Enlisting in Precon Bootcamp

By Brenden Nickels, Senior Office Assistant

As a project engineer at Kraus-Anderson, there are many things you must think about when it comes to a project you’re assigned to. However, there is a way that engineers can learn how to balance all their responsibilities before they are assigned a project: Precon Bootcamp.

Precon Bootcamp is a significant portion of Kraus-Anderson’s broader Project Engineer training program. For a total of four months, project engineers learn about the estimating process at KA and how preconstruction supports the project team. Precon duties include quantity takeoff, bid solicitation, building an estimate, developing GMP Booklets with detailed clarifications, making staffing plans, general conditions, estimates and understanding and managing risks during the preconstruction phase.

Getting the Details

I corresponded with Audie Miller, KA’s director of estimating, to discuss this program.

Where did the inspiration for Precon Boot Camp come from?

Miller: “The inspiration for bootcamp came organically out of the needs of the company and voice of the customer. At the time KA was beginning to make significant investments in building the preconstruction team and we had identified the need to ensure that our operations staff stayed involved in keeping with our ‘seller-doer’ culture. The implementation of the bootcamp would allow KA to develop the preconstruction skillset in our future project managers and also spread the work with what at the time was a pretty small group of dedicated preconstruction staff.”

What is the goal of the program?

Miller: “The idea is to get the individuals more consistent exposure and training in all aspects of KA’s operations, so they become stronger, more well-rounded PM’s.”

Why is it referred to as Precon Boot Camp?

Miller: “At the start, we didn’t really have a formal name, checklist or process developed but took in PE’s or APM’s that were between projects and immersed them in estimating and preconstruction for a few months. We somewhat jokingly referred to it as ‘bootcamp’ and the name just stuck.”

If I were to enroll in this program, what would it be like? What would I learn?

Miller: “Precon Bootcamp is part of Kraus-Anderson’s broader PE training program. The PE training program covers safety, job site exposure, facility assessment, precon/estimating, quality/building science, BIM/VDC, MEP, scheduling, job planning, construction operations, post construction, business development and accounting. Participants rotate through the various programs which range from 1 week to 4+ months.”

How does Precon Boot Camp benefit the newer PM’s as well as the more senior PM’s?

Miller: “The program is broadly intended to enhance plan reading skills, build understanding of major building systems and assemblies, means and methods of construction, risk management, estimating conventions, typical component or system pricing and bid solicitation & bid management.

“For many of our Project Managers, preconstruction work happens in a short sprint of days, weeks or a couple of months before they are out on the build for several months or even years. This can make it a challenge to build the preconstruction skillset with the short and infrequent reps. In some cases, a PE or APM may be several years into their career with little to no engagement in preconstruction and estimating.”

Are there any success stories from the Precon Boot Camp program?

Miller: “I think there are several stories of success; feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Many of the past participants are now seasoned and successful Project Managers or, in the case of Alex Balsiger, Director of Project Planning & Development.

“Recently, the estimating team had more work than available staff to get it done. Balsiger was able to jump on a handful of projects and complete the estimates on her own, leveraging the training she received in her bootcamp.”

Testimonials From Precon Bootcamp Participants

Michael Stenbeck, Project Manager: “It gave me more exposure to estimates that I did not have before. Precon Bootcamp helped me immensely with working on projects in the preconstruction phase with estimates, as well as preparing estimates for change order throughout the course of the project. With KA’s Seller-Doer philosophy, a PM is involved with the entire construction process from preconstruction through closeout, so having the knowledge to contribute to the preconstruction phase is vital to what we do.”

Alex Balsiger, Director of Project Planning: “It has been almost ten years now since I went through Precon Bootcamp and almost every day I am applying the skills I learned through this program. I think another important piece of it is also the relationship building between the internal departments here at KA. It gives us insight into the time and detail put into each and every estimate/project that comes through door. It helps one truly appreciate what this team does day in and day out.“

Yones Abduhalli, Project Engineer: “I believe participating in the Precon Bootcamp should be a requirement for anyone looking to become a well-rounded project manager. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain from this experience.”