Process

Introduction

Introducing the DQI process to the construction of a new building or the refurbishment of an existing building will drastically improve the quality of the design and construction.

The workshops and online tools are most effective in achieving outstanding design when introduced early on in a project. In a best case scenario the DQI for schools is introduced at the preparation stage. However, the benefits of the DQI are clearly visible regardless of what stage it is introduced. It’s never too late to make a difference.

The DQI process follows a clear structure that is linked to the industry phases of a building project. At each stage there is a workshop where the online tools are used. These workshops enable DQI to record what participants think about the building or design and present this information in a meaningful way. It is this output that helps inform the process of designing the building.

 
 
 
 

Getting Started

To initiate the DQI process someone from the building group is appointed as a DQI Leader (in a best case scenario this would be a Local Authority Officer). The DQI Leader is responsible for the following:

  • contacting the DQI and purchasing use of the DQI tools
  • appointing a DQI Facilitator to mediate at the workshops
  • appointing a DQI Administrator to support him/her
  • forming an Assessment Group from the school community
  • arranging the DQI workshops

For a full description of these roles see the ‘Roles’ section of the website.

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PHASE 1: PREPARATION

The DQI process begins with a briefing stage workshop which corresponds to the preparation stage of a building project.

Briefing stage workshop - Aims and Objectives

  • The Assessment group begin to define and identify their priorities for the new building
  • The Assessment Group begin to develop a language which they will use throughout the design and build process to communicate with the suppliers and interrogate their designs
  • Assessment group form a common understanding of what constitutes success and failure by which they can assess all areas and stages of the project
  • The project designers gain a more in-depth understanding of their brief and users’ needs

What happens

  1. The Assessment group are introduced to the DQI process.
  2. The Assessment group completes an online questionnaire (DQI Evaluation Tool) on an existing building to highlight relevant issues.  
  3. The Assessment group completes an exercise together with an online questionnaire (DQI Briefing Tool) to register their aspirations for the new building and form a consensus.
  4. Discussions take place and priorities for the project are assigned to various points/issues.

Next steps

The priorities of the Assessment group are fed into the building project and used to inform the designs for the new building

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PHASE 2: DESIGN

Starting DQI at Phase 2

The DQI process will help ensure design excellence if introduced at the design stage.

Aims and Objectives

  • An effective dialogue continues between the assessment group and the building suppliers
  • Assessment group are aware of the range of uses and needs of the building
  • Assessment group are able to interrogate building suppliers and their designs
  • Building suppliers can explain design decisions and use of materials to the Assessment group
  • Building suppliers gain valuable feedback on their designs and plans
  • Project suppliers remain critically informed of their clients’ needs

What happens?

  1. Facilitator reminds the group of any issues highlighted in the previous workshop (if applicable)
  2. The project director presents an account of the current status of the project and responds to any of the issues highlighted by the Facilitator in his/her introduction
  3. Presentation by the DQI Facilitator regarding issues highlighted in his/her briefing report
  4. The Project director and design team respond to the presentation offering solutions
  5. The Assessment group respond to the presentation through the DQI Evaluation tool
  6. The DQI Facilitator explains and analyses the output of the tool, and records any thoughts/opinions/patterns it brings to light

Next steps

Issues that have been raised by the Assessment group can be resolved by the suppliers (e.g. the architect can rework designs).

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PHASE 3: PRE-CONSTRUCTION

Starting DQI at phase 3

The DQI process is invaluable for interrogating the final designs for a building project and ensuring that they achieve excellence.

The pre-construction stage workshop: Aims and Objectives

  • Assessment group can re-assess designs to ensure that any outstanding issues have been resolved
  • Assessment group can be satisfied that the designs will deliver an exceptional building that satisfies the needs of its users and the community
  • Project suppliers can affirm that the building they will deliver will succeed in reaching the expectations of the users
  • Construction is ready to begin using designs that have been approved by the assessment group

What happens?

  1. Facilitator reminds the group of issues that were highlighted in the previous workshop (if applicable)
  2. The project director presents an account of the current status of the project and responds to any of the issues highlighted by the facilitator
  3. Presentation by the DQI Facilitator regarding issues highlighted in his/her briefing report
  4. The project director and design team respond to the Facilitator’s briefing report
  5. The Assessment group respond to the presentation through the DQI Evaluation tool
  6. The DQI Facilitator explains and analyses the output of the tool, and records any thoughts/opinions/patterns it brings to light

Next steps

Any remaining design issues can be solved and building construction can begin.

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PHASE 4: CONSTRUCTION

Starting DQI at phase 4

The DQI process is an extremely effective method of assessing a completed building. Although it is too late to effect any changes to the design, the assessment provides a very important record of the building prior to occupation.

The Construction stage workshop: Aims and Objectives

  • Assessment group understand the successes or failures of the building
  • Building suppliers understand the degree to which the delivered building fulfils the expectations of the Assessment group
  • The building design team and the client gain an understanding of what people think of the building when it is new, which can be usefully compared to opinions once the building has been in use for a couple of years

What happens?

  1. Facilitator reminds the group of issues that were highlighted in the previous workshop (if applicable)
  2. The project director presents an account of the finished building and responds to any of the issues highlighted by the Facilitator
  3. Presentation by the DQI Facilitator regarding issues highlighted in his/her briefing report
  4. The Project director and design team respond to the Facilitator’s briefing report
  5. The Assessment group respond to the presentation through the DQI Evaluation tool
  6. The DQI Facilitator explains and analyses the output of the tool, and records any thoughts/opinions/patterns it brings to light

Next steps

Having been assessed the building is ready for occupation and use.

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PHASE 5: USE

Starting DQI at phase 5

The DQI process is ideal for providing an evaluation of a building’s design in terms of its impact on the users of the building.

The Use stage workshop: Aims and Objectives

  • The impact of the building design on the school occupants and the local community is communicated to the building suppliers and the client
  • The successes, limitations and failures of the building project are understood and recorded
  • The importance of design quality is understood by all those involved in, and effected by, the building project

What happens?

  1. Facilitator reminds the group of issues that were highlighted in the previous workshop (if applicable)
  2. The project director presents an account of the finished building and responds to any of the issues highlighted by the Facilitator
  3. Presentation by the DQI Facilitator regarding issues highlighted in his/her briefing report
  4. The Project director and design team respond to the Facilitator’s briefing report
  5. The Assessment group respond to the presentation through the DQI Evaluation tool
  6. The DQI Facilitator explains and analyses the output of the tool, and records any thoughts/opinions/patterns it brings to light

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