The Challenge
The Draper Approach
Results Realized
The Challenge
In the Fall of 2006, Draper & Associates' (D&A) was selected by the Construction Division of the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC) to perform a management review of a component of their organization, the Design Review Group (DRG). The DRG organization was transferred from another state government organization, the Georgia Building Authority (GBA) to GSFIC's Construction Division in 2000. Currently, DRG operates as an independent group within the Construction Division performing three primary functions:
- Review architectural drawings of all construction or renovation projects managed by GSFIC to make sure that they are correct and complete.
- Perform Fire Marshal reviews and sprinkler reviews of all buildings constructed by the State of Georgia.
- Respond to inquiries or requests for code interpretation from design professionals.
The Draper Approach
The initial phase of this project involved a series of detailed and interrelated data gathering, documentation and fact-finding activities covering all aspects of the DRG's organization. It also included a review of its operational and managerial systems and processes. Industry and Peer Group data/documentation was compiled and reviewed along with that from within the DRG and State of Georgia . The data collection and documentation was organized by source and type and structured to support fact-finding efforts.
Preliminary findings were produced in relation to each of the following parameters:
- Mission and Scope of Responsibility
- Operational Effectiveness
Mission and Scope of Responsibility addressed the degree to which the strategic goals and objectives of a governmental entity are consistent with its legislated mandate and/or the needs and service requirements of its customers/constituents. The analysis regarding Mission and Scope of Responsibility was to gain a clear understanding of the services currently provided and the impact of those services on the customers/constituents. The analysis also included changes in the market place relating to other public or private sector entities competing to provide similar programs and services to the same customers/constituents. Specifically for DRG, this included:
- Examining the current mission statement of DRG and determining how it is being implemented.
- Determining timeliness and how customers/constituents and any outside entities use DRG constructability, life safety and fire marshal compliance reviews, etc.
- Reviewing the availability of similar services that could be potentially provided by private sector entities to DRG customers/constituents.
Operational Effectiveness examined the effectiveness of using Construction Division resources to provide reviews of construction documents for constructability and for compliance in light of existing organizational goals and objectives, the specific nature of the programs and services involved, timeliness and commonly accepted professional practices within the industry. Internal metrics were reviewed, compared and contrasted with external benchmarks to identify variances and service quality.
Results Realized
After periodic progress review meetings with the GSFIC Construction Division's executive management, a final draft of the D&A management review report was delivered to the client, followed by an Executive Management meeting with the Construction Division to discuss the conclusions and recommendations contained within the report.
The fourteen (14) specific, actionable recommendations made to the Construction Division Executive Management offer considerable gains in operational efficiencies and enhanced services to State agencies.
Most notable to this project is the continued demonstration of Draper & Associates' ability to effectively perform comprehensive management review studies of business organizations of any size. The skills and expertise of the D&A consultants combined to deliver a report that provides complete, insightful, specific recommendations supported by thorough quantitative and qualitative analysis.
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