meetings, chaired monthly performance reviews, and handed out monthly awards for the most innovative and worthwhile safety suggestions from operatives.
His efforts resulted in a safe, fit-for-purpose project and a delighted client.
