Applying best practices to compress the project execution schedule and complete more work

The Academy at Forest View is a three-story building originally built in 1962 and in need of an update to continue to serve the needs of the program. The school district’s capable staff was preparing to undertake this large project; however, when significant other projects required more time and attention, the district sought a partner to undertake the work of the first floor. With construction kickoff six weeks away, Allied leveraged its team culture to meet this daunting timeline.

Through this team approach, trades were broken up and developed in parallel, led by different team members with frequent collaboration meetings to build the whole project skillfully and cohesively. This methodology proved worthwhile when the district’s needs shifted as the deadline approached and Allied was prepared to take on the development and execution for the entirety of the building instead of just the first floor. Only by having the number of people intimately involved and familiar with the building and interactions between floors was it possible to adapt and include this additional work without the support of additional time.

In the span of six weeks, Allied Facility Partners went from draft design drawings to contract and initiating construction for all three floors. Even throughout construction, Allied adapted to the district’s changing needs and architectural design modifications with fluidity and confidence only possible from years of experience. When execution hurdles, material lead times, and timeline compressions threatened the success of the project, Allied provided a unique approach to delay non-critical elements of the project for future execution. This approach allowed the project to successfully move forward without sacrificing the ability for the program to occupy the space with the return of kids.

This project epitomized the difficulties of working in the K-12 market: short development and execution windows, numerous trades, and school-specific needs and technology. The work at Forest View Education Center illustrated what can be accomplished when executing via Allied’s established best practices. Allied’s unique subcontractor approach was a necessary catalyst to maintaining a rigid timeline and ensure sufficient staffing throughout project execution. Utilizing a dedicated, full-time project manager was crucial to project success ensuring constant contractor accountability and real-time coordination and communication with District personnel.

Allied Facility Partners took on this challenging project with confidence rooted in the experience and capabilities of our team. At Allied, we work as a team throughout the process and this project would not have been possible leveraging the backgrounds and experiences of a team of engineers and project managers to collapse months’ worth of development into the weeks available. This collaboration facilitated the brainstorming essential to a creative approach that meet the district’s needs within their unprecedented six-week development timeline and eight-week construction window.