Illustrative example

Project review
decision brief

An example of how a project review is presented for a client decision. The issues and recommendations below are illustrative.

Review focus

Readiness for the next construction commitment

Decision required: agree the verification work and responsibilities needed before dates, scope and cost assumptions are relied on.

01 / Programme

Review question: Does the programme connect design, approvals, procurement, construction and handover, with an evidenced critical path?
Management assessment: A completion date needs to be tested against the information, resources and approvals required to achieve it. The implications for consultant periods and time-related costs also need to be understood.
Recommendation: Agree a planning brief and commission the required programme reconciliation. Review the completion forecast with the planner and commercial team before adopting it as the project baseline.
Client decision: Approve the scope and authority for that work, with an agreed route for accepting the resulting baseline.

02 / Appointments

Review question: Do the consultant and contractor scopes allocate each deliverable, interface and required professional responsibility?
Management assessment: Gaps and overlaps need to be reconciled before the team can be directed against a reliable brief. Changes may affect fees, resource requirements and programme.
Recommendation: Prepare a scope and responsibility assessment, agree the required specialist input and coordinate appointment changes with the relevant commercial and legal advisers.
Client decision: Confirm the proposed responsibility allocation and authorise the agreed appointment actions.

03 / Commercial position

Review question: Are cost plans, commitments, remaining scope, consultant fees and programme assumptions consistent?
Management assessment: The client needs to understand which amounts are committed, which are allowances and what remains to be assessed. Programme changes and exclusions can alter the reported exposure.
Recommendation: Agree the commercial review brief with the appointed quantity surveyor and finance team, reconcile the information and record assumptions requiring a decision.
Client decision: Agree the basis on which the commercial position will be reviewed, reported and approved.

This example demonstrates the reporting approach. It contains no live client records or project-specific financial information.