Development / Project Briefs

Question 1

Briefing Documents

Answer 1

Briefing documents are crucial to project success as they describe the requirements for which the design provides the solution, made up of:

1. Statement of need
2. Strategic brief/outline project brief
3. Feasibility studies
4. Project brief
5. Project execution plan

Question 2

What might you append the brief to?

Answer 2

• The contract

* Appointment documents

Question 3

Statement of Need

Answer 3

• First attempt to describe the possible requirements of the project, which may be used as the basis of appointment for independent client advisers
• Describes possible client requirements in very early stages before a project is merited, may include:
• A description of the business need which may result in a project
• An assessment of how it will affect corporate strategy
• Analysis of high level options e.g. do something, do nothing, new build, refurbish, extend, change use
• Describes client nature and operations
• Assumed existing building information
• Assumed programme, cost and quality expectations

Question 4

Strategic Brief

Answer 4

• Describes client requirements in sufficient detail to allow appointment and scope of consultants
• Then developed further with benefit of comments made by consultants to allow feasibility studies to be done
• Important that strategic brief remains a client document, ‘owned’ by the client, setting out the client’s requirements and bought into throughout the client organisation
• The designer’s view of what the client wants is the design, not the strategic brief, this includes:
• Client’s mission, objectives and vision
• Triggers for change and future proofing
• Comparable facilities which set the standard
• KPIs, sizes, dimensions, capacities, BCO spec etc.
• Technical requirements
• Project programme, milestones and phasing requirements
• Transport and access strategy
• Durability, lifespan and flexibility requirements

Question 5

Feasibility Studies

Answer 5

• Preliminary studies undertaken in very early stages of a project
• Establish whether project is viable and establish feasible options
• Various stakeholders, statutory authorities and other third parties may need to be consulted
• Assists in development of other project documentation e.g. business case, PEP, strategic brief

Question 6

What’s included in a PEP?

Answer 6

• Project Description & Details
• Communication Protocols
• Project Roles & Responsibilities
• Design & Financial Management
• Change & Risk Management
• Progress Reporting Structure

Question 7

Project Brief

Answer 7

The brief should capture the following elements as a minimum requirement; project stakeholders; key deliverables; budget; programme; quality obligations