Industrial Project Controls & Strategy Leader
Resume:
Houston, *****, Texas, United States
********@*****.***
MBA in Project Management
Colorado Technical University, United States – 2007
MBA
Executive MBA (EMBA)
Colorado Technical University, United States – 2007
Master of Science
Computer Science (Software Eng.)
Colorado Technical University, United States – 2006
MBA
Planning & Marketing
PUC-Rio, Brazil – 1996
Post Graduate
Applied Operational Research
Petrobras, Brazil – 1996
BS
Civil Engineering
PUC-Rio, Brazil – 1976
LUIZ CLAUDIO V. CRUZ
SUMMARY:
Goal-driven Sr. Project Controls Manager with 25+ years' experience in EPCM and turnaround projects across oil & gas, petrochemical, energy, and manufacturing. Expert in project controls, master scheduling, cost mgt., EVM, SPI/WPI curves, progress reporting, forecasting, risk analysis, financial planning. Skilled in Primavera P6, @Risk, Fuse Risk Analysis, Power BI, Ecosys, and Excel automation, leading multidisciplinary teams, optimizing performance, and delivering projects on schedule and on budget.
SKILLS:
Strategic Goals & Planning
Cost Estimating & Budgeting
Earned Value Management (EVM)
Progress Reports & S-Curves
Program & Portfolio Leadership
Scheduling & Risk Mgt.
Stakeholder & Client Relations
Performance Forecasts
Problem Solutions
EXPERIENCE (Details at http://www.luizcruz.com):
FREELANCE CONSULTANT
League City, TX – November 2023 - Now
Developed several freelance pieces of work and advised senior clients in relation to highly confidential programs and projects to align decisions and increase stakeholder confidence with measurable results.
Produced project plans, schedules, estimates, budgets, analyses, forecasts, problem solutions, tables, charts and S-curves to control large-medium oil & gas / energy / engineering construction projects.
Designed consulting frameworks using structured problem-solving to improve project delivery and stakeholder alignment across engagements.
Conducted feasibility analyses and risk assessments for proposals and translated findings into actionable recommendations that improved decision confidence and clarified project scope.
SENIOR PROJECT CONTROLS MANAGER
Faithful+Gould Houston, TX November 2022 - October 2023
Led national / international program controls within a global PMO, improving cross-border coordination and executive reporting with measurable results.
Developed, managed, revised, and recovered integrated Primavera P6 project schedules, identifying long-lead items and resource constraints. Estimated integrated cost and schedule across all EPCM phases, producing monthly forecasts, variance analyses, and cash flow projections for program-level decision-making. Coordinated resource leveling and procurement alignment with commercial teams to smooth workflow bottlenecks.
Participated in the development and improvement of project controls systems, tools, and methods, receiving client recognition for improved controls efficacy.
Spearheaded cross-functional risk workshops to detect schedule and cost vulnerabilities, implementing mitigation plans that delivered reduced reductions in escalation incidents. Designed and executed performance dashboards that consolidated multi-project KPIs, enabling clearer trend analysis and more informed executive decisions.
Mentored junior controllers on best-practice estimating and schedule analysis techniques, improving team capabilities and reducing rework on deliverables.
PROJECT CONTROLS CONSULTANT
Texas International Terminals (TIT) Galveston, TX Mar 2022 - May 2022
Implemented standardized project controls procedures to tighten governance and ensure consistent reporting across projects with measurable oversight.
Developed and maintained integrated Primavera P6 master schedules to align milestones and optimize resource allocation across concurrent projects.
Designed and automated Excel and VB macro reporting tools to accelerate cost and progress reporting cycles and improve data accuracy (including productivity, trends, and EV, data from SAP ERP).
Provided project performance analysis and controls support to project and management teams, delivering actionable insights and measurable results.
SENIOR TA COST ANALYST
Belcan Global Engineering Baytown, TX March 2020 - October 2021
Did Sr. Project Controls cost support functions for 3 O&G Covestro refinery TA/Capex petrochemical projects and other smaller.
Produced advanced cost estimates, analysis, and budgets for several refinery turnarounds to support executive decisions with measurable results.
Developed historical performance benchmarking using (Roser Sharepoint Labor Data, cost management criteria and methods to improve cost control and performance analysis.
Implemented a highly sophisticated automated Excel/VBA estimating system, improving estimating accuracy and efficiency with measurable results.
