The art of good development
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Transcript of The art of good development
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An area that is as focused on propertydevelopment and construction asthis one produces a hive of related
activities, from architects and investors tobuilders, chartered surveyors and estateagents. For the most part these variedplayers interact rather organically, theirpaths crossing as dictated by need, but inreality construction and developmentprojects are huge undertakings thatrequire careful planning, control and asound coordination of all the parts thatcome together to produce them. As itmatures, the industry is becomingincreasingly aware that the challengesthrown in the way of developers can bebest met by placing overall project man-agement responsibility with specialistcompanies who, like the conductor of anorchestra, ensure that all the pieces playtogether to produce an efficient, effectivewhole.
As the founder of MDCI, Mark Lawsonhas been a pioneer in the field, promot-ing good development standards andpractice in pursuit of his clients’ objec-tives. These can vary in detail, but alwaysinclude two elements that are central toMDCI’s philosophy: completion of proj-ects on time and within budget. Qualitycontrol, product development and mar-keting advice, right down to suggestionson small but important details, are theother important services provided by acompany that can handle anything fromfeasibility studies and site selection at theconceptual stage to stepping in and sal-vaging existing projects that have runastray. “We do this and a lot in between,”says Mark, emphasising the flexible, mod-ular structure of his company’s services.“We are neither property developers nora construction company, but the peoplewho can step in, take the brief from ourclients, the developers, and ensure their
objectives and requirements are met.”Thedegree of involvement varies accordingto the clients’wishes.
“We consult investors and developersat the conceptual stage, often helpingthem to find the land. Companies thatare used to developing their own proj-ects often call us in to control the ProjectManagement for them, although it is alsonot unusual that we are asked to come inand ‘save’ a project that is falling behindand going over budget. In such cases weinherit the contractor and all his suppli-ers. We study the situation, provide theclient with a report in which we identifythe problems and mark out the measuresrequired to get things back on track. Asthe point of contact for the client, it is ourresponsibility to ensure that the buildersand suppliers meet their targets. Thedegree to which you can salvage a trou-bled project depends upon the damagealready done, but in most cases suchclients take us on as their project devel-opers for subsequent ventures.”
“The Project Development service isused especially by those investors whoknow where to buy land, what to devel-op and how to sell it, but have no exist-ing infrastructure or expertise when itcomes to the physical realisation of theproject. This is where we come in, estab-lishing the targets and objectives withthem and then translating these into aproject planning, costing and qualitycontrol programme that has a simpleend result as its goal: delivering the proj-ect to the client on time, on budget andto the quality and specifications they
demand. Of course, if we can win ontime and save them money, so muchthe better, but our time planning is notso much a race against the clock as arealistic framework with built-in cush-ions. Our initial costing and budgeting,likewise, already uses tried and testedmethods to negotiate the best possibleprices with builders and suppliers alikewithout sacrificing quality. We also pro-vide ongoing inspection and control, aswell as watertight contracts that tie con-tractors and suppliers to their duties andresponsibilities, and include financialpenalties when these are not met. It isour expertise in bringing all these com-ponents together and our ability todeliver the goods that proves our valueto our clients.”
On observing that it must be verychallenging to get so many service-sup-pliers to do exactly what you want themto, Mark replies, “Not really. We work withthose people who have proved to beprofessional in the past, but we are alsocontinuously testing newcomers to themarket.”Then again, growing up in Spainand having a father who developed proj-ects here must surely be a big advantage.“Yes, it’s definitely in the blood,” agreesMark, explaining how his entire career,from selling real estate in England andhelping clients build their villas, to man-aging big development projects for lead-ing resort chains, has led him to hisultimate destiny: MDCI.
For more information contact MDCI,Tel: 952 903 190. www.mdcispain.com
As the founderof MDCI, MarkLawson hasbeen a pioneerin the field,promotinggooddevelopmentstandards andpractice inpursuit of hisclients’objectives
The art of good development
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Report: Michel CruzPhotography: Craig Stennet
MDCI