The degree to which capital planning and design activities “work” depends on the Owner’s vision, ability to communicate that vision, and consistency throughout the facility project lifecycle. Other key members of the project delivery team – the designer, the builder, and the project manager – are frequently evaluated by the success of the construction effort. But an honest evaluation of the success of the project begins and ends with the facility Owner and their commitment to the planning and design processes that are the most influential leading indicators of a successful project. From an Owner’s Representative perspective, some of the greatest challenges to project delivery effectiveness arise when dealing with changing Owner requirements after construction has started. Risk identification and mitigation strategies require the Owner’s buy-in and commitment to lead the rest of the project delivery team in the right direction and not to change that direction without revisiting the planning and design inputs to construction. Key factors to success include identifying levels of authority and governance, processes and roles in effective decision making, and active engagement by end users in the planning and design processes - and each of these are driven by the Owner. When facility project planning and design processes both include realistic inclusion of risks and effective mitigation strategies and the Owner remains committed to avoiding changes based on preference, the project can overcome execution obstacles and deliver – it “works”.
Core Competencies: Strategic Planning; Construction Management; Design; Equipment Planning
AIA Course Number: 2024.04.008
AIA CEU = 1 LU