This section details the various stages and scope of duties involved in the progression of the Client’s scheme from the time of our appointment, through to the completion and the Client’s occupation.
Our process can be dealt with under several broad headings, the design stages and elements of our project management work are iterative, and therefore need continual review and revision in order to be sure they deliver the optimum solution.
ESTABLISHING SPACE REQUIREMENTS
SK Project’s in-House Designer/Client’s Designer coordinates and lead the project design elements.
The Designer liaises with the our Project Team and develop initial layout schemes, design ideas and cover major design related issues.
At the outset, an initial project brief will be developed to establish a thorough understanding of all Client requirements prior to the start of the design phase.
The results of these surveys will be collated, presented as a simple report and circulated for review and discussion. The report will also address broad departmental space requirements and inter departmental relationships.
If the Client has not done so already, we recommend they appoint an individual within their company/or the same is provided by Sk Projects; as Project Liaison Officer, and a steering committee of senior management to reach decisions on key aspects of the project.
OUTLINE BLOCK & SPACE PLANS
Armed with the report, we will then develop outline designs and space plans of individual areas such as staff groupings, offices, open plan areas, communications and board rooms, breakout areas and other facilities.
Our CAD teams have the skills and facilities to change these layouts quickly and without fuss, so that several different scenarios can be considered if necessary.
During this phase, we will assign our furniture specialists to produce a seating, desking and storage inventory, from which we will be able to assess Client needs and investigate opportunities to re-use existing furniture and equipment.
The advice and guidance of other Sk Projects specialists such as Structural Engineers, Building Services Engineers, Voice / Data Consultants etc. will also be incorporated into the space plans and integrated into the project’s master CAD files.
CONFIRMATION OF BRIEF
All requirements will then be incorporated into the Brief, so that a confirmation of requirements document can be produced and signed off.
FINALISED SPACE PLANS
Once the Brief has been frozen, detailed space plans will be produced in 1:100 and 1:50 scale prints, for discussion and agreement.
FINISHES, COLOURS & MATERIALS
Finishes, textiles and other decorating and furnishing materials now come under review, with options produced as photographs and colour sample boards.
Where necessary, visits to completed sites of other SK Project Clients can be arranged so that finishes and effects can be seen in a live environment.
Once agreed, the selections will be confirmed in a schedule and signed off.
STATUTORY APPROVALS
Because officialdom can rarely match the pace of a fast track Sk Projects project, the various permissions and approvals cannot usually be secured before we start on site.
Sk Projects, however discuss project requirements with the appropriate local authority departments and take their comments and views into account during the early design phase.
By engaging the relevant authorities in the preliminary stages, Sk Projects is fully informed and prepared, thus ensuring final design approval is secured.
PROJECT MEETINGS
The Designer attends regular project progress meetings. Other meetings with individuals or 
departments are arranged as and when necessary. Minutes of all meetings are distributed to an agreed circulation list.
DRAWINGS RECORD
Once the project is completed, all design plans and drawings are updated to ‘as built’ status and issued as record drawings.
THE PROJECT TEAM
The Project Team comprises of the Sk Projects and the Client’s Project Team are brought together by the Construction Manager.
A series of formal meetings are scheduled by the Construction Manager at the outset of the project to ensure roles and responsibilities are allocated and understood, and all members are involved in project developments.
LOCAL AUTHORITY & FIRE APPROVALS
Together with the Design Team, the Construction Manager finalises applications for all statutory permissions.
COORDINATION OF SUB-CONTRACTORS
Regular communication between the Sk Projects Design Team, Construction Manager, Services Contractors and Sub-contractors results in absolute control over every stage and process.
MONITORING & CONTROL OF WORKS ON SITE
On site, continual monitoring of progress, craftsmanship, production levels and costs, marks the difference between an acceptable outcome and an outstanding one.
PROGRESS REPORTS
The Client receives regular and thorough progress updates and financial reports.
PRACTICAL COMPLETION INSPECTION
Working closely with other Consultants, the Construction Manager is responsible for inspecting the completed works.
In advance of the project’s completion date, the Construction Manager produces a sign off sheet for every room on site.
The Construction Manager assists the Client in reviewing each area so that they can verify absolute Client satisfaction of each room’s completion well in advance of the project’s completion date.
The Construction Manager then generates a Practical Completion Certificate for the Client’s final sign off.
FINAL STATEMENT
A detailed financial analysis of the project is presented on completion of the works.
This comprises of the original contract sum analysis and any additions or omissions made by the Client during the project.