Total Energies

José Chahuan Fernandez

In an interview with Manufacturing Outlook Latin America, Mr. José Chahuan Fernandez, Construction Director at Total Energies, discusses the significance of keeping pace with the emerging technologies in the construction industry.

Armed with 17 years of professional experience in industrial installation and management of real estate, industrial projects, and coal fired power plants, Mr. Fernandez currently assumes the role of construction director for Total Energies, a leading name in the global energy market. He has accumulated extensive knowledge from his time in companies including Atlas Renewable Energy, ET Solar, ENGIE and Mytilineos Energy & Metals before joining Total Energies a little over 3 years ago.

How do emerging developments in Project Management for construction projects contribute to addressing challenges and meeting business requirements more effectively?

Traditional project management methods often rely on manual processes and outdated tools, leading to inefficiencies, delays, and cost overruns. In contrast, emerging developments offer a more efficient and effective approach to managing construction projects by leveraging data-driven insights, automation, and predictive analytics.

With the rapid advancements in the use of advanced technology such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and project management software, project managers now have access to innovative tools and software that streamline decision-making processes, improve communication, and enhance collaboration among team members.

Leveraging these technologies enable tracking progress in real-time, identifying potential issues early on, reducing costs and making informed decisions to ensure projects stay on schedule and within budget. This translates not only to increased efficiency but also enhances overall project quality and client satisfaction.

What are the limitations of current services in addressing the diverse challenges encountered in Construction Management, preventing the delivery of optimal solutions?

Construction management is a complex and multifaceted field that requires addressing diverse challenges and coordination of various stakeholders, resources, and processes to deliver successful projects. However, current available services in the industry have limitations that hinder their ability to effectively tackle these challenges. Construction projects involve numerous parties such as architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers and subcontractors who must work together seamlessly to achieve project goals, improper integration and collaboration among different project teams will hinder their attainment. Similarly, a lack of diversity and inclusion in the workforce is another pain point which can lead to narrow perspectives and limited problem-solving capabilities.

“Leveraging these technologies enable tracking progress in real-time, identifying potential issues early on, reducing costs and making informed decisions to ensure projects stay on schedule and within budget”

Through the years, I have noticed that legacy systems of construction industry are not equipped to handle the dynamic technological landscape, which almost always results in inefficiencies and delays in project delivery. The project management must handle each business unit as a unique and individual construction site. Since every project is different in terms of scope, scale, budget, timeline, and other factors that can impact its success, generic or one-size-fits-all solutions may not be suitable for all projects, resulting in suboptimal outcomes.

Conversely, some construction management services excel in areas such as project planning and budgeting, which can help mitigate some of the challenges faced in the industry. The existence of these localized strengths and weaknesses makes clear that there is room for improvement in addressing diverse challenges in construction management. By implementing more inclusive practices and staying abreast of technological advancements, construction management services, companies and working systems can overcome their limitations and deliver optimal solutions for their clients.

Based on your expertise in the Construction sector, what are the key pieces of advice you would give to professionals in comparable roles within other companies, emphasizing what to do and what to avoid?

Professionals in the field have to touch base upon many factors to stay abreast in the industry. Ensuring site-safety is the foremost among them. Construction sites can be dangerous environments, so it is crucial for professionals to follow safety protocols and ensure that all workers are properly trained, equipped and educated. Construction workers put their lives on the line every day to build our projects. By prioritizing safety measures, we can prevent accidents and save lives in the construction industry.

Clear communication with team members and stakeholders is crucial to the success of any project. It can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. Additionally, professionals should strive for continuous improvement by staying up to date on industry trends and technologies.

On the other hand, professionals should avoid cutting corners or compromising quality in order to meet deadlines or save costs. This can lead to serious accidents, costly mistakes and damage the reputation of the company. It is also important to avoid micromanaging team members, as this can hinder productivity and morale.

But one of the biggest key pieces of advice I can give is to keep and maintain discipline throughout the lifetime of the project involving every single person, company and service that will collaborate to the project. Without it, projects can quickly spiral out of control, leading to important safety incidents, delays, cost overruns, and ultimately, project failure. This requires all team members to be focused on effective goals, punctual and efficient in their work as any delays can have a domino effect on the entire project timeline. Additionally, discipline also involves following proper procedures and protocols to ensure quality workmanship and safety on the job site.

Furthermore, discipline in construction projects extends to communication and teamwork. Clear communication and empathy among team members is crucial for coordinating efforts and resolving issues promptly. Without discipline in this area, misunderstandings can arise, leading to costly mistakes that could have been easily avoided.