At the beginning of 2020, I would have never imagined delivering a restack project from start to finish without actually visiting the site. But, that is exactly what has happened as we celebrate the successful completion and handover of some 5000 sqft of office space in beautiful Gibraltar.
Gibraltar is a unique part of the world to work in at the best of times, with a finite network of suppliers/contractors, and strict import requirements into the small UK territory.
Add to that Covid, and the impact this has had on the local business environment, supply chain and logistics, and the challenge enters into new territory.
Achieving Success
So, how did we do it? Good, clear Project Management process, structure and governance was at the heart of everything we did.
First, we were able to do all of the design work remotely working off existing CAD plans together with photographic surveys. This did impose some risk, that the CAD plans were an accurate representation, but some local spot checks helped alleviate this risk.
Procurement provided some challenges, with local lockdown preventing access to the building for a significant period. But, this was ultimately a time related issue, which once overcome, did not prevent competitive prices being obtained.
Delivery was slightly elongated to accommodate enhanced local controls and impact on working hours, but again, this was a measured response which could be evaluated, controlled and shared.
Sign off provided perhaps the biggest challenge and which was accomplished by a combination of video link and local representatives providing detailed views where required.
Throughout all project stages, regular weekly meetings ensured that all key stakeholders were kept informed and updated, and the flow of data and information, essential to project success, was maintained.
Staff are now happily settled in their new environment.
Bryan is a highly trusted and experienced Programme and Project Manager in the world of corporate office relocation. Bryan has worked with some of the best names in the industry, both individually and through the major property consultancy CBRE.