Organisations often choose to hire outside companies to fulfil activities undertaken that are not the core activity of the company, such as, cleaning, accounting, catering or maintenance. Ian looks at the disadvantages and advantages of outsourcing. KEY TAKEAWAYS You gain specific expertise and professionalism on outsourced tasks with a company that specialises in that activity. The risk and responsibility of risk reduction is passed on. With a fixed price contract you can control your costs. Yo...
Aug 09, 2022•13 min•Ep. 37
There is often a misunderstanding of the connection between the maintenance level of an asset and its eventual valuation. Cultural differences and disagreements on responsibility when it comes to maintenance often lead to under maintained assets. Rob details the outcomes caused by an efficient maintenance scheme or a poorly applied one. KEY TAKEAWAYS Poor maintenance can have a negative effect on the value of the property and the operational efficiency of the building, including the staff. Skill...
Aug 02, 2022•9 min•Ep. 36
Innovation in FM is the introduction of a new product or process which delivers tangible and measurable benefits in terms of operational cost reductions, increased efficiency, and optimising building usage and performance. It is not merely process improvement. This is a holistic approach, looking at all angles of how we can be innovative in delivering FM. Ian looks at Building Information Modelling and smart buildings, Automated Maintenance Software, Mobile Technology FM, drone usage, automation...
Jul 26, 2022•18 min•Ep. 35
Key to the ‘whole life’ planning method of construction design is the consideration of the eventual Facilities Management of the building during its operational period. In this episode Ian explains some problems Facilities Managers can encounter, their input into the design process and five steps that should be undertaken to ensure a successful project from a Facilities Management perspective. KEY TAKEAWAYS FM is an extremely detailed and wide consideration when designing and operating a buildin...
Jul 19, 2022•11 min•Ep. 34
Sustainable Energy is the power used which is able to be replenished within a human lifetime, so causing no long term damage to the environment. It is essential that this is considered early on in the design process and Ian explains green building rating systems, types of renewable energy, sustainable building methods and products. KEY TAKEAWAYS Green rating systems employed are BREAM, LEED, GGMB, WELL, Fitwel, GreenGlobe, Green Star, BCA, Green Mark and many other country dependent schemes. Sol...
Jul 12, 2022•10 min•Ep. 33
In this episode Ian interviews property expert Vicki Wusche who started investing in property in 2008 and has been named Telegraph's Top UK 25 most influential people in property. She is an international speaker, author of five books, including finalist in the Business Book Awards, March 2020. An international podcast guest Vicki will surprise you with her take on property finance and the next decade. Ian and Vicki discuss property project diversity, common skills, common mistakes, safe investme...
Jul 05, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 32
In this eighth episode introducing the Royal Institute of British Architects plan of work (RIBA), Ian moves on to Stage 7, Operation. This concludes the eight episode series in which Ian has explained the stages of creation and utilisation of this document. This is a UK centred document, but has international context and use for all construction projects. Ian will cover stage outcomes, employers governance, technical governance, and work streams including program management, finance, BIM, core d...
Jun 28, 2022•9 min•Ep. 31
In this seventh episode introducing the Royal Institute of British Architects plan of work (RIBA), Ian moves on to Stage 6. In this continuing eight episode series Ian will explain the stages of creation and utilisation of this document. This is a UK centred document, but has international context and use for all construction projects. Ian will cover stage outcomes, employers governance, technical governance and various work streams such as program management, finance, BIM, core design, construc...
Jun 21, 2022•11 min•Ep. 30
In this sixth episode introducing the Royal Institute of British Architects plan of work (RIBA), Ian moves on to Stage 5. In this continuing eight episode series Ian will explain the stages of creation and utilisation of this document. This is a UK centred document, but has international context and use for all construction projects. Ian will cover stage outcomes, employers governance, technical governance and various work streams such as program management, finance, BIM, core design, constructi...
Jun 14, 2022•12 min•Ep. 29
In this fifth episode introducing the Royal Institute of British Architects plan of work (RIBA), Ian moves on to Stage 4. In this continuing eight episode series Ian will explain the stages of creation and utilisation of this document. This is a UK centred document, but has international context and use for all construction projects. Ian will cover stage outcomes, employers governance, technical governance and various work streams such as program management, finance, BIM, core design, constructi...
