# RIBA Plan of Work The RIBA Plan of Work is the definitive framework for organising the process of briefing, designing, constructing, and operating buildings in the United Kingdom. First published in 1963 and most recently updated in 2020, it divides the design and construction process into eight stages (0-7), providing a shared language between architect, client, engineers, contractors, and regulatory authorities. While developed for the UK context, the Plan of Work is widely referenced internationally and serves as the standard framework for defining architectural services, fee stages, and information deliverables. --- ## Table of Contents - [Overview and Structure](#overview-and-structure) - [The Eight Stages](#the-eight-stages) - [Stage 0 Strategic Definition](#stage-0-strategic-definition) - [Stage 1 Preparation and Briefing](#stage-1-preparation-and-briefing) - [Stage 2 Concept Design](#stage-2-concept-design) - [Stage 3 Spatial Coordination](#stage-3-spatial-coordination) - [Stage 4 Technical Design](#stage-4-technical-design) - [Stage 5 Manufacturing and Construction](#stage-5-manufacturing-and-construction) - [Stage 6 Handover](#stage-6-handover) - [Stage 7 Use](#stage-7-use) - [Procurement Routes](#procurement-routes) - [Information Exchanges](#information-exchanges) - [Plan of Work and BIM](#plan-of-work-and-bim) - [Fee Distribution by Stage](#fee-distribution-by-stage) - [Comparison with Other Frameworks](#comparison-with-other-frameworks) - [Practical Notes](#practical-notes) - [See Also](#see-also) --- ## Overview and Structure The 2020 RIBA Plan of Work is organised around eight stages, each with defined: - **Core tasks**: The primary activities to be completed at each stage - **Procurement**: How the stage varies under different procurement routes - **Information exchanges**: The deliverables produced and shared at each stage gateway - **Sustainability checkpoints**: Environmental performance targets and reviews - **Planning stages**: Relationship to planning permission milestones The Plan of Work is not a contract document — it is a management tool that structures the appointment, defines the scope of services, and sets expectations for deliverables. It is used in conjunction with professional service agreements (RIBA Standard Professional Services Contract, ACE Agreement, CIC Scope of Services). --- ## The Eight Stages ### Stage 0: Strategic Definition **Purpose**: Define the project — its business case, client requirements, and strategic brief. **Core tasks**: - Identify client's business case and strategic objectives - Prepare strategic brief (high-level requirements, budget range, programme) - Undertake feasibility studies if required - Determine site (if not already identified) - Review project programme - Establish project governance and team structure **Outputs**: Strategic Brief, Project Programme, Project Budget **Architect's role**: Advisory; may prepare feasibility studies, site appraisals, or options analysis. Fee typically time-charged. ### Stage 1: Preparation and Briefing **Purpose**: Develop the project brief, undertake site appraisal, and prepare for concept design. **Core tasks**: - Develop initial project brief from strategic brief - Undertake site surveys and investigations (topographic, geotechnical, ecological, heritage) - Commission specialist surveys (measured survey, utilities, contamination) - Review planning context (pre-application discussions) - Establish sustainability targets - Define spatial requirements ([[Architectural Programming]]) - Prepare procurement strategy - Develop responsibility matrix **Outputs**: Project Brief, Site Information, Feasibility Studies, Project Execution Plan ### Stage 2: Concept Design **Purpose**: Prepare the architectural concept in response to the brief and site. **Core tasks**: - Develop concept design proposals (plans, sections, elevations, 3D visualisations) - Establish structural and building services concepts (with engineers) - Prepare outline specification - Prepare cost estimate (typically elemental cost plan) - Submit planning application (outline or full, depending on strategy) - Review against brief, budget, and programme - Sustainability assessment (energy strategy, BREEAM pre-assessment) **Design detail**: Typically 1:200 and 1:100 scale drawings; 3D massing models; key material and facade concepts established. **Outputs**: Concept Design Report, Cost Plan 1, Planning Application (if applicable) ### Stage 3: Spatial Coordination **Purpose**: Develop the design to coordinate all building systems — architecture, structure, and services. **Core tasks**: - Develop the design to coordinate spatial requirements of all systems - Prepare coordinated drawings (typically 1:100 and 1:50) - Clash detection and resolution (using BIM models) - Developed building services layouts - Updated cost plan (elemental or approximate quantities) - Discharge planning conditions (if applicable) - Building Regulations pre-application consultation **Key difference from previous editions**: Stage 3 was formerly "Developed Design." The 2020 revision emphasises *coordination* over design development, reflecting the importance of services integration and clash resolution. **Outputs**: Spatially Coordinated Design, Cost Plan 2, Updated Project Brief ### Stage 4: Technical Design **Purpose**: Prepare the technical design and specification for construction. **Core tasks**: - Prepare technical design drawings (1:50, 1:20, 1:10, 1:5 details) - Write construction specifications (NBS or equivalent) - Building Regulations submission (Full Plans application) - Prepare tender documents (if traditional procurement) - Coordinate and finalise engineering designs - Review and