INTD 350 Module 4 6-Step Programming Process

Six-Step Programing Process

If you are new to the concept of programming, the Whole Building Design Guide has a six-step process to follow. Select "+Info" to read about each step.

2Establish goals and objectives

3 Gather relevant informa tion

5 Determine quantitative requirements

1Research the project type

6 Summarize the program

4 Identify strategies

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Once the programming is approved by the client, it’s time to move to the next step of the design phases.

Research the project type

Establish the types of spaces, number of square feet per person or unit, relationship of the spaces, ratios of net assignable square footage to gross square footage, cost, and site requirements typical for the type of project.

Establish goals and objectives

Look at all the goals the owners might have for the building – the organizational goals, the form and image goals, the function goals, the economic goals, the time goals, and the management goals.

Here are some questions you can ask in this early design phase:How do they want the project to fit into their overall organization? How should the form and image of the building impact the users and surrounding areas? What will be the main and side uses of the building? What is the budget and is it firm? When do they want the building to be occupied? Are there any restrictions or requirements that will impact the design process?

Gather relevant information

Use good questions to gain a very clear understanding of every space in the building and the client’s wants and needs. Take your time with this step – the more questions you ask now, the more accurate the programming phase will be. The questions should be both quantitative, e.g. how big should the space be, and qualitative, e.g. how should the space feel. If the client has an existing building that serves the same purpose, use that as a springboard to nail down what the client wants and doesn’t want. Listen to the client complain about all the issues with their current master bathroom. People often have a stronger idea of what they don’t like than what they do like.

Identify strategies

This is when you would break out your bubble diagram. Now that you know how each room will be used, you can look at how those spaces fit together. Continue to get the owner’s input at this stage of the design phase. Just because you think you know how the spaces should fit and flow together, doesn’t mean that is how the owner wants or needs it.

Determine quantitative requirements

At this point of the design phase, develop a total cost for the project based on the typical cost determined in step one. Prepare the client for all the costs, not just the cost of construction, like your design feesLinks to an external site., contingency, furniture and equipment, testing, surveying and any other costs. If the total cost is more than the client’s budget, you can do several things. If the client has indicated the budget has some wiggle room, look at increasing the budget (although, this rarely happens). You can either decrease the quantity or quality of the design, or a combination of the two. You should revisit step three at this point – review the client’s wants and needs to find a solution. If the client can decrease the square footage in one room, but must maintain the square footage in another room, could they find cheaper materials to balance it out? Work to find a balance between the budget and the client’s needs.

Summarize the program

Document all the information, needs, goals, and costs in summary statements and present them to the client. At the end of the programming design phase, you want to have the client sign off on the scope of work developed throughout this process.