Managing Design Information and Processes in Construction

1. Pre-project and Concept Design

The process begins with the pre-project phase, where the client's needs are identified. Because clients often struggle to formulate their requirements explicitly, design professionals must guide them in creating a "brief".

Once the brief is established, the concept design stage begins. Here, the team generates alternative solutions and evaluates them against criteria such as cost, quality, durability, and safety. This stage involves heavy stakeholder consultation, including environmental and traffic impact assessments, to ensure the concept is viable within its social and legal context.

2. Preliminary and Detail Design

As the concept is approved, it moves into preliminary design and eventually detail design. During these stages, the information becomes increasingly technical. The goal is to develop the design sufficiently to prepare procurement documentation.

In the detail design phase, the team produces:

• Detailed drawings and specifications.
• Priced bills of quantities.
• Technical standards and tolerances.
• Information required for tendering and contract award.

3. Implementation and Contract Administration

During the implementation (construction) phase, the focus shifts to contract administration. The design team must verify the contractor's detail design information and ensure that modular and dimensional integration is maintained.

A critical part of this stage is design information dissemination. The team must ensure that the correct, most recent revisions of drawings reach the site, and that obsolete versions are removed from circulation to prevent costly errors.

4. Commissioning and Handover

The final stage is commissioning and handover. This is not merely handing over keys; it is a formal process of verifying that all systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.) are operationally capable. The client must receive a complete package of project documentation, including:

• As-built drawings.
• Maintenance manuals and warranties.
• Commissioning certificates.

Managing Information Flow and Performance

A major cause of design failure is ineffective control systems. To prevent this, managers must implement robust methods for design information dissemination and recording.

Information Control Mechanisms

To maintain quality, the following must be established:

• Communication Systems: Methods for verbal, written, and electronic data exchange.
• Change Control: A formal process for administering "variations" or changes to the approved design.
• Documentation Distribution: Reliable means of ensuring all participants have the necessary IT equipment and know-how to access the latest data.

Measuring Success

How do we know if the design process is working? Managers can use "deliverable measures" to track performance:

1. Accuracy: Measuring errors, omissions, and rework hours.
2. Usability: Checking the clarity and completeness of documents.
3. Constructability: Assessing how easily the design can be built and maintained.
4. Design Economy: Evaluating the cost-effectiveness and value engineering.

Summary Note: The success of a building is dictated by its design process. The design process sets all parameters for the structure, from its initial cost to its eventual decommissioning or disposal.