Workflow

Defining what the project team needs to do is a fundamental element in the assembly of a collaborative project team. Once the Design Responsibility Matrix incorporating Information Exchanges and Schedules of Services have been completed and all the documents agreed on, each member of the project team can be confident that design responsibility has been considered holistically and that they are all working towards the same client goals.

Stage 0
Strategic Definition

Graphite undertakes Feasibility studies as part of the briefing process to verify whether a site can accommodate the client’s needs, or to test a particular aspect of the brief, allowing the brief to be honed as required.

Stage 1
Preparation and Briefing

Stage 1 is about developing the detail of the brief and Graphite shall ensure that everything needed for the design process is in place before Stage 2. This includes proving that the brief can be accommodated on the site.

Stage 2
Concept Design

Stage 2 is about getting the design concept right and Graphite shall ensure that the look and feel of the building is proceeding in line with the client’s vison, brief and budget. The key challenge of this stage is to make sure that the tasks that are undertaken are geared to meeting the stage objectives.

Stage 3
Spatial Coordination

The purpose of Stage 3 is to spatially coordinate the design before Graphite’s focus turns to preparing the detailed information required for manufacturing and constructing the building.

Stage 4
Technical Design

Stage 4 is about developing the information required to manufacture and construct the building. Graphite shall coordinate with the design team and the specialist subcontractors employed by the contractor, regardless of which procurement route is used.

Stage 5
Construction

It is likely that Stages 4 and 5 will overlap, as dictated by the Project Programme and the Procurement Strategy. However, it should be clear in the professional services agreements that the production of information required for manufacturing and constructing the building.

Stage 6
Handover

By Stage 6 the building will be in use and Graphite’s emphasis will have switched to closing out any defects and completing the tasks required to conclude the Building Contract and obtain the Building Completion Certificate.

Stage 7
Use

The work of the project team concludes with the closing out of the Building Contract. Appointments to complete the post completion activities, including managing the defects notification period, or providing longer term client advice should be in place.