Laws and regulations change frequently. High aesthetical, technical, functional and logistical requirements can rightly be imposed onto new and existing buildings, which then must be carried out within budget and schedule. In order to meet all laws, requirements and aspirations, various experts are involved at an early stage. For example, when writing the design brief the required knowledge for a construction, renovation or maintenance project may be so specific that different professional experts are required in order to develop a good proposal.
Each discipline involved in a project provides its own professional insights in a way that they are tailored to meet the requirements and wishes of the client and practically feasible. But who will coordinate all the information, and how to handle processes that do not run as planned beforehand? What shall be done if proposed plans cannot or are not fully implemented? How can the obstacles encountered during the design, implementation or operation be dealt with? And more importantly, when will these obstacles surface? Successful construction and operation depend on the correct handling of obstacles: if something is not evolving as planned, how are we going to solve this? It would be more helpful if a client or property owner knew what the major threats and opportunities were that might affect the desired result before engaging in a project(phase).
By actively identifying and keeping track of potential risks and opportunities prior to a project (phase), the appropriate control measures can be introduced in time so as to reduce, avoid or transfer risks to the party that is best equipped to handle and control them. The assessment clearly establishes which party is responsible for which risk and possibly how to address it.