Cis 517 Prairie Waters Project
PMI 2011 Project Of The Year Award Winner
The Prairie Waters Project
Prairie Waters Project (PWP) was the largest water project of its type completed in more than 30 years in Colorado. The efforts and unwavering ethics of the project team members resulted in delivering outstanding water quality to the city of Aurora.
A severe drought in 2002-2004 left the city of Aurora with only a 9-month supply of water. The Leaders of the city considered over 40 optional ways and methods to get additional water to customers of Aurora. They considered importing additional water from across the continental divide. After careful review, the city decided on what is now known as the Prairie Waters Project. This water delivery system brought in additional pre-treated water from the South Platte River. This water was pumped 34 miles to a new water purification facility. The treated water was then delivered to higher-pressure zones within Aurora’s potable water distribution system.
A project of this size and complexity demanded a well thought-out and unique approach to product delivery along with teamwork to be completed within the tight timeline. The program management approach consisted of an integrated Program Management Team (PMT) comprised of CH2M HILL and Aurora Water employees. A number of other engineering and construction teams worked closely with the PMT. “Possibly, the reason most responsible for the success of the Program was the team’s commitment to working together toward a common goal of effective delivery of the PWP” (Catalano, 2011, p. 3).
As part of the integrated PMT, CH2M HILL employees collaborated with the city and each person had clearly defined roles and responsibilities. The PMT was responsible for awarding and negotiating design contracts, obtaining all the proper and required permits, the acquisition of land and easements required for this project, and overseeing all construction efforts. A comprehensive Program Management Manual was one
The Prairie Waters Project
Prairie Waters Project (PWP) was the largest water project of its type completed in more than 30 years in Colorado. The efforts and unwavering ethics of the project team members resulted in delivering outstanding water quality to the city of Aurora.
A severe drought in 2002-2004 left the city of Aurora with only a 9-month supply of water. The Leaders of the city considered over 40 optional ways and methods to get additional water to customers of Aurora. They considered importing additional water from across the continental divide. After careful review, the city decided on what is now known as the Prairie Waters Project. This water delivery system brought in additional pre-treated water from the South Platte River. This water was pumped 34 miles to a new water purification facility. The treated water was then delivered to higher-pressure zones within Aurora’s potable water distribution system.
A project of this size and complexity demanded a well thought-out and unique approach to product delivery along with teamwork to be completed within the tight timeline. The program management approach consisted of an integrated Program Management Team (PMT) comprised of CH2M HILL and Aurora Water employees. A number of other engineering and construction teams worked closely with the PMT. “Possibly, the reason most responsible for the success of the Program was the team’s commitment to working together toward a common goal of effective delivery of the PWP” (Catalano, 2011, p. 3).
As part of the integrated PMT, CH2M HILL employees collaborated with the city and each person had clearly defined roles and responsibilities. The PMT was responsible for awarding and negotiating design contracts, obtaining all the proper and required permits, the acquisition of land and easements required for this project, and overseeing all construction efforts. A comprehensive Program Management Manual was one
References: Catalano, L. (2011). INTEGRATED Program Management Team Completes Prairie Waters-One of the Largest Water Projects in Colorado Since 1976. Retrieved July 13, 2012, from http://marketplace.pmi.org/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?GMProduct=00101326900 Learnard, C., & Kelly, M. M. (2011). PRAIRIE Waters Project Receives Project Management Institute’s Prestigious 2011 PMI Project of the Year Award. Retrieved July 10, 2012, from http://www.pmi.org/en/About-Us/Press-Releases/Prairie-Waters-Project-Receives-PMI-Prestigious-2011-PMI-Project-of-the-Year-Award.aspx Schwalbe, K. (2011). Information Technology: Project Management (6th ed., Rev.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.