Distribution Major Programs PMO

Many gas utilities have individual programs to improve their distribution systems.  However, the execution and costs of these programs could be improved with the establishment of a Distribution Major Projects PMO to integrate these programs with program controls and streamlined execution.   GTS can plan, develop, and establish a Distribution Major Projects PMO to manage the execution of these various major programs to maintain a safe distribution pipeline system. A Distribution Major Projects PMO could include the following activities:

• Plastic pipe replacement including Aldyl-A pipe
• Cast Iron pipe replacement
• Copper service replacement
• Crossbore inspections
• High Pressure Regulator (HPR) replacements
• Regulator station replacements
• Inoperable valve replacements
• SCADA installations
• T-Cap replacements
• Slam Shut installations on large customer regulation sets

A Distribution Major Projects PMO benefits a utility by standardizing the process, lowering costs, increasing efficiency, increasing the communication and collaboration across all stakeholders, increasing the quality of the documentation and record management, and improves customer satisfaction.  GTS takes great care to integrate the PMO processes into the standard processes of the client so that execution and coordination of all activities is seamless.  A GTS PMO not only streamlines the execution of distribution major program activities, it also establishes Project Controls which includes: 

• Governance and Reporting – gathering data, developing management reports for utility executives and regulators, liaison for internal and external audits, coordinates Regulator inspections, and manages program quality assurance
• Performance Measurement – manages development and integration of project schedules, maintains a master schedule, tracks schedule performance, analyzes resource loading and constraints, and develops project and program cost forecasts
• Technology – manages applications needed to manage and track project changes, change orders, project records management and document control, long-term storage of documentation, and project management functions
• Administration and Controls – manages project and program change control, program risk management, construction contract management, quality control, process development and improvement, portfolio and metrics reporting

GTS has managed the execution of major distribution programs for thousands of miles of pipeline and services and hundreds of station projects (reg station rebuilds, HPR replacements, SCADA installations, valve replacements, slam shut installations). GTS has developed detailed processes and checklists for each of these major distribution programs to streamline the execution, avoid common mistakes, and ensure high quality work.   Using the GTS PMO processes, GTS has helped its clients meet their compliance dates and lower their construction costs by millions of dollars per year.

For project execution, each program workstream consists of functional teams such as Distribution Integrity Management, Project Management, Land Management, Environmental, permitting (Federal, State, and Local), Government Relations, Customer Relations, Project Engineering, Construction Management, Inspection, NDE vendors, Contract Management, Sourcing, and additional resources as required. GTS personnel provide program management, project controls, project management of the large individual projects, development of the permit drawings, coordination of permits, and in-field support during all activities.  GTS can also provide project engineering for each major distribution project type.