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Starting Smart Key Practices for Developing Scopes of Work for Facility Projects (2003) / Chapter Skim
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5. Policy Implications
Pages 41-46

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From page 41...
... CONCLUSION AND FINDINGS After reviewing the literature on this subject and conducting interviews, the authors concluded that the key practice for developing an effective scope of work for design is to conduct a structured, consistent, and thorough preproject planning process andfully develop a project scope of work. The preproject planning process incorporates a series of approval gates and involves organizing for the effort; selecting project alternatives; developing a project definition package; and making a decision on whether to proceed with the project.
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From page 42...
... ~ _ _J Eleven of the 13 agencies interviewed have an established process for preproject planning. Nine of the agencies have clearly defined approval gates prior to the authorization of detailed designs; these agencies see the approval gates as a vital part of the process to improve the definition of project scopes of work and the accuracy of their cost estimates.
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From page 43...
... Finding 8: Six agencies measure their performance on selected individual projects with respect to preproject planning practice usage, and nine measure project performance. However, none of the agencies interviewed indicated that they measure preproject planning, including project scope definition and team alignment practices, across their project management programs.
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From page 44...
... Consistency in preproject planning efforts leads to better cost and schedule predictability as well as real cost savings. Experience in the private sector has shown that facility project portfolios with inconsistently applied preproject planning efforts tend to result in mediocre project performance and little improvement over time.
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From page 45...
... Based on research and the study authors' experience, the following key practices could help federal facilities organizations improve their development of project scopes of work and preproject planning processes: · Develop and implement a standardized preproject planning process using experienced, technically proficient personnel and provide them with adequate resources (people, time, and money)
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From page 46...
... PATH FORWARD It is well understood by experienced practitioners in the construction industry that poor facility project scope definition is one of the major factors leading to poor project performance. As related here, past research gives solid evidence that proper preproject planning provides the foundation for effective communication through a project scope of work document and can significantly enhance the predictability of project performance, improve user satisfaction, and provide real cost and schedule savings.
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Key Terms

  • project scope
  • agencies interviewed
  • planning processes
  • planning efforts
  • scope definition

  • project scopes
  • scope changes
  • project management
  • project performance
  • facility project

  • effective preproject
  • planning team
  • thorough preproject
  • detailed design
  • approval gates

  • adequate resources
  • key stakeholder
  • operational funds
  • technically proficient
  • scope development

  • project team
  • major projects
  • federal facilities
  • ellective preproject
  • detailed project

  • project requirements
  • acquisition strategy
  • planning expertise
  • real cost
  • planning effort


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