Design Engineer’s Role in Managing Front End Planning Information
Ryan T. George, W. Edward Back, David Grau

Abstract
The front end planning process is known to be fundamental to project success. Successful planning, as the shared responsibility of a project team, is dependent on the provision of information that is complete, correct, and timely. Numerous authors have described the process and statistically validated its relevance and importance. However, few investigations have been conducted on the subject of how early project information is actually managed through the planning process. This paper summarizes a two-phased research investigation that examines how information supports the front end planning process. Based on the expertise of a group of industry members from major owner and contractor organizations, an extended front end planning process model is first developed. Based on surveyed data and through the front end planning activities in the process model, this research indicates engineers play an important and integral role in front end planning and therefore have significant influence on the likelihood of project success. Also, the information requirements for front end planning efforts leading to successful projects are indicated, and the front end planning activities for which information is commonly non-available are also identified.

Full Text: PDF