Building Physical Infrastructures

During this step, the organization constructs and builds new physical facilities, consolidates redundant facilities, and/or eliminates unnecessary ones.

Techniques

The techniques for building physical infrastructures include

• Project management

• Professional practices for each specialty area

• Communication with other project teams

Lessons Learned

This step is part of the Physical Facilities Design and Construction program.

First, review the existing infrastructures, architectures, strategies, and project portfolios for physical modifications and the building or acquisition of new facilities and equipment. Include a review of the Architect and Align phase to see what other strategies, plans, and initiatives are planned and under way. Then, revisit the Vision phase to comprehend the enabling effect of the required infrastructure change. Use the process business case to obtain the funding/budget for infrastructure changes. When building the plan for infrastructure, include the phasing of facility introduction according to logical business sequences (define clearly the interim transition points that provide business value).

The facility component of process renewal is often overlooked, resulting in much disappointment later. Don’t delay this activity. It takes time to specify, design, contract, build, acquire, and deliver the facilities. They have to be ready. One European client that I interviewed told me of the time they did everything except get the local municipality to build the road to their new processing center. Because they had given notice on the old facility, they had to get special vehicles to transport the staff during the rainy and muddy season. This was a distinct embarrassment and a productivity drain.

Building physical infrastructures can commence as soon as the Architect and Align phase is completed. If the degree of changes required is substantial—for example, buildings need to be eliminated, warehouses must be consolidated, or a new facility needs to be constructed—there will be no choice but to start as soon as possible.