Design Management continued.

This blog covers the last set of tips on Design Management; Tip: 65 – 100 

Construction phase

Image Courtesy: Ar. Bansri Pandey

66.In this phase, the technical team takes charge of the building on-site. More often than not, the designer tends to drop-off in the process. For the building to be successful, the designer should stay actively engaged in the process and find optimal ways to do so. 

67.Keep a regular check on construction progress. Never be over-confident about your design and drawings. The chances of your design being misinterpreted on the site are high, as there is not just one but many consultants involved during construction. 

68.Co-ordination is a must in this phase as most of the changes and errors are likely to occur now. 

69.With a good rapport and co-operation between clients, architects, consultants and traders, you can achieve excellent “build-ability”.

70.Get the construction schedule and based on that, prepare your schedule of issuing details, revised drawings, and revised cost analysis. 

71.Don’t hesitate to supervise, manage and build your own design if you believe you can do it better than others. Architects can be great builders too.

72.Never ignore your legal and moral responsibilities.

73.Your actions, consequences, achievements and mistakes are powerful and permanent; they will speak for you in the years to come.

74.Don’t overlook the cost control of the building. No client would appreciate your design or services, if the costs are sky-high. 

75.Ensure clarity on your fees and payment methods with the client, from the very beginning.

76.Don’t hesitate to demand your fee that was initially agreed to the project. 

77.Don’t delay in issuing drawings and details longer than it should. In fact a good design does not take time, as much as a bad design does.

Completion phase

Image Courtesy: Ar. Bansri Pandey

78.Check the building from a user’s point of view. I would strongly recommend having a checklist for final review and validation in this phase.

79.proactively assist the client in understanding the procedure for obtaining building-use permission from the concerned authority.

80.Assess the quality of construction. Come up with maintenance and repair plan if required.

81.Prepare as-built drawings that include structure and all other services like HVAC, electrical, landscape, security, fire protection etc.

82.Double-check the as-built drawings, sign-off and deliver to the client.

83.Don’t ignore to document the project; it’s salient and subtle characteristics, evolution of the concept, key reports etc.

84.Photographs! Good photographs of under construction site as well as the finished work are crucial for your portfolio. Keep in mind to click some photographs on the site. 

85.Prepare final financial facts and figures which are a good reference for future projects.

86.Review your overall experience and note key learnings and best practices for future reference. 

87.Thank your team and give credit to all team members involved in the project. This will encourage them to work with you longer and inspire them to put their best foot forward.

Introducing a Design Management system in your office

Image Courtesy: Ar. Bansri Pandey

88.Educate your team about the significance of Design Management in office.

89.Create a flexible, scalable Design Management system that can be customized and embraced for each project. 

90.Create opportunities to exercise all factors that influence Building design which is market driven, image driven and cost driven.

91.Create your own Design Management system that fulfils the basic purpose of facilitating simple, functional and logical operation. 

92.Regularly update your office with new, state-of-the-art technology, software and construction materials. 

93.Encourage and motivate your team, from time to time. 

94.Constantly monitor the productivity of your office. Design management can be successful only if the office is managed and run effectively. 

95.Design is an analytical and creative process and there are no pre-defined rules for creating a Design Management system. Be creative in developing your own method of operation.

96.In the process of developing a Building solution, be well prepared to constantly revise, re-design, reconsider and re-evaluate the scope and opportunities as per what the situation demands.

97.Use references and documentation available for master projects; this would help you develop logic and theory.

98.Create a healthy environment that fosters team work; this is a pre-requisite to implement Design Management successfully. 

99.Train your team with necessary Business skills, Communication skills and help them build adaptability to changing market.

100.With the knowledge of Design, Construction, Material coupled with Management skills; you can powerfully govern any project, with high levels of precision and clarity and generate successful outcomes, while continuing to keep your staff, stakeholders and clients happy. 

 In his own his own epilogue, Harper (1978;409) concluded optimistically, that a long way ahead, perhaps designers, constructors and commissioners will one day be proud to call themselves “builder”.’ Architectural management practice - Stephen Emmitt 

101. Out of every 100 new architectural firms, only 5% go a long-way, very few others end up in a mid or stagnant level and the rest sit-down. Tools like Architectural Management; Information Technology etc. are powerful enablers that can influence the ratio of successful firms to shut down firms. I don’t say these are the only tools that can create a magic; but I feel at present this will help improve the situation significantly. I strongly believe change is the only thing that is constant; and so is an Architects’ ability to change with the time.

If you have found the 101 tips we discussed in last few blogs, leave your comment here and say "Yes to Architectural Management" !!


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