EUSGNEM20 Establish and agree utility network design briefs

Overview

This standard is about working with clients to develop utility network design briefs. The client may be internal or external to the organisation. The design brief will summarise the explicit design requirements.

It involves establishing client design objectives, analysing detailed information, determining the feasibility of meeting design objectives and developing design briefs with the client and other project stakeholders.

This standard is for utility network designers.

Performance Criteria

You must be able to:

  1. develop relationships with clients which facilitate the development of design briefs and are in line with organisational procedures
  2. consult with clients and other project stakeholders throughout the process using communication methods which suit their purpose and time in line with organisational procedures
  3. formally agree client requirements for utility networks before beginning the design process
  4. establish clients’ design objectives for function, performance, installation method, materials, costs, environment and aesthetics of utility networks
  5. use information from existing designs, research and tests and trials to inform development of the design brief
  6. develop design briefs that take account of international and national standards of network design
  7. determine any unique or specific features that need particular consideration
  8. carry out analysis which determines technical, legal and cost implications that need particular consideration
  9. determine the feasibility of achieving client requirements by assessing the features required against the factors which could affect them
  10. use complex technical data and information to inform the assessment process
  11. use detailed analytical and modelling processes to inform decision making
  12. produce a brief which confirms client objectives, shows the functionality of their requirements and the feasibility of achieving them in line with organisational procedures
  13. give clear details of specific issues to which clients need to give particular consideration in line with organisational procedures
  14. provide a copy of briefs to clients in line with organisational procedures
  15. keep records of the design brief in line with organisational procedures

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. standards, directives, industry guidelines, organisational procedures, systems and manuals, operating parameters and working practices appropriate to the network being designed
  2. network engineering principles and processes that apply to the network being designed
  3. legislative requirements for health and safety, the environment and the network being designed
  4. patents, copyright, and intellectual property issues
  5. industry standards, specifications, details, and formats
  6. feasibility studies and their purpose
  7. the different types of internal and external clients and other project stakeholders that you normally work with and their role
  8. how to determine who to contact in the client’s organisation and the procedures to be followed
  9. the processes for obtaining information from internal and external clients and other project stakeholders, and for assessing its accuracy
  10. the information to help establish requirements gained from client's technical requirements, hazard and risk assessments, and environmental impact assessments
  11. how to use information from conceptual design, detailed design, network demand considerations, existing equipment, national and international standards, codes and specifications
  12. how to ensure compliance with legislation and regulation for utility network design
  13. the types of feature to be considered unique or specific, and the importance of giving them particular consideration
  14. the factors affecting the feasibility of achieving the client’s requirements including contractual, cost, timescale, availability, health and safety, environmental, quality
  15. when to ask for advice and guidance beyond own level of competence
  16. methods for preparing and structuring a brief
  17. how to record data and information using organisational systems