How can I speed up my project and reduce the overall timescale?

There are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce the overall timeframe of a project. A rigorous project planning process with excellent project management procedures should have a significant benefit in the long run. By keeping a close eye on all aspects of the project planning process, in particular costs and budget, a great deal of time can generally be saved.                                               

The key is to try to run the project in as linear a process as possible, with minimal deviations or repeats of key processes. To encourage this, it is sensible to avoid decisions that are likely to lead to delays such as developing schemes with high planning risks, or appointing building contractors without good management procedures.

As a client it is important to consider your requirements in detail, brief your team well, keep up to date with information and guidance received, review any information promptly, query any points that are not clear, and provide clear feedback to your team.

Sometimes it is advantageous to set a project up to move at a faster than normal pace. This approach might be used where an existing building will remain vacant until the project has been completed, or where the building needs to be put into use in a shorter space of time. In these situations, it may be worthwhile planning an accelerated project programme, where certain decisions and processes will be undertaken earlier than normal, and some aspects of the project will be overlapped to reduce the overall timeframe.