Public project: project brief

This stage is concerned solely with preparing the project brief, the key document upon which the design will be based.

[edit] Starting the work stage and making additional appointments if necessary.

The client updates the business case and project execution plan to reflect comments made at the end of the previous stage. They then co-ordinate a stage start-up meeting attended by the independent client advisers to issue the revised project execution plan (and business case or part of it, if appropriate), to pass on comments made at the end of the previous stage, and to agree the programme for the stage.

The client, independent client advisers or the project manager may identify a requirement to appoint additional independent client advisers. Go to work stage: Public project: appointment.

[edit] Preparing the project brief.

The client consults the independent client advisers about the required contents of the project brief and considers who the independent client advisers may need to consult in the preparation of the project brief. It may be appropriate to prepare a project directory of champions, user panels, stakeholders etc. and perhaps a stakeholder map.

The client informs user panels, champions and other stakeholders who will be involved in the development of the project brief that they should make time available to meet with the independent client advisers. The independent client advisers feed back the outcome of consultations to the client.

The independent client advisers prepare a draft project brief.

The client begins preparing, or arranges for the independent client advisers to begin preparing, a site waste management plan (if required). At this stage, this is a means of recording decisions made to minimise the consumption of resources and to minimise the generation of waste.

The independent client advisers highlight areas of potential cost savings and areas of potential cost problems apparent in the draft project brief and prepare an elemental cost plan. The client considers cost advice from the independent client advisers and instructs the independent client advisers to amend the project brief if necessary.

The client issues the revised project brief to the user panels, champions and relevant stakeholders who may propose further revisions. The client considers the proposed amendments and instructs any necessary revision of the project brief.

The independent client advisers amend the elemental cost plan if necessary.

The client considers, and if appropriate, approves the project brief and gives instructions to develop an output-based specification.

If necessary, the client revises the business case and project execution plan.

C. Gateway review 2: delivery strategy.

The senior responsible owner (SRO) commissions an independent peer review of the project: gateway review 2: delivery strategy (sometimes called procurement strategy). Gateway reviews are mandatory for central civil projects and best practice for the health sector, local government and defence projects. Gateway 2 '.... investigates the (outline) Business Case and the delivery strategy before any formal approaches are made to prospective suppliers or delivery partners. The review may be repeated in long or complex procurement situations'. Ref OGC introduction to procurement gateway 2.

The review team issues a confidential review report to the senior responsible owner who implements any actions necessary following the gateway review.

The senior responsible owner confirms that funding is available and that there is still stakeholder support for the project.

The client considers whether to proceed to tender.

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