PROJECT DESIGN TEAM - BASIC ISSUES

Most projects are not the work of a single individual. There are many roles that need to be filled, and it is the unusual project where all the roles are filled by one person. Civil, geotechnical, structural, M/E engineering are just a few of the obvious ones. When the project has a Design Team, complexity builds and it is important to think about how you will simplify things for everyone. Below is a checklist of all the issues we have identified. You might have others to add or some to scratch off. In any event, when you kick-off a project, it helps to have a detailed discussion of specific roles and responsibilities. The success of the team depends on it.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Information management
• Intellectual property issues; ownership of documents
• Press releases and press communications
• Quality assurance and quality control
• Safety
• Contingency management
• Development of the project budget
• Project scheduling
• Marketing
• Client/owner communication
• Definition and scope of additional architectural, engineering, and other design professional services
• Site analysis
• Soft cost management
• Schematic design
• Design development
• Design-phase cost control
• Constructability review
• Planning, zoning, and regulatory agency processes
• Construction documentation
• Level of documentation and specification
• Level of flexibility within the documents and specifications
  
• Interior design
• Fixture, furniture, and equipment specification
• Pricing package definition
• Bid package definition
• Bidding and negotiation
• Permitting
• Construction administration
• Construction-phase cost control
• Correction of work responsibilities for both design and construction
• Origination and approval of change orders
• Construction schedule definition; notice to proceed, milestone dates, date of substantial completion
• Force majeure, including delay claims and costs
• Payment processes; draw requests and associated timelines
• Tests and inspections
  
• Claims and litigation

OWNER CONSIDERATIONS
Similarly, the Design Team should consider a number of issues relating to the Client/Owner. Communicating and working with the owner needs to be managed congruently by the entire team by addressing the following issues:

• Coordination of the owner's required insurance: builder's risk insurance, loss of use and consequential damages
  
• Clarification of owner's roles and responsibilities
  
• Processes for formal approval and acceptance by owner of design and major milestones
  
• Assurances of owner's financial viability
  
• Definition of allowances and alternates
  
• Definition and management of the owner's contingency fund
  
• Definition of budget and schedule guarantees, if any
  
• Legal Agreement terms and conditions
  
• Definition of roles with respect to communication with the owner
  
• Identification of the point of contact with the owner
  
• Contractual relationship of owner to project team, down to prime and sub-contractors
  

My experience is that you will never get all of these issues aired; but it is better to try and learn what you can before it bites you.