Design responsibility matrix

Building design was traditionally carried out by a team of consultants working for the client, who would complete the design before seeking tenders from contractors to carry out the works. However, as buildings have become more complex, specialist designers have emerged, contractors have taken on more of a managerial role, and the supply chain has become more engaged in the design process. As a result, it is increasingly important to define precisely who is responsible for which part of the design.

A design responsibility matrix or 'project roles table' sets out responsibility for each element of the design at each stage of the design development process and to what level of detail. It might be accompanied by the development of a contractual tree, illustrating the contractual relationship between the participants in the project.

Preparation of a design responsibility matrix should begin early in the development of the project. It may start with a simple, strategic overview of design responsibility for the main design elements. As the project progresses however, it should increase in detail to allocate responsibility for specific elements, systems and products, setting out the level of detail and format of design information to be produced and any requirement for collateral warranties.

It is important that design responsibilities are clearly defined and properly understood before tender documentation is prepared or appointments made.

The client may wish to allocate the roles of lead designer and lead consultant to co-ordinate the work of designers. It might also be appropriate to appoint a design co-ordinator (for the co-ordination and integration of design prepared by specialist contractors) and a computer aided design (CAD) and / or building information modelling (BIM) co-ordinator and BIM information manager. Contractors may appoint their own design managers to co-ordinate their own design and that of sub-contractors.

NB The RIBA Plan of Work toolbox provides a pro-forma design responsibility matrix, with each aspect of the design coded according to the Uniclass2 classification system.

[edit] Find out more

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• BIM.
• Building designers.
• Contractual tree.
• Design liability.
• Design management.
• Design management plan.
• Design manager.
• Design programme.
• Design team meeting.
• Design review.
• Design team.
• Design web.
• Lead consultant.
• Lead designer.
• Uniclass 2.
• RACI matrix.

[edit] External references

• RIBA Plan of Work toolbox.