ABSTRACT
Even when the project is complete and the client has taken possession of the built asset, the project manager still has an important role to play. For clients with large property portfolios, the project manager should explain the benefits of post-occupancy evaluation of the newly completed project as evaluation and benchmarking are the cornerstones of continuous improvement. Many buildings do not perform as planned; in some cases issues can impact on running costs, staff and client satisfaction and performance, as well as health and safety and comfort. For repeat construction clients, learning from and correcting past mistakes in design and commissioning of buildings can be extremely cost-effective and greatly improve workplace productivity for future projects. The tools that are available to the project manager at this stage are;
project audit, and
post-occupancy evaluation (POE), which includes such techniques as:
focus groups,
visual surveys,
energy use surveys, and
building walk-throughs.
