How independent advice enhances a board’s decision making

The boards of schools and colleges routinely determine the expenditure of millions of dollars on building projects. Undertaking a building project carries responsibility and accountabilities across the building’s 50+ years of life to ensure it functions well and serves its intended purpose.

Their responsibility is not only to the fellow board members, staff, students and parents of the school, but to the community as a whole and our city. The project’s far-reaching impacts are often overlooked by decision-makers.

There are three main considerations when starting a building project:

1.  How do you achieve the best possible building?
   Boards should commence a project with a vision to create the best possible building. This is only possible with the correct processes. The process of creating a building is long and complex and how you start will determine the success or otherwise of the project.
   
   There are several stages, each as important as the other, starting at the pre-design stage. The following stages, design, documentation, pricing, construction and post-construction stages all flow from decisions made early in predesign.
   

2. How do you ensure integrity and success in the design and building process?
   The design and construction stages are long and complex. The journey through the stages is critical to the building itself. Ethical practices, managing risk, and whole team commitment are key.
   
   There are different methods of building procurement and choosing the correct method is critical for a successful outcome. 
   

3. How do you achieve best value for money?
   Value for money is not about a cheap building. If the price is too cheap, things are left out, and products won’t stand the test of time which will end up costing more in the long run. 
   
   The same principle applies to the design stages, if fees are too cheap it means there is less research, less time spent with the client, less drawing (leading to ambiguity during the build)  and less experienced (cheaper) staff used for the documentation stage.
   

It is vital to understand what the architect is offering and to compare apples with apples. All of the above issues can be managed through sound professional methodology.

Seek professional advice the moment you begin to think about a project. Independent guidance through any design and building process will arm you with clarity and help you achieve your vision of best building.