Chapter 9 of CSI Project Delivery Practice Guide (PDPG) continues from the previous discussion of design with the key terms and concepts of Design Documents, which are on the Construction Documents Technologists (CDT) Exam. Overall, one should understand the importance of documentation in the design and construction process. In particular, graphic representations (such as drawings and renderings) communication the design intent for the following:

• The three design stages (as noted in PDPG - Chapter 9)
• The documents necessary to construct the project (to be discussed in Chapter 11)
• The documents required by the contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers (to be discussed in Chapter 13)
• The documents necessary for facility management (to be discussed in Chapter 14)

Design Concept Phase Documentation
Understand project design and various systems considered.

• Drawings - typically free-hand sketches and illustrations noting the basic idea and appearance of the design
• Narrative Description - narrative form and brief list of major products considered
• Design Team Coordination
• Estimates - usually a simple list of cost for major components and building systems
  Order of Magnitude is the most appropriate estimating technique, although any of those listed in Chapter 8 may be used.

Schematic Design Phase Documentation
Both AIA Document B101 and EJCDC-520 (standard forms of agreement) require the A/E to provide the owner with a report. This includes schematic drawings and a preliminary project description (PPD) to clearly communicate the project and its components.

• Drawings - more organized form of the design concept, but not technical in nature
  (Review PDPG - Chapter 9, p. 181.)
• Preliminary Project Description (PPD) - written description, focused on the physical requirements of the project
  • Format - UniFormat ^TM which is an organizational numbering system for creating PPDs, especially large projects with multiple elements
    (Note example in Figure 9.1, page 182.)
  • Design Decisions - Note key goals of documents on page 183.
  • System Descriptions - Two principal methods used:
    • describe and list products and systems, with possible cost estimates, scheduling, and value analysis - alternates may be used
    • list performance criteria along with supplementary descriptions
• Design Team Coordination
• Estimates of Probable Construction Cost - Unit of Measure is the most appropriate estimating technique, although any of those listed in Chapter 8 may be used.

Design Development Phase Documentation
Both AIA Document B101 and EJCDC-520 (standard forms of agreement) require the A/E to provide documents, including drawings, to describe the project and its elements.

• Drawings - more detailed than schematic design, but not suitable as construction documents
  Also note the U.S. National CAD Standard for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (NCS) as a standard format for organizing information in design development drawings. (aka National CAD Standard)
• Outline Specifications - help control the decision-making process, encourage clarity, help coordinate terminology between drawings and specifications, and other uses noted on page 185
  • Format - can be organized according to MasterFormat ^TM, which will be discussed more in Chapter 11
    See Figure 9.2 for example.
  • Content - typically include information about manufacturers, materials, installation, etc. Review pages 185-187.
• Design Team Coordination
• Estimates - include selecting products, systems, and equipment - more details than previous phases
  Assemblies/Systems or Unit Price Methods are the most appropriate estimating techniques, although any of those listed in Chapter 8 may be used.
   

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