Project Management Pre-Plan
The scope boundary, the full work breakdown, the schedule through to September 2030, and the four kill points at which this project can be redesigned, delayed or terminated.
01 — Scope
What the $100M covers, and what it does not.
Project objective
To design, build, equip, and launch a research and innovation centre at UFV by September 1, 2030, using the provided $100 million funding. The centre will provide shared research infrastructure for students, faculty, researchers, and industry partners.
Inspiration for this part is taken from aiicenter.com[3]
UFV already identifies applied research as an area that provides students with opportunities to participate in research, experiential learning and relationships with industry and community stakeholders.
02 — Work Breakdown Structure
The project is devided into 8 distinct work packages at the third level.
03 — Schedule
Through eight phases and six scheduling milestones the project timeline will keep us on track.
We think these should be a schedule buffer for when there is uncertainty like unexpected delay. For example: Construction delays, Permit delays, Equipment shipping, installation, Vendor issues, Testing failures,… (realistically we think the project might need more time, we only give contruction a little bit more than a year in the chart. However based on how long it took for the current UFV to build a new dorm and the cafeteria, it might take at least 2 year for the building to be constructed.)
04 — Kill Points
A kill point is a scheduled decision to continue, change or terminate. Each one sits before a major commitment of funds, so that a project that is no longer viable is stopped while the money is still in the bank.
Can UFV realistically build and operate the centre within the given time and $100M funding? If YES then continue to requirements/design, otherwise terminate or redesign the project.
Before proceeding with the final design, UFV will conduct public consultations to understand concerns from students, faculty, local residents, and community organizations regarding the development of the centre. Some stakeholders may oppose the project due to concerns about AI replacing jobs, data privacy, high energy consumption, and the environmental impact of advanced computing facilities.
The project team will collect feedback through surveys, public meetings, and stakeholder discussions to evaluate the level of community support. If significant opposition is identified, the Project Manager will review possible solutions, such as implementing responsible AI policies, improving energy efficiency, and providing greater transparency about the centre's research activities. If these concerns cannot be addressed, the project may need to be redesigned, delayed, or cancelled before major construction investments are made.
Once the architectural and technical designs are completed. UFV will review the building layout, research laboratory requirements, HPC infrastructure, construction plans, and updated cost estimates. If the design doesn't meets the project's objectives, exceed the approved budget or major issues are identified, the team may need to modify the design, reduce the scope, or reconsider the project before proceeding.
The project team will review the tech systems including networking infrastructure, robotics equipment, and research laboratories to ensure they meet the technical requirements. If major installation problems are found, the team will need to resolve them before proceeding with full system testing and commissioning.