Time is the one resource on a project that, once lost, you can never get back. Here are the 5 actions which we take to ensure that your project finishes on time:

1. We make sure that everybody on the project is made conscious of the importance of doing things on time - so that they can provide the right resources for timely completion.
2. We start with the programmme; initially with little detail and a lot of assumptions about what may go wrong! We allow time for the things which we cannot foresee now. As we learn more about the project, we put the new detail in the project and replace our assumptions with accurate forecasts of the time required for each activity.
3. We consult widely so that every party gets to see what they need to provide to others - and crucially what information they will need (and from whom) so that they can do their job on time.
4. We produce very clear information on the programme - which is computer aided - and we encourage people to “shout” if they do not understand it.
5. We resist change to scope of the works strongly (particularly during construction), so that delays are avoided.

If we stick to these 5 actions, in our experience, the project can be completed on time.

It is vital that a project is completed within the budget. Here are the 7 actions which take to make sure that this happens:

1. In the first few days of a project we establish what we the Client wants and the programme within which it is required - these are the two main drivers of cost.
2. As the design develops, we discuss the content of the project with the designers and test their confidence in the adequacy of their design.
3. We also discuss the state of the design with the Quantity Surveyor and ascertain their confidence in the adequacy of their costs.
4. Before it goes to tender, we take the designers and quantity surveyors through a lengthy checklist designed to establish whether there are any gaps or exclusions - these are usually items on which there are options about who does the design.
5. Assuming that we find gaps or exclusions, we ask the team to establish a cost for each of them.
6. Having completed this exercise, the only thing that remains to be done is to add a contingency sum for things that are “unforeseen and unforeseeable”.
7. As the project progresses, we maintain strong discipline on cost control.

If we stick to these 7 actions, in our experience, the project can be completed within budget.

We like to prepare a project brief in conjunction with our Clients. 

This means that you have the benefit of expressing what you want, while bringing our experience of other projects into play.  We can help you to avoid errors or omissions from the outset. 

Here are the four main actions we take to ensure that your project starts in the right way: 

1. In our opinion, a brief is not something which should be done by the Client in isolation.  We have informal sessions with you to ensure that the brief is heading in the right direction. 
2. Where necessary we can bring in other people with the right experience to help with the brief.  This may be the Architect, Engineers or a Contractor. 
3. We attempt to find the essence of a project so that you can identify what you are trying to achieve rather than how you are going to do it.  This allows you to take account of changes to ways of working and advances in technology. 
4. We then bring the brief together by ensuring that the Client and the Design Team discuss the detail to check that it is sound in all respects. 

If we stick to these 4 actions, in our experience, the project can start in the right way.