Topic: Design

Sustainability Playbook
By Myrna Rickards
November 12th 2024

No Planet B, so what can I do? Major Projects Sustainability Playbook

This playbook was crowdsourced by the Major Projects Association and KPMG to support project professionals in defining, procuring, designing, constructing and operating sustainable projects.

By Jonathan Norman
May 1st 2007

Is The Secret of Successful Projects in The Management of Design and Engineering Full Report

Major projects face many hazards that can jeopardise success if not managed skilfully. Some of the risks facing project managers are foreseeable, others come as nasty surprises. One of the most critical determinants of project outcome lies in the management of design and engineering, which should clearly be controlled by the project manager. However, this is an area where problems can be expected to afflict every major project.

With contributions from various industry sectors, including highways, space, oil and gas, nuclear submarines and construction, the seminar looked at factors involved in the management of design from the viewpoint of the different stakeholders involved in a project. There were presentations on the ways in which design teams are drawn together, organised and managed, the influence of contractual relationships, and the importance of early and effective investment in design briefs and front-end engineering.

By Jonathan Norman
January 30th 2007

The Application of Technology in Managing Demand Full Report

The application of technology in managing the demand for finite resources is increasing all the time. Since needs cannot be met simply by increasing supply, a more sophisticated approach is required, whereby modern technology is used to limit demand for a service or to increase the yield of an asset. This need to manage demand applies not only to scarce resources such as raw materials, but also to public services such as roads, rail and health.

Presentations included case studies featuring the application of technology in managing and influencing demand in a range of different projects and industries – rail, waste management and air traffic control, and an overview of the scope and scale of IT when brought to bear on demand.

By Jonathan Norman
November 17th 2000

The Jubilee Line Extension Full Report

The Jubilee Line Extension was the largest piece of infrastructure installed in London since the Victoria Line, 40 years previously.

By Jonathan Norman
September 28th 2000

18th Annual Conference – The Client/Designer Interface Full Report

Getting the client/designer interface right is an essential first step to project success. Get it wrong, and you will be throwing valuable resources at clarifying the requirements after detailed design has started, working in a culture of blame or ending up with a project that does not function adequately. Against a background of changing procurement practices, the briefing process must be continuing, collaborative and meticulously managed.

Speakers drew on experience of projects in construction, defence and IT to suggest how the interface is best managed. Participants brought their own wider experience to bear on the questions and the results of a questionnaire survey, conducted at the conference, show their priorities for good interface management.

By Jonathan Norman
May 28th 1997

Tsing Ma Bridge Full Report

The Tsing Ma Bridge provided a critical link for the new Hong Kong airport. It’s inception was clouded by the negotiations around the future of Hong Kong, which meant that, when the time came, it needed to be completed against a very tight timetable to be ready prior to the handover to China.

By Jonathan Norman
April 22nd 1996

Surfing the Private Finance Initiative Full Report

Since its inception the Private Finance Initiative has been controversial; praised by some and condemned by others. This seminar looked at one particular PFI project: HM Prison, Parc in Bridgend.

By Jonathan Norman
December 5th 1994

Sizewell B: A Case Study Full Report

This seminar documented the progress of the development of Sizewell B; design, project management, contracting, commissioning and beyond.

By Jonathan Norman
February 13th 1989

Why Design? The Role of Design in Major Projects Full Report

The role, value, contribution and management of the designer on a major project.

By Jonathan Norman
December 5th 1985

Why Major Projects go Wrong Full Report

An early look at project organisation, contracting, changing scope, dispute resolution, design and initiation, and what goes wrong.