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CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND  
PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE

Certified Construction Project Manager (CCPM)

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1.
Conceptual Design and Preliminary Estimate

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1.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
1.1 Definition

•
Conceptual design is an earliest design model either drawing or
other similar means in a construction project that demonstrate
the rough idea of the needs and requirement of a construction
project, which will be developed to showcase a more complex
and complete model.

•
Preliminary estimate is an amount of a cost estimate that is
generated at early stage of pre-construction phase of a
construction project life cycle and is to support and determine
cost of construction project during the conceptual design
process.

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1.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
1.2 Project Needs

•
Project objective is as the terms implied, is the objective of a
construction project being initiated by the Client. Project
objective is the main general idea of what the Client desired at
the end of the construction project. The project objective shall
be direct and enables the Construction Project Manager and his
team that reads or hears it will immediately have gross idea of
what they will be managing or constructing.

•
Project needs will further develop and provide more detail of
the construction project objective which will may describe any
requirement of the construction project that may have been
identified during this stage.

•
A project brief can also be called needs statement or scope
book. Project brief shall be developed after the Client’s needs
are listed and identified as well as before the start of
establishing a conceptual design. The design consultant shall
refer to the project brief as a main document to generate the
conceptual design.

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1.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE

PROJECT OBJECTIVE
To a high-wsty. custart hane free n-«hs at cost exced $1EQÜ.
DELVEMBLES
• A finished horre
• A finished '-suated. sreet rocked.
• Kitchen to rmge. oven. nd dishwæher.
• gas wt. them-estat
MILESTONES
Permits avoved. March
2. Fomd.*im pured. March 14h
3. Dry n Franng. sheathhg. plunbng. md rnechmical inspedims May
4. ame 7B
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Hal* must met buzng
2 A1 windcws and do«s must NFRC CIES 40 erergy rügs.
3 Exterior wS insul*cn must mæ 'A' of 21.
4. Cei,ng insulaton must met an •R' factr 38.
5. FW insul±cn must met 'R- futor of 25.
& Gara* too lar*-size cys and cæ 20-f@t
7. SrucÜe nust pass seismic stabdty
LIMITS AND EXCLUSIONS
1. The buih to he des. Of by
the w•stcrr-er.
2 Owner responsble lmÉcaphg.
3 Refr«xor rs rot incåJded
4. Ar cmditoning is nd included but prewiring ineu&d-
5. Cntractv reserves he nght to untrut wt *-rviæs.
O_ C.mtractv response for subccnrxted work
7- Site Monday Friday. to P.M.
CUSTOMER REVEW

Example of Needs Statement
Inter-relationship of

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1.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
1.3 Design Requirement Development

•
In identifying the functions and requirement, the Client must
have a strong technical design team that will assist the Client
and Construction Project Manager in extracting the detail
requirement from the Client and eventually assist in planning
the development of the construction project. The technical team
may consist of architect, design consultant, and town planning
consultant among others appointed by the Client.

•
There are also some information and description from the Client  
that will be vital for the development of the design in  
construction project such as:
• Client’s policies
• Client’s preferences
• Client’s principle

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1.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
1.3 Design Requirement Development - Continue

•
Variety of Design Requirement Development, according to  
Client’s needs and demand, which are:

•
Operational Requirement (Functional Brief).

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1.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
3.
Design Requirement Development

•
Client’s requirement in developing the project brief by meeting or
with question-and-answer session. These method may also be
combined by conducting a workshop with the Client,
Client’s

representative, end users, Design Consultant (if already appointed) that
only focus on completing the requirement. The exercise shall be
planned with all the items and questions that required the Client’s
clarification are listed and distributed to all attendees before the
planned workshop.

•
At the end of the workshop, a compiled project brief can immediately
be produced, and Client shall endorse the project brief document as
soon as possible to avoid further major changes to the project brief.
The endorsed document shall be distributed to all parties attended the
workshop.
The
document
can
be
further
enhanced
during

development of conceptual design as Client may provide more
information and their needs regarding the construction project, with
the design is getting more and more focus and detail. However, the
project brief must be frozen at the end of conceptual design so that
the designer can further focus in producing more detailed design.

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1.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
1.3 Design Requirement Development
1.3.2 Functional Floor Area

•
Some of the requirement that can be detailed up are the
function of each floor area in the case of construction of a
building.

