DEVELOPMENT PROJECT BRIEFS

Question 1

Tell me about the key objectives of a development/project brief you have been involved with.

Answer 1

Little Kelham/Kelham Central/Alms-houses/Guildhall

Define the Project Scope and Objectives

Establish Requirements

Set Clear Deliverables and Timelines, KPIS

Risk Management

Facilitate Effective Stakeholder Communication - i.e. with QS, Engineer, BC

Question 2

What essential site details would you want to include in a development/project brief?

Answer 2

Physical Characteristics.

Access & Connectivity.

Existing Structures & Services: Buildings, utilities, and infrastructure.

Constraints & Opportunities.

Environmental requirements.

Question 3

How do project and development briefs differ.

Answer 3

Project Briefs are detailed documents focused on the execution of a specific project, with client requirements.

Development Briefs provide a broader, strategic framework, will often detail the need for compliance with planning legislation for example.

Question 4

Tell me about potential third party stakeholders involved in a brief.

What environmental features and issues would you consider?

Answer 4

LPA (planning), Utilities, Community Groups, Building Control, Engineers.

Consider topography, contamination, sustainable technology.

Question 5

Tell me about your understanding of the consultation process.

What legal issues may impact upon a brief?

Answer 5

Stakeholders, such as local planning authorities, environmental agencies, community groups, and utility providers, to gather feedback.

Planning, easements, restrictive covenants.

Question 6

Give me one key factor relating to the planning policy background which would impact upon a brief.

Answer 6

Policies as set out in the local plan. This may include specific density/design standards, part M4 requirements, NDSS, specific surveys and considerations such as wind/fire risk assessment.

Question 7

What are the key types of disposal arrangements?

Answer 7

Sale of individual units

Sale as investments

Letting

Question 7

What key milestones might be found in a brief?

How do you set out a programme for a brief?

Answer 7

Project kick-off, completion of design phases, submission of planning applications, securing necessary approvals, commencement of construction, and project completion.

Question 8

How do market conditions impact upon a brief?

Answer 8

Design based on demand, influencing budget and financing due to economic trends, and adjusting strategies in response to property values and competitor activity.

Question 9

How can an ineffective brief impact upon the remainder of a project?

Answer 9

An ineffective brief can lead to misaligned objectives, costly design changes, delays, and potential project failures due to unclear requirements and expectations.

Question 10

How can a brief be used to measure the success of a project?

Answer 10

A brief can be used to measure project success by providing clear criteria for evaluating if the project meets its objectives, adheres to scope, stays within budget, and is completed on schedule.

Question 11

How can you set out the duties of a team within a brief?

Answer 11

By clearly defining each team member’s roles and responsibilities, specifying deliverables, deadlines, and expectations, and outlining how their tasks contribute to the overall project objectives.

Question 12

Tell me about your understanding of the CDM Regulations 2015.

Answer 12

Ensures H&S in construction by:

• Defining roles
• Requiring risk management plans
• Promoting coordination among clients,
  designers, and contractors.

Question 13

Who are the principal contractors and what are their duties?

Answer 13

To manage and coordinate all construction work on a project; their duties include:

• H&S on site
• Developing and implementing a
  construction phase plan
• Coordinating between contractors and
  workers to manage risks effectively

Question 14

What is a SSIP assessment and why is this important?

Answer 14

(Safety Schemes in Procurement) assessment evaluates a company’s health and safety management systems to ensure they meet industry standards;

Question 14

What are the key considerations when appointing designers/contractors?

Answer 14

• Experience and qualifications
• Compliance with health and safety
• Track record of delivering projects on time
  and within budget
• Financial stability
• Approach to project management and
  communication.

Question 15

What is a party wall notice?

Answer 15

A party wall notice is a formal notification required under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Informing neighbouring property owners of proposed construction work that may affect a shared wall, boundary, or structural elements, allowing them the opportunity to consent or object.

Question 16

What stages of the RIBA plan cover the project brief?

Answer 16

Stage 0: Strategic Definition – Establishing the project’s initial requirements and feasibility.

Stage 1: Preparation and Brief – Developing the project brief, including defining objectives & scope.

Question 17

Tell me about how you have analysed gathered information/data for a brief.

Answer 17

St Marys Guildhall

Analysed potential options for the redevelopment of the guildhall. I completed market analyses to understand the demand for tenures. This was briefed to an architect.

Question 18

Tell me about when you have produced a risk analysis

Answer 18

Included planning permission delays, construction hazards, budget, appointments/contracts

Question 19

How have you integrated a project within an over-arching programme of delivery, including understanding strategic parameters and dependencies?

Answer 19

Aligning it with strategic objectives, identifying key dependencies

Coordinating timelines and resources to align with wider programmes

Question 20

Kelham Central, Sheffield

Explain the term PEP.
What was the nature of the project and your role at Kelham Central?

Answer 20

Outlining the strategy, processes, resources, and timelines necessary to successfully deliver a project.

I worked in the development team to manage the overall delivery of schemes. This would include managing the stakeholders / consultants, holding relevant people to account.

Question 21

St Marys Guildhall, Lincoln

Explain the nature and status of the heritage asset here?

What was your instruction?

Tell me about the local authorities duty in relation to historic buildings? How did you ensure your advice was sensitive to this?

Answer 21

The building was a grade 2 listed heritage asset.

The instruction was to complete a feasibility study on the restoration of the building, considering various options.

The authority had a duty to protect the building and restore this in line with their planning policy. This was considered in our review of options.

Question 22

What is a Project Brief?

Answer 22

A brief can be thought of as a way to ensure the client receives the right project.

“the output of the concept phase of a project or programme”

Question 23

Kelham Central

What were the key areas to include in the project brief?

Did any complications arise which changed the time scales identified?

Answer 23

Organisational structure

Planning requirements (site surveys etc)

Scheme budget and fee breakdown

Project risks

Clients requirements (design, landscaping)

Delivery delay, due to air tightness cause knock on affect to phasing. Design of next phase also pushed back.

Question 24

St Marys Guildhall

What did you include in your project brief?

What was the outcome in terms of your advice on potential uses?

Answer 24

Should be anchored around a community focus with general public access.

I was also able to advise that the addition of incorporating holiday lets into the building would add significant financial value but would occur at the detriment of the building
operating as an unrestricted community heritage asset with openness to the general public.

Question 25

What is a statement of need ?

Answer 25

The statement of need is a concise and coherent statement, supported by evidence, on why the project needs to be undertaken