CDT Review - Chapter 8, Design

Chapter 8 of CSI Project Delivery Practice Guide (PDPG) continues with the key terms and concepts of Design, which are on the Construction Documents Technologists (CDT) Exam. The design phase follows the project conception and selection of a project delivery method. Various stakeholders and participants are involved in the decision-making process - including design.

Design is the arrangement of project elements and components, expressed in graphic and written documents, responding to:

  • The owner's requirements, program, and budget
  • Requirements of authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs)
  • Climate and conditions at site
  • Suitability of available products
  • The owner's functional, aesthetic, and sustainability requirements
    (PDPG - p. 151.)

Also know the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders and participants, which occurs during design. Understand how a project delivery method influences some responsibilities. (PDPG - Chapter 8, page 151-152.)
 

Dual Nature of Design
Know definitions of and relationships between design and construction. Also understand the overlapping relationship between aesthetic design and technical design.


Design Considerations
Understand the influence of A/E requirements with the size, arrangement, and extent of the project.


Aesthetics
Review role of aesthetic requirements in projects, as established by the owner and A/E team. Know possible tasks involving in meeting these requirements and how they may be achieved.


Functional Requirements
Know key considerations of functional requirements in relation to the owner's program and AHJs.


Constructability
Know when a constructability review is appropriate or needed and how it is different from a cost evaluation.


Sustainability
Understand role of sustainability in the design process. (Review pages 157-161

  • Sustainable Design
  • Environmental Design Tools
  • Assessing Product Sustainability
  • Assessing Facility Sustainability

Design Phases
Know the different design phases as defined by the AIA, EJCDC, and DBIA. (Review p. 161.)

  • Design Variations
    • Master Planning
    • Prototype Design
  • Conceptual Design
  • Schematic Design
  • Design Development

Quality Assurance/Quality Control Requirements
Know the definitions of quality, quality assurance (QA), and quality control (QC). Understand the difference between QA and QC and when they occur in the design and construction process. (Review Table 8.1 "Example Phases of QA and QC for Concrete Work" on page 165.)

  • Establishing Quality
  • Participants Affect Quality
  • Concurrent Quality Assurance/Quality Control Processes


Budgets
Have a general understanding of how budget will influence the project design.


Cost Estimates
Normally cost estimates are at the end of each design phases. These are typically prepared by the contractor, construction manager, or design-bulder.  Know the difference between cost estimate and price. An estimate is more like an opinion of probable cost of construction.

  • Balancing Costs against Resources and Extent
    Key to maintain a balance between proposed design and project budget
  • Estimating Techniques
    • Order of Magnitude
    • Unit of Measure
    • Assemblies/systems
    • Unit Price

Life Cycle Costs
Know definition of life cycle costs, what they are based on, and special considerations. (Review pages 169-170.)

Value Analysis

  • Value Analysis Processes
    • Data-Gathering Phase
    • Investigation Phase
    • Analytical/Development Phase
    • Report Phase
    • Implementation Phase
    • Evaluation Phase
  • Recommendations
    Know common recommendations which result from value analysis. (Review p. 172.)
  • Documenting Decisions
    Know relation between value analysis and decisions - occurring earlier in design versus later.


Controlling Variables
Know special procedures for certain variables, including:

  • Indeterminate items, unknowns, and contingencies
  • Postponement of decisions until adequate information is available
  • Flexibility and adjustment for variables
  • Identification and control of construction costs

Types of Variables
Review pages 173-177.

  • Allowances
    - Cash Allowances
    - Quantity Allowances
  • Alternate
  • Unit Prices

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