Design Management Consultancy UK

08/10/2022

When I worked as an architect in London back in the 1990s, I didn't encounter design or technical managers at work or on building sites. Now they are everywhere. Developers, builders, engineers, and even sub-contractors employ design managers. Although design management has always existed as a function of architectural and engineering design delivery, appointing a standalone design manager is relatively new in the UK construction industry.

The main reason for this has been the change in procurement from traditional to more contractor-led projects. No longer a risky option, a number of high-profile developments have been completed using design-build procurement. The design manager, John Morgan, who worked for the main contractor on the famous No 1 Hyde Park development (started back in 2007) told me that Sir Richard Roger had started off very sceptical that the design-build main contractor Laing O'Rourke could deliver the scheme without compromising quality. This helped to promote the new high-end contractor-led era currently popular in London and the UK.

The industry is also changing due to the drive for maximum efficiency, cost reduction, advancing technology, zero carbon emissions, climate change, environmental protections, and training requirements. Procurement routes, design and delivery systems have also become more complex and technically demanding. Gaining approval from the statutory authorities requires more than construction or development experience. Therefore, a range of skills is required for effective design management, and a successful design manager can make the difference between a well-designed and well-built building.

There are currently few formal education routes into the profession and most people have a steep learning curve on a busy construction site or developers office. It was for this reason that we at the Design Management Consultancy decided to write and produce a new CPD design management study programme to help design and building professionals prepare for their career change. It is available at https://lnkd.in/e2Ar7jF9

When I worked as an architect in London back in the 19901, I didn't encounter design or technical managers at work or on building sites. Now they are everywhere. Developers, builders, engineers, and even sub-contractors ...

24/09/2021

Finally, the comprehensive Design Management CDP study programme is complete. It now comprises 41 modules and around 10 hours of video and text. It is suitable for anyone in the built environment, particularly those working on Contractor Led design-build developments.

Topics covered include:

- Definitions, challenges and skills required for Design Management
- Design-build procurement and working for main contractors
- Subcontractor CDP design management
- Design Management tools for monitoring, tracking and reporting on design progress, and compliance with the contract, brief and statutory requirements - including DRM's, IRS's etc
- Design delivery frameworks including the RIBA Plan of Work

Design Management in Construction

06/01/2021

Building an architecturally impressive home within an agreed budget can be full of risk and uncertainty. For many who choose to build their own home, initial budget and final cost can differ radically.

11/12/2020

Managing compliance with the planning approval conditions is often the responsibility of the design manager but ultimately it is the construction manager who makes the call to comply. Unless the importance of this condition was not conveyed to the project team?

Court hands firm largest ever wildlife crime fine after it admits demolishing site in Woolwich

17/09/2020

The results of this enquiry put the liability of a designer, and the implications of using the term "project designer" sharply into the spotlight. And the design responsibility of the employer and contractor.

Hired hand did not know what job title would be until cladding specialist printed his business cards

24/06/2020

The website is nearly finished and will be used to keep Design Managers in the loop and as a platform to offer CPD training. Watch this space

Design and Technical Management course