Independent Course of Study

Description

Overview and Aims

Design Management for Project Managers and Design Managers

Effective design management is the key to a successful construction project.  A fully co-ordinated, high quality set of construction drawings and specifications allows for efficient and accurate planning at the beginning of the construction process, reduces cost variations during construction, and establishes the groundwork for upfront cost certainty of the end product.  

This module provides an understanding of the roles of the individual professional design and cost control consultants in the development of a co-ordinated building design that meets the building code, is designed within budget, and provides a quality set of co-ordinated construction documents.  

Procurement of professional services needs to be well managed to ensure that deliverables are specific and quantifiable, and that the specific duties and responsibilities of each design consultant are clearly defined.  Reference is made to the Construction Industry Council (CIC) Design Documentation Guidelines, and the role these can play in efficient procurement, monitoring and control of deliverables through the design and construction phases. The role of the licensed building practitioner (LBP) is introduced with specific reference to the requirements around certification and restriction of work.  

As with all successful projects, front end planning is key to the success of the design phase of the project, and students are trained in effective design brief development to ensure that the design meets the overall project goals and objectives identified by key stakeholders and/or investors.  

The course also covers detailed design programme establishment and monitoring, and students will be introduced to the dependencies and constraints associated with the delivery of architectural and engineering design for each respective discipline.  

Risk management is addressed in terms of overall project risks, as well as more detailed risks associated specifically with the design process. An overview of the legislative framework of the Building Act is covered, with specific attention to risks associated with the resource consent and building consent processes, and risks around Building Code compliance.