Project Delivery Group Design Project 2014

Simon HilditchMEng (Hons) CEng MICE MCIHT

Associate Director, BWB Consulting

www.bwbconsulting.com

Introduction

• Stages of a Project• Key Themes• Feasibility• Example Projects• Sources of Information• Engineering Advisors

Stages of a Project

• Idea / concept• Feasibility• Outline scheme proposals• Environmental assessment• Planning permission• Detailed design• Construction• Operation

Key Themes

• Cost & Value• Risk• Environmental impact &

sustainability• Buildability

The feasibility stage is where you can have most impact on these issues

FeasibilityWhy is it important?

• Is the concept deliverable?• High level review of options• Identify key risks and work out how

to manage them• Allows the best option(s) to go

forward• Sets budgets and expectations

FeasibilityWhy is it important for your Group Design Project?• Demonstrates that you have

considered the project as a whole and that you aren’t blinkered

• It shows you know what the key risks are

• Allows you to show all aspects of your engineering knowledge from across the modules

FeasibilityWhen it all goes wrong

• Edinburgh Tram: huge cost over-run for only ⅔ of the line, 3 years late, spare trams

• Regional fire control centres:£0.5bn wasted, 8 empty buildings

• Scottish parliament: 3 years late and total cost of £414million (original budget was £10million to £40million)

Hindsight is a glorious thing, but feasibility is where you can pre-empt major failings

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail

FeasibilityKey issues and risks

• Can I acquire the land?• What are the constraints?• What is the benefit – cost ratio (BCR)?

(public schemes)• How much money will I make?

(private schemes)• What are the abnormal costs?• Will I get planning permission?• Will there be a major impact on the

environment?

FeasibilityHow is the site affected by

• Highway access, traffic impact and other transport issues

• Flooding• Drainage• Ecology• Contamination and remediation• Landscape and visual appearance• Noise and air quality• Utilities

FeasibilityKnow your audience

• Many people can have a say on a project:– Planning authority– Environment agency– Local highway authority– Building control– Network rail– Highways agency– Environmental health officers– Drainage authority– Utility companies– Neighbours– Etc.

• Think about what each person may say about your proposal

• Who will be key to your GDP?

FeasibilityGDP Reporting

• Detailed option appraisal (~3 options for GDP)

• Highlight impacts on environment, good and bad

• Risk register – useful tool• Executive summary – recommended

option• Keep it simple and easy to read• Make the reader aware of any key

assumptions

FeasibilityRisk register

• Identify constraints • Identify risks to each option• Score risks based on likelihood and effect on

programme and cost• Give recommendation(s) for mitigation – this can

help you identify work to do at the next stage of the project

• Simple and easy to read – a table is often a good way to do this

• It will demonstrate that you have a good understanding of the site and the project

FeasibilityRisk register example

• “Option 2 requires new road across potential flood plain”

• Risk likelihood: low as flood mapping known to be accurate in this area. Score: 2/5

• Effect on cost: very high as alternative requires new bridge (see option 1). Score: 5/5

• Effect on programme: very low as there is sufficient time to develop all options. Score 1/5

• Mitigation: Undertake detailed flood modelling to better understand extent of flood plain

FeasibilityRisk register – matrix

FeasibilityGDP Initial Presentation

• Highlight key aspects of each option (usually 3 options for GDP)

• Highlight key constraints and identify major risks

• Give a summary of your options• State recommended option and provide

justification – don’t be afraid to give your view

• Explain how to mitigate risks that have been identified

FeasibilityGDP Initial Presentation – Option Summary

A B C

Cost £20m £18m £24m

Programme 2 yrs 1 yr 8m 2 yr 1m

Environmental Impact

Medium High Low

Technical feasibility

Good Very good

Difficult

Buildability Very good Good Difficult

And so on

Local ExampleHighfields Science Park – Constraints

Ecology – Nature / conservation areaTransport corridors, including NETTottle BrookTennis centre accessFormer landfill site

Highfields Science ParkOriginal NET Phase 2 proposal

Highfields Science ParkRevised NET Phase 2 proposal

Highfields Science ParkHighway access

• Interim scheme constructed• Reduced cost of future NET scheme• Additional benefits to tram users as tram

stop better located – on north side rather than in middle of roundabout

Highfields Science ParkDealing with other constraints

• Detailed liaison with the City Council about the Tennis Centre access – benefit to users as they have an ‘all moves’ junction on University Boulevard

• Detailed flood model of the Tottle Brook corridor prepared and agreed with the Environment Agency

• Detailed site investigation to investigate ground contamination, conceptual model developed

• Ecology studies carried out, new habitat created

Highfields Science ParkSustainability

• Wetland habitat and green corridor developed through centre of site

• Enhanced ecology• Sustainable urban drainage (SUDs) techniques• Remediation of brownfield site• Renewable energy source included in energy mix• Good public transport links, excellent links once

NET extension is operational• Good cycle links• Improved crossings over University BoulevardGo and take a look, it’s only 5 minutes walk away!

Highfields Science Park

Project ExamplesExamples of feasibility / options reports• A63 Castle Street, Hull – Highways scheme

http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/documents/A63_Castle_Street_-_Scheme_Assessment_Report_-_March_2010.pdf

• East Midlands RUS – High level options report for future rail schemeshttp://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/east%20midlands/east%20midlands%20rus.pdf

• Hinckley Point C Nuclear Power Station – Scoping Reporthttp://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk/projects/south-west/hinkley-point-c-new-nuclear-power-station/documentation/?ipcdocsec=folder

• River Arun – Flood defence scheme optionshttp://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/IMSO000802_Appendix_E_Options_Appraisal_Report_v1.2.pdf

• Northern Line extension – early options reporthttp://northernlineextension.com/media/5536/sdg_feasibility_report_feb_08.pdf

• Dyfnant Forest Windfarm – Environmental Report http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk/projects/wales/dyfnant-forest-wind-farm/documentation/?ipcdocsec=folder

• Search for other projects that interest you or are of relevance to your GDP

Sources of Information• Planning authority website

– Search for existing planning applications for the site you are looking at

– Look at local plans / local development frameworks

• Historical mapping and photographic record websites

• Aerial photography and street view• Environment Agency website

– Flood risk mapping– Landfill

• Utility records• Highway records

Group Design ProjectEngineering Advisors

• Use your Engineering Advisor• Engineering Advisors are likely to

attend your presentations• Drop-in day• Your supervisors will know whether or

not you make best use of outside help!

Any Questions?

• Stages of a Project• Key Themes• Feasibility• Example Projects• Sources of Information• Engineering Advisors