Techniques and strategies to improve conceptual and schematic design

This research has investigated the management of the concept and schematic design stages with particular reference to brief development, the exchange of design and cost information between the client and designers, and the impact of early design decisions on construction. A critical review of current practice by both literature review and case study revealed that early stage design often failed to meet the expectation of clients leading to frequent redesign and inaccurate cost advice. Poor communication of information between all parties was primarily to blame. This led to the research combining the three elements, design, cost, and risk and developing a Scheme Design Process Model (SDPM) based on ADePT principles to provide designers for the first time the opportunity to: Accurately and systematically, plan ahead for the work required during the scheme design stage; identify conflicts that lead to iterative problems; mitigate iterative problems by identifying and recording the design risk source; qualify the accuracy of the cost advice based on the progress of the design; ensure closer cross-disciplinary cooperation; reduce overall project timescale. The research identified that a generic programme of work can now be produced that includes all major elements for the multi-disciplinary design team. The research provides a contribution to the design-modelling database by introducing and demonstrating flexibility between design stages. In addition to the SDPM the research has also addressed accountability within the decision making process by demonstrating QFD techniques that can be applied at various stages of early design.