Client:

Downer Engineering subsidiary Downer Connect were awarded the Telstra contract for design and construction of Telstra network in Country NSW in November 2003.  Downer Connect set up their operations and sought design specialists to assist them in providing design solutions to a relentless supply of augmentation, New Estate and inter exchange network construction projects.

Project Scope:

Downer Connect contracted Lectel to carry out New Estates design for their pre provisioning section in March 2004.  Our brief was to carry out design to Telstra standards with a major focus on returning projects in a short timeframe with special effort on urgent projects as directed by their project coordinators.

Margins on the project were tight but volume consistent. Briefs are received electronically from Telstra and designs returned electronically to Downer.

Our response:

Lectel design manager Michael Hunter setup the project control chart specific to Downer's requirements and the project needs.  Designs were carried out early by himself while providing intensive training to a young design draftsman. Michael gradually increased the drafter's responsibilities while focusing more on project quality and delivery himself.  Specific AutoCAD customisation for Bill of Quantities was employed to reduce CAD time and increase accuracy.

Outcomes:

Lectel has completed over 300 New Estate designs since and are still going. Urgent projects do require a drop everything approach from time to time providing relief to our clients design team on their unpredictable projects.  Project quality is very high with client complaints a rarity.  The project is profitable and is still running smoothly. A win Win situation.