Royal Institute Of British Architects Work Plan Stages

The RIBA Plan of Work describes the activities from appraising the client’s requirements through to post construction. The stages are also used in the appointment of architects and help to identify consultant services and indicate the resource and fee total by Work Stage.

The information below is in accordance with CABE principles (Creating Excellent Buildings: A guide for clients, 2003, CABE and Being involved in School Design, 2004, CABE)) and the RIBA Plan of Work.

The choice of procurement route has a fundamental influence on how different Work Stages proceed. This is summarised in outline as far as possible but the exact way in which different Stages are conducted within the overall project programme needs careful consideration at the outset. It is worth noting that the RIBA Plan of Work was originally developed to reflect the needs of Traditional contract forms. The subsequent development of alternative contract forms such as PFI, BSF and partnered contracts means that RIBA Stages don’t necessarily fit precisely with discrete stages in these alternative contract forms. The Achieving Excellence in Construction Procurement guide 11 Sustainability identifies the intervention points for larger programmes such as BSF including PFI. See www.ogc.gov.uk.

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Any project needs a vision and key performance indicators to be identified up front. They should be assessed at each stage to monitor achievement and check that they are still appropriate. For a project that wants to integrate sustainability in all aspects of a project this is even more important, as for many clients it will involve some changes to conventional methods and new ways of working need strong management support if they are to be successfully implemented. KPIs should be identified in the early project stages for the whole of the Prepare, Design, Construct and Use cycle.

RIBA Work Stage (Common name)

People

involved

Purpose of work and decisions needed

Tasks to be undertaken

PREPARATION

RIBA Stage A Appraisal

(Briefing)

All client interests, architect/

lead designer (depending on procurement route)

Identification of Client’s requirements and any possible constraints on development. Preparation of studies to enable the Client to decide whether to proceed and to select the probable procurement method. The latter is a particularly important decision, as it will determine the way in which project resources, responsibilities and risks are apportioned between the Client and its consultants and contractors.

Set up project steering group or equivalent and identify the vision and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the project.

Consider funding and procurement route- BSF, Academy, DfES bid, LEA resources, school, other agencies.

Traditional contract:

Submit funding bid to DfES

Appoint Design Team

PFI/BSF contract:

Prepare option appraisals

Submit outline business case (OBC)

Obtain OBC approval

Fix budget for project

Advertise in OJEU

Partnering contract:

Advertise for and select partnering contractor

Develop scheme with client and contractor to determine budget

Appoint design advisor, education expert and design champion.

Set up Client organisation for briefing

RIBA Stage B Preparing Strategic Brief

Client’s representatives, consortium/

partnering team members, architects, engineers and QS according to the nature of the project.

Preparation of general outline of requirements and planning of future action on behalf of, the client with client confirming key requirements and constraints. Identification of procedures, organisational structure and range of consultants and others to be engaged for the project. The strategic brief is a key output from this stage and becomes the clear responsibility of the client.

Studies of user requirements, site conditions, planning, design and cost etc, as necessary to reach decisions

Monitor performance against the vision and KPIs for the project.

LEA prepares accommodation schedules in consultation with schools.

Traditional contract:

Sketch design proposals

Cost check against budget

Prepare final detailed brief.

PFI/BSF contract:

Select shortlist of bidders.

Prepare ITN and issue to bidders

Receive bids from bidders

Evaluate sample designs (BSF)

Evaluate and select Preferred Bidder

Partnering contract:

Decide Partnering Programme (workshops etc.)

Cost check against budget

DESIGN

RIBA Stage C

Outline proposals

Stage C begins when the architect’s brief has been determined in sufficient detail

(Sketch plans)

All client interests, consortium/

partnering team members, architects, engineers, QS and specialists are required.

Provide the client with an appraisal and recommendation in order that they may determine the form in which the project is to proceed. Ensure that it is feasible functionally, technically and financially. At this point the development of the strategic brief into the full project brief begins and outline design proposals and cost estimates are prepared.

Develop the brief further.

Do studies on user requirements, technical aspects, planning, design and costs as necessary to reach decisions.

Monitor performance against the vision and KPIs for the project.

Traditional contract:

C to F – Detailed design and tender documentation produced

PFI/BSF contract:

C to F – Negotiations with preferred Bidder to finalise contract details.

Non sample designs prepared in BSF

Partnering contract:

C to F – Final design developed jointly within budget constraints, most likely to an Agreed Maximum Price (AMP).

The Brief should not be modified substantially after this point. Depending on the procurement route, changes after this stage can incur additional cost or lengthen the programme.

DESIGN

RIBA Stage D

Scheme Design &Planning; Detailed Proposals; Submit Planning Application

(Planning drawings)

All client interests, architects, engineers, QS and specialists and all statutory and other approving authorities, contractor (if appointed).

Determines the general approach to the layout, design and construction in order to obtain authoritative approval of the client on the outline proposals. The project brief will be fully developed and detailed proposals will be made and compiled, generally in a “Stage D” report. The application for full development control approval will be made at this point.

Complete final development brief and full design of the project by the architect.

Engineers prepare preliminary design.

Preparation of cost plan and full explanatory report.

Submit proposals for all approvals.

Monitor performance against the vision and KPIs for the project.

Traditional contract:

C to F – Detailed design and tender documentation produced

PFI/BSF contract:

C to F – Negotiations with preferred Bidder to finalise contract details.

Non sample designs prepared in BSF

Partnering contract:

C to F – Final design developed jointly within budget constraints, most likely to an Agreed Maximum Price (AMP).

