At ST1 Group, no two days are ever quite the same – especially when you’re managing the delivery of a major industrial construction project. Our Project Managers are the ones keeping everything moving: solving problems, juggling priorities, and keeping teams aligned, all while making sure the details never slip through the cracks.
This week, we’re taking you behind the scenes with one of our Project Managers from PMR (Project Management Resolutions), our project management division. They’re currently overseeing a reinforced concrete subcontract package on a new factory build — a substantial job, worth around £5–10 million, under an NEC4 Option B contract.
It’s a fast-paced role that mixes planning, technical knowledge, and plenty of teamwork. Here’s what the week looked like:
Navigating Delays and Keeping Things Moving
Early in the week, progress hit a bit of a snag — one of the work areas wasn’t handed over on time, which meant some key activities had to pause. Rather than letting that derail momentum, we acted quickly: an Early Warning Notice was issued, along with an Impact Programme to show how the delay might affect upcoming phases.
With a critical Sectional Completion Date on the line, we also started preparing a Compensation Event Quotation and exploring whether an Extension of Time might be needed. At the same time, we sat down with the Main Contractor for an Early Warning meeting, working together to limit any knock-on effects.
We also had to shuffle around some materials that had already been delivered to the affected area — not ideal, but thanks to clear communication and detailed records, we’ll be able to recover those costs.
Design Changes and Added Scope
Later in the week, revised drawings landed – and, as is often the case, they included a few extra reinforced concrete structures that weren’t part of the original scope.
We immediately raised another Early Warning and updated our Impact Programme to show how these new elements could change the sequence of works. Now, we’re putting together a detailed Compensation Event Quotation, covering both the direct costs of the new works and the potential knock-on impact to later phases.
Weather Watching
Of course, it wouldn’t be a week on site without a bit of weather drama! Rain stopped a planned concrete pour midweek. While one or two wet days don’t usually count as a Compensation Event under NEC, we keep careful daily records just in case conditions worsen. Experience tells us that being prepared makes all the difference.
Capturing Progress
Every week, we carry out a photographic and video survey of the site, capturing exactly what’s happening on the ground. Our walk-round video technology is a real game-changer — it gives us a transparent, time-stamped record of progress, which is invaluable when clarifying timelines or backing up claims.
Celebrating the Wins
It’s not all challenges and curveballs. A big part of the week went exactly to plan. Thanks to solid preparation and a proactive team, several major pours and inspections were completed on time and to spec.
Our QA/QC system is running smoothly too, helping us keep quality front and centre. We’ve even built time into the programme for client inspections — because we know sign-offs don’t always happen right away, and staying one step ahead keeps everything stress-free.
Wrapping Up
This week sums up what it’s like to be a Project Manager at ST1: balancing the programme, protecting entitlements, working collaboratively, and staying calm under pressure.
It’s about more than just ticking boxes — it’s about delivering confidence: for our clients, for our partners, and for ourselves.
For more information on our Project Management Resolutions service visit our webpages here