Litchfield

The space was originally 100,000 sq feet on two floors - a dealer floor and client meeting areas with a main comms room and the back office department on the floor above. The second floor contains 440 dealers working on a variety of platforms and originally a further 70 people in back office functions on floor 3.

On arrival the design scheme was reviewed and changed to meet our client’s requirements. We kept all parties in communication by setting up one of our project extranets and from then on we managed the project and reported back to the client on a weekly basis enabling us to guide them through the process whilst they were able to check and review that all the finishes and aspects of the project were as they requested.

Our role covered the design of the space, the inter-building IT technology including the establishment of the MAN and the transfer of the DNS to the new building. We concentrated on completing the CER and SERs ensuring that the cabling infrastructure was installed early, properly protected and tested. The works of all the parties was co-ordinated on the Master Project programme to ensure that each group kept up with the general progression of the project.

Half way through the project FIMAT took over CUBE technology and a further 80 people, mainly dealers, had to be re-located into the building and accommodated. The third floor was redesigned and the scope was extended.

We then took on the Project management of the re-location role. Here a different group was set up concentrating on the relocation of staff, the publicity of the move, organising parties and tours for the press, clients and staff. We undertook a different role regarding the IT - checking that the software alterations to the systems were in place and that the bourse licences were properly registered to ensure all the traders could commence work on schedule. The relocation came over in 3 large moves and all went according to plan.

The Project sponsor’s role is particularly important on larger projects as it ensures that there is a high level professional who is capable of focusing the project manager and has the time to guide the client through the process. It is a role that can save the client far more money than it costs if it is done well and enables the company to move into the new building and for the staff to improve their productivity.