We've done a lot of work for GSK over four sites now, principally in Stevenage, where we built a new cryogenics building.

And given that the constant in every project is uncertainty and change, it must always allow for multiple variables, both known and unknown..Importantly, effective master planning also allows the client to explain simply – and sell – their issues, requirements and planning to other (senior) internal stakeholders, demonstrating clearly how to move from a present state to potential future states, and the benefits of doing so.. Bryden Wood’s master planning process.

Our approach to master planning is collaborative, and iterative.Collaborative because there is usually no one person who understands every element of the situation (we bring together the right people to combine their knowledge and experience).Iterative because the problem is unwrapped and understood gradually, by identifying potential solutions, analysing them and feeding the outcome back into the continuously evolving problem statement.

The team evaluates the outcome, revises their understanding of the problem (if required), and goes around the loop again, with new, adjusted or more developed solutions..The key principles of our master planning approach are: to adopt a common language that can be understood by all involved; to use clear visualisations rather than words as much as possible, as this aids general understanding; to be clear and explicit about any and all assumptions, and; to capture as much data and information as possible from as many sources as possible, so that no knowledge goes to waste..

The first step is to gather that information.

We use a number of strategies – including questionnaires and in-depth workshops with client teams – to gather as much qualitative and quantitative data as we can.As the construction industry embarks on a transformative journey of modernisation, Jacqui Glass offers a unique perspective.

Currently Professor of Construction Management at The Bartlett, UCL, Glass has spent over twenty years in roles spanning academia, industry, government and its associated bodies.She’s looked at construction through more lenses than most, and her ability to act as a conduit between practice, policy and the scholarly world is particularly valuable at this critical moment.

As the construction eco-system leans into change and innovation, we’ll foster dramatic improvements to productivity, quality, safety and sustainability, creating a better built environment for ourselves and future generations.The path to our goal involves extensive research, a commitment to nailing down nomenclature and standards, and the creation of a home for digital technologies and the young workers who will help us to drive the industry forwards.