HDR has the expertise to develop, test and utilize a variety of economic and environmental models for every conceivable form of a sustainable design project. These models are developed using state-of-the-art research findings and algorithms, typically with assistance from experts from academic institutions and research centers. They are generally developed using HDR's proprietary risk analysis framework known as the Risk Analysis Process (RAP).
RAP is HDR's proprietary suite of tools which promotes sound decisions for business and government. Most decisions require the forecasting of future costs and benefits, which are subject to uncertainty. RAP forecasts use the best probabilistic methods available to calculate the most likely future outcomes and facilitate consensus among stakeholders.
The result of a risk analysis is a forecast of a project's outcome as indicated by common results metrics such as Net Present Value, Discounted Payback Period, Return on Investment, etc. combined with the probability, or odds, of their occurrence. Risk analysis is intended to provide planners and decision-makers with a sense of perspective on the likelihood of future events. Risk analysis is an easily understandable, but technically robust, method that allows planners and decision-makers to fully understand the implications of a sustainable design project.
HDR's models take into account the entire suite of potential costs and benefits related to sustainable design. These include traditional inputs such as the savings from increased energy efficiency but also the more esoteric inputs such as the quantification of the environmental savings from reduced emissions or the value of the enhanced productivity of employees working within a green building.
The key to HDR's approach lies in the integration of economic and financial analysis into the heart of the decision process. The application of RAP, at the front-end, will typically lead to changes and refinements in project design or procurement standards. When employed in this manner, RAP ensures optimal configuration of sustainable design projects for early budgetary and economic returns on investment with minimized and manageable technical and financial risk.
Facilitated by the HDR team, a RAP Session is conducted as a structured workshop that involves stakeholders and experts. Participants receive a briefing book in advance and during the session review the decision model and each data variable input and its range of values. This approach facilitates consensus building in the underlying forecasting assumptions and associated probabilities.
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