ABSTRACT
Programmes have an essential contractual purpose; they also facilitate the running of a project and play a crucial role in managing risk. This chapter considers the importance of programmes and differentiates between the different types of programme that might be used on a project. The Design Programme is a core management tool for the lead designer and should set out client meeting dates and the timetable for design team meetings as well as key project stage milestones for the design team’s reference. Determining the critical path of a construction project requires different techniques to those used for managing the iterative design process. Successful programming is an essential part of the design and construction processes and transparency of programming is an essential collaborative working tool. The Project Programme is a core contractual document as it sets particular milestones and frames the risks created for each party.
