Building in Quality: Joint Memorandum of Understanding
In March 2018, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) past-President Paul Nash, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President Ben Derbyshire, and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) President John Hughes signed the ‘Building in Quality: Joint Memorandum of Understanding’ (JMU).
As part of this agreement, the partners launched an industry-wide consultation on a proposed system for establishing a chain of custody for quality in construction projects, at Ecobuild 2018.
Led by the RIBA’s Client Liaison Group, which includes CIOB and RICS representation, the ‘Building in Quality’ initiative aims to encourage better collaboration, improve procurement, and introduce new methods to improve the quality of the built environment for the benefit of society. The signing commits the three institutes to working together to agree and publish a 'Quality Tracker', launched in October 2018.
CIOB past-President Paul Nash said:
“Successful projects are built on the back of strong teams working together to create great places for people to live, work and play in. But they also depend on achieving the right balance between cost and quality and, as recent events have highlighted, as an industry we don’t always get that balance right. It’s for this reason that the ‘Building in Quality’ initiative is so important if we are to bring about the change in behaviours that are so urgently needed.”
RIBA President Ben Derbyshire said:
“I am pleased to be working with colleagues in the CIOB and the RICS to develop this new quality tracking tool to improve procurement and building projects. Our initiative proposes intelligent new measures to safeguard building quality, particularly for design & build schemes, and I am proud to champion its integration. I encourage RIBA members and other professionals in the construction industry to help shape this important tool.”
The consultation process will run from April until the end of June 2018 leading to a launch of the Quality Risk Tracker at UK Construction Week in October 2018. Parties wanting to participate in the consultation should go to the Building in Quality consultation page to register their interest.
This article was originally published here on 8th March 2018 by CIOB.
--CIOB
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.