Issues of good practice

Other issues are matters of good practice, which can be summarized as expectations of behavior as follows:

•    Operating in a professional manner
Undertaking work on the basis of reputation, capability and experience.
Avoiding giving advice on matters which require specialist qualifications.
Offering necessary and appropriate services under the circumstances.
Acting in the best interests of the client and the future users of the building.
To avoid damaging the reputation of others.
Liaising with other advisers appointed by the client.
Having adequate resources to meet commitments.

•    Specifying reliable construction techniques and materials
To recommend the use of systems and products which are backed up by a recognized precedent and a source of quality assurance.

•    Meeting cost targets
To put forward proposals which match the client’s budget and which can be constructed without significant additional cost.

•    Maintaining design and construction programmes
To comply with agreed timescales for design and construction work maintaining target dates.

•    Complying with the requirements of interested authorities
To formulate proposals in accordance with current legislation, incorporating advice and mandatory conditions imposed by external bodies.

•    Appreciating wider implications on the lives of others
To consider the quality of life of subsequent users of the new building.
To avoid damaging the amenities of adjacent property users and the community around them.
To endeavor to improve the quality of the local built environment.

•    Keeping up-to-date with current practice, developments and legislation
To maintain and improve the knowledge and experience necessary to meet the changing standards and methods.

Implementing and maintaining these issues of good practice will ensure that good, professional working relationships are established with the client and all the other members of the development teams.

Professionalism demands a duty of care focusing attention on the purposes and aims of design work so that the process of design and construction moves as smoothly as possible towards the creation of a new building.