Chapter 2: Courthouse Programming
The Planning, Programming, and
Design Process
A typical project development process includes four phases. The planning phase
includes evaluation of workloads, staffing levels, procedures, organizations, and
administrative requirements. The programming phase translates functional
requirements into a space needs (housing) plan and defines the project's design
objectives. Drawings and specifications for constructing the facility are developed in
the design phase through an iterative process of increasing detail. Materials and labor
are organized to implement the design in the construction phase.
Typical Federal Courthouse Project
Development Process
A typical project development process for a federal courthouse is described below.
Not all projects will follow this exact sequence of events. Cost evaluation and control
opportunities occur at each step and must be addressed by the court, GSA, and
consultants.
Planning Phase
Before the project begins, court personnel responsible for facility planning and
development must be identified and a court facility planning committee formed
consisting of judges and representatives of the judiciary family. The committee must
be cost-conscious and creative in developing efficient court facilities. The services of a
design and construction professional working directly for the court may be needed to
ensure complete and thorough budget and design reviews.
The court begins planning by identifying existing facility assets and deficiencies
through a Facilities Assessment Survey, which is then evaluated by the Administrative
Office of the U.S. Courts (AOUSC) as part of the long-range facility planning
12/19/97
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