The Power of the Technical Query (TQ): Why Detail is the Ultimate Risk Mitigator
In the world of commercial kitchen construction, a project program is often viewed as a "set-in-stone" roadmap. But at Global Foodservice, we see it differently. To us, a project schedule is a living ecosystem—and if one gear is slightly out of alignment, the entire machine risks a costly breakdown.
This is where the Technical Query (TQ) becomes a project manager's most powerful tool.
A TQ isn’t just a question; it’s a stress test. It’s the process of looking at a timeline or a drawing and asking, "What happens if...?" or "Does this date actually account for the physical reality of the site?"
The Anatomy of a Technical Query
When we review a project for our distributor and design house partners, we look for the "white noise" between the lines. Here are four real-world examples of how a simple query prevents a massive site crisis:
1. Clarifying Boundaries (The "Bar" Conflict)
The Query: Item X on the program marks "Ground Floor Front of House" as complete. Does this include the bar areas?
The Risk: Bars require deep drainage, specific beer-line runs, and complex electrical service points. It also requires coordination with whomever may be responsible for constructing the bar front, if this isn’t completed effectively it can lead to costly alterations.
The Result: By asking now, we ensure all stakeholders are perfectly coordinated before anything is constructed.
2. Sequencing the Ceiling (The "Canopy" Clash)
The Query: Item X marks "Ceiling Closures" for Y DATE. Does this include the kitchen area?
The Risk: Large-scale extraction canopies require open ceiling voids for safe installation and ductwork connection. If the ceiling is closed too early, it has to be ripped down and rebuilt.
The Result: We re-sequence the trade flow so the canopy is secured before the ceiling finishes, saving days of labor and materials.
3. Synchronizing Deliveries (The "FFE" Sync)
The Query: Item X schedules FFE (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) for Y DATE. Is this happening alongside the catering equipment install?
The Risk: A site crowded with furniture and catering equipment simultaneously leads to damage, congestion, and safety risks.
The Result: We orchestrate a staggered delivery schedule, ensuring the catering equipment is positioned and protected before the loose furniture arrives.
4. Defining the Handover (The "Occupation" Reality)
The Query: Item X targets "Client Occupation" for Y DATE. Is the commissioning period fully protected?
The Risk: If occupation begins before equipment is fully commissioned and staff are trained, the end-user's first impression is one of chaos, not quality.
The Result: We protect a "buffer zone" in the schedule to ensure the kitchen is 100% operational before the client walks through the door.
Why This Matters to Distributors & Design Houses
If you are a distributor, these TQs are your margin insurance. Every site error caught in the office is a £1,000+ saving in the field.
Our integrated approach to Design and Project Management means we don’t just read the program; we challenge it. We ask the uncomfortable questions early so that you don’t have to deal with the expensive consequences later.
Total Project Certainty isn’t found in a grand vision—it’s found in the details of the Technical Query.
