Development & Project Brief

Question 1

What is the project brief?

Answer 1

Defines the client requirements and objectives for the project and creates a foundation for the successful delivery of the project.

• Agreed by all parties from the outset and regularly reviewed and updated
• They keep a project focused with clear definable outcomes
• Tool to measure the success of a project at various stages
• A concise summary of the client’s requirements
• Each project has specific drivers:

Question 2

What is included in the project brief?

Answer 2

• Background/scope
• Stakeholder/ownership
• Clients objective – T/C/Q
• Other requirements – spatial, technical, sustainability
• Outline business case
• Roles and responsibilities
• SWOT

Question 3

16. What is a project execution plan ?

Answer 3

A report setting the strategy for managing a project, describing roles and responsibilities and defining policies, procedures and priorities that will be adopted

Question 4

18. What are the stages to developing a brief

Answer 4

Statement of need
Strategic brief
Project brief

Question 5

What is the feasibility studies?

Answer 5

A feasibility study is used to analyse and assess the sustainability and viability of a construction project.

It identifies potential strengths and weaknesses to assist the client to make informed decision on whether to proceed to the next stage.

Question 6

Can you explain the main components of a feasibility study?

Answer 6

The main components of feasibility comprise of:
Planning Permission Status
Legal & Statutory Issues
Analysis of the budget relative to Client requirements
Site appraisal information includes geotechnical studies, ground contamination, availability of services, and environmental considerations
H&S Issues
Programme Considerations
Procurement Strategy (Traditional or transfer to third

Question 7

Who will prepare the project brief?

Answer 7

Typically it is the client team who will gather information and compile the project brief.
The consultant team will review the brief to assist with its development.
Site investigation may be a commission to identify further information required about the existing site then fed back into the breif

Question 8

What is room data sheets and when are they required?

Answer 8

The room data provides fixtures and finishes, furniture, M&E items for each room or area of the development.
They typically form part of the contract when confirming the client requirement for each room in detail to the main contractor/project team.

Question 9

Why is it important to have a Project Brief agreed from the outset?

Answer 9

1. Leads to design and programme certainty.
2. Scope and costs certainly from inception to closeout.
3. Teams understand the steps required to achieve the desired outcome.
4. Less ambiguity

Question 10

Why is it important to identify all the stakeholders from the beginning of the project?

And what could the potential impact be to the project if a stakeholder is omitted?

Answer 10

1. Increases confidence across the scheme
2. Minimise uncertainty
3. Speed up problem-solving and decision making
4. mitigate /de-risks the project and avoid delays
5. Take on board their need early and evaluate the impact
   If excluded, the Stakeholder will:
   - Not support the project
   - Demand unacceptable scope change which can affect, time, costs and quality of the project

Question 11

What are the common issues that arise when developing a project brief?

Answer 11

1. Client not knowing what they need
2. Lack of clear goals and success criteria
3. Budgeting
4. Inadequate skills
5. Inadequate risk management
6. Lack of accountability

Question 12

What are the current challenges that Covid-19 and/or Brexit brings to your Development / Project Briefs?

Answer 12

Development:
1. Programme Delay
2. Shortage of labour-skilled and unskilled.
3. Delay in procuring material/supplies
4. Cost increase/uncertainty/volatility in the market
Brief:
1. Project/programme delay
2. Project budget uncertainty
3. Hard to plan for the next 5 years (ever-changing world)

Question 13

How might a development brief be different to a project brief?

Answer 13

Development brief, if there is some planning development involved and project brief is not.

A development brief is prepared by agents or local authorise looking to find a development partner or dispose of a site

A project brief is an outline of the client’s requirements/objectives for the project.

Question 14

What’s included in a Terms of Reference (TOR) between Client and member of the project team?

Answer 14

TOR provide a statement of the background, objectives, and purpose of a proposed project. This document defines the activities to be done and indicate the issues, budget and expertise related to the project.

2. Defines roles and responsibilities/sets boundaries
3. Define the scope of work
4. Reporting requirements
5. Programme

Question 15

What is the difference between a business case and a project brief?

Answer 15

Business Case - Justification for undertaking the project. It evaluates the benefits, cost and risk alternative options and provides the rationale.

Project brief - Defines the client requirements and objectives for the project and creates a foundation for the successful delivery of the project.

Question 16

What are the components of a PEP?

Answer 16

• Scope
• Roles and responsibilities
• Comms plan
• Procurement strategy
• Risks
• Programme
• H&S
• Cost plan

Question 17

What is a business case?

Answer 17

The rationale behind the implementation of a project.

Question 18

24. What would you use to evaluate the key metrics in a project

Answer 18

Key performance indicator

Question 19

What is the importance of the Project Brief?

Answer 19

A clear project brief is the starting point for all projects. It gives the team direction and is a benchmark for the success of the development. It is vital to ensure that the team is working in the right direction.

Question 20

What is included in project documentation ?

Answer 20

PEP
Business plan
Budget
Communication plan
Governance strucutre
Issues log
Risk register
Project directory.

Question 21

What is typically included in a business plan ?

Answer 21

Executive summary
Background
Marketing strategy
Financial forecasts/ requirements
Risks and sensitivity analysis
SWOT

Question 22

When will a project brief be used over a development brief ?

Answer 22

Project brief- Details clients requirements but will be developed in stages.

Development brief- Instruction to planning consultant and reviewing planning policy and instruct consultants etc. Used to stimulate interest in a site.

Question 23

What is typically included in the project brief ?

Answer 23

Key milestones/ programme

Project scope and clients requirements

Key Performance Indicators

Risk Management

Time, cost and quality parameters

Identification of stakeholders- decision makers, impacted by project. External and External.

Information collation- Technical, site information, people

legal information such as statutory requirements

Reference to clients business case

Question 24

13. What did you include in your project brief in Dollis Valley Phase 4&%?

Answer 24

Project description
Site details
Budget
Ownership
Planning history/ relevant policies
Design requirements
Objectives and KPI
Programme
Operational/ functional requirements
Risk register
Site plan
Description of requirements
Estate Management