3. Parties to a Project & Introduction to Planning Flashcards
What is the definition of the promoter?
The body of persons who have a need for a particular solution to a problem. The completed project is the eventual solution and will, hopefully, fulfil the needs the promoter expects of it.
What are the aims and responsibilities of the promoter?
The promoter of a project has certain aims and responsibilities which can be summarised as:
Aims:
>To obtain the best economic solution to a problem whilst
>Bearing the safety of all who work on the project, at any stage in its cycle, in mind without
>Compromising unnecessarily the environment in which the project takes place.
Responsibilities:
>To identify the needs and satisfy itself that the project will serve these needs
>To define the nature and functions of the project
>To obtain any statutory powers necessary for the construction and operation of the project
>To (usually) operate the project at completion; and
>To (usually) find the money to pay for the design and construction work
What is the definition of the project management team?
The project management team simply interprets the promoter’s requirements and implements the project. The promoter will have the need but not always the expertise or manpower to evaluate the best means of satisfying the need. They may not, also, have the managerial experience to convert the optimal solution into physical terms. The role of the project management team (PMT) within a project is:
>to develop the promoter’s requirements by using PMT experience to achieve the optimal solution, and
>to manage the finally defined project on behalf of the client to ensure that the objectives advised to the client as being achievable are actually implemented
What is the role of the project manager?
The job of a project manager is to foresee as many dangers as possible. Then to plan organise and control activities in such a way that risks are avoided or countered leading to a final result that satisfies the requirements of the project sponsor. Doing this without using more money and resources than those that were included in the budget. The tasks they perform: >Ensure achievement of Project Objectives >Control costs >Control schedule >Lead people and teams >Liaise with promoter >Liaise with contractor >Measure and report on progress
What is the role of the project team?
Because of the complexity of the average project it is impractical for the project manager to control it on their own. They need a team of people also dedicated to the task in hand. The composition and organisation of the project team and the working location of its members will depend upon the particular project, its size and siting, the contract strategy proposed and the experience and resources of the other project parties involved.
What is the definition of the designer?
The designer of an engineering project has various duties, the extent of which depends on the type of contract that is used in the execution of the project. At the simplest level, the designer will provide only an outline design for a project promoter, for example the route of a road and perhaps it’s vertical alignment. At the other end of the scale, the designer will undertake all design duties for the promoter as well as supervise the construction of the project, authorise changes to the design and manage the necessary payment details.
What are the aims and responsibilities of the designer?
Aims:
>Produce a design that will achieve the promoter’s objectives, including requirements for minimum cost and environmental sensitivity. Responsibilities:
>To undertake feasibility studies on the project and report and advise the promoter on its findings
>To develop design options and advise the promoter
>To obtain any necessary approvals and consents
>To define the next stages in the project
>To prepare contract documents such as specifications, bills of quantities and contract drawings
>To advise the promoter on the correct choice of contractor
>To technically supervise the construction work
>To measure, value and authorise payment for the completed works
What is the definition of the contractor?
Contractors are companies which specialise in the mobilisation and control of labour, plant and materials and in the planning, programming and execution of construction works.
What are the types of contractor?
It is very common for contractors to ‘sub-let’ or ‘sub-contract’ certain specialist items of work to smaller companies who have a greater experience in particular types of work. In such instances, the contractor is known as the Main Contractor and the specialist as the Sub-Contractor. In certain cases a Sub-Contractor may be ‘nominated’ which means that the promoter or designer has stipulated that only that company is to provide specific items of work. The contractor may also be responsible for the design of the project: in the case of the offshore industry, this is usually the case. Civil engineering contractors will rarely carry out design ‘in-house’ i.e. by the contractor’s own staff; they will usually, if required to design the project, engage the services of civil and structural consulting engineers.
What are the aims and responsibilities of the contractor?
Aims: >To provide a quality project >On time and within budget >Safely and with consideration to the environment >To maximise profit
Responsibilities:
>To appoint staff and mobilise labour, plant and materials
>To design the works (if required under the contract)
>To (usually) insure the construction works until completion
>To provide a plan and programme of construction for approval by the promoter or project manager
>To design and construct temporary works
>To supervise sub-contractors
What is the definition of the operating company?
Not all promoters of projects will eventually operate the project once construction is complete. This task may be carried out by a number of alternative bodies depending on the requirements of the promoter. Possible operating companies may be:
>Separate, an independent company employed by the promoter to run the project on their behalf. This company may or may not be involved with the maintenance of the completed project, the exact details would be contained in the contract or service agreement between promoter and company.
>The contractor may be required to operate and maintain the project. If this is the case, the details would be set out in the original contract established for the construction of the project. Examples of this set up are the privately financed infrastructure projects in the UK.
>The promoter may operate the project; this may be a separate division of the promoter’s organisation.
