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Unlike physical construction, design progress is intangible — measured in deliverables, not cubic meters or tons.

Accurate tracking ensures the timely issue of drawings and prevents construction delays.

1. Design Progress Metrics

2. Tracking Mechanisms

• Maintain a Design Deliverable Register (DDR) listing all drawings, statuses, and approval dates.
• Conduct weekly design coordination meetings.
• Use traffic-light dashboards (Green = on track, Amber = delay risk, Red = critical).
• Integrate design progress into the Master Schedule (MSP/Primavera).

3. Managing Revisions and Change Control

• Log all Revisions (R1, R2, etc.) with reason codes.
• Assess cost and schedule impact before issuing revised drawings.
• Maintain a Change Control Register linking changes to approvals.

Module Summary

• Design development transforms concepts into executable plans.
• The Project Execution Plan (PEP) governs coordination, cost, and control.
• Mini-drawings simplify reviews and fast-track execution.
• Proper design budgeting ensures resource efficiency and accountability.

Measuring design progress through EV and DDR prevents downstream delays.

Design development requires resources — architects, engineers, software, and coordination meetings — all of which have associated costs.

Hence, budgeting for design is as crucial as budgeting for construction.

1. Design Budget Components

2. Budgeting Process

1. Identify all design deliverables and required resources.
2. Estimate hours and rates for each discipline.
3. Include review and re-submission cycles.
4. Add contingency (typically 5–10%) for scope changes.
5. Track actual design hours vs. planned (Earned Value Technique).

3. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Design cost % vs. total project cost (usually 5–8%).
• Number of re-submissions per package.
• Design productivity (drawings per engineer per month).
• Design change impact on total project cost.

Clear scope definition ensures that the engineering team knows exactly what to deliver and avoids gaps between design intent and construction reality.

1. Engineering Scope Definition

• Define discipline-wise boundaries (civil, structural, MEP, architecture).
• Identify codes, standards, and performance criteria.
• Document interfaces between disciplines (e.g., structure-MEP coordination).
• Prepare a Design Responsibility Matrix (DRM) to show who owns each deliverable.

2. Mini-Drawings (or Mini-Design Packages)

Used in large projects to control design progress in manageable sections.

Purpose:

• Divide the total design into smaller, reviewable parts.
• Enable faster approval cycles.
• Allow early start of procurement and construction.
  

Typical Contents:

• Key plan and section drawings.
• BOQ summary for that section.
• Material specification sheet.
• Design assumptions and calculation notes.
• Approval sign-off sheet.

The Project Execution Plan (PEP) is the master document that defines how the project will be executed, monitored, and controlled.

It connects the design intent to the construction strategy — ensuring alignment among all stakeholders.

Purpose of a PEP

• Acts as a roadmap for execution.
• Defines roles, responsibilities, and interfaces.
• Links project objectives to deliverables and milestones.
• Provides a baseline for performance monitoring.

Typical Structure of a PEP

• Project Overview & Objectives
• Scope of Work and Deliverables
• Project Organization & Responsibilities
• Design Management Approach
• Procurement & Subcontracting Strategy
• Schedule and Key Milestones
• Cost and Budget Management Plan
• Quality Assurance and Control Plan
• Safety and Risk Management Plan
• Communication and Reporting Matrix

Design Manager’s Role

• Coordinate design inputs from multiple disciplines.
• Control design changes through a documented process.
• Verify that design deliverables meet contractual and regulatory requirements.

The design phase translates the project concept into practical, buildable solutions.

It involves multiple iterations — from initial concept sketches to detailed construction drawings — balancing aesthetics, function, cost, and compliance.

Stages of Design Development

Core Principles

• Early collaboration between the owner, the architect, and the contractor prevents redesign and rework.
• Maintain traceability between design decisions and cost impacts.
• Ensure designs comply with codes, standards, and sustainability guidelines (IS codes, NBC 2016, GRIHA, LEED).