Project Management
The previous article left us at the stage where we had obtained planning permission consent for our conversion. The vision of what we wanted now existed in two places; in our imagination and in two dimensions on six sheets of A1 sized paper, which were suitably stamped as approved by the local Mairie. Information regarding what a planning dossier consists of and copies of the relevant forms, from the french government website, can be found here.
The exercise that is “taking stock” has a lot to commend it. At this stage anybody can look at such a project and turn it into a mammoth undertaking. And then it hits you, your earlier decision to retain “ownership” of the project, if it means anything at all, means you are going to have to do something. It is a truism to say that ones ability to achieve anything is directly proportional to the desire to complete a task. I would even apply this to budgetary issues. The level of affordability of a project is determined by how much you want it.
A plan of a finished product can do a great deal to maintain motivation and guide the inner vision as to what is required to be done. Keeping in mind what the overall aim, and the finished product is, will give a greater sense of purpose and direction. This is a lot, lots easier to say than it is to achieve. The only advice received at this stage that I am prepared to pass on is this: Decide what it is you want to be on a particular day and concentrate on that role.
The simple thing of looking at what an end result is can also be applied to tasks. When they are broken down, they become more manageable. As an example we knew that we were going to have a Fosse Septique installed. We also knew from the plans where the various sinks, showers, bath and WCS were going to be located. It was then a case of planning what was actually required to join one to the others. By looking at the circumstances of our building and what we needed, it was a case of ensuring that all the necessary lengths of grey pipe, their different sizes and fittings were in position before the floor was levelled and laid. At this point I was reliably informed to “check me levels, Water and other stuff don’t flow uphill.”
Project management is a multitask occupation. The ability to perform certain jobs will depend to a large extent on the expertise of the individual. It is also true to say that the organization and acquisition of materials can be just as daunting as the physicality of the work involved. The number of suppliers that exist is too numerous to mention. What needs to be constantly kept in mind, along with price and value, is does the delivery cost of a product make it more or less attractive to drive and shop for it yourself. A bulkier item, i.e., sheets of plasterboard delivered will save loads of headache for example.
Unless you are planning something completely out of the ordinary, the chances are that somebody somewhere will have had almost exactly the same problems as you will experience. The odds of there being a book, facts sheet or even an internet solution to your problems are very high. Take the time to do the research as you go along and you will find a way forward. If you are experiencing similar problems and or headaches, talking to someone like me could be well worth your while.
(extracts from this article have previously appeared on Frenchentree)