Jun 07, 2022•12 min•Ep. 28
In this fourth episode introducing the Royal Institute of British Architects plan of work (RIBA), Ian moves on to Stage 3, Development Design. In this continuing eight episode series Ian will explain the stages of creation and utilisation of this document. This is a UK centred document, but has international context and use for all construction projects. Ian will cover stage outcomes, employers governance, technical governance, and work streams including program management, finance, BIM, core de...
May 31, 2022•15 min•Ep. 27
In this third episode introducing the Royal Institute of British Architects plan of work (RIBA), Ian moves on to Stage 2, the concept. In this continuing eight episode series Ian will explain the stages of creation and utilisation of this document. This is a UK centred document, but has international context and use for all construction projects. Ian will explain the work streams in each stage including Employers Governance, Technical Governance, Programme Management, Finance, BIM, Core Design, ...
May 24, 2022•15 min•Ep. 26
In this second RIBA episode Ian is introducing the Royal Institute of British Architects plan of work (RIBA). Over the next seven episodes Ian will continue to explain the stages of creation and utilisation of this document. This is a UK centred document, but has international context and use for all construction projects. In this episode Ian will explain Stage 1 of the RIBA plan, Preparation and Briefing, and will cover stage outcomes, Employers Governance, Technical Governance, works streams i...
May 17, 2022•16 min•Ep. 25
Today Ian is introducing the Royal Institute of British Architects plan of work (RIBA). Over the next eight episodes Ian will explain the stages of creation and utilisation of this document. This is a UK centred document, but has international context and use for all construction projects.in this episode Ian will introduce the eight stages of a project, how you should approach the creation of the document, details of how Ian has expanded and utilised it himself and how you should begin with stag...
May 10, 2022•16 min•Ep. 24
Ian presents the carved in stone, never to be ignored seven deadly sins that, when indulged in, can see your construction project fail. KEY TAKEAWAYS Excessive change orders. These occur due to poor initial planning resulting in the client realising part way through that they are not getting the desired result. Scope creep. As the project progresses the client realises he needs to change the plans due to, once again, poor initial planning. The dictation of the contractor. Because of poor contrac...
May 03, 2022•7 min•Ep. 23
The main reasons for a project failure is a developer, investor or end user does not consider what they really want from their building or facility. Misunderstandings on investment return, the function of the facility, and poor initial planning result in an unsatisfactory end for the project. In this episode Ian will cover these and other reasons for project failure and what steps can be taken to mitigate or eliminate these circumstances. KEY TAKEAWAYS The most important person in planning for a...
Apr 26, 2022•18 min•Ep. 22
Following on from the last episode concerning Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Ian takes a closer look at SDGs in the context of real estate. He will cover the 17 goals set out by the UN, real estate compliance, what needs to be considered and actioned, and how the goals can be directly applied to real estate. KEY TAKEAWAYS The SDGs are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, or ‘global goals' as they are frequently referred to, a collection of interlinked global goals designed to be a bluepr...
Apr 19, 2022•24 min•Ep. 21
In this episode Ian details the procedures and requirements of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) which ensure good sustainable practice and environmentally friendly methodology. He will cover what ESG's are, investor requirements, environmental considerations, social considerations, ESG criteria, pros and cons, UN Global Compact in relation to sustainable practice, what SDG's are, SDG indicators and measures, implementation, challenges, cost, SDG dri...
Apr 12, 2022•26 min•Ep. 20
The importance of well being and the application of a healthy mind set within construction has recently been the subject of several news articles in the industry. Ian feels this is an essential area of interest and in this episode will discuss the definition of well being, context, factors effecting wellbeing, awareness, mental health resources and key actions. KEY TAKEAWAYS The World Health Organisation defines well being as a state of mind in which an individual is able to realise his own abil...
Apr 05, 2022•27 min•Ep. 19
Health and Safety, or Occupational Health and Safety is a very large area to oversee during an ongoing project. Ian offers an overview on what Health and Safety is, who is responsible, regulations, project brief, risk assessments and method statements, the consequences of improper health and safety, hazards and common cause of fatalities, and performance measurement. KEY TAKEAWAYS Health and Safety on construction sites deals with the physical and psychological wellbeing of workers and other per...
