Module 1: Project Management Principles
HVAC Project Management Class – Intern Academy
Instructor: S.F. Johnson | Duration: 1 Hour
📘 Learning Objectives
- Define the HVAC PM’s core responsibilities from precon to closeout.
- Set scope, success criteria, and constraints using a written project charter.
- Break work into work packages and plan a 3-week lookahead tied to procurement.
- Track cost & schedule using simple Earned Value (EV) metrics and spot variances early.
- Run a clean change/communication process and lead closeout with zero loose ends.
- 10 min — PM roles, charter, stakeholder map
- 10 min — Scope/WBS & work packages
- 15 min — Lookahead planning + procurement pipeline
- 10 min — Budget control (EV: CPI/SPI) & change orders
- 10 min — Team comms, safety/quality gates
- 5 min — Closeout plan & lessons learned
1) PM Roles & Responsibilities
Lead the project from award to final billing:
- Translate contract/specs/drawings into a project charter (scope, goals, constraints, success metrics).
- Own manpower plan, schedule, buyout, submittals, RFIs, QA/QC, safety cadence.
- Manage subs/suppliers, owner/GC, inspectors; keep decision log & risk register current.
2) Scope, Stakeholders & RACI
Write what’s in/out, assumptions, and deliverables. Build a simple RACI so nothing falls through.
| Task | R | A | C | I |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shop drawings/submittals | Sub/Vendor | PM | Engineer | GC/Owner |
| Procurement/expediting | PM/Buyer | PM | Super | Owner |
| RFIs/COs | PM | PM | Estimator/Field | GC |
3) Work Packages & 3-Week Lookahead
Break scope into packages (e.g., L2 SA Main, RTU Set, Controls Rough-In) with crew, materials, dependencies, and inspection gates.
| Pkg | Scope | Crew | Needs | Gate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WP-A | L2 SA Main | 2J+1A | Duct 30×18, lifts | In-wall insp |
| WP-B | RTU Set | 2J | Curb, crane, power | Tie-in insp |
4) Budget & Cost Control (EV Lite)
Track a few key signals weekly:
- EV (Earned Value) = BAC × Physical % Complete
- PV (Planned Value) = BAC × Planned %
- CPI = EV ÷ AC (cost efficiency) | SPI = EV ÷ PV (schedule)
- EAC ≈ BAC ÷ CPI (simple forecast)
5) Communication Cadence, Safety & Quality
Make the rhythm explicit:
| Cadence | Owner | Outputs |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Super | Daily report, safety huddle |
| Weekly | PM | 3-wk lookahead, cost/SOV update |
| Bi-weekly | PM | RFI/CO review, risk log |
6) Closeout & Lessons Learned
- Substantial completion & punchlist tracking
- O&M manuals, warranties, as-builts, training sign-offs
- Final billing/retainage, lien releases
- Team debrief: what to repeat, what to fix
| Item | Submittal | Approval | Lead (wks) | Need On-Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTU-5 | Submitted | Pending | 12 | 10/14 |
| VAV Series | Approved | Approved | 6 | 9/02 |
| # | Desc | $ | Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO-01 | Add reheat to 4 VAVs | $8,450 | Submitted | +3 days |
🧰 PM Mini Tools
📅 Lookahead Throughput
Result: —
💹 Earned Value Snapshot
CPI/SPI: —
⚠️ Risk Exposure
Exposure: —
📥 Downloadable Resources
🧠 Quiz Yourself
Finish this module, then take the Module 1 Quiz to earn your certificate.