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What are project controls and what are the benefits?


When you think about the term control, the first things that might come to mind are power, authority and management. However, in the realm of project management, the term control is much more comparable to steering a ship through stormy weather. It’s not about sticking to the path you plotted before you departed; it is about continuously updating the course to get there, evaluating your location throughout the voyage, and keeping a watchful eye on what lies ahead to make sure you make it on time and budget.

Generally speaking, project controls is a discipline integrated in the project team, where cost controllers, estimators, schedulers, managers and other team members can measure and analyze how a project is progressing and pivot priorities to meet the needs to the project.

For Sancon, using project controls helps reduce risk and costs for its clients by tracking “earned” and “burned” hours, calculating discipline efficiency and forecast for the future based on those efficiencies. 

What are “earned” hours?

Earned hours is the work being completed in the field against the schedule which activities can include: static and dynamic checks, walk downs, operations support, vendor support and other inspections. In short, how long does Sancon think a task will take.

What are “burned” hours?

The manhours it takes to complete a static check sheet, a dynamic test or other planned activities. Basically, how long did it actually take to complete the “earned” hours task.

How does Sancon calculate discipline efficiency?

For each discipline, Sancon will take the “earned” hours number and divide it by the “burned” hours sum to produce the discipline efficiency ratio.

For all projects, Sancon is able to track work activities depending on the client’s preference using tools such as excel spreadsheet, access databases and completion software.  Thanks to digital advances, Sancon has its own software system, the Sancon Completion System (SCS). Read more about it here. 

This continuous monitoring gives the project team and owner valuable knowledge about the project’s performance and highlights areas that require special attention and may need changes. With this proactive approach, Sancon can anticipate to the common issues and provide scheduling confidence, avoiding budget overrun and delays.

To learn more about how Sancon can help use project controls on your next initiative, please contact us: https://sanconltd.com/contact/

A look back at 2020 with Sancon


With the end of 2020 quickly approaching, Sancon wants to take an opportunity to thank our clients and employees for their continued commitment to the success of our organization. 

We have come through a year that was filled with both challenges and victories, and it was reassuring to know that we can count on all of our employees and industry partners. By working collaboratively together, Sancon was able to complete multiple projects for our existing clients and increase our market reach with several new client partnerships including the commissioning of a diluent package, upstream processing, midstream expansions and utility power projects. The completion of the performance test at a northern BC site was a significant achievement with all the obstacles of 2020 and COVID.

This past year marked major milestones in the growth and investment of Sancon with the launch of its new completely digital completion system , the opening of its new sister company with an office in Denver, Colorado and COR certification for Sancon’s health and safety program.

Looking back, this year at Sancon was full of memorable events that brought us closer together as a team. 2020 enriched our company with new achievements, expansion and progress. We do hope that 2021 will welcome more and inspiring projects for our dedicated staff to execute with Sancon’s known professionalism and commitment to quality. 

Sancon’s nimble on-site abilities pay off for client


This past fall, Sancon executed the commissioning and start-up of a new diluent package utilizing client’s own completion system, Hexagon, Smart Completions. This project was one of the first to be managed with the client’s brand-new completion system, showcasing Sancon’s experience working with a multitude of completion systems. 

Beyond operating the client’s completion system, the over 7,000-man hour project featured tie-ins to an existing facility and the addition of a new MCC and pump building. With over 13 Sancon staff from six different disciplines, this project was completed with 100 days hurt free, on budget and on schedule. 

Another success was Sancon’s ability to work safely through the pandemic, following all client requirements and provincial regulations. Sancon worked closely with the construction contractor, as well as the client building a strong working relationship and communication between all parties. 

For more information about how Sancon can work on your next endeavour and achieve Better Project Outcomes, please visit our Services page or chat with one of our commissioning experts.

Celebrating our Sancon community leaders on Giving Tuesday


To celebrate Giving Tuesday, Sancon is featuring one if its employees who challenges the status-quo to make a difference in his community – Michael Sheret, Lead Planner.

Mentoring has always been a part of Michael Sheret because it was part of his father’s life. 

Growing up in Ontario, Michael’s dad was a “Little” with “Uncle’s at Large”, a similar program to Big Brothers Big Sister which helps young people in the community to form relationships they need to become resilient and realize their full potential.  

During Michael’s formative years, his father expressed the positive influence his mentor had on his life. As Michael got older, he understood how fortunate he was to grow up with his father around. Thanks to his father sharing his mentoring experience, it inspired Michael to take a leadership role in his community and signed up as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary.

“Thinking back to my childhood and being able to spend quality time with dad, I quickly understood the importance and impact of having a good adult role model,” said Michael Sheret.

Since signing up with Big Brothers Big Sisters three years ago, Michael has been a “Big” to a now 15-year-old boy in Calgary. The pair felt an immediate connection and have been in contact ever since. 

In addition to being a mentor, Michael consistently helps Big Brothers Big Sisters as a member of its fundraising committee for “Big Brunch”, a major breakfast fundraising event for the programs. This past year, Michael sponsored the event under his company “Best Capital Bond” to further help the organization invest in its community mentoring programs.

“Making a difference in your community can be as simple as being a reliable, unbiased friend, a positive influence to a young person developing or just listening to someone’s struggles and empathizing,” said Michael Sheret. “It doesn’t take a lot of time to be a mentor, just two hours a month can have an impact on a young person’s self-esteem and confidence.”

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) and how you can get involved, please visit BBBS’s website: https://bbbscalgary.ca/

Sancon Commissioning receives Certificate of Recognition (COR) from Alberta Government through the Partnerships in Injury Reduction Program


Since 2006, Sancon Commissioning has demonstrated its commitment to developing and maintaining a proactive safety culture. In 2020, Sancon validated their Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) by having their program assessed by a provincial certifying partner, and the company Director's Dennis Killoran, Brian Douglas, and Heinz Inabnit are pleased to announce that they have received the Certificate of Recognition (COR) through the ACSA certifying partner on October 19, 2020. 