•
For example, with a government agency as the Client may
requires to build a government facilities with multiple functions
such as for normal administration works, research of government
main function, storage area for document,
functional hall for

•
From the description, the design team will be able to identify
that the construction project will have a government office
area, research lab, large area of storage space, specific area for
event hall and others. These assumptions shall be confirmed
with the Client. With each of the major area, the Client and
design team shall then determine a more specific requirement
for the specific areas.

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1.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
1.3 Design Requirement Development
1.3.3 Circulation Space

•
Circulation space is where there are movement of people
in an area such as corridors, lobbies, stairs and so forth.
These areas are required to be determined to ensure the
size and restriction access may be introduced to these
areas.

•
Circulation space is divided to 2 types:
•
Vertical
circulation space - an area with vertical

movement of people such as stairs, ramp, lift, ladder
and among others.

•
Horizontal circulation space - an area with horizontal
movement of people such as lobbies, corridors, car
parks, among others.

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1.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
1.3 Design Requirement Development
1.3.4 Operational Requirement (Functional Brief)

•
At this stage, the Client may specify that based on identified open
space area or circulation space, the requirement for operation shall
be stated to the specified area. Some example of operational
requirement are as follows:
•
Storage for weapon at a security restricted area

•
Partitioned or hot seat arrangement for office area

•
Meeting rooms for meetings and discussions

•
Multifunction room for discussion and general office activities

•
Reception bay for unloading goods from lorries or container

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1.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
1.3 Design Requirement Development
1.3.5 System Requirement

•
System requirement are requirement to fulfil some operational requirement  
that used system, to complete the function of the finished project such as:
•
Information and communication technology (ICT)

•
A construction project system requirement can be further specified such as
security system that may require used of CCTV, biometric system and card
access system, among others.

•
These system might require specialist for each respective system to be
appointed either during the earlier phase of construction or later in the
construction phase, depending on the details the Client requires and
capability of the already appointed Consultant.

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euSAT LAT'HAN
Mechanical services
protectiomsystem
conditioning and mechanicaÉÉ
Itilation (ACMV)
ld water and sanitary plümbinw
NSP)
and escalator
uefied petroleumgas(LPG)
compressor

1.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
1.3 Design Requirement Development
1.3.6 Services Requirement

•
Services requirement are also requirement to fulfil operational  
requirement. Services usually required for every construction  
project as services consist of very broad range of use. For  
example, a building will require services such as:

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1.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
1.3 Design Requirement Development
1.3.7 Special Requirement

•
Other than the above listed requirement, the Client may have a more
special requirement that might not be seen in a typical project. This
special requirement may range from major to minor and may greatly
affect the way the construction project will be design. The aspiration
may
come
from
the
government
requirement,
local
industry

encouragement as well as Client’s experience of past construction
project. The Client may wish to include some special requirement as
follows:
•
Using Industrial Building System (IBS) method of construction.

•
Requirement in achieving high rating Green Building Index (GBI).

•
Application of Prevention through Design (PtD) that focus on
occupational safety and health throughout the construction project
from pre-construction phase (design phase) and beyond.

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2.0 PREPARATION OF CONCEPT DESIGN
2.1 Pre-Design Parameters

▪ Before
preparing an actual concept design and drawing, some

parameters are required by the design Consultant for calculations and
to be considered in conducting the design. Some of pre-design
parameters can be acquired by the following methods, among others:

▪ The Client will usually need to appoint a specialist to conduct these

methods. The Client may also appoint a design Consultant and includes
the works to conduct these methods in their scope of works.

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▪
Site surveys or site investigation is carried out in all construction project sites, prior to the start of
construction work and even the design work of the said construction project. Site surveys shall be carried
out by the design consultant to verify information provided by the Client and extracting more information 
for purpose of design and construction.

▪
The particulars which require observation and attention during the site survey may include:

▪
Access to and from the site (ingress and egress)

▪
Natural character of the site (contour, drainage flow, existing trees and vegetation, rock  
valleys and cliffs, swamp, ponds, ponding, among others)

▪
Existing man-made structure (building, walls, gates, fencing, obstruction, fire hydrant, pylon, telecom  
post, among others)

▪
Traffic including vehicle, human and animal movement

▪
Availability of utilities (electricity, culverts, gas, water, sewerage, telecommunication services, among  
others)

▪
Physical hazards and hazardous materials

▪
Boundaries (with boundary survey, if required)

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2.1 Pre-Design Parameters
2.1.2 Soil Investigation

▪ Soil investigation is an act of tests in order to receive information regarding the physical

properties of soil and rocks within the construction site. An earthwork and foundation
design of a construction project heavily dependent on the soil investigation.

