Case Study (AI)

Question 1

What is the name of the case study?

Answer 1

CBRE Limited, 1st Floor, 3 Chamberlain Square – CAT B Office Fit-Out

Question 2

What are the dates for the project?

Answer 2

January 2024 – December 2025

Question 3

What is the confidentiality statement regarding this case study?

Answer 3

The information is confidential and for the Assessment of Professional Competence. It is not to be used by anyone other than those authorized by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Question 4

What does the acronym BREEAM stand for?

Answer 4

Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment Methodology

Question 5

What is the main purpose of the CAT B fit-out for CBRE Limited?

Answer 5

To create a working environment that meets the Client’s requirements within a budget of £2.3m.

Question 6

What were the key requirements for the Client in this project?

Answer 6

• CAT B fit-out of 1st Floor within set budget of £2.3m
• Practical Completion ahead of lease expiry
• Multiple working zones
• Provision for future occupancy expansion
• BREEAM accreditation
• Single point of responsibility for design and construction

Question 7

What role did I perform in the project?

Answer 7

Project Manager (PM) and Employers Agent (EA)

Question 8

What was the primary approach for tendering in this project?

Answer 8

The Client chose to procure the project through the Design and Build route.

Question 9

What were the three tendering options explored?

Answer 9

• Single Stage Competitive Tender (JCT D&B)
• Two Stage Competitive Tender (JCT D&B)
• Negotiated Tender (JCT D&B)

Question 10

What was the limitation of the Single Stage Competitive Tender option?

Answer 10

It lengthened the overall programme, preventing Practical Completion before the lease expiry date.

Question 11

What was the advantage of the Two Stage Competitive Tendering approach?

Answer 11

It allowed early Contractor involvement which reduces construction risk and ensures accurate pricing.

Question 12

What was the proposed solution for tendering?

Answer 12

Negotiated Tender with OP as the preferred Contractor.

Question 13

What significant change was introduced during RIBA Stage 2?

Answer 13

The project needed to achieve BREEAM Excellent.

Question 14

What caused the RIBA Stage 2 cost estimate to be over budget?

Answer 14

Additional professional fees, design changes, and construction costs related to achieving BREEAM Excellent.

Question 15

What were the options reviewed to manage the over budget issue?

Answer 15

• Scope Reduction
• Request Additional Project Funding
• Conduct Value Engineering (VE) Exercise

Question 16

What was the recommended solution to address the cost over budget?

Answer 16

Conduct a Value Engineering Exercise.

Question 17

What was the key issue regarding the tendering process?

Answer 17

The need for timely completion to meet the Client’s lease expiry date.

Question 18

What does the acronym ESG stand for?

Answer 18

Environmental Social Governance

Question 19

Fill in the blank: The initial cost estimate over budget was by _______.

Answer 19

£164k

Question 20

True or False: The Client agreed to reduce the target accreditation level for BREEAM.

Answer 20

False

Question 21

What was a key consideration during the procurement process?

Answer 21

Demonstrating fairness, transparency, and value for money.

Question 22

What is the role of the QS team in the project?

Answer 22

Conduct thorough reviews of the Contract Sum Analysis to ensure value for money.

Question 23

What was the main goal of the value engineering (VE) workshop?

Answer 23

To analyze optional items and maximize BREEAM credits while minimizing costs.

Question 24

What did the analysis of alternative materials and procurement methods aim to achieve?

Answer 24

Maximize value for money and offset additional sustainability costs.

Question 25

Why was it important to gain the Client's feedback during the secondary meeting?

Answer 25

To agree on which items could be omitted, targeted for further consideration, or remain included.

Question 26

What elements in the cost plan were identified by the Client to reduce the Contract sum?

Answer 26

Operational expenditure items such as planting and coffee machines.

Question 27

What was the outcome of the approach taken in the project regarding BREEAM?

Answer 27

The Client achieved BREEAM Excellent without negatively affecting functional and aesthetic features.

Question 28

What was the significance of conducting a VE exercise?

Answer 28

It contributed to sustainability goals by optimizing designs to minimize resource use, reduce waste, and lower costs.

Question 29

What did the author learn about providing project-specific advice?

Answer 29

The importance of clear, reasoned advice while recognizing programme as a critical driver in the time, cost, quality balance.

Question 30

What was the initial cost estimate situation noted in the document?

Answer 30

The Stage 2 cost estimate was confirmed as over budget.

Question 31

What approach was taken when the cost estimate was over budget?

Answer 31

Created a VE schedule and arranged a VE workshop with key project stakeholders.

Question 32

What did the author emphasize in their approach to managing costs?

Answer 32

Transparency and collaboration across all parties.

Question 33

What was the Client's response to the solutions presented after the VE exercise?

Answer 33

They agreed to proceed with the option that realigned the project with the budget.

Question 34

What were the advantages of a Single Stage Competitive Tender?

Answer 34

* Competitive tension * Cost certainty * Opportunity to assess design options

Question 35

What were the disadvantages of a Two Stage Competitive Tender?

Answer 35

* No fixed contract sum at first stage * Reduced commercial tension in the second stage

Question 36

What were the advantages of a Negotiated Tender?

Answer 36

* Earliest completion date * Client confidence in the preferred Contractor

Question 37

What was a key disadvantage of the scope reduction option?

Answer 37

Compromises the brief and may reduce perceived value or satisfaction for stakeholders.

Question 38

What was an advantage of the value engineering exercise?

Answer 38

No compromise on functionality and no impact on BREEAM.

Question 39

What did the author learn about BREEAM requirements?

Answer 39

The importance of understanding BREEAM requirements for office fit-out projects.

Question 40

Fill in the blank: The author's approach to tendering strategies was aligned with the Client's _______.

Answer 40

key drivers

Question 41

True or False: The negotiated tendering approach usually offers the longest programme.

Answer 41

False

Question 42

What is the role of RICS Rules of Conduct in the author's professional practice?

Answer 42

To ensure fairness and transparency throughout the procurement process.

Question 43

What were the main activities during the RIBA Stage 1?

Answer 43

* Project brief and budget cost plan prepared * First stage competitive tender awarded

Question 44

What did the Client focus groups aim to achieve during RIBA Stage 1?

Answer 44

To confirm the Client's key objectives.

Question 45

What was the purpose of the VE meeting arranged during RIBA Stage 4?

Answer 45

To assist the cost team in updating the project budget.