International Journal of Applied Science and Technology Vol. 2 No. 5; May 2012 1 Design Engineer’s Role in Managing Front End Planning Information Ryan T. George, Ph.D., P.E., PMP URS 8070 Fetlock Ct Ellicott City, MD 21043 United States of America W. Edward Back, Ph.D. Associate Professor Director, Construction Engineering and Management Program Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering The University of Alabama Box 870205 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0205 United States of America David Grau, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering The University of Alabama Box 870205 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0205 United States of America Abstract The front end planning process is known to be fundamental to project success. Successful planning, as the shared responsibility of a project team, is dependent on the provision of information that is complete, correct, and timely. Numerous authors have described the process and statistically validated its relevance and importance. However, few investigations have been conducted on the subject of how early project information is actually managed through the planning process. This paper summarizes a two-phased research investigation that examines how information supports the front end planning process. Based on the expertise of a group of industry members from major owner and contractor organizations, an extended front end planning process model is first developed. Based on surveyed data and through the front end planning activities in the process model, this research indicates engineers play an important and integral role in front end planning and therefore have significant influence on the likelihood of project success. Also, the information requirements for front end planning efforts leading to successful projects are indicated, and the front end planning activities for which information is commonly non- available are also identified. Keywords: engineering, construction, front end planning, project management 1. Introduction The process of planning the design and construction of large commercial and industrial capital facilities is both information intensive and information dependent. Additionally, the design and construction process may also be characterized as being both multi-disciplinary and multi-organizational. Given these inherent complexities, it is no surprise that the construction engineering industry faces enormous challenges in any attempt to create an uninterrupted, error-free flow of project information and data across such a high number of organizational boundaries. However, it is readily acknowledged that when the communication of information is timely, unambiguous, and easily understood, downstream activities are more efficiently and effectively performed.