Spotlight: Project and Program Management
Since the company’s inception, Aspen has assumed the role of prime contractor for large, publicly visible, and multidisciplinary teams. As a result, we have always considered one of our primary strengths to be project management and, in the case of on-call service contracts, program management. Aspen has served in the project management role for hundreds of assignments of all sizes and in the program management role for dozens of contracts with thousands of task orders.
Project management is a critical factor in the success or failure of any undertaking and requires attention to a variety of important concerns, including technical issues, regulatory requirements, budget, quality, and schedule while ensuring that the objectives of the client are realized. Aspen recognizes that successful project management requires effective planning, organization, and communication; and understands the importance of tracking and reporting progress. We make sure we understand each client’s requirements and implement protocols at the start of each project to ensure compliance and consistency. Aspen employs both traditional and adaptive management techniques to achieve results for our clients, including best management practices developed within Aspen to respond to each client’s needs. In particular, we emphasize the management of subcontractors to ensure they are providing high quality services, conforming with contract requirements, meeting deadlines, and fulfilling our client’s needs.
The majority of Aspen’s professional staff members have project management experience, most with ten years or more of experience. In addition, Aspen’s project management experience is diverse, including management of assignments, including:
CEQA/NEPA document preparation
Biological resource surveys
Cultural resource surveys
Mitigation monitoring
Technical studies
Energy resource economics
Public policy plans
Regulatory compliance
Aspen has managed many notable projects over the years, including major infrastructure projects and public works programs. Aspen’s list of projects includes many that can be labeled as the “first”, “largest”, or “only” projects of their type in California over the last twenty-five years. These include major power generation and transmission projects, pipeline projects, water resource projects, flood control projects, telecommunication projects, and public building programs, as well as unique projects such as a statewide analysis of oil and gas well stimulation methods, Nevada’s annual Burning Man festival, and the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.
Aspen has managed over fifty on-call contracts with public agencies, primarily agencies with responsibility for building, operating, or regulating infrastructure and public works projects. Under these and other on-call contracts, Aspen has successfully completed thousands of task orders and managed hundreds of subcontractors. Some of these public agencies include:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Western Area Power Administration
U.S. Forest Service
California Energy Commission
California Public Utilities Commission
Department of Water Resources
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Port of Long Beach
Ventura County Public Works Agency
Los Angeles Unified School District
Aspen is always looking for opportunities to apply our management abilities to new and exciting projects. For more information about how Aspen can help manage projects and contracts, contact any of our regional offices.