▪ For a concept design, soil investigation will provide the design Consultant with:

▪ General subsoil profile.
▪ Preliminary layout and formation level.
▪ Preliminary soil parameters and water level.

▪ Soil investigation shall be done by a specialist on soil investigation and is ensure that all

equipment and instrument used are calibrated. Some method of testing are applied such
as:

▪ Sampling.
▪ Shallow boring or test pits with hand augering.
▪ Deep boring with boring or drilling machine.

▪ In-situ test such as Standard Penetration Test (SPT), Mackintosh probe test, among

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2.1 Pre-Design Parameters
2.1.3 Hydrological Study

▪
Hydrology study is a study of the amount of water and its quality on a land surface as well as
their relationship or movement of the water including underground water near the land
surface. This study shall follow the guideline of Urban Stormwater Management Manual
(MSMA) as produced by Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) Malaysia. Latest edition of MSMA
shall be referred to shall the design of drainage system or urban stormwater management is to
be approved by JPS.

▪
Hydrology study shall be done with the requirement of a construction project and may consist  
of the following:

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2.1 Pre-Design Parameters
2.1.4 Mapping of Existing Utilities

▪
During producing a conceptual design and eventually a detail design, it is most recommended to ensure that
the design does not affect the existing utilities either above surface, on surface or underground. If it is
inevitable to affect the utilities services, there shall be a plan for relocation of the services without or with
minimum disturbance to the existing users of the utility's services.

▪
That is why a mapping of existing utilities must be done at early phase of a construction project, to avoid
problems and issues in the future. Some of the utilities that might need to be paid attention to are:

▪
Electrical services (underground or overhead), usually affecting high tension (HT) cables.

▪
Underground drainage or underground water reticulation.

▪
Telecommunication services such as telephone cables, fibre optic cables, among others.

▪
Underground gas pipes either by a gas company or by Gas Malaysia.

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2.1 Pre-Design Parameters
2.1.5 Historical Report

▪
There are some information and data that might not be assessable by site investigation, study
and utilities mapping. However, there are government agencies or utility companies that might
hold the record or data that is required for the purpose of design.

▪
Meteorological records which go back over a hundred years. Meteorological Department
can also provide representative information on pattern of rainfall and temperature.

▪
Local authorities records such as JKR, PKNS, DBKL & Local Planning Authorities (LPA).

▪
Local authorities may also have information on buildings which have been on the site
previously. These buildings may include basements which, if the site is to be developed,
may require demolishing or filling in. Local authorities can also advise on the existence of
Tree Preservation Orders or Listed Buildings.

▪
Public rights of way and bridle paths which, if the site is to be developed, may require
diverting need accurate positioning during the site reconnaissance.

▪
On land, particularly in suburban areas, there may be a covenant which restricts the type of
development designated and it is not unusual to find an easement running across the site
under which is a major service such as a trunk water main (belonging to JBA, SYABAS, PUAS)
and over which development is not permitted.

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▪ Conceptual design in a construction project is the generation of an initial idea

into a design based on the previously done feasibility, project brief and
project requirement.

▪ Usually these conceptual and schematic design proposals are prepared /

produce in a few alternatives or options for the client considerations and
approval. Along the way, the Client will have more and more understanding of
their own concept and construction project, and the Client’s idea will also be
evolving. The Construction Project Manager shall control the ideas evolution of
the Client in producing it into a concept design.

▪ Once the concepts are approved, the next step / stage of the design process

will involve the development of the designs and input from the other design
Consultants and the Quantity Surveyors.

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▪ Architectural concept design is the most sought out for by Client as it is very visual and will

be the foundation and basis for all other trades in their design. The Client and Architect
should agree upon on the flow of how the concept design is developed and materialized,
such as from sketches, design illustrations, section and elevation drawing as well as 3-
dimensional form.

▪ A good concept design shall realize most of the principle that the design team including the

Client, determined to be essential for the construction project. The concept design shall
also have enough information in order to produce a generic estimate based on, among
others:

▪ Floor area
▪ Likely construction method
▪ Access
▪ General building performance
▪ System used
▪ Façade treatment
▪ Type of use

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Access to construction site
Size (Height, Width, Length)
Description of landscape

open space
Orientation of Building
Surrounding existing landscape and

consideration of surrounding  
existing building androads

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▪
From the reports during pre-concept design and architectural concept design, the Consultant
(structural engineer) may come out with the foundation concept design suitable for the
construction site and constructionproject.