Mar 29, 2022•32 min•Ep. 18
Key Performance Indicators are a data set that are measured with outcomes. They provide Facilities Managers (FM) with important information on how they are faring on their project or contract. Ian will be covering what Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are, the importance of KPI and why we track them, how to improve them, goal setting and KPI, common accessible data sources and which KPI should be used. KEY TAKEAWAYS There will be different KPI for all the different FM contracts. They need to be ...
Mar 23, 2022•22 min•Ep. 17
Ian explains what Facilities Management is and what it entails in this comprehensive episode. He defines the various terminologies associated with Facilities Management (FM) including Property Management and Asset Management. He will expand on FM strategy, FM delivery, mitigation strategies, planned maintenance, help desk and Ian's personal perspective on FM. KEY TAKEAWAYS Property Management is a third party service hired by a landlord to manage the day to day operations of a property including...
Mar 16, 2022•37 min•Ep. 16
Time and cost overruns in construction projects are what everyone involved are often most keen to avoid, but Ian can tell you how careful planning and foresight can help you escape this eventuality. He covers impacts and consequences of overruns, reasons why they occur, and methods of mitigation you can employ. KEY TAKEAWAYS Time and cost are the main measure of success of the project yet also the main factors in why they fail. This can result in the investors proposed income from the investment...
Mar 09, 2022•26 min•Ep. 15
Project Monitoring is particularly beneficial to the financial institutions or individuals who are funding a project. Keeping track of progress in detail allows them to reassure the safety of their investment and also keep track of timescales and possible returns. Ian takes a look at all the areas involved in Project Monitoring starting with why it is an important undertaking for investors. KEY TAKEAWAYS Project monitoring is separate from the other project management functions undertaken by an ...
Mar 02, 2022•23 min•Ep. 14
When embarking on a construction project one of the main areas to plan for and identify is risk. In this episode, Ian details how risk identification should be undertaken and some of the problems you could face during your project. He explains the definition and types of risk and the methods, contingencies, tools and management required to deal with them. KEY TAKEAWAYS A risk can be defined as an uncertain event or circumstance that if it occurs will affect the outcome of the project. Risk is fo...
Feb 23, 2022•39 min•Ep. 13
The Project Initiation Document (PID) is the starting point of any successful project. It is formulated by all involved and contains the full intent scope and detail of the forthcoming construction. Ian will detail in this episode all the areas that should be contained in the PID to create a solid cornerstone of information for all parties to refer back to throughout the project. The subject has been broken down in to four parts ; the initial information, information gathering, developing the de...
Feb 16, 2022•40 min•Ep. 12
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a process of generating and managing building data during its complete life cycle, from conceptual design through to operation of the building. Ian details BIM impacts and benefits, it's process, collaboration, and integration into the project. KEY TAKEAWAYS BIM is a whole life cycle approach integrated completely from inception to operation of the construction project. You have the ability, through 3D modelling, to visualise the design during progress and...
Feb 09, 2022•31 min•Ep. 11
Today Ian is going to introduce you to a radical new concept in construction projects, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). This method of project delivery can ensure design integration at an early stage as it brings together throughout the project the major stakeholders, developer, owner and user around a mutual project outcome. With designers and contractors one team is formed to deliver the entire result. Together they will determine project goals, costs, risk sharing, compensation and general ...
Feb 02, 2022•33 min•Ep. 10
In this episode Ian takes a deep dive into the concept of ‘The Whole Life Approach' and how it can benefit your project. From design to demolition, this is a full holistic approach to the entire duration of your construction, its use and its existence in the community. Ian details the considerations required for long sighted view of design, construction and operation to ensure efficiency and minimisation of pitfalls for decades to come. Learn the difference between Whole Lifecycle Analysis, Life...
Feb 01, 2022•21 min•Ep. 9
Many factors including cost, speed of build and environmental conditions inform the decision of which building system and material to use. Ian covers some of the main types used for residential or small commercial building, including concrete block, timber frame, insulated concrete form, precast concrete and structurally insulated panels, discussing the appropriate usage and advantages of each. KEY TAKEAWAYS Concrete blocks are durable, energy efficient in cold climates, vermin and insect resist...
Jan 31, 2022•25 min•Ep. 8
