This post was published to Mentor & Author at 11:31:40 AM 10/10/2015

How do we FEED a contractor? A closer look at front end engineering

design
With great pleasure, I wish to inform that my first book is now on Amazon. It helps in understanding the
early phases of a construction project. It is a Kindle Edition and available at discounted rates. This book
can be viewed across phones and computers by downloading Kindle.

I wrote it in simple language using questions and answers.

What is front end loading and FEED?

Need for FEED?

Outputs of FEED?

What after FEED?

Tendering

Bidding

Also, to help in understanding, an explanation of FEED deliverables is available at Scribd. A color coded
flowchart is available with the document.

As the title suggests, construction projects follow a path. At the start, an owner feels a need. The owner
carries out various studies to find out whether the idea makes sense. This process is known as Front end
loading (FEL). It is business oriented.

FEL is followed by front end engineering design (FEED). FEED is done through an engineering contractor.
The aim of FEED is to bring more certainty in the design. It is technical oriented. It will give a better cost
estimate. And see whether it still makes sense to go ahead. To make things clear, I have included a case
study in the book.

When FEED gets over, the client can take better decisions. A client will have two options. The client can
continue detailed engineering using the FEED contractor. This becomes Design Bid Build (DBB).

Or the client can go to bid after FEED. This becomes Design build (DB).
I have discussed these delivery methods in detail in the book. It was important. DBB gives a better cost
estimate, but creates an adversarial relationship between the two contractors. And the client is caught
in between.

DB is fast but more costly. Since it will be a lump sum contract, all eggs are in one basket. Hence, the
client will have an element of uncertainty.

Whatever the option the client chooses, don’t you think the question is valid.

How to FEED a contractor?