Spotlight on Services: Project Controls

The Tandem Project Controls team provides specialised expertise across project lifecycles to reduce client risk, improve value and deliver positive outcomes in all sectors of the built environment. Services include cost control, procurement, contract administration, risk management, scheduling and document control.

Through cost estimates Tandem will establish project viability and a robust baseline. It delivers value management and value engineering, lifecycle costing and cost forecasting. Tandem will estimate and plan costs to proactively manage the project budget, optimising cost performance from inception to completion. Tandem delivers and manages cost reports throughout the project lifecycle and manages cash flow forecasting.

Tandem will expertly schedule each phase of a project from concept, engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning through to qualification, validation and operational readiness.  It delivers man-loaded schedules and S-Curves with weekly earned versus actual progress reporting. Tandem’s critical path analysis, progress updates, identification of slippage and development of recovery plans delivers clarity and transparency. Tandem develops portfolio scheduling for PMO’s and micro-schedules for complex areas of work where detailed coordination is required.

Tandem offer procurement services and will prepare tender packages for trade contractors and equipment vendors, it will perform tender walkdowns and lead bid clarification meetings. Tandem will undertake commercial and technical bid analysis, issuing award recommendations on tender reports, managing vendors and leading final negotiations.

Tandem will identify the most appropriate procurement and contracting strategies to minimise risk to time, cost and quality. It will prepare contractual documentation, ensuring all parties are familiar with their contractual obligations and remain compliant at all times. Tandem employs timely communication to ensure the smooth progression of the contract. Tandem will implement change management procedures that facilitate well informed decisions and ensure effective financial management. It will deliver certification of monthly valuations, assessment and agreement of contractual claims, assessment of contractor claims for delays and provide advice when assessing claims for any time extensions and costs for delays.

Tandem’s expertise in risk management delivers analysis of potential project risks. Tandem will develop risk mitigation strategies, maintain a Risk Register and regularly communicate the mitigation status with stakeholders. Tandem also implement controlled processes and practices for the creation, review, modification, issuance, distribution and accessibility of documents.

Oral Solid Dose Capabilities

Oral Solid Dosage (OSD) facilities, producing tablets & capsules, use well defined unit operations, regardless of production volumes or usage for single or multiple product manufacture. Facilities typically include Dispensing/Formulation; Blending; Granulation; Drying; Compression/Encapsulation; Coating; Packaging & Receiving/Warehousing Operations.

All OSD facility full life cycle project requirements can be designed & managed by Tandem’s team of Project Managers, Design Engineers, Construction Managers & CQV Engineers with extensive OSD experience.

Tandem will expertly deliver your desired project outcomes in Facility & Cleanroom design, Clean & Black utility design, HVAC design, OSD equipment unit operations including clean support process areas for quick turnaround without unacceptable risk of product exposure (i.e., dust & cross-contamination), Primary & Secondary Packaging operations, Serialisation & Warehouse design.

Tandem also deliver expertise in ATEX & process safety to ensure correct containment requirements are outlined & embedded in the design process.  Our building services engineers provide extensive experience in BMS/EMS systems to support the monitoring of critical processes within an OSD facility.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) Services

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has become an essential part of the project design process as it facilitates smart, efficient and robust designs, reducing environmental impact and overall project costs, whilst providing increased cost certainty. The BIM model can ultimately be adopted post handover by the client for the qualification, maintenance and management of the facility and systems, whilst in operation.

At Tandem Project Management, we specialise in providing Structural, Architectural, Mechanical & Electrical BIM services to the Pharmaceutical, Medical device, Tech and Commercial sectors alike.

We provide BIM services throughout the project life cycle from concept design and visualisation, detailed design and coordination, to simulation, scheduling and constructability reviews. The Revit and 3D software we use help our design teams collaborate, innovate, and connect with clients in more productive ways.

Tandem Project Management uses Building Information Modelled (BIM) on projects to develop a coordinated design solution which align with the architectural design intent of the project. We have the capability to produce design stage BIM models from Level of Development LOD100 (concept) to LOD500 (operation) with accompanying 2D design layouts. The BIM team can produce video clips, walk throughs and renderings of a model to showcase the design intent to the clients key stakeholders.

