Design Management
Connecting DM Symposium 2012
A Date for your Diary: 11 October 2012
This synposium provides an ideal opportunity to engage with a gathering of design managers - networking and exchanging ideas. The event will bring together an authoratative team of speakers and design managers from different backgrounds.
A variety of leading industry experts will outline their perceptions of design management and their vision for the profession in the future.
To find out more about the event, please visit the event page here
Download event flyer
Design Management (DM) as a recognised role is relatively new in the UK. Probably gaining prominence in the 1990s and arising from the need for better co-ordination and delivery of design information from design teams to main contractors, particularly on design and build contracts but also on CDP style procurement routes.
The role can encompass managing internal and external design consultant teams, controlling the development of the design concept into manufacturing and installation construction status information. This type of role also exists in other industries besides construction such as manufacturing or even software development - essentially any process where design is involved in producing a finished, built or manufactured product. It’s about process and people management, requiring a blend of management, technical, people and communication skills.
The CIOB Design Management survey carried out in 2010, confirmed that in the early stages of projects, DM can provide invaluable input on value management and form a springboard for innovation.
People enter into this role from all sorts of backgrounds including architects, technologists, engineers, surveyors, administrators, construction managers and site managers. Qualifications for people in this role vary from none to construction and design degrees, or BTEC/ONC/HNC. There are now a few bespoke DM degree courses available in the UK (Greenwich, Loughborough, Northumbria).
It is difficult to say what the future might be for DM but there is no doubt that BIM and technology will have a huge impact. Who knows? Today’s Design Manager could be the next generation’s BIM manager or technologist, dealing with compiling 5D BIM models that provide all design, manufacturing and construction information, as well as financial and procurement information, whilst providing an ongoing vehicle for controlling carbon emissions, energy consumption and facilities management. All of this, in addition to acting as a lynchpin for design facilitation and collaboration!
The CIOB has already ventured into this field with the excellent work of FAS scholars Lisa Gould and Robert Thompson, on BIM and Innovation, in 2010. Brendan Keilthy also presented on “Design Management Graduates: Fit for purpose?” in January 2011, which highlighted some of the challenges that graduates face on entering the industry in their first job.
In 2011, the CIOB agreed to develop a way forward for the CIOB and Design Management. The initiative will involve four main thrusts:
1. Production of a DM Code of Practice – “The Design Manager’s Handbook”
2. The holding of a DM conference
3. In the medium term, to explore the formation of a cross-institute Special Interest Group for Design Management
4.To develop a learning and development framework for Design Management, which recognises the rich diversity of the people that do this role, ranging from the graduate to the seasoned industry professionals who have worked their way through from the trades.
For more information, please contact Dr Sarah Peace speace@ciob.org.uk or Veronica Dunn vdunn@ciob.org.uk.