President
Itracit Project Solutions Inc.
Onoway, Alberta, Canada
http://www.darrylrwilson.com
Industry: Architecture/Construction
Field: Turnaround Project Management

The youngest Canron Construction site manager in Western Canada, Darryl R. Wilson has dedicated nearly four decades to the construction industry. He began his career working as a boilermaker, and after gaining substantial experience in his field, Mr. Wilson assumed a position as a senior planner and scheduler for Alstom Power, followed by a position as senior planner and scheduler for Kellogg, Brown, and Root (KBR, Inc.). He enjoys project management and the implementation of business planning and currently serves as the president of Itracit Project Solutions Inc.

Mr. Wilson is skilled in turnaround project management for clients in the power generation, pulp and paper, oil and gas, process and chemical industries. Drawing on his educational background, which includes a Microsoft certified professional designation and a certification as a Microsoft System engineer, he has become an expert in consulting and leadership. In his current role, he plans multi-contractor and trade resource loaded and fully integrated schedules for turnaround execution teams, including level six detail schedules that utilize critical path methodology. He credits his successful career to his 35 years of field experience and 29 years in a managerial or supervisory role with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths Forgers and Helpers.

Mr. Wilson holds the record for the quickest erection of an EEC precipitator — 90 days from material onsite to commissioning. He also names being responsible for the rigging procedures and rigging crews for the field erection of the first supercritical boiler in Canada as one of the highlights of his profession. Looking toward the future, he plans to retire and take time for himself. He is considering mentoring young people entering the planning and scheduling field.

Conversation with Darryl R. Wilson

Worldwide Publishing: On what topics do you consider yourself to be an expert?

Darryl R. Wilson: Project management, constructability, cost control, project controls, planning and scheduling turnarounds for clients in the power generation, pulp and paper, oil and gas, process and chemical industries.

What characteristics help to separate you from your competitors?

I have been a member of The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers for 35 years; I have served as president of a top-tier planning and scheduling company specializing in multi trade mechanical and piping turnarounds; and I am a senior project manager whose 35 years of experience span the oil and gas, paper and pulp, power generation, and chemical industries.

What motivates you?

Project safety is a main driver, as is bringing projects in on time and on budget — most projects encounter cost and schedule overruns, so our goal is to eliminate project failure and achieve zero injuries on our projects.

What short-term and long-term career goals are you currently pursuing?

I will be contracting to Kellogg Brown & Root as the technical services manager on a large project for Nova Chemicals at Joffre Alberta. Our goal is to eliminate cost and schedule overruns, and achieve zero injuries on this project. This is a project that has the potential to last until 2025.

What is the most difficult obstacle or challenge you have faced in pursuit of your goals?

Having a company offer you a role in a fast-paced environment without the experience.

What is the most significant issue facing your profession today?

There is a lack of professionals in certain trades. Over the years, young people were not starting in a trade, and today many workers are brought in from other countries.

What are some questions that an individual interested in your services can ask to ensure a more productive relationship?

They should ask about my experience with the jobs I have worked on, and my ability to estimate a project’s cost and schedule development. My niche is in turnaround services.

What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of your profession?

Putting together a project and seeing it become successful — being under budget and on schedule. Also, resolving issues on the job is rewarding.

What is your favorite or least favorite work-related task to do and why?

My favorite task is developing a critical lift for a project, and my least favorite part is bidding and waiting to find out if I was successful.

What advice can you offer fellow members or others aspiring to work in your industry?

Start an apprenticeship and work in the field to gain experience in your trade. To be employed consistently and successfully in construction, you have to follow the construction booms across the country. The construction [business] goes in cycles. I worked in British Columbia for 23 years, and when the pulp and paper industry slowed down, I moved to Alberta because the oil and gas industry is going through a tremendous growth phase [here].

What changes have you observed in your industry/field since you started?

Construction techniques have changed over the years, utilizing large capacity cranes and module construction. There is a larger emphasis on safety.

How do you see these changes affecting the future of your industry?

The use of module construction yards is a trend that is growing in the Alberta market. Module construction yards allow the local construction trades to have a better quality of life in that they are able to go home each night. The cost savings achieved include housing costs, transportation costs, and increased cost to attract and retain required manpower.

What lessons have you learned as a professional in your field?

I have learned to expect the unexpected and that turnaround work scope is based on historical data.