What Does ‘Government Soft Landings’ Mean?

What Does ‘Government Soft Landings’ Mean?

Government Soft Landings (GSL) is a concept aimed at achieving a smooth transition from the design and construction phase to the operational phase of a built asset. It focuses on meeting the needs of the public and providing cost-effective services using taxpayer’s money. GSL ensures that the functionality, effectiveness, and performance targets of the asset are met.

It involves early engagement with end-users, the inclusion of a GSL champion in the project team, and a commitment to aftercare post-construction. By adopting GSL, clients can obtain fully populated asset data from the building information model (BIM), reduce operational costs, and improve the overall performance of the asset.

Key Takeaways:

• Government Soft Landings focuses on achieving a smooth transition from construction to operation.
• It ensures meeting the needs of the public and providing cost-effective services.
• GSL involves early engagement with end-users and a dedicated GSL champion in the project team.
• Adopting GSL leads to obtaining fully populated asset data from BIM and reducing operational costs.
• Implementing GSL improves the overall performance of the asset.

The Benefits of Government Soft Landings

Government Soft Landings (GSL) is a concept that brings numerous benefits to the design, construction, and operation phases of built assets. By implementing GSL, clients can ensure that the needs of end-users are met and that the asset performs optimally, delivering cost-effective services while utilizing taxpayer’s money efficiently.

One of the key advantages of GSL is early engagement with end-users. This allows for their input and feedback to be incorporated into the design and decision-making process, ensuring that the asset meets their specific needs and operational outcomes. Early engagement also enables potential design issues to be identified and addressed, reducing maintenance and operational costs in the long run.

GSL also emphasizes the importance of having a fully populated asset data from the building information model (BIM). This data-rich approach provides accurate and comprehensive information about the asset, facilitating its effective management and reducing the cost of data input into facility management systems.

Furthermore, GSL ensures that training, commissioning, and handover are prioritized early on, leading to optimal performance and cost savings.

Post occupancy evaluation is another valuable aspect of GSL. It allows for the monitoring of project outcomes against performance and cost criteria, helping to identify areas for improvement and capturing valuable lessons learned for future projects. By incorporating these insights, clients can continually enhance the delivery and management of their assets.

The GSL Process and Key Roles

The successful implementation of Government Soft Landings (GSL) involves a well-defined process and the involvement of key roles to ensure a smooth transition from the design and construction phase to the operational phase of a built asset.

Understanding the GSL process and the responsibilities of each role is essential for achieving the desired outcomes. Let’s take a closer look at the GSL process and the key roles involved.

The GSL Process

The GSL process consists of several important steps that contribute to the effective implementation of GSL principles. These steps include:

• Establishment of the operational vision and strategy
• Identification of key stakeholders
• Development of a GSL strategy and implementation plan
• Preparation of a facilities management strategy and plan

These steps ensure that the project aligns with the desired operational outcomes and that all stakeholders are engaged throughout the process.

Key Roles

Several key roles play a vital part in the successful implementation of GSL:

“The GSL champion, who is responsible for directing end-user engagement, plays a crucial role in ensuring that the needs and expectations of the end-users are considered throughout the project. The GSL department lead oversees the implementation of GSL principles within the project, ensuring that the GSL strategy is effectively executed. The project manager ensures coordination between different teams and stakeholders, keeping the project on track. Other roles, such as the project sponsor/senior responsible officer and the owner, have their specific responsibilities in supporting the GSL process.”

These roles collaborate closely to ensure that GSL activities and responsibilities are carried out effectively and that the desired outcomes are achieved.

Deliverables of the GSL Process

The GSL process produces various deliverables that contribute to the successful implementation of GSL principles. These deliverables may include:

• The GSL champion’s deliverables, which outline the engagement and coordination strategies with end-users
• Documents related to the project, such as the GSL strategy, implementation plan, and facilities management strategy

These deliverables provide a clear roadmap for the project and serve as valuable references throughout the entire lifecycle of the asset.

The roles and responsibilities within the GSL process are crucial for achieving the desired outcomes and ensuring the effective operation of the built asset.

GSL and Related Initiatives

Government Soft Landings (GSL) is closely aligned with the UK BIM Framework and ISO 19650 standards. The UK BIM Framework, which includes ISO 19650 and BS 8536, provides a comprehensive framework for information management using Building Information Modeling (BIM), thus enhancing the implementation of GSL.

Through this synergy, GSL can leverage the power of BIM to optimize asset performance and achieve seamless project delivery.

GSL also shares common goals with the Building a Safer Future initiative, which aims to enhance the safety and quality of buildings. By integrating GSL principles into the design and construction process, stakeholders can proactively address safety considerations, ensuring that buildings meet and exceed the highest safety standards.

This alignment between GSL and Building a Safer Future offers a holistic approach to delivering safer and more sustainable built assets.

By embracing GSL alongside the UK BIM Framework and ISO 19650, clients can unlock numerous benefits.

These include improved collaboration, streamlined information exchange, enhanced project outcomes, and reduced lifecycle costs. GSL serves as a vital link that connects various initiatives, enabling clients to achieve optimal project performance while delivering buildings that are safe, efficient, and future-proof.