the newsletter of tbd consultants - edition 4, 4th qtr 2006
						Printable PDF version Subscribe to our newsletter In this Edition Strategic Planning Uniformat II TBD Bid Index Work Breakdown Structure Microsoft Office 2007
		Construction Management Specialists 111 Pine Street, Suite 1315 San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 981-9430 www.TBDconsultants.com
		Strategic Planning Tony Vallance Public and private institutions and corporations alike need to plan carefully for any investment or venture. Each has a legal, moral and, in many cases, fiduciary responsibility to its constituents, investors, stakeholders and/or user groups. There is an old military saying that ‘Prior proper planning prevents pitiful poor performance’. It applies in any forum and it is particularly apt in the area of facility delivery and management. Strategic planning is an important precursor to all of programming, design, construction and commissioning. Planning may involve any or all of the following:- market analysts, land acquisition professionals, financial analysts, legal counsel, land planners, programmers, architects, engineers, interior designers, contractors, operations consultants and facility managers. For some organizations the role of strategic planning may be an in-house staff function. For some it will be out-sourced. The work of strategic planning will necessitate the ability to work directly with building owners of all descriptions, and possibly leading multi-disciplinary groups in assembling and analyzing information. It may involve conducting brainstorming sessions to evaluate alternative facility approaches. This evaluation can include operational, organizational and financial considerations, to determine facility location, size and functional attributes. It can also explore alternative project delivery systems, schedules and budgets. Every project involves risk, and construction projects certainly have their fair share. Some of the more obvious ones include market conditions affecting prices, delays in delivery of materials, shortages in the labor supply, and a subcontractor going into liquidation. What strategies can you take to mitigate these risks? The strategic planning consultant is there to help building owners make those decisions. Once the main path to be followed has been chosen, then there are decisions to be made on many different construction options, such as using a steel or concrete frame for a new building, or selecting between different HVAC options. So, ideally the strategic planner should have available experts at evaluating construction and other associated costs, and using life cycle costing to compare the long-term costs of alternates. Being ecologically responsible is becoming more important these days, and it can be advantageous having LEED accredited professionals that are trained in evaluating ‘green’ building techniques and options, and helping the owner determine what LEED Rating (if any) might be aimed for within the budget. LEED ratings can apply to new or existing buildings, and to the ongoing use of a building. In summary, strategic planning sets the stage and gives direction to the following phases of the project.
		Uniformat II What is the format that CSI recommends for early estimates and for outline specifications? It is not Masterformat, but the building element system known as Uniformat II. Click the link below to find what this format is about and why it is recommended.
		The TBD Bid Index Last quarter we introduced the TBD Bid Index - what has happened in the bidding market since then? Click the link below to see the updated TDB Bid Index.
		WBS - Work Breakdown Structure What is a Work Breakdown Structure, and what would you use one for? Are they just for scheduling? How would you put together such a structure. Click the link below to read about Work Breakdown Structures.
		Geoff’s IT Gems Microsoft Office 2007 We've all grown comfortable with the Microsoft Office suite over the years, but a new version is coming out next year with a brand new look. What can you expect? What has changed? Geoff has been trying out the beta version of the new suite, and you can read his review of Microsoft Office 2007 by clicking the link below.
		Design consultant: Katie Levine of Vallance, Inc.