RIBA WORK STAGES 2020

Right, so this is an 'on the go' post, since RIBA is becoming popular in 'hear and say' in India too, a few questions have been asked to me about the work stages that the RIBA Plan of Works 2020 has, to start here are a couple of links to the documents that you can use to check the original RIBA Plan of Works:

Note: These are helpful, so please take your time to go through them, since this article/post is my interpretation on the RIBA.

1) RIBA 2020 - Overview

2) RIBA 2020 - Chart

As such if you feel, you are not following a particular workflow process then you are in all probability using a combination of the APM (Association of Project Management) workflow and the AIA (American Institute of Architects) workflow with the inclusion of a Schematic Design Phase and a Tender Stage.

Let's make it clear that there is no hard and fast rule, these workflow schemes just help with standardization and depending on the uniqueness of the projects the workflows will be altered to suit requirements. It is ideal to agree on the workflow prior to commencement of design so that all stakeholders are clear on the next steps.

Okay, so wanted to put it out there, in general my outlook is that the standards published and propagated from the UK are more on the refurbishment of projects (obviously given that they have a lot of heritage to maintain in the UK) rather than for new constructions, however they do provide the essence of being dynamic enough to branch out to new construction with minor tweaks.

While reading up on the RIBA 2020 it was clear that they have put in the steps and processes trying to make the pre-construction process more 'design + procurement' oriented rather than just design oriented, this is great given that it was initially formulated by Architects and now QSs/CMs/PMs can also be given good importance. (Please note the definition of roles in the UK vary in from the definition to roles elsewhere, hence it would be ideal to read up on the roles for better understanding.)

Going on to it, so as mentioned above, the RIBA was drafted to ensure that a process is in place to ensure construction projects can have better planning than just pre-construction and construction. Appended are the work stages as listed by the RIBA 2020:

Stage 0 - Strategic Definition

Stage 1 – Preparation and Briefing

Stage 2 – Concept Design

Stage 3 – Spatial Coordination

Stage 4 – Technical Design

Stage 5 – Manufacturing and Construction

Stage 6 – Handover

Stage 7 – Use

The stages are as simple as their titles; however, interpretations vary which is where the confusion begins, therefore the RIBA defines each of these stages in the following parts:

1. Stage Outcome - defines the end goal of the stage
2. Core Tasks - defines the main takes to be carried out at the stage
3. Core Statutory Processes - this may not apply to all countries but will be relevant to most countries, this basically defines the process for any statutory/ governmental approvals.
4. Procurement Strategy - this defines only the strategy and not the procurement route
5. Information Exchanges - signed off details with respect to design, strategies, decisions to mark the end of a stage.

Finally, let's look at the simple understanding of the stages:

Stage 0 - Strategic Definition:

What needs to be in place: The client with the project cap budget and the project venue

What needs to be done: The client needs to have a team in place to access the business case of the project.

What need not be done: Project designer need not be in place and should not involve forming a design brief.

Stage 1 – Preparation and Briefing

What needs to be in place: Details of design briefing, preparations to take on the designers 

What needs to be done: The project briefing needs to be comprehensive and detailed it needs to also define the stages in which the Client desires to steer the project, and plan for use strategies

What need not be done: Feasibility studies, Concept Designs

Stage 2 – Concept Design

What needs to be in place: Project briefing with the clients' vision, brief and budget clearly defined

What needs to be done: Develop an architectural concept design, Design Brief including if a requirement for off-site manufacturing (precast/prefab etc.)

What need not be done: detailed design elementally, elaborate BIM models, elaborate 2D drawings

Stage 3 – Spatial Coordination

What needs to be in place: A fully developed architectural concept plan, project strategies and the detailed project brief

What needs to be done: Spatial coordination with respect of the concept design and design brief

What need not be done: Extended arm of the Concept Design, Extended to Tender Stage

Stage 4 – Technical Design

What needs to be in place: A fully developed architectural concept plan, project strategies, the detailed project brief, and spatial coordinated design to allow independent working

What needs to be done: If it's a D&B, the contractor needs to be on board, designers and engineers need to be on board

What need not be done: relooking at the concept/design brief/type of construction etc.

Stage 5 – Manufacturing and Construction

What needs to be in place: Detailed design with specifications, Project Schedule

What needs to be done: Constructions/Manufacturing, response to site queries, detailed GFC need to be rolled out to the project/site team

What need not be done: any design

Stage 6 – Handover

What needs to be in place: Practical completion certificate is in place, de-snagging is in progress

What needs to be done: Preparation of handing over documents such as user manuals, as-built drawings, post occupancy evaluation based on the plan for use strategy.

What need not be done: major construction/manufacturing 

Stage 7 – Use

What needs to be in place: The building is in full use

What needs to be done: Facility management

What need not be done: Project & Design Teams will no longer be required to be present

To conclude, there is a lot of depth in the various stages in each type of workflow, and each stage/type is dependent on the usage by the stakeholders of the project and the type of project. These standards help us to ensure seamless flow of works without overlap (if planned and executed well).

This article/post is a brief as per my understanding of the stages which should help the reader initiate deeper reads.