Development / Project Briefs

Question 1

Why is it important to have a project brief agreed from the outset?

Answer 1

To shape the project, and to identify its vision and outputs

Ideally, this information will be provided completely and concisely by the client. However, a project manager should ensure that the appropriate information is drawn out from the client and is effective and detailed enough to inform the project.

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Reduced satisfaction, increased conflict, decreased support, damaged relationships, and impaired performance potential repercussions for not meeting the correct compliance

Question 3

How might a development brief differ from a project brief?

Answer 3

The purpose of development briefs are to stimulate interest in projects, whilst project briefs influence the form that a desired project might take

Question 4

What are terms of engagement

Answer 4

A written record of the agreement between the client and the firm, in order to avoid doubt and confusion

Question 5

What is a business case

Answer 5

Information necessary to enable approval & authorisation when assessing a project proposal in order to reach a reasoned decision

Question 6

What is your understanding of a stakeholder?

Answer 6

Any group or individual who can affect or is affected by a project/activity/risk.

Question 7

What is a PEP?

Answer 7

Project execution plan.

Purpose is to detail and communicate the processes and procedures that will be used to deliver a project.

Question 8

Typically, what information might be included within a PEP?

Answer 8

Project definition/objectives, project team, project scope, processes and procedures (and responsibilities) for different workstreams

Question 9

At what stages of the project might a PEP be developed?

Answer 9

Stage 1 - and then reviewed at each stage thereafter.

Question 10

Explain how the exposed services rule book was an interpretation of the brief?

Answer 10

Client requested exposed services as part of the design brief

Important that the practicalities of these were assessed before rolling out on a large scale

Question 11

How did you undertake the benchmarking of installation to ensure it was compliant with the brief?

Answer 11

Reviewed consultant specifications

Brief subcontractor supervisors and operatives

Prepared a benchmark schedule in line with programme

Engaged with consultants and clients for on-site review and supported by EDMS paperwork

Question 12

How did you ensure that the rule book you created was signed off formally?

Answer 12

I create the documentation

Internal review then uploaded onto project EDMS system

Client team review and provide comment/approval

Question 13

How did you ensure that your supply chain complied with the rule book?

Answer 13

Quality hold points

Pauses for Quality

QA review

Workforce interaction and clarification

Question 14

How was quality assessed?

Answer 14

Project quality plan

Quality audits

Upstream quality hold points and regular inspections (void closures, key milestones)

Question 15

Why did you use an MDF template on the W&C project

Answer 15

Allowed visualisation of the ceiling system

Provided setting out information to a number of trades and enabled independent install

Question 16

What were the particular difficulties with the specialist ceiling in order to meet the clients brief and requirements?

Answer 16

Coordination of specialist lighting track systems (long lead time), installation sequence, coordination of services above and maintenance accessibility, suspended ceiling curvature

Question 17

On BT, why had the subcontractor installing the Unistrut not also created the mock up?

Answer 17

It was the same subcontractor company, but different operatives. It was clear that the operatives had not been briefed on the approved mock up. It was not possible to have the same team who installed the mock up to fulfill all Unistrut requirements on the project due to the scale and programme of the works.

Question 18

What was your advice on the interface between the Unistrut and acoustic spray?

Answer 18

Unistrut had to be installed first

Unistrut then protected by masking tape

Acoustic spray follows

If acoustic spray was installed first then the rib deck would be covered, and the rib deck would need to be re-exposed to identify fixing points.

Question 19

Were there any issues with the installation not meeting quality standards and brief? If so, how did you advise for these to be resolved?

Answer 19

Yes - this compounded with a potential programme issue too as the Unistrut completion was linked to the commencement of acoustic spraying.

I advised the subcontractor to review the benchmarked installation within the mock up area so they could visually understand and appreciate the brief.