BIM is an important tool for coordinating services and equipment to facilitate the operation and maintenance requirements of the new or existing building. Tandem adopt a clash avoidance philosophy from the outset, to supplement scheduled clash detection reviews, resulting in a more streamlined design process. A final clash detection operation, incorporating all the approved construction elements, is carried out prior to Issue for Construction, avoiding costly delays and potential site rework.

The BIM model is also used to obtain material and equipment quantities to assist with providing accurate cost estimates, procurement and overall cost control throughout the project.

Pharma Supplier of the Year Award Nomination

Tandem was shortlisted in the 2020 Pharma Industry Awards, Pharma Supplier of the Year category. Receiving a finalist nomination is a proud achievement for Tandem.

Our award submission centered on our company culture of results, collaboration, flexibility, developing our people and maintaining strong relationships with our clients. Our submission described our proven innovation in solving complex engineering issues, demonstratable repeat business from clients and evidence of our clients’ satisfaction levels through customer survey results.

Each member of the team contributes daily to Tandem’s success. Tandem wishes to extend thanks to them for their dedication to maintaining high levels of productivity and quality of services for its clients, especially during the pandemic. Tandem recognise that it is the work of our team that has occasioned this award nomination.

Tandem also wishes to thank its clients for their support during our ten years in business. One of the highlights for Tandem has been to help our clients deliver successful and fulfilling projects that ultimately improve peoples lives.

Tandem is delighted to have been a finalist among very strong contenders for this award. Congratulations to everyone involved in organising and producing this virtual awards event and many congratulations to all of this year’s Pharma Industry Awards winners!

Advance Graduate Programme

Tandem Project Management extends a very warm welcome to Ciara O’Connor who recently joined our 2020 Advance Graduate Programme.

Ciara joined Tandem as a CSA Intern for 5 months in 2019 and excelled in her work. Following her work placement, Ciara was shortlisted for the Joe Gantly Prize in Engineering from University College Cork in conjunction with Cork Chamber of Commerce. Tandem is delighted to welcome Ciara back and wish her every success.

Advance is a three year programme that aims to give graduates an insight into all aspects of the business in a structured and measured manner, to ensure graduates achieve as broad an experience as possible, on both a professional and personal level in these crucial first years of their career.

At the end of the programme, graduates will not only have gained significant experience in their chosen discipline, but have gained exposure to other disciplines, client sites and many aspects of the project life cycle which will equip them best with advancing their careers further in the direction of their choice, while further building on the knowledge they have gained to date.

Recent Project Wins

August 2020

  • Biologics – MSAT and Analytical Laboratory preliminary design
  • Pharmaceutical – Security and ERT building detailed design
  • Pharmaceutical – Compressed air generation building detailed design
  • Biologics – Compressed air generation and distribution concept design
  • Semiconductors – Project Management of Headquarters building fit out
  • Biologics – Project Management of fill finish upgrade
  • Medical device – Large manufacturing expansion detailed design
  • Medical device – Utilities master planning
  • Medical device – Canteen expansion detailed design
  • Pharmaceutical – Office fit out detailed design
  • Industrial – Manufacturing expansion construction management and PSCS
  • Industrial – Manufacturing fit out detailed design
  • Industrial – Cold chain logistics expansion- BCAR services
  • Pharmaceutical – HAZOP, ATEX and other process safety services

Tandem Celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary!

10th July 2020 marked Tandem’s 10th Anniversary. Tandem is delighted to reach this milestone in such a strong position to enter into the next decade of its planned growth and expansion.

Thank you to all who have supported Tandem during our 10 years in business. Thank you to our personnel for their hard work and dedication in building Tandem’s reputation for collaboration and delivery.

Thank you to our clients, some of whom have been with Tandem since its inception in 2010. Tandem will continue to deliver a best in class service to its valued clients and look forward to developing existing and new relationships on future projects.

Since 2010, our team has delivered over 800 projects and we enjoy regular, repeat business with over 40 clients from multiple sectors. Looking to the future, Tandem is embracing opportunities to further enhance its services through digitisation and lean methodologies. Our long-term strategy will see the team steadily grow and our activities expand further into Europe.

