Are you really getting what you paid for? How do you know? How is it managed? An emotive subject in any organisation, especially in construction where delivered value is the essence.
We had two great speakers. First up was Dr Bill Bordass from the Usable Buildings Trust. Bill spoke on post occupancy reviews. It isn't simply about inputs & outputs, rather it is outcomes examining the difference between expectations & reality. Designers shouldn't provide what the occupier cannot afford or manage. Keep it simple with gentle engineering not over engineering. BPE's recent review of domestic building showed the potential for simple improvements. Get the basics right - Foresight, Hindsight & Insight then everybody wins.
We were then treated to Dr Jenny Thomas, founder of the Performance Consultancy. Jenny talked on the perception of usability focussing on the human element post construction. End user engagement is key which is something that needs to be addressed before the build as opposed to after the build when it could become a real issue. It really is about having the right people in place at the right time which is of course a challenge with traditional construction management. The Golden Thread is so very important so a key team member should be there from start to finish, the client leadership is essential.
As always there was an excellent and lively Q&A session followed by conversation and networking over a glass or two of wine!
