Development / Project Briefs

Question 1

How is the project brief produced?

Answer 1

The project brief is produced by the PM. It will evolve through the project brief stage and the concept design stage with the benefit of information gained from consultants through ongoing design development.

Question 2

Who should receive the project brief?

Answer 2

The project brief should be received by the Design Team

Question 3

What is typically contained within a project brief?

Answer 3

A description of the client
Site Information 
Spatial requirements
Technical Requirements 
Project requirements such as phasing, stakeholders,

Question 4

When should the Project Brief be frozen?

Answer 4

The project brief should be frozen at the end of the concept design stage and change control procedures introduced to prevent further changes without appropriate justification and authorisation.

Question 5

What are the employer’s requirements?

Answer 5

Typically produced on a Design and Build project whereby the Client provides their requirements for the contractor to design

Question 6

What are critical success factors?

Answer 6

Critical Success Factors are the areas of a project that are vital to its success.

Question 7

How should a project brief be interrogated?

Answer 7

Using the Time, Cost and Quality triangle

Question 8

How did you prioritise the client’s needs?

Answer 8

• Having regular communication with the Client and Stakeholders to understand their needs
• Working closely with the design team to make sure the design theme was maintained
• Made sure the live environment wasn’t impacting on BAU.

Question 9

What were the key risks to the Project?

Answer 9

• Buildings Department Approvals
• Lack of As built drawings
• live environment providing access issues
• Covid
• Political Unrest

Question 10

How did you state the client’s required cost, time and performance/quality expectations on the Halo Project Brief?

Answer 10

This was done through numerous workshops with the Client and Consultant team. The asset had exceeded the typical depreciation life span (15 years) which meant the Client had valid justification for its replacement.

This provided a platform where the Client could stipulate their requirements on the performance of the sign and consultants advise on the cost and time impact.

Question 11

How did you establish any known risks with the Halo Project?

Answer 11

As with my previous experience with the Kitchen project, there were no accurate as built drawing records for the Halo signage at the BD department. This provided uncertainty and risk

Question 12

How did you assess the Clients appetite for Risk on the Halo?

Answer 12

We were provided with some previous structural reports which were only 12 months old. This project was initiated not long after the T10 Typhoon in 2018. I advised the Client that new assessments would be required as a precautionary measure.

Question 13

What goes into a Project Execution Plan? (PEP)

Answer 13

• Project Background / Definition
• Project Tolerances
• Organisational Chart
• Key Roles and Responsibilities
• Meeting Schedule
• Project Controls (Reporting, Approvals, Change Control, Invoicing)
• Communication
• Health & Safety

Question 14

How would you develop the success measurement criteria and benefits of a project to a client?

Answer 14

Through the briefing process.

Question 15

What is a Residual Valuation?

Answer 15

• A financial appraisal of a development to calculate the residual site value.
• Deducting all development costs, including an allowance for the developer’s profit/return, from the scheme’s total capital value.

Question 16

What is a Development Appraisal?

Answer 16

• This is a method of assessing the profitability of a project.

Question 17

What is sensitivity analysis?

Answer 17

Changing variables such as yield, rent and inflation to ascertain whether the project will still be profitable in different market conditions.

Question 18

What is the difference between a development appraisal and a feasibility report?

Answer 18

Development appraisal is focused on costs and profitability.

Feasibility report - will look at the detail of the design proposal, it’s likelihood to get through planning, the viability of the programme and suitability of budget and contingencies in relation of the perceived risks of the project.