Best practice
The term ‘best practice’ (sometimes used interchangeably with ‘good practice’) refers to the method or technique by which an activity is carried out and relates to certain standards that have been established in terms of quality, ethics, regulations, benchmarking, and so on.
Best practice is a desired result that is often developed through experience and research and is accepted as being a better option other alternatives. As such it becomes a standard way of carrying out tasks or complying with requirements. By committing to follow best practice, an individual or organisation is agreeing to use the widely-accepted and approved knowledge and technology available to ensure a good outcome.
Best practices can be based on the adoption of policy, self-assessment and/or benchmarking. Accredited management standards such as ISO 9000 are intended to facilitate best practice by helping organisations develop their approach to directing, controlling and coordinating quality.
In the construction industry, best practice is commonly defined by standards, which are published documents that are intended to define the common specifications, methods and procedures that are to be used. By establishing common standards, greater reliability and consistency is ensured in terms of the quality, compatibility and compliance of the particular product, service, material, and so on.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Architectural practice.
- BEIS Reforming Regulation Initiative.
- Benchmark
- Benchmarking.
- Building Trustworthy Indicator BTI.
- Centre for Construction Best Practice CCBP.
- Chartered institute.
- CIAT agrees to collaboration arrangement with CIB.
- Code of conduct.
- Constructing and renovating UEFA training facilities.
- Construction products regulations.
- Design-Build Institute of America DBIA.
- Design quality.
- Ethics in construction.
- Independent review of construction frameworks.
- Legislation.
- London Build 2020: Best Practice in Design and Build panel discussion.
- Professional.
- Professional conduct.
- Professional practice.
- Standards.
Featured articles and news
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Guidance notes to prepare for April ERA changes
From the Electrical Contractors' Association Employee Relations team.
Significant changes to be seen from the new ERA in 2026 and 2027, starting on 6 April 2026.
First aid in the modern workplace with St John Ambulance.
Ireland's National Residential Retrofit Plan
Staged initiatives introduced step by step.
Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread
60% increase in solar panel fires prompts tests and installation warnings.
Modernising heat networks with Heat interface unit
Why HIUs hold the key to efficiency upgrades.
Reflecting on the work of the CIOB Academy
Looking back on 2025 and where it's going next.
Procurement in construction: Knowledge hub
Brief, overview, key articles and over 1000 more covering procurement.
Sir John Betjeman’s love of Victorian church architecture.
Exchange for Change for UK deposit return scheme
The UK Deposit Management Organisation established to deliver Deposit Return Scheme unveils trading name.
A guide to integrating heat pumps
As the Future Homes Standard approaches Future Homes Hub publishes hints and tips for Architects and Architectural Technologists.
BSR as a standalone body; statements, key roles, context
Statements from key figures in key and changing roles.
Resident engagement as the key to successful retrofits
Retrofit is about people, not just buildings, from early starts to beyond handover.