Introduction
Architecture is probably one of those fields which cannot stop amazing people and improving their lives in accordance with the conditions settled. The peculiar feature of this form of art is the combination of a burning necessity and creativity. The work of architects is not easy, and what is more important these professionals have to face considerable challenges and difficulties in order to present worthwhile projects.
One of the most important aspects in architects’ work is the possibility to create an ideal and reliable plan of the project and take into account all possible issues for building’s creation. The development of project scope management seems to be the most important combination of actions and ideas to create a product (project); this element plays a crucial role in understanding the subject and the peculiarities of the chosen sphere. According to the ideas offered by the Project Management Institute (2008), this process has to evaluate the required time, costs, quality of work, and other expectations which may influence the development of the project.
To introduce a qualified project (a dining hall for 400 people), it is necessary to evaluate business needs, costs, and plans, consider such requirements as kitchen, reception, VIP-rooms, high-rank officers, and parking areas, pay enough attention to the changes which are caused by mistakes and delays of partners and suppliers, and define such sections like scope concept, goals, deliverable, and in (out of) scope.
Discussion
Scope concept
The situation in Saudi Arabia proves that it is not always possible to present comfortable and up-to-date buildings and meet the demands of the government and citizens. Work for BAe Systems Company for several years provide people with the necessary experience that helps to define what kind of projects are of burning necessity for this country. In this paper, the development of the project of a dining hall more than 400 m2 long will be evaluated considering all those aspects which are important for the project scope presentation.
Due to a clear and brief definition, given by Ernest Burden (2002), a dining hall is “a large room is a school or other institution for group dining” (p. 103), the main idea of what is expected from this project. The representatives of the Project Management Institute (2008) define the scope of the project under discussion as all those actions and ideas which have to be analyzed to deliver and represent the work. In this case, the scope content has to be based on all those business needs, objectives, and requirements which help to ensure the quality and the necessity of this project.
Goals and Objectives
The development of the dining hall project is under consideration. To identify properly the scope of the project, it is necessary to clear up its objectives and goals (Richman 2006). Taking into consideration the conditions of the contract with the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF), the list of the following objectives have to be admitted:
- To meet the deadlines which are mentioned in the contract;
- To evaluate all costs in order to use the offered budget;
- To check the quality of the dining hall under the conditions which are usually inherent to such types of places;
- To consider all those groups of people who may visit this place and the duration of their visits;
- To make use of the best technologies to follow the modern style and attract the attention of many people.
The only problem that may appear due to time limitations and deadlines is connected to wrong interpretation of Royal Saudi Air Force regulations. This is why it turns out to be very important to focus on entering workers and materials and evaluate each move and each idea to meet the deadline.
It is also necessary to admit those goals which need to be set and develop the use of this building to its full extent:
- To provide people with a chance to have a rest and eat at comfortable places;
- To help working staff prepare food under proper conditions and spend less time on cooking;
- To encourage people of different age pay attention to the ways of how they eat and what they eat and promote healthy food;
- To underline the necessity of comfort while eating.
Business needs
Awareness about business needs helps to identify the peculiarities of the scope as well (Bainey 2004). In the case with the dining hall project, the business needs have to be various in order to achieve good results in many spheres at the same time. What I suggest is to
- create a new course that may improve the work of the team and decrease costs;
- analyze people’s demands who are going to use this dining hall;
- give proper environment to promote frequent visits;
- encourage all those who are involved into the project to be more careful with the technical side of the project.
If these needs are met by all representatives of the team who work on the project, the results of this project should be positive.
Building requirements and project scope statement
The project scope statement is a document that represents a number of details to complete the project and evaluate all deliverables. This project aims at developing a dining hall 400 m2 long: this hall will provide many people with an opportunity to have a rest, communicate, eat, and enjoy for an unlimited period of time. With the help of such project, citizens of any age are able to get proper services and even improve their health.
What is more, people of different status can find the required level of service because this building is divided into VIP-areas where expensive services are given, high-rank officers’ area, where people of the appropriate status can find proper support, and ordinary people who are eager to have a break and eat. To develop this scope project statement in a good way, it is necessary to take into consideration its two main elements: in-scope and out of scope. Each element is characterized by certain issues which help to define what kind of work is required for the inside part of the building and the things which have to be admitted when the outside part of the building is under consideration.