Tandem’s Response to Covid-19

Tandem’s responsiveness to the COVID-19 pandemic was swift and determined, with the safety of staff, contractors, clients and their extended families to the forefront of Tandem’s concern.

Tandem moved to a remote working model in March 2020 and put in place all necessary requirements for a safe, comfortable home working environment. Tandem improved systems accessibility for all, to ensure that work carried out remotely was to the same high standard and timelines that our clients have come to expect.

Throughout the pandemic, Tandem has provided strong communication and direction regarding government updates, how they affected Tandem, what plans were in place and how work would be managed going forward. This clear and concise information was imperative to a successful transition to remote working.

Tandem staff have shown great dedication to their tasks, working remotely and collaboratively, with each other and our clients, to meet project milestones while delivering the same high-quality work.

Tandem communicated with all contractors and temps on a biweekly basis to ensure that their safety on client sites was adequate, to address any issues they might be facing and to check in on their personal well-being, and that of their families. Connectivity with our wider team at this time was vital to ensure that our people remain safe and have the resources they need to carry out their work effectively. 

Tandem has developed client driven solutions to constraints raised by COVID-19 restrictions. Tandem’s COVID-19 Essential Support Services were designed to assist clients during this time, these services included: Operations Return to Service, Construction Return to Service, Portfolio Management, Concept Design and AutoCAD / Revit support. All services offerings start with safety and government recommendations at their core and ensure that the most time efficient and cost-effective results can be achieved.

As we now plan for a return to our offices nationwide, we do so with safety as our primary concern. Social Distancing measures, a one-way traffic flow, hand sanitizing stations, meeting protocols, an Isolation room, illness, travel & return to work protocols etc. all form part of the new normal at Tandem.

Associate Director Appointments

Tandem Project Management wishes to announce three Associate Director Appointments.

Tandem provides project management, engineering design, construction and CQV (Commissioning, Qualification and Validation) services as well as talent solutions to its clients during the project implementation, start-up and operational phases. Established in 2010, Tandem has a team of 130 professionals working with clients across Ireland, the UK and Europe in the life science, industrial and commercial sectors.

Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Tandem, Tim Mulhall, said: “These appointments recognise the contribution each individual has made to the company and their leadership will strengthen our ability to provide expert consultancy support to our clients in a collaborative and innovative way.”

Eoin O’Brien has been appointed as Associate Director of Operations having joined Tandem in 2013 and previously held the roles of Project Manager, E&I Lead and Manager of Operations. Eoin has a background in electrical and instrumentation design and project management. In his new role he is responsible for overseeing the operations in each of Tandem’s offices while continuing to manage projects for key clients.

Colm Burke has been appointed Associate Director of Built Environment having previously held the roles of Project Manager, CSA Lead and Manager of Built Environment. Colm has a background in civil engineering, construction and project management. In his new role he is responsible for managing the civil, structural engineering, architectural and construction departments for Tandem while continuing to manage projects for key clients.

Julie O’Mahony has been appointed Associate Director of Projects. Julie joined Tandem in 2017 from Gilead Sciences and has previously held the roles of Senior Project Manager and Manager of Projects. Julie has a background in process engineering and project management. In her new role Julie is responsible for overseeing the Project Management, Project Controls, Process and CQV departments for Tandem while continuing to manage projects and provide operational readiness services for key clients.

Engineers Ireland CPD Accreditation – Parchment Presentation

Engineers Ireland CPD Accredited Employer – Parchment Presentation

We were delighted to welcome Caroline Spillane Director General of Engineers Ireland, to our offices last week to present us with our award parchment for the prestigious CPD Accredited Employer Standard.

This accreditation is an acknowledgement of Tandem’s dedication to the continuing professional development of our personnel. We are fully committed to further developing our CPD programme in collaboration with Engineers Ireland and our growing team here at Tandem Project Management Ltd.

If you would like to be part of a dynamic company that actively encourages personal and professional development, please click here to view our current vacancies.

Engineers Ireland CPD Accreditation