Review decision making at key stages

Once a project management structure has been established, the necessary players will be in place to review the assumptions made at the feasibility study stage. The project team should formally test the project to ensure that it accords with local and national policy, and that it is affordable.

These tests should be applied with increasing rigour as key stages are approached. Such stages will vary depending on the procurement route selected, but may include:

• selection of best procurement path
• briefing and design
• site purchase
• planning application
• tender (or its equivalent) and construction

Once a project management structure has been established, the necessary players will be in place to review the assumptions that were made at the feasibility study stage. The project should be formally tested by the project team to ensure that:

• There is still a need for the planned health and social services to be delivered from the site and that the mix of services envisaged remains sensible.
• Any updates to the LDP and/or SSDP have been taken into account.
• A full range of potential development partners and stakeholders have been identified and formally consulted (or firm plans made for this to happen).
• The proposed site has the capacity for the building and its associated car park and local authority planners have been consulted.
• Funding routes have been identified.
• The project is judged to be affordable.
• The necessary valuations and financial modelling exercises have been carried out.
• The necessary approvals needed have been clarified.
• Issues concerning project deliverability have been identified. This is likely to include listing the project risks and potential concerns that may be raised by people who will be affected by the project.

These tests should be applied with increasing rigour as key stages are approached. Such stages, and responsibility for ensuring viability, will depend on the procurement route that is selected. The stages may include:

• preparation of project brief
• selection of best procurement path
• preparation of detailed design brief
• site purchase
• submission of planning application
• project design
• tender or its equivalent
• construction phase