Design Management

What is Design Management and why do we need it?

As they say, change is the only constant, and over the last thirty years, the design and construction of buildings has undergone significant change. As regulations and standards have become more rigorous, buildings have become more technical. Choices in construction materials and methods have multiplied and alongside them, the need for specialist inputs.

With numerous specialist consultants, the interdependencies between design activities have not only increased but become more dynamic, rendering the design process far more complex. Previously, the management of the design process was embedded within the overall project management. Responsibility to plan, control and coordinate the process fell to the lead consultant, usually the architect. But the complexity of the design process has made design management a specialty in and of itself. Nowadays, in order to ensure the success of a building project, it has become essential to have dedicated and independent management of the design process.

 

Design management is the overall management of a
project’s design process from the beginning until the end.

 

What does a Design Manager do?

While project managers are responsible for the overall management of a building project, design managers manage the design process.

Design managers plan, organise, co-ordinate and direct the project’s design time, design activities, and de-risk design problems.

The pursuit of optimal design solutions involves continual refinements which require communicating and collaborating with numerous parties and timely provision and exchange of accurate, complete information. Untimely, inaccurate or incomplete information cause project delays and drive up costs. It is the responsibility of design managers to establish platforms for good communication and collaboration and manage the flow of information and documentation between the design team, specialist consultants, technicians, stakeholders and clients.

 

Each building project is unique.
To ensure a project meets a client’s needs requires creativity.
The logic of creativity is nebulous which means managing the
design process is one of the most challenging forms of management
in the architecture, engineering and construction industry.

 

Design is a complex process. To manage it, design managers require not only excellent administrative and organisational skills but also deep technical knowledge. They need to understand the impact of changes on all aspects of the project. They also need to ensure all elements – cost, constructability, innovation, assurance, safety and whole-of-life – remain continuously and strongly aligned with the initial design vision throughout the entire process.

The other skills design managers need are human skills. They need to be good people persons. Pulling together and managing large multi-disciplinary teams, consultants and stakeholders, they must be able to understand everyone’s needs and communicate effectively, often translating highly technical information to less-technical stakeholders.

Design Management and BDAI

We believe successful design management
unearths not only risks but opportunities.

 

BDAI’s design management services are uniquely placed to lead and facilitate your project’s design process to ensure that the project’s objectives and goals are translated into creative and practical design solutions.

Our expertise managing multi-disciplinary design teams as well as our proven track record in delivering successful design projects means we can assess and identity your design requirements and create real opportunities, as well as anticipate and avoid any design-related issues or technical problems that may arise.

When do I need a Design Manager?

Engaging BDAI’s design management services to manage your design process ensures designers get to do what they do best – design.

While ideally design management begins at the start of a project and continues throughout all critical stages, BDAI’s design management services can be engaged to assist you at any stage of the design process.

From concept through to completion, BDAI design management services can be engaged at any point to fulfil your project’s design requirements:

 

1. Concept Design Stage: from project initiation to development application and planning approval.

The initial stage of any project is the most crucial design phase. BDAI design management will play a key role in shaping your design vision. We will lead the development of design concepts, co-ordinate design activities, engage with project stakeholders, assess feasibilities and risks, and provide strategic direction.

To ensure your project progresses smoothly to the next stage, BDAI design management will also coordinate with all relevant authorities, undertake regulatory compliance and manage the timeline for obtaining necessary approvals.

2. Tendering Stage: from design development to contract tendering, including any RFI, value engineering and modification and evaluation of tenders.

During the tendering stage, BDAI ensures all aspects of your design are properly costed, coordinated, documented and integrated into the delivery process. Acting as a bridge between the design team, contractors and other stakeholders, BDAI design management ensures a seamless transition from the design phase to construction.

3. Construction Stage: from construction certificate approval through to work on site, occupation certification and post completion.

During the construction stage of a project, BDAI design management co-ordinates design-related activities, monitors the progress of the design, controls the quality of delivered products, resolves issues that arise during construction and continues to manage design documentation.

Our purpose throughout this phase is to ensure the construction of the project aligns fully with approved documentation and meets all client requirements.

 

If you are a designer in need of a specialised and dedicated design manager, a developer looking for someone to lead your design team, or a contractor in need of a manager to reduce design risks and ensure compliance with codes and standards, why not get in touch with BDAI design management to discuss your project.