The delivery aspects of design management
What is Design Management?
Design management is the managing and coordination of the design process across a project, communication within the client design team and with the contractor is key, to ensure the concept design is realised. It’s common that individuals will believe that this responsibility should be with the project manager however this isn’t completely true. The project manager doesn’t tend to look at the overall design concept, they’ll ensure it is completed as successfully as possible but design is not their main priority, hence the requirement and need for a Design Manager on a project.
Over the years design management specialists have been increasing in large numbers and this is because projects are becoming more and more design led. A design manager can be a pivotal and vital role, working across a project keeping the concept design at the top of their priority list and ensuring a fully coordinated design is delivered come the end of the project. Whereby projects come in all shapes and sizes, the larger they are, and the more complex they are in design, the more likely a design manager is required on the project.
Why is Design Management important?
The importance of Design Management shouldn’t be understated. When there is a lack of design management across a project it’s very common for the original concept to be amended throughout the project process, which leads to the overall design being amended and the final delivered outcome on site is not what was agreed with the client originally. That’s usually what can go wrong when a design manager isn’t present on a project. What makes a project successful? Is it projects that comes in on budget? Is it projects that get completed within the agreed time frame? Or is it simply projects that get completed with less hassle? Successful projects are also projects that deliver the original concept design to an outstanding level of quality. It’s understandable changes may be required during the construction phase but it’s also important that these are approved and cleared with the client to ensure they end up with exactly what they want.
Having a manager to direct these teams on a project so they deliver exactly what is required, ensures they stay in line with the original design and this leads to a successful project.
What does a Design Manager do?
Design Managers can also be known as Design Consultants or Design Coordinators. There are many names for individuals who take on this role however their responsibilities are usually the same. A design managers role and responsibility are to manage and coordinate all design aspects across a given project. They will help to lead each individual team, contractor or consultant to ensure they deliver the design aspects required across a project and ensure they all work together smoothly where applicable. Just like a project manager, however from a design standpoint they will ensure the project not only delivers in design but also within try and keep budget and programme in mind.
One of the most important roles a design manager will take on, is the collaborative working across multiple individuals, contractors and consultants. They will help to coordinate with all other consultants such as:
Architects
M&E Engineers
Structural Engineers
Lighting Designers
AV Consultants and more…
Imagine leaving each one to complete their part of the project without any coordination? It could lead to mayhem; however, a design manager will be able to effectively manage, coordinate and communicate to each team or individual what is needed and ensure that it is specifically delivered.
Alongside managing and coordinating teams, Design Managers will also be supporting in pulling together all design information and aspects of the project, which includes drawings and renderings so all teams working across the project have exactly everything they need to do their job to the best of their ability. This type of planning is all covered off in the RIBA stages 0-6, so all the necessary detail for the project is available.
What is the Design Management Process?
The design management process is the creation of a solution to a specific project brief and ensuring that instructions are formulated and prepared so that a solution can be found. This is an extremely important part of any project to ensure it can be completed however in coming up with solutions they need to be communicated with key stakeholders, these key stakeholders are:
The client – The client usually will always want constant communication to ensure their project is going to plan according to their concept so effective communication is always needed here. They want to know their design aspirations and what they want is being carried out.
Project Manager – The project manager is essentially the clients representative, their eyes and ears to ensure everything is running smoothly across a project, so they have the same interests as the client. Again, they’re looking for constant and effective communication to ensure the overall design is being delivered.
Consultant Design Team – Want to know exactly what they should be designing but also ensuring it works as it should and also works for the space, for example, M&E and lighting. The design team need to work through details, so they are able to translate their designs to the contractors.
Contractors – Those carrying out the work need the final intricate details of what they need to deliver. They need the client’s vision channelled through to them and communicated in a simple way so the work can be carried out effectively.
Where do you find design managers?
Across a typical project you will find that design managers are a common role contractor side. As mentioned earlier on, design management is a role that is growing in demand and they are not always across all projects however, those that see the benefit will choose to bring them on board to ensure the successful delivery of a project. Stakeholders that usually bring design managers onto a project are:
Clients – Depending on the nature of the project, clients are always looking to ensure their concept design is realised so are keen to appoint a design manager. Someone who can take their vision and ensure it is being constructed as first thought. This ensures the client has someone on their behalf protecting their interests.
Consultant Team - When a client starts a project, they appoint a Project Manager, who will be tasked with putting together a team. Within that team the project manager will sometimes appoint a design manager for the project but this can be a client led decision. In the client eyes this is another role that has a cost associated to it, but in the long run it’s a key role within the team as without a Design manager its very rare that the design gets delivered to the quality expected. This scenario means that the design manager is part of the consultant team and will be on the project from the beginning.
Conclusion
Design Management is a specialism that is becoming more and more important, ensuring they’re appointed on a variety of different projects from a residential, hospitality or commercial. Design managers allow our conceptual ideas to be constructed for purpose and if they’re not, they can be altered to ensure we get that final outcome we’re looking for.
If you’re interested in finding out more about how Design Management services can support you, contact us here.