Produced executive dashboards and Board reports with analyses and charts to support managerial decision-making. Director's assistance, BOD reports and dashboards, developed & implemented new methods and criteria, development of daily automated manpower reports with VB macros.
LEAD SCHEDULER
Innovative Turnaround Controls La Porte, TX April 2019 - October 2019
Led scheduling for the 2021 mega-capital expansion and several TA projects for Invista, a major client, coordinating cross-functional teams to meet project milestones and reduce downtime with measurable results.
Scheduled many project parts simultaneously, working on around 10-20 projects/changes per week with around 10 milestones. Developed, optimized, and maintained integrated Primavera P6 project schedules, including progress tracking and performance reporting across multiple workstreams.
Performed the Overall 2021 mega-capital expansion ADN Capex Program integrating schedule and optimization, cost estimate and cost control, and cost data to support management decisions. Mobideo status reports/graphs for upcoming TAs. Flipbook implementation leader. New TA procedures.
Supported program and project controls activities, by analyzing schedules, creating forecasts, and preparing executive reports to inform decisions.
MASTER SCHEDULER (CONSULTANT)
Innovative Management Solutions Houston, TX Dec 2018 - March 2019
Developed and maintained a Primavera P6 master schedule for a critical short-term project for Middough in Baytown, TX, including WBS structure, resources, special layouts, leveled and baselined, with measurable milestones, for a steel manufacturing program.
Established WBS and coding structures to improve planning accuracy and support project controls for consistent reporting. Performed resource loading, leveling, and baselining to optimize allocation and maintain integrity.
Produced schedule analyses, look-ahead plans, and management reports to inform decision-making and track progress with measurable outcomes.
Conducted critical-path reviews and variance investigations to identify schedule risks, recommending mitigation steps.
MASTER SCHEDULER
Mako Oilfield Services Houston, TX September 2018 - October 2018
Developed master schedules for deep-sea TransOcean drillship projects to improve delivery predictability and align resources for execution readiness. The projects included large deep-sea drillships (hull structure, rooms, decks, equip. install, compressors, generators, pumps, piping, tanks, navigation systems, HVAC, etc.).
Built integrated Primavera P6 schedules covering hull, mechanical, and systems installation to streamline sequencing and handover coordination.
Prepared project schedules for regional EPC oil and gas plant upgrades and a small pipeline scope to support execution planning and risk mitigation.
Supported proposals by supplying schedule logic, sequencing, and risk inputs to strengthen bid defensibility and execution readiness.
PROJECT CONTROLS MANAGER
Project and Turnaround Consultants Richmond, TX July 2017 – Feb. 2018
Was a partner leading project controls teams to deliver program schedules and cost forecasts, producing measurable improvements in delivery predictability.
Analyzed project management and controls issues and implemented tailored solutions to mitigate schedule and budget risks.
Designed and delivered executive-level reports and dashboards to clarify program performance for stakeholders.
Provided data-driven project controls insights to support client decision-making and guide program actions.
Evaluated complex project schedules to identify bottlenecks and instituted revised sequencing, yielding noticeable reductions in critical-path delays and clearer execution plans.
LEAD COST CONTROLS SPECIALIST
CDI Corporation Houston, TX June 2016 - June 2017
Led cost control functions for a pre-TA phase of LyondellBassell oil and gas Channelview $100MM refinery turnaround (TAR) and supported 9-year, $1.2 B program studies. Performed vital ad hoc $1.2 B 9-yr program estimate studies with multiple projects and an integrated P6 Master Schedule.
Did overall analyses the data (using Power BI), developed/implemented the PC plan, using SAP ERP data, doing BOD-level presentations for the Program Director. Managed estimating, budgeting, forecasting, and EAC processes across multiple projects to maintain financial clarity.
Developed a FULLY automated Project Controls Report (PCR) system using Excel VB macros to improve to improve control efficiency and accuracy, and decreasing reporting time from 6 hours to 10 minutes. Supported risk and changes to scope, schedule, and costs to minimize overall impacts.
Devised integrated forecasting templates to align multi-project timelines, enabling clearer trade-off decisions and smoother executive approvals.
Designed, established and maintained new consistent methods of Project Controls, ensuring that information provided and project status reports were produced efficiently and accurately. Built standardized dashboard views consolidating schedule and cost signals, accelerating decision cycles and improving transparency for sponsors.