DESIGN

RIBA Stage E

Detail Design; Final proposals.

All client interests, architects, engineers, QS and specialists and all statutory and other approving authorities, contractor

(if appointed).

Completion of the brief with decisions made on the planning arrangement, appearance, construction method, outline specification and cost of the project. All approvals will be obtained at this stage, including for Building Regulations.

In effect, during this Stage final proposals are developed for the Project sufficient for co-ordination of all its components and elements to realise the construction.

Full design of every part and component of the building by collaboration of all concerned. Complete cost checking of designs.

Monitor performance against the vision and KPIs for the project.

Traditional contract:

C to F – Detailed design and tender documentation produced

PFI/BSF contract:

C to F – Negotiations with preferred Bidder to finalise contract details.

Non sample designs prepared in BSF

Partnering contract:

C to F – Final design developed jointly within budget constraints most likely to an Agreed Maximum Price (AMP).

Any further change in location, size, shape, construction method or cost after this time is likely to result in abortive work. Some procurement methods can make it easier and less costly to make changes after this Stage.

DESIGN

RIBA Stage F

Production information

Architects, QS, engineers and specialists, contractor (if appointed).

Final decisions taken on every matter related to design, specification, construction and cost. For a traditional procurement process, production information is first prepared in sufficient detail to enable a tender or tenders to be obtained. Any further production information required under the building contract to complete the information for construction is then prepared. All statutory approvals should be obtained by the end of this phase.

Prepare final production information i.e. drawings, schedules and specifications.

Monitor performance against the vision and KPIs for the project.

Traditional contract:

C to F – Detailed design and tender documentation produced

PFI/BSF contract:

C to F – Negotiations with preferred Bidder to finalise contract details.

Non sample designs prepared in BSF

Partnering contract:

C to F – Final design developed jointly within budget constraints, most likely to an Agreed Maximum Price (AMP).

DESIGN

RIBA Stage G

Tender documents; Bills of Quantities

Architects, engineers and specialists. Contractor (if appointed)

Prepare and collate tender documentation in sufficient detail to enable a tender or tenders to be obtained for the construction of the Project. It should be noted that this Stage is much more relevant to Traditional forms of procurement.

Prepare Bills of Quantities and tender documents

Monitor performance against the vision and KPIs for the project

Traditional contract:

G to H – Tendering process – contractor selected

PFI/BSF contract:

G to H – PFI contract signed

LEP established in BSF

Negotiations with contractor for future phases in BSF

Partnering contract:

G to H – Contract signed

Maximum price (AMP) fixed

DESIGN

RIBA Stage H

Tender action

Architects, QS, engineers, contractor, client.

Prepare and complete all information and arrangements for obtaining tender(s). Identify potential contractors and/or specialists for the construction of the project.

Tenders obtained and appraised with recommendations made to the client body or Steering Group to allow an appointment to be made. It is important that the contractors’ understanding of, and commitment to, the project vision and its sustainability is tested at this stage. This can be achieved by the inclusion of this as a key selection criterion early in the procurement process.

Hold pre-tender briefing for potential contractors to ensure they have a good project understanding

Obtain and appraise tenders

Appoint contractor

Monitor performance against the vision and KPIs for the project.

CONSTRUCT

CONSTRUCT

CONSTRUCT

RIBA Stage J

Project Planning; Mobilisation

(Site Operations)

Architects, QS, engineers, contractor, client

Building contract let and contractor appointed

Production information issued to the contractor

Site is handed over to the contractor

Take action in accordance with the RIBA Plan of Work

Appoint contractor

Hand over site to contractor to prepare prior to construction

Monitor performance against the vision and KPIs for the project.

Traditional contract:

J to M – Construction monitored by design team

PFI/BSF contract:

J to M – Construction of first phase

Facilities Management (FM) service delivery commences on completion

Partnering contract:

J to M – Contractor, design ream and client continue to ‘partner’ to achieve budget/programme

RIBA Stage K

Operations on Site; Construction to Practical Completion

(Site Operations)

Contractors, sub-contractors

Contractor programmes the work in accordance with the contract and commences work on site. The client or their representative – the architect in Traditional procurement – administers the building contract up to and including practical completion (this is the point at which the contractor hands back ownership of the site and completed project to the client). Further information supplied to the contractor as and when reasonably required.

Take action in accordance with the RIBA Plan of Work

Regular site inspections of work to ensure it meets specification.

Monitor performance against the vision and KPIs for the project

RIBA Stage L Completion

(Site Operations)

Architects, engineers, contractors, sub-contractors, QS, client

This Stage is clearly separated from the construction phase. Final inspections are made to ensure specifications have been met. In addition, the final account is settled

Take action in accordance with the RIBA Plan of Work

Monitor performance against the vision and KPIs for the project

USE

RIBA Stage M Feedback

Architect, engineers, QS, contractor, client, users as appropriate

At this Stage, the building has been handed over to the client for occupation. Any defects will have been remedied and the final account settled. This allows the management, construction and performance of the project to be assessed.

Analyse job records and inspect completed building(s) as appropriate.

Conduct studies of the building in use. These are particularly important to focus on energy in use against the design specification.

Monitor performance against the vision and KPIs for the project.

The RIBA Stages conclude at Stage M. For projects to be sustainable, the operational and decommissioning phases need to be separately identified and planned for by the client. For PFI/BSF procurement, these will be the responsibility of the consortium.