ABSTRACT
Projects are novel endeavours as they are undertaken to build up and deliver new development objectives. These may relate to infrastructure, products or systems. The process of development comes before delivery and it is undertaken by the product planning chain. This establishment is set up during the Initiation and Design stages of the project life cycle by the Sponsor or the Customer of the project. It is the sponsor or customer who seeks the assistance of Consultants at the project planning chain (during the initiation and design phases) and who depends mostly on Major Suppliers and Contractors at the Project Delivery Chain (during the Implementation and Closure phases). The sponsors or customers who collaborate well with their partners are known as ‘Intelligent Clients’. The behaviour that characterises an intelligent client reflects the true nature of the relationship between partners in delivery, how the supply chain is managed, the role of contracts and who owns risk, uncertainty and opportunities (www.som.cranfield.ac.uk). This chapter describes the key activities and processes under the three building blocks of the project planning chain.
