FAQ’s

• We pre-emptively address key aspects of the project with design, and evaluation such that known issues are not deferred into the Construction phase of the project.
• We can provide Engineering estimates to know costs going in prior to bid.
• We enforce the drawings and specifications with tight specifications (meaning specifically specified equipment and/or actions that are required on the project) rather than more open specifications.
• We identify and utilize bid alternates to help manage construction dollars available.
• We do not change our team between design and construction. The team members that developed the design are involved with the construction & administration to the extent possible.
• We work collaboratively with team members to define potential changes as necessary to the project, a benefit/added element to the project.
• We listen and understand the budget of the project, define project goals, and indicate where budgetary pressures may exist.
  • We define Owner’s Project Requirements which can be done formally, or informally whereas we develop the list of requirements the project must achieve. This is a tool the Client can then utilize and circulate for buy-off from stakeholders. *

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• Our principal engineers are involved with the evaluation of the existing conditions, each design member has hands-on knowledge of the facilities.
• We utilize site visits and site conditions to document actual existing conditions to the extent not concealed.
• For concealed elements, we review as-builts, and rely on experience, as well as industry knowledge of building practices in the era in which the facilities were constructed.
• We do not assume existing conditions, and utilize an on-site interview and/or question process to obtain existing facility knowledge.
• We do not necessarily assume existing building elements have the capacity to be reused, and/or are desirable to be reused. Through a collaborative process, we coordinate elements that will remain, be updated, replaced, or otherwise reconfigured to achieve the project requirements. *
• We use technology such as 360-Degree cameras, digital photography, thermal (IR) imagery, and data measurement loggers, etc. to determine existing conditions.
• We utilize a collaborative process with the team to identity, and communicate impacts. *

• We identify project requirements, goals, and wants in concert with the budget through programming, meeting, and kickoff processes, along with on-site interviews with staff assigned to scope, we discuss normal occupancy/use of the facility, etc. We indicate the project requirements through meeting minutes, and/or an Owner’s Project Requirement document (OPR). *
• We can also identify project priorities based on client feedback of requirements, needs, and requests (wants). We use various management tools, standards, codes and experience to develop project parameters all while providing estimated cost feedback to the stakeholders as priorities are determined. The determined priority list generally takes the form of a priority matrix, and is initially developed through a charette process. *
• We provide regular updates, and documentation showing the progress of the design. The documentation not only includes drawings, and specification progress, it also shows updates, and elements that have changed priority, or shifted as a result of budget, normal progression, or identified element to the facility that needs to be addressed (perhaps not known before). *
• Updates consist of a regular interval (weekly, bi-weekly, etc. as selected or needed), and generally takes the form of: *
• Elements of the Work that are completed
• Elements of the Work that are in-progress & Design Team Action Items
• Open Questions for the Owner/Representative
• Changes to schedule, contract, etc. that may be required
• We are transparent, so we all benefit from assurance the project is developed to meet the projects requirements for an EFFECTIVE OUTCOME.

• We can participate in public/open meetings to provide feedback to users and/or the public. *
• We welcome and invite questions.
• We establish project lines of communications such that we understand who has authority to make changes to the project elements, and who may not. We support, and direct others to the Client’s process for project management.
• We understand the scope of the project, and design within the bounds of the budget and appropriate allocations.
• We coordinate the documentation as needed to include elements permitted by the funding source(s).
• We utilize the tools such as the OPR, regular updates, line-item estimates, alternates, etc. *
  • An OPR document is designed so that the Client can use it to obtain consensus among stakeholders, different departments, and that we are all working toward the same goals so the Engineering documents reflect those requirements.