Shortlists in the construction industry
A shortlist is a list of candidates – things, people, or companies, etc – which have been reduced from a larger list with the intention of narrowing down the list further to leave just one candidate for the award of a prize, accolade, commission, selection and so on. The shortlist is usually an intermediate stage between the long list and the final choice.
People draw-up shortlists for all sorts of reasons: an individual may create a shortlist of cars before deciding which one to opt for; an employer may draw-up a shortlist of potential candidates to interview for an advertised job, while a judging panel may compile a shortlist of designs submitted to an architectural competition. In all these cases, the shortlist facilitates making a final choice and is sometimes inevitable if there are a large number of candidates to choose from initially.
Most design competitions are held in two stages: the total number of entrants is first reduced to create a shortlist (typically five or six) and the winner subsequently selected from that shortlist. A client may select the winner on the basis of track record compared to the other entrants; or may select on the basis of the design response, and so will be looking for an entry that embodies creativity, excitement and innovation.
The use of shortlists is also common in the selction of other suppliers in the construction industry. A pre-qualification process may be used to reduce a long-list of potential suppliers to a shortlist that will be invited to tender. This not only reduces the number of candidates that the employer has to consider, but also prevents innapropriate suppliers from wasting time and money preparing a detailed tender that is unlikely to be successful.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Government consultations for the summer of 2025
A year of Labour, past and present consultations on the environment, the built environment, training and tax.
CMA competitiveness probe of major housing developers
100 million affordable housing contributions committed with further consultation published.
Homes England supports Greencore Homes
42 new build affordable sustainable homes in Oxfordshire.
Zero carbon social housing: unlocking brownfield potential
Seven ZEDpod strategies for brownfield housing success.
CIOB report; a blueprint for SDGs and the built environment
Pairing the Sustainable Development Goals with projects.
Types, tests, standards and fires relating to external cladding
Brief descriptions with an extensive list of fires for review.
Latest Build UK Building Safety Regime explainer published
Key elements in one short, now updated document.
UKGBC launch the UK Climate Resilience Roadmap
First guidance of its kind on direct climate impacts for the built environment and how it can adapt.
CLC Health, Safety and Wellbeing Strategy 2025
Launched by the Minister for Industry to look at fatalities on site, improving mental health and other issues.
One of the most impressive Victorian architects. Book review.
Common Assessment Standard now with building safety
New CAS update now includes mandatory building safety questions.
RTPI leader to become new CIOB Chief Executive Officer
Dr Victoria Hills MRTPI, FICE to take over after Caroline Gumble’s departure.
Social and affordable housing, a long term plan for delivery
The “Delivering a Decade of Renewal for Social and Affordable Housing” strategy sets out future path.
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
The proposed publicly owned and backed subsidiary of Homes England, to facilitate new homes.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.