Category: Architect

According to the RIBA Plan of Work explained, Stage 0 is the initial stage where stakeholders define the project requirements, goals, and objectives.

The RIBA Plan of Work explains that Stage 1 involves examining the project requirements and outlining the deliverables.

During Stage 1, feasibility studies are conducted to verify whether a site is suitable for the client’s requirements or to investigate specific aspects of the brief.

As highlighted by RIBA, collaborations with experts years of experience like an RIBA Client Adviser can facilitate the completion of feasibility studies and save time in the project process.

The phase of a project when a firm assesses the possibilities of certain undertaking thereby behaving as a bridge between research and development and the realization of a project aims and objectives.

When evaluating a project’s feasibility, a firm should consider several factors including its complexity, risks involved, pace, and duties required.

When the client team does not possess the necessary skills to analyze feasibility studies, they may want to consider hiring a designer early.

By having the designer build a portfolio to gain strategic direction and feed it into the team, it ensures they can overcome the need for analyses in later stages of stages two.

Hiring a designer early is crucial to identifying risks, need, and design.

The core rule for an Integrated Design Process is a continuous refinement.

It is based on ongoing feedback from refinement curves and screening now progressively builds credibility.

Refine Project feasibility studies

Feasibility Recommendations:

1. Early Involvement of the Designer

Hiring a designer early to conduct feasibility studies can ensure a smooth transition into stage 2 and contribute to design thinking.

2. Clear Communication

Effective communication among the design team and stakeholders is essential for successful project outcomes.

3. Strategic Decision Making

When the client team lacks the necessary skills, hiring a designer early can provide design strategy and insights into building design.

Feasibility Example: *Project Initiation

An effective briefing process during Stage 1 of a project is crucial for a smoother transition to Stage 2.

Up to 77% of design teams say that feedback from the early stages (Stage 1) shapes the project at a subsequent stage.

Failure to communicate the client’s requirements fully can result in costly errors and wasted resources.

A robust briefing highlights the key principles and core objectives that set the client’s project journey on an optimal course to achieve optimal outcomes.

Keeping in parallel with client brief expectations according to various AEC clients’ reports like RICS and BCC, amongst others.

According to RICS Project Insight report’s guidelines, constructing a strong professional and technical brief.

Thus, achieving a strong early briefing aids in creating confidence for long-term engagement on both technical and strategic directions.

According to the construction consulting firms from the CICES, Trowers (Holloway, Hadley Gill, Slatyer Henderson)

And provides both clarity that is a source of project success or quality (from the findings).

A well-delivered and outlined brief with all client priorities can directly impact on quality, duration and overall economic performance of a completed project.

Ensuring that project manager can take the lead more confidently, which is confirmed in other research papers available online within the Construction News & many other reliable publication and information sources.

Well-communicated brief information is fundamental key for more successful construction related projects results (confirmed sources e.g., Royal Institute as well as all of several other similar websites including Construction news – BCL news etc; BLM, Kier).

In Stage 1 of the construction process, designers must define the Information Requirements for each project stage. According to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), engaging in collaborative design can lead to more complex and ambitious projects.

This includes evaluating new digital survey techniques, identifying necessary assets for completion, and assessing the impact of emerging technologies on the project timeline.

As clients transition to digital construction methods, designers need to understand the benefits and limitations of these approaches.

Integrating digital tools can improve project outcomes and reduce errors, as found in a study by the International Journal of Construction Management.

However, a survey conducted by the Construction Business Owner reported that only 25% of respondents believed their organizations had fully adopted digital construction techniques.

Experienced clients typically possess the expertise to specify their Information Requirements, while less experienced or one-off clients may require guidance.

The design team may choose to bid on the project, offering their insights based on prior experience. Alternatively, clients can appoint an RIBA Client Adviser or information manager as a resource during the early stages of project development.

This can ensure a smoother transition to digital construction methods and enhance the overall project efficiency.

As part of the RIBA Plan of work blog series, this post will delve into Stage 0, a crucial phase in project development where the client’s needs and goals are clarified.

According to the RIBA Plan of work (Source: RIBA, 2022), Stage 0 involves determining how the client wants to achieve their objectives, primarily focusing on financial planning and resource identification (RIBA, 2022).

This stage is essential in identifying any potential risks, opportunities, and constraints that may impact the project’s success.

According to research by the National Institute of Building Science (Source: NIBSP, 2019), the primary objectives of Stage 0 include producing a Business Case and Client Requirements.

Depending on the project’s complexity, this stage can either be a straightforward review or a more extensive process requiring the involvement of multiple consultants.

The output of Stage 0 includes two primary deliverables: the Business Case (the need) and Client Requirements (the details/spec).

To deliver the best outcome for the client, it is crucial to consider the skills and expertise required to bring the project team together.

Different projects present unique challenges and site-specific requirements, necessitating tailored skills and approaches (ICELABZ, 2022).

As stated by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA, 2018), the main consideration for the customer is what skills need to be brought to their team, as varying sites and briefs demand distinct skills and strategies.

When creating a business case, it necessitates the involvement of diverse consultants, including financial and construction experts.

Insights from whole-life cost analysis and sustainable design can provide a comprehensive understanding of the project’s economic and environmental implications.

Effective business case development requires strategic thinking, management consulting skills, and the ability to model and forecast costs (ICELABZ, 2022).

The team you have at Stage 0 will be completely different to the team in Stage 1, and understanding this is crucial for a successful project. Research by Fast Company suggests that “the right team can help prevent miscommunication among team members.” Choosing the right team at each stage is essential, as demonstrated by examples where Stage 1 projects required more construction-focused teams for building, and Stage 0 was focused on business aspects such as profit, costs, and investment needed.

Stage 0 should be distinct from Stage 1, and the design team should only be appointed until Stage 2, according to guidelines from Project Management. This allows for the completion of necessary drawings before moving into production and construction. Attempting to engage designers at an earlier stage is unnecessary, as highlighted by Marvelous.org, which emphasizes the importance of understanding the project’s requirements before initiating design work.

According to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Stage 0 should be distinct from Stage 1, and the design team should not be appointed until Stage 2. This is because the design work does not commence until then, but it’s crucial to start with necessary drawings before moving into production and construction (RIBA, 2022). Engaging a design team at an earlier stage is not only unnecessary but may also lead to a mismatch between the client’s requirements and the final product.

However, some clients may be interested in receiving design consulting services, which can provide valuable strategic advice and support. If clients are unsure about addressing a project’s key challenges, they can reach out to RIBA Client Advisers for guidance. These professionals can offer expert advice on how to navigate complex projects and ensure that the final outcome meets the client’s needs (RIBA, 2022). By seeking the help of RIBA Client Advisers, clients can avoid costly mistakes and ensure that their project is delivered successfully.

During Stage 0, it’s essential to consider how the client requirements align with the project budget. If delivering the outcome is likely to be unaffordable, there’s no point in proceeding to Stage 1. A thorough analysis of the client’s budget can help identify potential issues and ensure that the project is feasible (Chartered Institute of Building, 2019). By carefully evaluating the project’s budget, clients can avoid unnecessary expenses and ensure that their project is completed on time and within budget.