Planning, programming, phase 1, or our personal favorite – charrette – no matter how you say it, the process of evaluating and making smart recommendations for building systems and construction can be a critical tool in the design toolbox.
Traditionally, planning and programming have been reserved for large, complex projects – particularly those that might be pending the release of funding. This remains true now, as many government agencies wait to see how the recent changes in Washington impact budget allocations and by extension, their ability to move forward with planned projects.
But lately, we’ve noticed an uptick in Owners implementing the planning stage for any number of additional reasons. The COVID-19 pandemic, for one, has made us cautious about the future. Will the economy get better? Worse? Is the pandemic drawing to a close? How can Owners be certain of the “right time” to move a project forward?
As we all follow the indicators and wait to see how things shake out, some savvy Owners are working through the Planning & Programming of projects now, so they are in the ready position to move forward with design and construction when the opportunity presents itself. This proactive approach also dedicates the time and resources to evaluating design choices that could ultimately save them money in the built environment.
When we talk about our COVID-19 Design Impact Series, naturally what comes to mind are the MEP design changes that came about in the past year. But the way our industry operates has also been greatly impacted, and in this edition, we’ll discuss the use of the Planning & Programming stage as a potential strategy for project execution.
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See our COVID-19 MEP Design Response.
