FAQs

The following FAQs are addressed below:

• Am I liable if my clients' objectives are inconsistent or unachievable?
• Are the level of fees indicative of the level of service?
• How can I ensure the brief is properly taken without the potential for problems down the line?
• My client is too busy to discuss the brief but trusts me to get on with it. Is this ok?
• Can I save money by briefing verbally?

The client has explained his objectives at various levels from high level business plans to operational level. Am I liable if these requires are inconsistent or unachievable?

Ultimately, if the client is providing incorrect information then they should be responsible. However, as project manager you are expected to disseminate information provided from various sources and distribute this to the team. Depending on the nature of the issue, the project manager should have an awareness of all matters in hand and, if it is obvious that a requirement is inconsistent or unachievable, then he has a duty to challenge or highlight it. If the issue is more complex and outside of the project manager's sphere of knowledge, then, depending on the extent of the design team (and what is included in their scope of services), there may be an implied or even express obligation for the relevant consultant to challenge the requirement.

Are the level of fees indicative of the level of service?

If the question relates to work carried out in the production of the brief at the early stages of the project, then yes. Many firms will provide free or cheap up-front service advice as a 'loss leader', in the hope they will win the follow on work, should the project proceed. Any consultant who does this, runs the risk of being considered 'cheap' which may infer that they are not of a very good quality.

Also from a client's perspective, one should be wary of advice offered for a low price as this may not be of the quality anticipated. As it is important to get the early stages of the project right, it is also equally important that this stage is completed using quality advice.

The project is at an early stage (and may not go ahead) and the client doesn't want to incur significant fees. How can I ensure the brief is properly taken without the potential for problems down the line?

Always tread with caution if a client is reticent to commit funds at the beginning of a project. If you are project manager or lead consultant and if you don't provide a sufficient brief for the team to proceed on, if the project subsequently fails, then you could find yourself responsible. An answer here may be to produce a feasibility report, so the client only has to commit to this distinct package initially.

My client is very busy and hasn't really got time to talk through the brief in any great detail. He trusts me and really just wants me to get on with it. Is this ok?

No. Without proper open dialogue with the client you will naturally be making assumptions from the outset, which could have disastrous consequences later on in the project. Remember, as project manager or lead consultant, you will take responsibility for delivering this project and if it fails because of an inaccurate or insufficient brief, there will be an implication upon you. The more (relevant) information you can get at the outset, the better.

I am thinking of carrying out a refurbishment of a 1960s office building. I know a friendly contractor who I could describe the job to on-site and I am sure this could save time and money. Is this acceptable?

Whether a professional team is appointed or not, you need to be very clear on what is and what isn't required. This needs to be communicated in a formal way.

At the very least, there are legal obligations you will need to discharge yourself (such as provision of asbestos registers and information for the pre-construction health and safety pack) not to mention what contractor to discharge obligations on your behalf (e.g. building regulation consent).

Always appoint a professional advisor or a team of advisors. The client won't be very friendly or easy-going when he or she doesn't get what was expected.