In-scope elements are concentrated on such aspects like the construction of the building on proper landscape and playgrounds (as a rule, this point is defined in the contract), the preparation of the building with the necessary electrical technologies to promote in-time services, and the attention to many other aspects which influence the level of services (usually, it is conditioning system, light, music, and space). If the developers of the project fail to meet any of the above-mentioned elements, there is a threat of failure of the whole project. A number of details which are inherent to the building where many people have to spend their time need to be considered any time under any conditions.
As for the out of scope elements, the project of a dining hall building requires the items which have not been mentioned in the contract or not as of high importance as they should be. In our case, the following out of scope aspects have to be admitted:
- Place for car parking because many people prefer to drive cars and save their time, this is why this building has to promote its visitors with an easy to park the car within a short period of time;
- Water supply inside and outside of the building because the food industry that has to be developed on the proper level in this building is impossible without water;
- Comfortable furniture that promotes visitors with a chance to enjoy sitting and workers with an opportunity to spend their time under good conditions and enjoy their work;
- Trees and paths which attract people’s attention and make them enjoy nature right in the city.
Though it is not always possible to meet these elements during the development of the project, it is still important to define them and try to take as many steps as possible to achieve better results and satisfy visitors and workers’ expectations.
Scope verification
Scope verification is considered to be an important process that formulates acceptance of the project scope under consideration by its future shareholders like possible sponsors, partners, clients, etc (Project Management Institute 2008). In the project where the dining hall’s development takes place, it is necessary to accept the project deliverables that need to be implemented into the building.
These deliverables are a parking area where visitors and works can leaver their cars for the necessary period of time, a reception place where visitors may get the necessary information about services and products offered, a VIP-zone, where more expensive and qualified services are provided to satisfy those visitors who may spend a certain amount of money, an area for high-rank officers to appreciate the status of the person and provide the necessary services, and the kitchen area where all preparations are made in order to represent all above-mentioned services. Our scope verification helps to review the work done, evaluate what is achieved during the work, and document the acceptance of this work.
It is necessary to mention that this part of work plays a very important role for the final stage of the project, scope control because it proves that there is the work that has to be checked in accordance with the requirements and dates set in the contract.
Scope control
The final stage of the project scope should help to evaluate all those changes which take place during the development of the building, the reasons of why these changes happen, and the outcomes which may influence the results.
First, Operation and Maintenance of Kahab make constant changes concerning project plans in order to improve services and follow higher commands. Second, some material required has to be ordered from different partners who fail to meet the deadlines in time because of business and cooperation with other huge projects. Third, the project is delayed because of changes in budget and inabilities to cover costs in time. Though the representatives of RSAF wanted this project to be as soon as possible, it was difficult to follow their demands because of their inability to define the goals and requirements properly from the first time and provide the necessary money support in time.
However, in general, considering the changes in the project scope, the results of the work are positive: the quality of the building is good, all areas are developed in a proper way, and qualified material is used to build this project.
Conclusion
In general, managers of the project, as well as the customers of the project, have to be satisfied with the results achieved. Taking into consideration the fact that the plan offered is not as clear as it should be, some changes and unpredictable costs may influence the results of the project. The office has to follow the plan that is developed by the team of professional architects and engineers, and they, as sophisticated workers, admit that this project and this design is not the very place where emotions may perform the leading role. If a mistake or a discontent takes place, it is time to search for another way out and mind all those ethical, moral, and professional norms which have an impact on the results. In case the requirements, needs, goals, and objectives are met, even some mistakes may be corrected within a short period of time.
The possibility that customers may add some additional instructions or changes into the plan is also considered, this is why this plan allows developers continue working, use the best material, and meet the deadlines which are set. In other words, thorough attention to details and careful attitude to partners and customers make this project more or less reliable and effective from numerous perspectives.
Reference List
Bainey, KR 2004, Integrated IT Project Management: A Model-Centric Approach. Artech House, Norwood. Web.
Burden, EE 2002, Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture. McGraw-Hill Professional, New York. Web.
Project Management Institute 2008, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. Project Management Institute, Newtown Square. Web.
Richman, L 2006, Improving Your Project Management Skills. AMACOM, New York. Web.