The Sancon HSEQ Manager, Mr. Devon Mackenzie, stated, "The achievement of COR certification gives our customers the additional confidence that Sancon is implementing health and safety due diligence company-wide.  We will continue to provide employees, the public, and our clients with outstanding commissioning services for better project outcomes, by ensuring the safety and the well-being of all persons working directly or indirectly with Sancon remains our first consideration when planning work activities."

In addition to COR accreditation, Sancon has introduced a cloud-based safety management program that provides digital documentation, compliance management, direct internal communication, and reporting with our clients. To learn more about Sancon Commissioning services, their history, and achievements, please visit  https://sanconltd.com

Sancon Completion System is now completely digital


November 10, 2020 (Calgary, AB) Sancon unveiled its new additions to its Sancon Completion System (SCS) this fall to make the system fully digital. The new additions to SCS include a digital application to facilitate soft checks sheets, punch lists and tracking work. This system is now completely compatible on both iOS and Android systems.

“The driving factor behind the new digitization of SCS is to increase productivity through its new approach, enabling clients to get up-to-the-minute information to make critical commissioning decisions,” Brian Douglas, Vice President of Operations, Sancon.

In the coming months, SCS software additions will become a standard value-add for every Sancon project. Providing critical information and tools for clients to access project progression, punch list tracking and clearing and check sheet updates via an application-based program.

“With a pilot of the new complete digitization underway, Sancon is working diligently to fine-tune SCS to meet the high standard Sancon has been known for, while meeting client needs for a digital approach to project execution and management,” Dennis Killoran, President, Sancon. 

SCS is designed to consolidate asset information in a simple application, available in iOS and Android, to manage all your projects, large or small, by enabling your organization to effectively plan, execute and manage towards Better Project Outcomes.

Media Contact 

Dennis Killoran 

Dennis.killoran@sanconltd.com

403-473-4000 or

720-403-8341 x222

Sancon hosting another webinar, Reduce schedule risk and costs with real-time reporting this November


This November 19, Sancon will be hosting its follow-up to its highly successful webinar, Reduce schedule risk and costs with real-time reporting. 

During this webinar, attendees will get our experts perspective on how to keep your schedule and costs on track with real-time reporting.

If there is one thing Dennis Killoran and Heinz Inabnit have learned what is required during the execution of 400+ projects and the development of more than 50 ISO commissioning procedures, is that it requires to closely track the progress execution of the project.

In this 45-minute webinar, they share Sancon's proven solutions to manage project controls. 

You will learn how to...

  • Accurately track "burned" hours
  • Calculate your discipline efficiency
  • Plan and forecast project outcomes based on efficiencies

If you wish to register for this webinar go click here and save your seat today!

Sancon Commissioning to open sister company in Denver, CO


Calgary, AB (October 27, 2020) – Sancon Commissioning (Sancon) is proud to announce the expansion of a sister company, Sancon Commissioning Co. into the United States market, with its head office based in Denver, Colorado. 

“Our practices and processes have been used throughout Canada and in the Caribbean to successfully improve the commissioning outcomes on heavy industrial projects and we look forward to expanding into the American market,” Dennis Killoran, President, Sancon.

With over 15 years of experience and commissioning expertise, Sancon specializes in developing commissioning workplans for pre-commissioning, commissioning and project start-up.  Since its inception, Sancon has been able to clearly demonstrate how effective its fully integrated and comprehensive commissioning solutions have made an impact on their clients’ bottom line.

“The decision to expand our presence into the American market was a logical step in our business growth strategy,” Brian Douglas, Vice President of Operation, Sancon.  “We have evolved as an organization and look forward to what the future holds for the Sancon brand.”

For more information about Sancon and its service offerings, please visit its website at www.sancontld.com

Media Contact

Dennis Killoran 

Dennis.killoran@sanconltd.com

403-473-4000 or

720-403-8341 x222

Tune in on October 2 to see our President, Dennis Killoran, present at CPS2020


On October 2nd, Sancon Commissioning will be available to discuss its services including its new and improved Sancon Completion System (SCS) at the Commissioning Professional Society’s (CPS) 2020 conference. 

This year, the conference is completely digital with digital booths and virtual keynote speakers. Make sure you stop by our digital booth to chat with our experts and get more information about how we can deliver Better Project Outcomes.

Don’t miss your chance to hear from commissioning industry experts including our own Dennis Killoran, President, presenting on “Effective Project Controls: Delivering Better Project Outcomes” on October 2 at 10:00 a.m. MST. 

Register for CPS 2020 today at https://cps2020.vfairs.com/en/registration

Sancon to host its first webinar to explain the process they use to cut down commissioning costs


On September 29, Sancon will be hosting its first virtual webinar on how organizations can effectively cut pre-commissioning costs from four to five percent using their process.

With over 400 industrial commissioning projects under Dennis Killoran and Heinz Inabnit’s careers they have constructed a pre-commissioning best-practice process to massively reduce costs. In this webinar, they share their EarlyWorks framework. A straightforward, step-by-step process projects can use to optimize their pre-commissioning process and move the needle on the bottom line.  

During this webinar, attendees will learn:
- The proven best practices for pre-commissioning.
- How to shave 4-5% off the cost of your next commissioning project.
- How to complete critical parts of the workflow before you even go on site.
- A step-by-step process aligned with Construction Industry Institute™ best practices.

If you wish to register for this webinar go to https://sanconltd.com/webinar/ and save your seat today!

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