FIS has been working on a number of fronts looking at how we support the “Responsible No”. As part of this work we have been breaking down the design development process and looking at irreconcilable details.  We are looking for member feedback on an outline paper that we have prepared “A Defined Design Development Process”.

This paper looks at the design development process and allocation of responsibility to trade contractors within the context of Contractors Design Portion (CDP).

The transfer of liability in complex amendments to standard form contracts and expectations associated with design development is commonplace.  Concern centres on procurement processes (see Figure 1) that give trade contractors little or no time to address design at tender stage and don’t allow for early supply chain engagement and encourage or foster collaboration between specialist contractors.

Increasingly specialist contractors are finding themselves responsible for the compliance of details that they did not design but are presented in contract as their liability.  This paper starts to explore how this should be co-ordinated more effectively through a more consistent and consultative design development centred on a standardise approach to creating a Design Responsibility Matrix (DRM).

We would appreciate feedback on this document using this form. Please email to info@thefis.org by 22 April 2024.

FIS has partnered with Barbour ABI to extend its reach, educate and take our content directly to specifiers and building designers.  This also enables members to extend their presence on Barbour ABI through the FIS Specialist Interiors Hub and access discounts on core services available from Barbour ABI. FIS regularly shares content from its online platform SpecFinish which is added to the Specialist Interiors Hub.

Supported by FIS, the Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative (CQIC) in Scotland is conducting research into Contractor Design Portions (CDPs).  The use of CDP has grown over the years, and we know that its use can create challenges (this was a major issue raised in our work with the University of Reading last year).

This survey will give an insight into why and how it is used and how its use can be improved. The survey information will be analysed and will allow the development of guidance that will support the sector to use CDP in a manner that will contribute to the construction quality outcomes we are all striving for. 

The link to the survey is: CQIC – CDP Working Group

We would urge all those involved in the sector to take the time to contribute to this important piece of research which will bring benefits to us all – the deadline for the survey is 15 March 2024.  Please do forward this too, to any construction colleagues (the aim is to gather information from all parts of the supply chain and it is not limited to the finishes and interiors sector).  We have a real opportunity to use the data to make a difference, but the validity and power of the data will be dependent on the level of response.

If you have any questions about the survey, contact Iain McIlwee on iainmcilwee@thefis.org