Overall project plans. The minimum essential components of overall project plans which must be submitted for approval include a detailed program description, proposed budget and projected time schedule for the project. A detailed program description describes clearly and concisely the activities to be housed, their spatial requirements and special features which must be provided. Its basic purpose is to communicate the building needs to the architect in precise terms. It also serves to focus thinking during the planning process and to describe the project to all concerned.
Educational specifications serve as the program description for an academic building.
For other buildings, a detailed program similar to educational specifications must be written. The detailed program description is developed by the facilities planner through discussions with users of the facility and other administrators. In such cases, the anticipated schedule for approval submissions should be reported with the initial submission of overall project plans. Further, it is imperative that anticipated costs be reported with overall project plans. The proposed budget should show major items of expenditure.