Undertaking the project front-end

Abstract

This chapter discusses four trade-offs that emerge around processes of representations construction, as seen from a practice perspective. It ends with lessons for those undertaking front-end activities and creating governance frameworks for major projects. Thinking the front-end in the context of sustainability has a tight relationship with trade-off on knowing and exploring. Front-end governance to prepare for flexibility relates to trade-off on evaluating and shaping, and the trade-off on allocation and collaboration in contractual aspects such as relational contractual arrangements. Yet the inclusion of innovative technologies in the front-end emphasises the relation with trade-off on pluralism and support. The structure of the chapter was built around four trade-offs where the people followed the development of representations. Some reflections were offered to explore how those trade-offs might help when undertaking major public projects in the future.