The design coordination role at the pre-construction stage of construction projects

Figures & data

Table 1. Demographic characteristics of focus group workshops participants.

CDM role on projects	Frequency (%)
Client	11 (12.4)
Principal Designer	27 (30.3)
Designer	4 (4.5)
Principal Contractor	12 (13.5)
Contractor	6 (6.7)
Other	29 (32.6)
Total	89 (100)
CDM experience (in years)	Frequency (%)
1–5	27 (30.3)
6–10	15 (16.9)
11–15	11 (12.4)
16–20	17 (19.1)
21–26	19 (21.3)
Total	89 (100)

Figure 1. Project map of functions of the Principal Designer.

Table 2. The structure of the Principal Designer role.

Category	Sub-category
Reliance on third party arrangements	Principal Contractor as Principal Designer with support from health and safety advisors and designers (14) Lead designer as Principal Designer with support from CDM advisors and health and safety consultants (8) Lead designer as Principal Designer (4) Principal Contractor takes over Principal Designer role after pre-construction stage (4) Conversion of Principal Designer role to CDM advisor after pre-construction stage (2) Appointment of non-UK entities as Principal Designers with support from UK-based health and safety advisors (2) Project manager as Principal Designer (1) Project manager as Principal Designer with support from external health and safety advisors (1)
Exploitation of owner in-house capacity with external support	Client as Principal Designer (11) Client as Principal Designer with support from CDM advisors and health and safety consultants (2)

Note: Figures in parentheses denote the number of references to such practice in the FGD workshops.

Table 3. The nature of appointment of the Principal Designer role.

Category	Sub-category
Timing of appointment	Early appointment (7) Late appointment (4)
Duration of appointment	Engagement throughout project (13) Involvement as when services are required (4)

Note: Figures in parentheses denote the number of references to such practice by FGD workshops participants.

Table 4. The nature of the Principal Designer.

Category	Sub-category
Type of agency	Organization (13) Individual (1)
Background	Architect (4) Quantity Surveyor (1) Health and Safety Practitioner with support from Designers (1) Engineer (1) Quantity Surveyor with support from Designers (1)

Note: Figures in parentheses denote the number of references to such practice by FGD workshops participants.

Table 5. Functions of the Principal Designer.

Category	Sub-category
Review and communication	Coordination and assurance of designers’ duty performance (37) Dissemination of pre-construction information among project parties (4) Project notification (3) Review of construction phase plan (2)
Information management	Assisting Client to compile pre-construction information (9) Preparation of H&S file (5) Preparation of residual risk register (1) Assist Client to develop CDM strategy brief (1)
Client awareness and support	Ensuring Client is aware of its duties (3) Client advisor (2)
Competency checking	Assistance of Clients to review competences of project parties (2) Involvement in pre-tender interviews (2)

Note: Figures in parentheses denote the number of references to such practice by FGD workshop participants.