Question 1

How do we ensure robust Consultant Appointments?

Accepted Answer

Issues that commonly lead to shortfalls in service:
 
Vague scopes of service
 
Misinterpretation of obligations by the consultants
 
Misalignment between respective appointments
 
Lack of skill/ability within the design team to deliver
 
Lack of ownership within the consultants
 
Lack of understanding on the principles of contractor design portion (CDP), with a heavy reliance on contractors to resolve key design issues and coordination

Solution via BONDS:
 
Robust consultant duties, expanding upon standard contract wording. Contents reviewed, commented upon and endorsed.
 
Comprehensive Design Responsibility Matrix, clearly allocating duties. Contents reviewed, commented upon and endorsed.
 
Full design review to determine current status, whilst establishing strategy for improvement.

Question 2

How do we avoid the misinterpretation of design obligations, imposed upon the main contractor?

Accepted Answer

Issues:
 
Lack of appreciation within the main contractor, on their CDP obligations. Assuming that the design team retain responsibility for all associated design actions.
 
Poor management of the CDP contractors by the main contractor, resulting in a lack of support for the design team.

Solution via BONDS:
 
Clear briefing of contractual obligations to the main contractor team, to ensure awareness.
 
Compilation of a project specific Design Responsibility Matrix, defining obligations imposed upon both the design team and the supporting specialist contractors. 
 
DRM featured within Sub Contract packages, ensuring awareness / buy in.
 
Deployment of suitable design management strategy, during the Delivery phase.

Question 3

How do we recognise and address key performance criteria, imposed upon a project?

Accepted Answer

Issue:
 
With Design & Build common place within the construction industry, the obligation to ensure compliance within the design shifts to the main contractor. In many instances, they fail to identify the key issues, resulting in shortfalls in the finished product.

Solution via BONDS:
 
Preferred: Detailed appraisal at Pre-construction stage, ensuring issues identified and suitable provision made, all captured on Design Status Report and Contractors Proposals. 
 
Reactive: Detailed appraisal to identify issues present, with strategy for resolution captured and implemented via the Design Status Report and supporting Design Management tools.

Question 4

How do we manage the ownership for interfaces between key design elements?

Accepted Answer

Issue:
 
With the transfer of more design over to the subcontractor, ownership of the interfaces between the respective packages often becomes an issue. It is imperative that the architect retains responsibility for closing out such detailing, unless clear allocation within the wider team takes place (including specialist contractors).

Solution via BONDS:
 
Clarity of obligation via robust appointments and Design Responsibility Matrix. 
 
Collaborative workshops, to which all relevant parties are in attendance; consultants, through to tradesman. During which each interface is interrogated as a team and the ‘right’ solution identified.

Question 5

How do we avoid late procurement and fabrication, leading to delays on site?

Accepted Answer

Issue:
 
Whilst the consultants design may well be in place and works have commenced on site, all too often delays to specialist contractor / suppler fabrication impacts upon progress. The reasons for which are numerous, however in the main it’s down to inefficiency in the process.

Solution via BONDS:
 
Programme linked Procurement Schedule that is realistic and back to back with market durations.
 
Robust package compilation, with detailed / clear scope of works avoiding misinterpretation and shortfall.
 
Procurement linked to the Construction Stage Information Release Schedule.
 
Robust management of subcontractor design / procurement programmes.

Question 6

As a Main Contractor, how do we determine our Design Management Obligations?

Accepted Answer

Issue:
 
Uncertainty amongst the Main Contractors delivery team, with regards to their own design obligations. Which in turn leads to short falls in design, delay to progress with potential for non-compliant installation.

Solution via BONDS:
 
Detailed appraisal of Contract documentation, inc. Consultant Appointments, Design Responsibility.
 
Implementation of a robust project specific Design Management Execution Plan / Procedure. Created before works commence, clearly communicated to all team members via presentation / group discussion.

Question 7

What benefits can be gained from a robust Document Control protocol?

Accepted Answer

Issue:
 
Insufficient management of documentation issues, approvals and information requests, is almost certain to lead to confusion and delays on site. Whilst it may be seen as an additional cost, the benefits will soon be realised.

Solution via BONDS:
 
Ensure that a robust / appropriate Document Control protocol is in place, be it electronic or traditional hard copy. It need to be established, clearly communication to the entire team to ensure each party is aware of their obligations and then policed.
 
BONDS have established a Partnering relationship with an industry leading Document Control system provider. If you’d wish to find out more, please contact us for further guidance.

Question 8

We’re considering an extension / redevelopment of our residential property, how can BONDS support us?

Accepted Answer

Issue:
 
Concerned that costs could escalate without your consent.
 
Not sure how to realise the potential in your property.

Solution via BONDS
 
We offer initial complementary advice, as to the potential your property contains.
 
Be it full Planning, or Permitted Development, our specialist team will work with you to understand your aspirations, to determine how they can be realised.
 
After initial assessment, BONDS will provide a clear proposal, setting out the steps to be taken and costs associated with each stage.

Question 9

How do we avoid late procurement and fabrication, leading to delays on site?

Accepted Answer

Issue:
 
Whilst the consultants design may well be in place and works have commenced on site, all too often delays to specialist contractor / suppler fabrication impacts upon progress. The reasons for which are numerous, however in the main it’s down to inefficiency in the process.

Solution via BONDS:
 
Programme linked Procurement Schedule that is realistic and back to back with market durations.
 
Robust package compilation, with detailed / clear scope of works avoiding misinterpretation and shortfall.
 
Procurement linked to the Construction Stage Information Release Schedule.
 
Robust management of subcontractor design / procurement programmes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do we ensure robust Consultant Appointments?

How do we avoid the misinterpretation of design obligations, imposed upon the main contractor?

How do we recognise and address key performance criteria, imposed upon a project?

How do we manage the ownership for interfaces between key design elements?

How do we avoid late procurement and fabrication, leading to delays on site?

As a Main Contractor, how do we determine our Design Management Obligations?

What benefits can be gained from a robust Document Control protocol?

We’re considering an extension / redevelopment of our residential property, how can BONDS support us?

How do we avoid late procurement and fabrication, leading to delays on site?