Design team - contractor interface

The most significant element at this stage is likely to be the relationship between the design team and the contractor. It is important that those constructing the facility can translate the design

team's drawings to construction on the ground. There needs to be a good working relationship between all concerned with the project. It is likely that the design will need to be applied carefully to take account of changing or unforeseen circumstances.

Ideally the interface between the design team and the contractor should have started while the design was being prepared and, if so, the implementation of the design solution may be relatively straightforward.

The extent of liaison at the detailed design stage can depend on the approach to procurement, which can throw up challenges. For example, if a facility has been designed without the consideration of very specific equipment, the design solution for the building may need to evolve to accommodate a particular technology at a later stage. This may in turn trigger the need to modify the planning permission, depending on the degree of change required.