The Challenge

The Draper Approach

Results Realized

The Challenge

As the 2nd largest school system in the State of Georgia, with approximately 60,000 students and 97 schools, the Atlanta Public School System (APS) is responsible for delivering large-scale capital projects on time and within budget. As a result of numerous budget, schedule and quality problems associated with two multi-million dollar funding programs, APS selected DRAPER & ASSOCIATES to provide a comprehensive, results-oriented project management review to provide both immediate and longer term recommendations.

The Draper Approach

In order to effectively identify problems and develop recommendations, Draper & Associates' review of the school system's current project management system, as well as specific construction projects, was comprised of the following elements:

These aspects allowed Draper & Associates to examine processes governing data management, decision-making, accountability and monitoring.

Results Realized

Draper & Associates' recommendations addressed the development and integration of four specific areas for both short- and long-term improvement: Formalized Facilities Planning Process, Reorganized Personnel Component, Documented Systems and Procedures, and Pilot Program Model. Draper & Associates presented these findings and recommendations to APS's Board of Education through a series of "hands-on" work sessions, providing members with the opportunity to understand the full complexity of the School System's task, as well as delve into Draper & Associates' expertise and recommendations.

As a follow-up to the facilities planning and management review, Draper & Associates provided Construction Management services for the $6.44MM Fowler Elementary School. This unique, state-of-the-art Science and Mathematics magnet school was built in conjunction with the national model for redeveloped publicly-funded housing (with which Draper & Associates was also significantly involved as the program manager).