Job spotlight: lead cost estimator, NRS Dounreay

How did you get into project controls?

Like many others in the industry, I fell into project controls. I was looking for a new opportunity and there was a chance to work with a team who were undertaking a strategic review of the Dounreay site, which included the programmes and estimates.

This led to me becoming a trainee estimator. 

To expand my knowledge base, I moved into a project controls engineer role for a few years. I moved back to our project management office (PMO) to fulfil the role of estimator, which then led to promotion to my current role as lead estimator.

Why is project control important?

I don’t think the importance of project controls should be underestimated.

If you’re going to successfully deliver a project, you can have the best project manager in the world, but if you don’t have the support of a good project controls team, like a project controls engineer, estimator or planner, you have less chance of success.

For a project to be delivered successfully, you’ve got to be in control of your cost and your schedule and that’s what project controls is there to do.

It’s there to create an accurate as possible baseline to monitor and report against, as well as ensuring any lessons learned are replicated in future work.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I genuinely believe it’s the best job in the world. It’s just so interesting and we can make a real difference.

I undertake strategic estimating for the whole Dounreay site, so I have developed an understanding of all the projects and areas on the site and how they interact with each other. That’s what makes estimating so exciting.

Project controls is so interesting because things are constantly evolving and you’re always learning something new.

I remember one of the estimators who trained me all those years ago said he had been in the discipline for 30 years and he was still learning something new every day. I have found that really is the case.

Any advice for those considering a career in project controls?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The biggest thing I’ve learned over the years is you cannot know about everything. That’s why you’ve got subject matter experts, and that highlights why it is important to have a good network.

One of the best bits of advice I was ever given was that when you’re estimating anything, it’s not about what you can see, it’s about what you can’t see. The unknowns can prove to be very costly!

Project controls can be a long-lasting career. The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) training pathway is very clear. If you follow a certain route, you can see how your career can progress.