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Capital Projects Glossary

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Measure HH & Capital Project Glossary
  • Measure HH
    The San Diego Community College District’s voter-approved general obligation bond program supporting campus improvements districtwide.
  • CBOC (Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee) 
    An independent committee of community members that reviews bond expenditures and reports on whether funds are used as approved by voters. 
  • General Obligation Bond (GO Bond) 
    A bond repaid through property taxes, used to fund large public infrastructure projects. 
  • Bond Proceeds 
    Funds generated by the sale of bonds. 
  • Programming
    The early planning phase where project goals, space needs, and functional requirements are identified before design begins. 
  • User Group / Stakeholder Group 
    Faculty, staff, and students who will use a space and provide input during programming and design. 
  • Program of Requirements (POR)
    A document outlining space needs, functions, adjacencies, and performance criteria for a project.
  • Needs Assessment
    An evaluation of existing conditions and future needs used to inform programming decisions.
  • Adjacency Diagram
    A visual tool showing how spaces should relate to one another.
  • Space Program
    A list and size breakdown of rooms and spaces required for a project.
  • Schematic Design (SD)
    The first design phase where ideas become early layouts, diagrams, and concepts showing overall organization and intent.
  • Design Development (DD)
    The phase where schematic concepts are refined, systems are coordinated, and materials and layouts are further defined.
  • Construction Documents (CDs)
    Detailed drawings and specifications used for permitting, bidding, and construction.
  • Design Team
    The architect and consulting engineers (structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, etc.) working on a project.
  • Architect of Record (AOR)
    The firm legally responsible for the architectural design and construction documents.
  • Visioning
    Collaborative sessions used to align project goals, values, and priorities early in design.
  • Design Safari
    A site visit to other campuses or facilities to gather ideas and inspiration.
  • Benchmarking
    Comparing similar projects to inform design, cost, or operational decisions.
  • Construction Phase
    The period when approved plans are built on site.
  • Mobilization
    Early construction activities such as site setup, fencing, and temporary utilities.
  • Demolition (Demo)
    Removal of existing building elements to prepare for new construction.
  • Interior Demolition
    Removal of interior walls, ceilings, flooring, or systems.
  • Excavation
    Earthwork to prepare foundations or underground utilities.
  • Footings
    Concrete elements that transfer building loads to the ground.
  • CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit)
    Concrete blocks commonly used for structural or non-structural walls.
  • Over-Excavation (Over-Ex)
    Removal of unsuitable soil beyond planned excavation depth.
  • Recompaction
    Replacing and compacting soil to meet structural requirements.
  • Grading
    Shaping and leveling the ground surface.
  • Utility Infrastructure
    Underground systems such as water, sewer, electrical, and communications.
  • Storefront System
    A non-structural exterior wall system, often glass and metal, used at building entrances.
  • PMO (Program Management Organization)
    A firm that supports the district in managing multiple bond projects.
  • Project Manager (PM)
    Responsible for day-to-day coordination, schedule, and budget oversight.
  • Superintendent
    The contractor’s on-site lead responsible for construction activities and safety.
  • General Contractor (GC)
    The firm responsible for constructing the project.
  • Design-Bid-Build
    A traditional project delivery method where design is completed before construction is bid.
  • Design-Build
    A delivery method where design and construction are contracted together.
  • GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price)
    The maximum amount the owner agrees to pay for construction.
  • Change Order
    A formal modification to the construction contract affecting scope, cost, or schedule.
  • Contingency
    Funds set aside to address unforeseen conditions.
  • Phasing
    Breaking a project into stages to manage schedule or campus operations.
  • Schedule Milestone
    A key project benchmark, such as start of construction or substantial completion.
  • ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
    Federal law requiring accessible facilities.
  • Title II / Section 504
    Federal regulations governing accessibility and non-discrimination for public entities.
  • DSA (Division of the State Architect)
    California agency responsible for reviewing and approving plans for public school and college facilities.
  • CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)
    Law requiring evaluation of environmental impacts.
  • Sustainability
    Design strategies that reduce environmental impact and operating costs.
  • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
    A green building certification system.
  • OAC (Owner–Architect–Contractor) Meeting
    A recurring coordination meeting between the district (owner), architect, and contractor to review progress, schedules, coordination issues, and next steps during design and construction.
  • Stakeholder Workshop
    A structured meeting with campus stakeholders, sometimes called “end users,” designed to collect input, test ideas, and build alignment during programming or design.
  • Programming Workshop
    Focused meetings held early in a project to define space needs, adjacencies, and functional requirements.
  • Visioning Session
    Collaborative discussions used to establish shared goals, values, and priorities for a project.
  • Design Charrette
    An intensive, often multi-day workshop where designers and stakeholders work through concepts together.
  • Constructability Review Meeting
    A session where contractors review design documents to identify potential construction challenges before work begins.
  • Cost Reconciliation Meeting
    Meetings to align estimated design costs with available budgets and identify adjustments if needed.
  • Value Engineering (VE) Workshop
    A structured review of design elements to manage costs while maintaining project intent and performance.
  • Pre-Construction Meeting
    A formal meeting held before construction starts to review scope, schedule, safety, and communication protocols.
  • Pre-Bid Meeting
    A meeting held with prospective bidders to review project requirements and answer questions before bids are submitted.
  • Job Walk / Site Walk
    An on-site visit for bidders, stakeholders, or oversight bodies to view existing conditions or construction progress.
  • Punch List Meeting
    A meeting held near project completion to review remaining items needing correction or completion.
  • Closeout Meeting
    A final meeting to confirm documentation, warranties, training, and project completion.
  • DBE – Design-Build Entity
  • EIR – Environmental Impact Report
  • SBA – Small Business Association
  • MBE – Minority Business Enterprise
  • DVBE – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
  • WBE – Women-Owned Business Enterprise
  • PV – Photovoltaic
  • ECM – Executive Construction Manager
  • ADA – Assistant District Architect

 

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