Managing Projects Flashcards
How do you typically go about being the focal point of the projects you are involved with?
I will arrange weekly project meetings, I will report directly into the client with regular project updates.
How does your management approach for the main contractor and design team typically differ?
I would generally be slightly more authoritative with a main contractor at the outset of the project. I would still adopt a paternalistic leadership approach.
How is the project brief an important management tool?
I will refer back to the project brief at regular junctures throughout the project. This will help me ensure that the project is being progressed in compliance with key client requirements.
How do business drivers impact a project brief?
Key business principles, i.e. sustainability aspirations, would be reflected in the project brief to ensure these are addressed as part of the design development.
Do you typically receive a cost estimate at the end of each RIBA stage?
Yes, the project quantity surveyor would prepare a cost report at the end of each RIBA stage.
What information is typically included within a cost estimate?
A schedule of the works due to be completed as part of the project with a cost associated to each item.
Why is a cost estimate useful for a client?
It allows them to make informed decision relevant to scoping.
How did you go about managing this VE process?
I would arrange a sequence of meetings where the design team review the current design and assess alternate materiality / build approaches can reduce cost.
Did this VE process run in tandem with RIBA stage 4 design?
Yes, the VE process aligned with the Stage 4 design.
How did you prevent the value engineering process resulting in abortive works and programme delay?
I worked with the design team to highlight areas targeted for VE early on in the stage 4 design process. The design for the areas was then pushed to the back end of the design programme by the professional team to prevent abortive works.
Could you please define value engineering?
A Review of the current proposals from a materiality / buildability perspective to identify opportunities for cost saving.
What was the role of the quantity surveyor in the VE process?
The quantity surveyor would review VE opportunities highlighted by the team and provide the cost reduction generated by pursuing these.
Why was it important that the VE did not comprise of key design elements?
This would lead to abortive works and additional fees for the client to have to pay.
How did you go about making a request for contractors to propose VE options as part of the tender?
This would be included within the employer’s requirements preliminaries. This would also be reinforced through the tender queries.
How were the contractor’s value engineering opportunities assessed?
These were reviewed by the project team and touched on within the contractor interviews. These would be factored into contractor selection.
How did you ensure the contractors suggestions were viable?
By review with the project team pre-contract.
Why was the AV mock-up undertaken during the construction phase and not during design?
The availability of the materials to create the mock-up. In addition the client wanted this to be procured under the construction contract.
IntegratingMock-up in a mock-up room too, construction required.
Do mock-ups simply invite post contract change?
Mock-up’s allow for the design to be developed in accordance with the employer’s requirements.
It does present an opportunity for change however it mitigates risk against abortive works and late instruction for change.
Was the client aware of the potential ramifications of rejecting the mock-up prior to making this decision?
Yes, I made my client aware that it may incur additional money / time if a change was made from the specified product.
Was it not the contractor’s responsibility find an alternative design solution following the rejection of the AV mock-up?
Given the AV consultants specialised knowledge of this area, knowledge of the client requirements it was felt they would be best placed to work with the contractor to identify alternative products.