SENIOR SCHEDULE CONSULTANT
Systech International Houston, TX January 2015 - January 2016
Provided schedule and project controls consulting for EPC/EPCM capital projects, supporting a $385MM Petrobras Lower Hull project in Brazil and $132MM Ledcor Shopping Center project in Canada.
Did Cost Control Management (incl. Budgeting, EVM, Forecasting), Risk Management, Mgt. of Change, Cash Management, PO Mgt, and performance assessments to improve forecasting accuracy and inform decisions.
Developed and managed integrated Primavera P6 and MS Project schedules to align milestones and resource allocations across engineering and construction.
Performed schedule audits, forensic analysis, and delay evaluations to identify root causes and support claims and mitigation.
Implemented a Recovery Action Plan for the Puma boiler construction project to restore performance and reduce schedule variance.
Supported cost control, risk management, and performance assessments to improve forecasting accuracy and inform decisions.
SENIOR PROJECT CONTROLLER
Progressive GE (Exterran) Houston, TX August 2014 - October 2014
Managed cost controls at Exterran, for $75MM international EPC capital projects, producing executive reports that supported decision-making. Got the data from Oracle SAP, analyzed it in Power BI, directed cost management, progress control, risk mgt., change mgt. (scope, resources, schedule, costs), forecasting, trending, reporting, EAC analysis, variance analysis, cash flow control, and development of a complex cost control system.
Directed budgeting, cost analysis, forecasting, trending, and variance reporting to improve budget accuracy for multi-discipline teams.
Supported risk and change management across multi-discipline project teams to reduce cost exposure and schedule disruption.
Prepared and delivered executive-level cost and performance reports that clarified project status and supported stakeholder alignment.
Project Controls CONSULTANT (Master Scheduler)
Ref-Chem, L.P. Houston, TX July 2014 - August 2014
Provided Primavera P6 master scheduling support for a critical international project (Williams Oak Grove Project, shale natural gas processing plant de-ethanizer), improving schedule visibility and stakeholder confidence.
Developed resource-loaded, leveled, and baselined master schedule to align staffing and budget forecasts with milestones, producing clearer forecast.
Established WBS structures and schedule coding standards to standardize planning and simplify cross-team schedule integration.
Delivered schedule analyses and planning support to stakeholders, enabling informed decisions and reducing schedule-related risks.
SENIOR PROJECT CONTROLS MANAGER
Faithful+Gould Houston, TX June 2012 - January 2014
Led oil and gas program and project controls within a global PMO, establishing standards, procedures, and governance frameworks.
Prepared check estimates, monthly reports, proposal/bid analysis, cost analysis, Primavera P6/P5 schedules (later used EcoSys proj. controls) change management (scope, resources, schedule, costs), risk mgt., policies, best practices, guidelines, procedures, QA/QC, forms, standards, and dashboards.
Developed and implemented project controls tools, automation, and best practices to improve cost, schedule, and performance visibility; designed an integrated turnaround (TA) cost estimating system.
Managed overall Program Controls functions (Cost Management, Master Scheduling, Risk Management, Progress Evaluation/EVM, Change Mgt.) for all 2012–2013 local refinery projects (expense & capital, $30–75MM).
Client congratulated us for an "extremely well-done and highly successful job". Developed a highly sophisticated semi-automated Integrated TA Cost Estimating tool in Excel/Visual Basic, now widely employed by the TAR group and considered as a "major achievement" by the client.
SENIOR PROJECT CONTROLS MANAGER
Mustang Engineering Houston, TX December 2011 - May 2012
Led project controls for three $125MM+ EPCM oilfield programs, aligning schedules and budgets across stakeholders to produce coherent program forecasts at Occidental Petroleum.
Managed MS Project scheduling, cost control, forecasting, and performance reporting to deliver accurate program-level trend analysis and financial forecasts.
Supervised and mentored project controls staff to standardize controls and improve reporting accuracy across multiple programs.
PMO MASTER PROGRAM SCHEDULER (EAST) / PROJECT CONTROLS MANAGER (WEST)
Global Consulting Group Richmond,VA / Bakersfield,CA Aug 2009 – Dec 2011
East Coast (at Capital One), Richmond, VA
Led program-level planning and master scheduling for a $250+MM Basel II Finance/IT portfolio with multiple projects, ensuring alignment of scope, schedule, and cost for executive decision-making.
Managed Earned Value, cost control, forecasting, and risk processes to maintain budget visibility and predictability across multiple programs.
Developed PMO standards, schedules, and executive reports to support client governance and improve portfolio transparency for Capital One and KSI Eng.