update cost plan (pre-tender estimate) - Finalise material selections and proprietary product specifications **Who leads Stage 4**: In traditional procurement, the architect leads. In design-and-build, the contractor's design team may lead, with the architect in an advisory/monitoring role. **Outputs**: Technical Design, Building Regulations Approval, Tender Documents, Construction Specification ### Stage 5: Manufacturing and Construction **Purpose**: Manufacture building components and construct the building. **Core tasks**: - Off-site manufacturing and on-site construction - Architect's site inspections and administration - Issue instructions, review submittals, assess variations - Review contractor's proposals and shop drawings - Monitor quality and compliance - Administer the construction contract (if appointed to do so) - Issue certificates (practical completion, partial possession) **Architect's site role**: Site inspections (not supervision); typically fortnightly for larger projects, monthly for smaller ones. The architect inspects for general conformity with the design, not for detailed workmanship (which is the contractor's responsibility). ### Stage 6: Handover **Purpose**: Hand the building over to the client for occupation. **Core tasks**: - Verify practical completion - Collate and issue as-built drawings, O&M manuals, health and safety file - Commission building services - Client training on building systems - Manage defects rectification during the defects liability period (typically 12 months) - Issue final certificate **Outputs**: Practical Completion Certificate, Building Manual, As-Built Information ### Stage 7: Use **Purpose**: Support the building in use and review performance. **Core tasks**: - [[Post Occupancy Evaluation]] (POE) at 1 year and 3 years - Review building performance against design targets (energy, comfort, satisfaction) - Advise on maintenance and adaptation - Lessons learned for future projects - Ongoing facilities management support (if commissioned) --- ## Procurement Routes The Plan of Work accommodates different procurement strategies: | Procurement Route | Stage 4 Lead | Contractor Appointment | Risk Allocation | |-------------------|-------------|----------------------|-----------------| | **Traditional** | Architect | After Stage 4 (tender) | Client takes design risk | | **Design & Build** | Contractor's team | After Stage 2 or 3 | Contractor takes design risk | | **Management Contract** | Architect | Works packages at Stage 4/5 | Shared risk | | **Construction Management** | Architect | Works packages at Stage 4/5 | Client retains risk | See [[Traditional Design Bid Build]], [[Design Build Delivery]], and [[Construction Management at Risk]] for detailed analysis. --- ## Information Exchanges Each stage concludes with a formal information exchange — a defined set of deliverables shared with the client and project team: | Stage | Key Deliverables | |-------|-----------------| | 0 | Strategic Brief | | 1 | Project Brief, Site Information | | 2 | Concept Design, Cost Plan 1 | | 3 | Spatially Coordinated Design, Cost Plan 2 | | 4 | Technical Design, Specifications, Tender Documents | | 5 | As-built drawings, O&M manuals | | 6 | Practical Completion, Building Manual | | 7 | POE Report, Feedback | --- ## Plan of Work and BIM The 2020 Plan of Work aligns with ISO 19650 (information management using BIM): - **Employer's Information Requirements (EIR)**: Define BIM requirements at Stage 0/1 - **BIM Execution Plan (BEP)**: Prepared at Stage 1, updated at each stage - **Model development**: LOD progresses from LOD 200 (Stage 2) through LOD 350 (Stage 4) to LOD 500 (as-built) - **Common Data Environment (CDE)**: Shared platform for model and document management - **Information exchanges**: Aligned with BIM model drops at each stage gateway See [[BIM Fundamentals and LOD]] and [[BIM Execution Planning]]. --- ## Fee Distribution by Stage Typical percentage-based fee distribution across stages (varies by project complexity and procurement route): | Stage | % of Total Fee (Traditional) | % of Total Fee (D&B) | |-------|-----------------------------|--------------------| | 0-1 | 10-15% | 10-15% | | 2 | 15-20% | 25-35% | | 3 | 15-20% | 20-30% | | 4 | 25-30% | 5-10% (monitoring) | | 5 | 10-15% | 10-15% (monitoring) | | 6-7 | 5-10% | 5-10% | See [[Architectural Fee Structures]] for comprehensive fee guidance. --- ## Comparison with Other Frameworks | Framework | Jurisdiction | Stages | |-----------|-------------|--------| | RIBA Plan of Work | UK | 0-7 (8 stages) | | [[AIA Project Phases]] | USA | 5 phases (SD, DD, CD, Bid, CA) | | HOAI (Leistungsphasen) | Germany | 1-9 (9 phases) | | SIA 102 | Switzerland | 6 phases | | [[FIDIC Contracts]] | International | Linked to contract stages | --- ## Practical Notes - Always confirm which Plan of Work edition the appointment references (the 2020 edition is current) - The stage definitions should be tailored in the appointment to reflect the actual scope of services - Stage 3 (Spatial Coordination) is often compressed or combined with Stage 2 on smaller projects - Stage 7 (Use) is frequently omitted from appointments but is increasingly valued by clients seeking performance verification - The Plan of Work is technology-neutral — it works with traditional CAD, BIM, or hybrid workflows - Fee percentages are guidelines only; actual fees depend on project complexity, procurement route, and market conditions --- ## See Also - [[AIA Project Phases]] - [[Traditional Design Bid Build]] - [[Design Build Delivery]] - [[BIM Execution Planning]] - [[Architectural Fee Structures]] - [[Scope of Services Definition]] --- #practice #riba #planofwork #projectdelivery #fees