An Analysis of Architectural (Full Design) Project Development Phases: From An Idea to the Construction Works

Abstract

The paper presents a useful algorithm which can be applied in the development of a design and construction project, in order to reach a pertinent conclusion on investing or not in it. The algorithm describes the chronological process through which any investor should go through. Every step of this process implies additional costs and will be taken only if the algorithm indicates so. Firstly, the paper enlightens the main steps in developing a design and construction project financed through public resources. In this case, the process has a clear path due to the legislation in the field imposed in Romania. After that, it continues with defining the steps for a similar project but financed through private resources. This is a more complicated case because the private investor has fewer financial resources and in the opportunity stage, for the most part, he does not own the site for the future project. Therefore, a private investor has to pay more attention to every step taken in the investment decision, especially in the construction domain. The interest in studying these processes derived from my observations on my company's clients' needs when taking decisions related to design and construction projects. It is obvious that the standard business plan is not sufficient in developing such a project. In addition, these specific projects have different involvements from other types of projects that were taken into account when proposing the algorithm. Consequently, the algorithm from this paper was elaborated based on my personal experience in over 40 design and construction projects as an entrepreneur and on the literature review I carried out.