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 The Capital Projects Development Process Used in Cities Throughout the People’s Republic of China 
– by Wenyi Li and Roger L. Kemp
This paper describes the capital project development process used by cities in the People’s Republic of China. It is a generic process used by public officials and citizens throughout this nation. The respective roles and responsibilities of public officials, development managers, project consultants, building contractors, and citizens are described in detail in this paper. 

  SCADA Construction Challenges in a Desert Environment 
– by Saleh Al-Wadei, PMP
This article highlights some of the challenges experienced in implementing a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system in a desert environment. Some of the challenges of this large project were expected, while others were seen only during the start-up. Project managers need to be rigid in their project execution skills, but flexible enough to allow for creative thinking when problems arise. However, even the best of plans can be overwhelmed with real-world problems, requiring that a strong project manager come up with creative ideas for restructuring the plan quickly and efficiently.  

Applying the PMBOK^® Guide Will Enhance the Commissioning Process and Result in Greater Project Success 
– by Aaron Pankonin, CBCP, CAPM
Commissioning of a project is a term that has different interpretations depending on who is using it. Originally developed as a guideline by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE^® ), Guideline 0-2005, the commissioning process provides the framework to verify that a facility and its systems will function to meet the design intent and the owner’s needs and to coincide with the phases of a construction project. The intent of this paper is to improve a project manager’s understanding of the meaning of commissioning, the commissioning process, and how a formal commissioning plan can positively affect the success of a project. 

Trouble is a Claim "Door Bell": Ding-Dong, Where’s Your Notice? 
– by Rob Kelly Jr., PMP
Using "Notice" can protect both the contractor and the owner from claims-related troubles on a construction project. Proper Notice enables timely awareness of the issue and its potential impact. It provides recovery options. It allows the owner to make informed decisions and mitigate the potential impact of the issue. The concepts are universal for project managers in all work environments.