Managing Design

CHAPTER 19Level 2: Structure (Measuring/Baseline)

Tangible, Measurable Project Design Controls: The “Structural” Baseline

As the management baseline for measurable design aspects, five “Structural” Project Design Controls offer potential. (See Figure 19.1.) They set objective limits, or target values. Once set, check them for balance and compatibility. Once balanced, use them as design performance indicators. Tangible, measurable Project Design Controls are:

FIGURE 19.1 Level 2: “Structure” (Measuring/Baseline).

1. Program
2. Budget
3. Scope
4. Schedule
5. Documents

Used with the softer, social, interpersonal processes in the other framework levels, they guide design management. The tangible project controls are listed in this logical order and diagrammed as a see-saw because:

• Program comes first and drives the need and the design. It's the starting point.
• Budget is a key control. It is (or should be) based on the program and validated as such. It governs how much can be spent.
• Scope is the physical manifestation of the design solution in response to program and budget. As the key cost driver, it occupies the central fulcrum point.
• Schedule is how long we've agreed it will take us to accomplish design.
• Documents are the traditional best way to “freeze” constantly evolving information to share, understand, and manage it. Documents are a written manifestation of design, the endpoint ...