Durkan uses Powerproject by Elecosoft to construct award-winning approach

Industry-leading construction firm, Durkan, delivered a 354-home development in just 139 weeks using Powerproject by Elecosoft.

Detailed planning capabilities empowered the project’s director to suggest innovative techniques that shortened lead times. Also, real-time scheduling enabled the firm to complete two blocks 16 weeks ahead of schedule.

In recognition for this impressive project, Durkan received a Gold Medal at the 2020 UK Construction Manager of the Year Awards.

In the last half century, Durkan has delivered over one million square feet of commercial space and 30,000 new homes. Powerproject has been critical to ensuring many of these developments are completed on time and on budget – as Project Director, Patrick Phillips, explains: “I joined Durkan 14 years ago and we’ve been using Powerproject as long as I’ve worked here. It’s an essential tool for every part of our business, from tendering, design and costing through to surveying and construction.”

“On a personal level, I rely on Powerproject as a resourcing tool, to see how we’re progressing with developments and to reschedule work or labour where needed. It’s very advantageous to the planning process.”

 

The strength and flexibility of Powerproject was demonstrated in a recent £67 million development project that Durkan undertook for Southern Housing Group.

Patrick and his team had just 139 weeks to deliver a four block, 354-home scheme in Ilford. Not only did they meet this ambitious timeline – they actually delivered two out of four blocks ahead of schedule, leading to Patrick being crowned Gold Medallist at the 2020 UK Construction Manager of the Year Awards.

Throughout the project, Patrick combined innovative techniques and Powerproject’s capabilities to ensure the development could be delivered quickly and cost efficiently.

“It was an extremely tight and aggressive programme, but we used Powerproject to manage resourcing,” Patrick explains. “I had a good team around me, and we had the right planning and project management software to enhance productivity, speed and efficiency.”