As the program manager for a major office renovation, before construction begins, the owner asks you to develop a swing space plan for displaced staff. What should you review first?

As the program manager for a major office renovation, before construction begins, the owner asks you to develop a swing space plan for displaced staff. What should you review first?

• A. The design specifications
• B. The program management contract
• C. The design contract
• D. The construction management plan

Answer: (B)

Understanding who has authority and how the program will be governed is essential before planning anything that affects displaced staff. The first thing to review is the program management contract because it defines the PM’s duties, decision rights, reporting structure, and owner expectations for the entire program. It sets the scope for what you are authorized to plan, what approvals are required, and how changes are managed, which directly influences how a swing space plan should be developed and coordinated with design and construction activities. Once you know the governance and boundaries from the contract, you can align the swing space plan with the owner’s objectives and the PM’s processes, ensuring the plan has the necessary approvals and fits within budget and schedule. Design specifications and the design contract govern the actual design work, while the construction management plan describes delivery methods; both are important but depend on the authority and framework established by the program management contract.

Understanding who has authority and how the program will be governed is essential before planning anything that affects displaced staff. The first thing to review is the program management contract because it defines the PM’s duties, decision rights, reporting structure, and owner expectations for the entire program. It sets the scope for what you are authorized to plan, what approvals are required, and how changes are managed, which directly influences how a swing space plan should be developed and coordinated with design and construction activities. Once you know the governance and boundaries from the contract, you can align the swing space plan with the owner’s objectives and the PM’s processes, ensuring the plan has the necessary approvals and fits within budget and schedule. Design specifications and the design contract govern the actual design work, while the construction management plan describes delivery methods; both are important but depend on the authority and framework established by the program management contract.