Consideration should be given in respect of the readiness of the proposed grouped projects so that individual project timetables should not be materially impacted upon. In so doing the following questions should be considered:
• Do the proposed projects have approved Outline Business Cases?
• What is the current status of the planning applications for the proposed projects?
• Would grouping of the projects allow for design or any other synergies to be delivered (e.g. similar facilities in different locations)?
• Are project teams already engaged on each of the proposed projects? Could time/money be saved by bringing the projects together under one procurement umbrella?
• Are there any contractual or planning issues etc. which would expressly preclude projects being put together for procurement purposes? Land issues (e.g. ownership, title issues, ground conditions, access rights) frequently cause delays. If joint projects, negotiating the interface/joint occupation agreement amongst public sector bodies may also lead to delay.
• Could the finance for the projects be batched, but the project start dates be staggered (i.e. batched funding for bundled projects)?
• Would the bundling or batching of the projects result in any project within the group being otherwise delayed by over 6 months when compared to its current timetable?
• Could the grouping of the projects result in any project being brought forward and delivered earlier than current planned?