SCHEDULE
MOnday, 1 March 2027
Noon
Registration
1 p.m.
Introduction to Project Management
Sarah Gilley, Cleveland-Cliffs Rockport Works
This module will provide an overview of project terminology, project definition and setup, project charter, stakeholder engagement, overview of stage gate approaches, communication, and team development and management. Safety management plan development and project execution plan (PEP) structure will also be discussed.
2 p.m.
Scope Development and Management
Thomas Ruffner, United States Steel Corporation
Why do we need this project and what alternatives exist to meet that need? This module will cover business case development, alternative analysis, design basis, work breakdown structure (WBS), customer requirements and more.
3 p.m.
Break
3:30 p.m.
Project Controls Setup and Earned Value
Jeff Kuronen, Hatch
Developing control budget, work packages, reporting, performance measurement, forecasting and change management. The discussion will introduce engineering work packages and construction work packages. These tools and techniques are used to help project managers to plan, monitor, and control projects to keep them on track.
5:00 p.m.
Reception
tuesday, 2 March 2027
7 a.m.
Breakfast
8 a.m.
Schedule
Ted Vrehas, Cleveland-Cliffs Indiana Harbor
This session will cover various aspects for schedule development, such as types of schedules; level of detail used in schedule; software programs utilized; the level of effort required to develop schedules; and how to organize, breakdown, filter, maintain and update a schedule. The session will cover the importance of breaking down and integrating the owners, engineers, equipment and fabrication suppliers, and constructors; and commissioning, start-up and close-out activities. This session will briefly discuss other aspects of information that can be incorporated into schedules and the information that can be extracted and reported during various phases of a project.
8:45 a.m.
Outage-Based Projects
Ron Spear, United States Steel Corporation
Implementing outage-based projects where a significant portion of the construction occurs during a production unit shutdown is the most challenging type of project. This module will discuss outage planning and management techniques to ensure the outage duration is realistic and is achieved.
9:45 a.m.
Break
10:15 a.m.
Risk and Quality Management
Thomas Ruffner, United States Steel Corporation
While new projects and construction are exciting, there are significant risks associated with equipment quality, construction safety and operational readiness. This session will discuss various ways to identify, manage and mitigate these risks.
11:30 a.m.
3D Modeling and Prefabrication
Steve Roloff, Pacific Steel Group
Discussion will focus on the benefits of 3D model construction to develop fabrication drawings to save time and money on construction projects by taking the work out of the field.
Noon
Lunch
1 p.m.
Safe Project Planning and Management Through SIF-Focused Leadership
Erik Archer, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
1:30 p.m.
Project Management: 101 Workshop
Facilitators: Ron Spear, United States Steel Corporation, and Sarah Gilley, Cleveland-Cliffs Rockport Works
This workshop features a practical exercise that utilizes real-world equipment and scenarios to expose participants to the unique challenges related to outage planning. In this session, participants will work through a simulated outage planning and execution exercise, learning how to balance competing departmental priorities, manage limited resources such as budgets and manpower, meet management expectations, and adapt to unexpected challenges like equipment failures or shifting timelines. By the end of this workshop, participants will have a better understanding of teamwork across different departments, familiarization in resource scheduling, a basic understanding of critical path and the ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances.
3:30 p.m.
Break
3:45 p.m.
Project Management: 101 Workshop
Wednesday, 3 March 2027
7 a.m.
Breakfast
8 a.m.
Engineering Planning and Project Management
Matt Benovic, R. E. Warner & Associates Inc
This module covers setup of engineering work packages and correlation with construction work packages, document control, design for safety and hazard and operability, testing, surveying and laser scanning, and value engineering.
9 a.m.
Procurement and Contracting
Molly Schragal, U. S. Steel Corp.
This module covers project procurement strategy, construction contracting strategies (contract types and risk), expediting, and bonus and vendor management.
9:30 a.m.
Site Logistics and Material Movement
Inherent to successful project execution is planning for site logistics for manpower and materials. This presentation will review important aspects of manpower logistics (e.g., employee parking and transportation, man-trailer layout, designated walkways, and multiple shift considerations) and materials management (e.g., laydown space assessment, security and climate control requirements, receiving protocols, and chain of custody).
10:15 a.m.
Break
10:30 a.m.
Construction Techniques
Ted Vrehas, Cleveland-Cliffs Indiana Harbor
Introduction to construction techniques and terminology: Modularization, types of piling, types of rigging, electrical, welding, shoring, embeds, anchor bolts, etc. The presentation will review various disciplines’ construction techniques at a high level. Discussion will also involve pre-installation fabrication and modularization.
11:15 a.m.
Commissioning and Start-Up Planning
Ray Young, Primetals Technologies
This presentation explains commissioning as a structured project management process that begins during project initiation and planning; continues through execution, monitoring and control; and concludes with turnover to operations and lessons learned. It emphasizes the importance of early commissioning preparation, including development of commissioning plans, schedules, risk assessments, test procedures, safety programs and the use of engineering documentation, manuals, FAT results, and functional descriptions to ensure a successful start-up. A strip inspection line case study demonstrates how proper commissioning reduces safety risks, equipment damage and start-up delays while supporting efficient ramp-up, performance testing and final acceptance of new industrial systems.
11:55 a.m.
Wrap-Up — Key Factors of Successful Projects: Planning, Teamwork and Communication
Noon