▪
The Architect and the Consultant may also discuss on the requirement of Industrialized Building
System (IBS) in the construction project. They may propose to use IBS for construction, or it may
even be a requirement by the Client during early stages of project brief.

▪
The structural concept design may also include and consider, among others:

▪
Sized and spans for primary and secondary beam

▪
Floor loadings including dead and live loads

▪
Expansion joints (horizontal and vertical)

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▪
Services in a construction project is typically as follows:

▪
Information and communication technology (ICT)

Electrical
Mechanical
Information and Communication

Concept of power supply
Concept of air conditioning and

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▪ Design input aligned with design output and in this case, if a concept design is

aligned with the project brief and Client’s requirement.

▪ The concept design is fitting to the Client’s needs.

▪ Providing the finished construction project to become operationally better for the

▪ Minimize change orders during construction phase.

▪ The review process may consist of the following:

▪ Based on authority requirement, guidelines and standards.

▪ List of related codes and standards, useful guidelines and best practices as well as

▪ Method of review (checklist, site survey, value management, among others)

▪ Risk management (risk identification, assessment and control)

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▪ One of an important element of design review is to review if the concept design

produced is accordance to the local authorities and agencies requirement, codes,
standards, guidelines, act and regulation. This will allow a better chance and faster
process when dealing with local authorities and agencies in obtaining their approval
for development.

▪ For a better understanding of authorities’ and agencies’ requirement and their view, a

pre-consultation with the local authorities and agencies and can be conducted by the
design team during the design review process.

▪ An experience design team or Consultant may even have previous engagement with

the authorities and agencies in their past construction project and may provide early
input on the authorities and agencies behaviour as well as their preferences.

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2.3 Design Review and Validation
2.3.2 Functional Review

▪ Design is suitable for the intended function.

▪ Design covers all required function in the reviewed area.

▪ Improve the overall design with addition or removal or modification of certain

▪ The design team may review with support of:

▪ Checklist listing all the required function and operational requirement of an area

▪ Checklist of the possible good practice design for the intended function.

▪ Show and connect the design of an area with other related areas that have direct

and indirect connection with the reviewed area.

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2.3 Design Review and Validation
2.3.3 Circulation Space Review

▪ Ensure design according to authority requirement, regulation, codes, UBBL and

▪ Improve the circulation design or provide reinforcement.
▪ Discuss mode of transportation between two (2) or more circulation spaces,

▪ Determine if the circulation shall go around a specific space or pass through the

open space. There might have a sudden used for the open space.

▪ Input from other consultants. For example, security consultant may provide input

in terms of security such as distance requirement from a wall to an equipment  
should there is bombing.

▪ Discussion and reference from past construction project experience.
▪ Example of good practice and lesson learnt in existing finished project.
▪ Comparison of calculation for services with a few circulation options.

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2.3 Design Review and Validation
2.3.4 Project Elemental Review

▪ Ensure that all component for each project element are covered in the design.
▪ Check if there is any clash between the elements.
▪ Ensure the requirement for each elements are considered.

For example, Electrical and ICT room should not be located below a room with  
water such as toilet and bathroom.

▪ Discuss the main materials and equipment that may be used for the construction

▪ Checklist for every project element.
▪ Coordination and integration of different elements or packages of the design

between design Consultants of different trades.

▪ Introduce Building Information Modelling (BIM) as early as during conceptual

▪ Presentation of options for main materials and equipment with pros and cons.

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euSAT LAT'HAN
YES/ NO/
Remarks
jor or
YES/ NO/
Remarks
(SER)
water
ical

Sample of Conceptual / Schematic Design Checklist

No.
Concept / Schematic Design Item Checklist
YES / NO /
Remarks

1.
Structural system used (concrete, steel, etc.)

1.
Proposed sizes of columns, beams and slabs in major or  
main areas

Air conditioning and mechanical ventilation (ACMV)

1.
Description of ACMV system and equipment foreach  
functional space.

1.
Cooling capacities of each functional area.

1.
Proposed locations and sizes of mechanical equipment,  
rooms and main shafts.

1.
Block layouts for major or main equipment.

1.
Life cycle cost analysis with recommendations

1.
Block layouts for water tank location.

1.
Location of major or main ICT rooms:
(a)
Server room

1.
Distance between network point to nearest ICT room (SER)

MODULE 03 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN and PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE