Organize for success: seven steps to a successful building project

Intended for ambulatory care administrators considering a building project, the article discusses seven key steps to a successful project: Avoid common pitfalls: allow enough time, avoid over-delegation, focus staff on issues rather than egos, require staff "buy-ins" to project concepts and design, and understand the realties of construction. Select the right team: how to interview, assess qualifications, and make a sound decision. Understand all the project costs; construction cost is only one of many. Understand the various construction methods and pricing alternatives; become a sophisticated consumer. Understand the nature and scope of the risks inherent in building projects. Understand all the management issues. Start your project off right through producing. Identify strategic goals and needs, then quantify and qualify your project's intent, scope, and basic financial assumptions.