West Coast (at KSI Engineering), Bakersfield, CA
Performed full project controls for EPCM and EPC oil & gas projects totaling $125+MM, ensuring schedule integrity and rigorous cost control.
PMO SENIOR PROJECT CONTROLS ENGINEER
Engineering Technical Group (ETG) Bakersfield, CA Nov 2007 - Aug 2009
Managed project controls for EPC/EPCM oil and gas and renewable energy projects up to $350M, ensuring schedule, cost, and scope compliance with measurable results.
Developed and maintained Primavera P6 and MS Project schedules and EVM reports and SPI/WPI S-Curves, supporting Forecasting and Risk Management, for Chevron Refinery and LAX expansion, to support accurate forecasting and risk mitigation, enabling data-driven corrective actions, improving timeline accuracy for major milestones.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enforce corporate standards and optimize execution, improving project delivery consistency.
PROJECT CONTROLS ENGINEER
Jacobs Engineering Golden, CO May 2007 - October 2007
Managed cost engineering, forecasting, and reporting for multiple engineering large projects, ensuring budget adherence.
Developed and maintained EPC capital project schedules like the $240M Gobblers Knob/Pinedale LNG Compressor Station project using Primavera P5, including critical path analysis and resource planning.
Provided accurate EVM/CPI project performance metrics to support management progress decision-making, trend analysis, cost-time forecasts and risk mitigation.
PROJECT CONTROLS ENGINEER
Alutiiq Inc. Aurora, CO September 2005 - September 2006
Managed DoD projects including scheduling, budgeting, and EVM / EWM for $133+MM regional projects in all project phases, to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery.
Implemented Earned Value Management (EVM) processes to monitor cost and schedule variance and control project spend.
Prepared RFP estimates, cost forecasts, and maintained schedules and performance reports to identify risks and ensure client compliance.
PRESIDENT / SENIOR MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
LC Consultoria & Midsol Rio de Janeiro, Brazil August 1994 - January 2003
Provided business consulting and strategic planning for clients across multiple industries, driving operational efficiency and growth.
Managed financial planning, budgeting, and performance analysis to support informed decision-making.
Led cross-functional teams and client engagements, delivering actionable solutions and achieving business objectives.
Implemented performance tracking dashboards to monitor KPIs, enabling data-driven adjustments that drove steady progress toward client targets.
MARKETING AREA CHIEF
Petrobras Internacional (Braspetro) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Feb 92 - Jun 94
Turned a US$89M program deficit into a US$24M program profit by selecting high-return projects and reallocating marketing spend.
Developed and implemented global marketing strategies and evaluated investment projects to optimize portfolio performance.
Designed targeted product positioning for regional markets, leading to improved brand recognition and measurable gains in stakeholder engagement.
PLANNING DIRECTOR ASSESSOR
Petrobras Internacional (Braspetro) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Jan 1990 - Feb 1992
Led strategic planning and econometric modeling for international E&P projects, producing forecasts that clarified investment choices and drove measurable outcomes.
Supported capital allocation and risk analysis for major upstream investments, improving funding clarity and stakeholder decision confidence.
Evaluated project feasibility through scenario analysis and sensitivity testing, clarifying trade-offs and delivering actionable insights for investors.
SUBSIDIARIES BUDGET CONTROLLER
Petrobras Rio de Janeiro, Brazil April 1987 - December 1989
Controlled budgets totaling US$20B across subsidiaries, ensuring accurate allocations and regulatory compliance.
Established financial monitoring and reporting systems that improved governance and delivered measurable efficiency gains.
Spearheaded monthly consolidation of intercompany transactions to accelerate month-end close and strengthen accuracy of consolidated statements.
Developed forecasting templates and scenario models to anticipate cash needs, enabling proactive funding decisions and smoother liquidity management.
FINANCIAL-ECONOMIC PLANNING ANALYST
Petrobras Internacional (Braspetro) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil May 1985 - Apr1987
Performed strategic and financial planning for international exploration and production (E&P) projects, producing scenario models that guided investment decisions with measurable results.
Supported multi-country investment planning and performance evaluation.
LANGUAGES:
ENGLISH – Native, Portuguese – Native, Spanish – Proficient
CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:
Business Management, Project Management, Construction Safety,
Software Systems Engineering, Software Development
AWARDS & HONOR MEDALS (4.0 GPA)
President's List – MBA in Project Mgt/Exec. MBA, MS in Computer Science
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