351: Demystifying EPCM, an integrated approach to construction

"The biggest thing is time, right? Like time is probably the most valuable thing that we have."  In this conversation, Devon Tilly interviews Tom Hughes, the Vice President of Construction Operations at Genesis AEC, to demystify the concept of Engineering Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM). They discuss the criticality of pre-construction and the benefits of taking a fully integrated EPCM approach. They also touch on the importance of collaboration and communication among the different disciplines involved in the construction process. Tom emphasizes the need for a cohesive team and the role of pre-construction in setting targets and controlling costs. They also discuss the scalability of EPCM for projects of different sizes. Looking to the future, he highlights the importance of embracing technology, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, to improve productivity in construction. The key takeaway is the search for continuous improvement and the willingness to embrace change. Tom Hughes has more than 20 years of professional experience as a project manager, project engineer, and superintendent on construction projects, focusing on safety and quality objectives. As Vice President of Construction Operations, he spearheads the entire lifecycle of construction projects, from design to commissioning. His expertise extends to the development and upkeep of preconstruction, construction, and closeout execution plans, alongside detailed project scope documentation, including comprehensive schedules and seamless construction activity coordination. Not content with merely meeting standards, Tom is a fervent advocate for pushing the boundaries of innovation and technology within construction. Under his leadership, Genesis is at the forefront of EPCM, BIM, Design-Assist, Integrated Project Delivery, and prefabrication. He consistently harnesses new resources to propel Genesis's lean construction initiatives forward, all in an effort to minimize waste and maximizing client value. Tom grew up and resides in Bucks County, PA (Philadelphia suburbs) where he lives with his wife (Alison), 2 children (Thomas III and Lana Rose), and their dog (Benson). Tradeline article The Morning Huddle Construction Show: Episode 36 – Tom Hughes, Practical Lean Construction Watch a clip of this virtual podcast!  Keep up with the Art of Construction (AOC) podcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Youtube! Subscribe to the Art of Construction (AOC) podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!