Design Management

Our service /

EEDN is end-to-end design and project management consultancy for the built environment specialising in technically complex projects, including science and healthcare.

Design management means different things to different people. The emphasis varies at different stages of the construction process.

The scope of the Design Manager depends on the client - Owner/Users, Developer and Contractors have different requirements from Design Management.

Ultimately, Design Management is about process, function and outcome it is not about aesthetics or style. The complex nature and specialised requirements of Heavily serviced buildings in disciplines like SciTech, Healthcare and modern manufacturing demand a holistic joint up approach to projects from strategic conception to delivery.

We believe there are advantages to an independent Design Management team to be engaged, throughout the project to ensure the successful execution and delivery of these projects.

The need for Design Management.

Heavily serviced buildings often involve highly specific and complex system design and coordination elements that require more
experienced teams and, subject to their end function, often have larger group of specialist consultants than traditional commercial projects.

It is in those projects that traditional standard project delivery methods may struggle to address these unique requirements effectively and where independent Design Management, involved from the beginning, offers a more comprehensive and targeted approach to managing the design process and team, with a view and understanding of the additional challenges to ensure that the end product aligns with the client's vision and project drivers.

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Knowledge transfer and dissemination.

An essential aspect of Design Management is the transfer of knowledge across the project team.

A Design Manager should facilitate the sharing of information between stakeholders, ensuring that everyone understands the project's objectives, requirements, and constraints. This collaborative approach fosters innovation, enhances decision-making, and promotes a shared sense of ownership in the project's success.

The difference between Design Management and Project Management.

While both Design Management and Project Management are crucial to the successful delivery of a project, they cover different but interconnecting functions.

Project Management focuses on the overall coordination and execution of the project, including time, cost, procurement, risk, and resources.

In contrast, Design Management is concerned with the coordinated design process, knowledge transfer and operational process ensuring that the vision and drivers are not lost through the design and delivery stages and that the facility is fit for purpose, meeting the client's needs and complying with statutory, regulatory and industry standards.

The best results for projects come from the intersection of Design Management with Project Management.

The intersection ensures that the design is carried out to the relevant requirements, to programme and cost, whilst at the same time 'designing out' risks.

The challenge of multidisciplinary and highly specialised teams.

Technologically heavy projects often involve multidisciplinary teams with highly specialised expertise. At the same time, overemphasis on the Architectural or Engineering designs can result in loss of clarity and deviation from the client’s drivers introducing the risk of systematic failures onto the project.

An independent Design Management mitigates these risks by providing a neutral and unbiased perspective, ensuring that all aspects of the project are considered and managed effectively.

Design Management essentials

Review and advise on design quality by going beyond the aesthetic review - by enquiring its support of the contract scope and brief.
Estimate the quality of design compliance with the relevant RIBA stage.
Facilitate coordination of design between members of the design and project team.
Assess design regulatory compliance, identify risks in parallel to the Principal Designer role.
Assist with design response to site and procurement constraints.
The design manager (DM) is not a replacement for the Architect/MEP designers. Subject to project the DM can take on board the executive design role.

The wider interpretation

Design management as knowledge management, keeping the information flow between all members of the project team and ensuring production is compliant with the client's objectives.
Interpretation of design information and process for the client and lay members of the project team to tangible construction elements.
Quality control of the design team's output including design efficiency and compliance.
Procurement support, assist and coordinate with the cost consultant to ensure a cost effective specification compliant procurement plan.
Programme Support to the programme manager with compatible design programme and procurement methodologies.
Construction problem solving either with the design team if available or directly with the Main Contractor.
Adapt design methodology and support to procurement method e.g. Design and Build, Construction Management, Management Contracting, Traditional etc.
Support risk management by identifying project risks and advising on methods to design out risk.

End user or Developer offering

Strategic planning, URS creation or Business case review.
As part of a full Project management, Employer's Agent or Client Representative package which maximising project control. This combines design overview and knowledge transfer with programme, risk, contract, and procurement management, which together with a cost consultant formulates an ideal position for project stewardship.
A standalone offer in support of the existing team setup, which could be reduced to specific services or a particular stage ( e.g. preconstruction).

Contractor offering

Preconstruction advice, review of tender and contract information and assist with collation of an efficient contractor offering.
Construction support, through design problem solving and enhanced procurement support.

Design Management leadership

EEDN is a founding member of the Constructing Science consortium, the leading consortium in the UK to define the design and project delivery, standardise the nomenclature and offer guidance for the design and delivery of science projects.

You can find out more on www.constructingscience.com.

Eedn team headshots print resolution 279

What our clients say /

EEDN has been a great team. They undertook a high level schematic and massing study to test our site capacity to support The London Cancer Hub, the Council's most strategically important scheme - a State of the Art Life Science Campus for the London Borough Of Sutton. The EEDN master planning team came to grips with the complexities of the site and understood the value of the key partners as stakeholders in delivering the LCH. Their expertise and detailed knowledge of the life science space combined with a highly professional responsive approach produced a great result.

Amanda Cherrington // Head of Economic Renewal and Regeneration, London Borough of Sutton

I had known Tes through my network and finally had the opportunity to collaborate with him and EEDN during delivery of an our cGMP advanced therapeutic facility. Tes undertook delivery of our QC laboratory from scoping to handover. Tes’s collaborative style, wealth relevant knowledge, flexibility and resourcefulness, approachable demeanour and ability to form and manage the project team enabled time and in full delivery of the project.

Hadi Mizraei // Senior Director, Autolus

Tes worked with me and our team at Autolus as the Owner's Project Manager. He was able to quickly jump in and understand the inter-workings of the team, and what was of critical importance for the success of the project. He has great organization and leadership skills, and keeps the team on track!

Miranda Neville // SVP Project Management, Autolus Therapeutics

Exceptional personal service – the ‘trusted advisor’ I would always want on the team. I would have no hesitation recommending EEDN who have supported the work and organisation fully during my tenure here. Their genuine enthusiasm and understanding of client needs has made them a pleasure to work with.

Rory Smyth // Head of Construction, One YMCA

The EEDN team were dedicated, diligent professional and highly supportive through our project for coworking and events space. I highly commend the whole team for their ability to manage strategically and tactically simultaneously, from contract negotiation and macro-financial modelling to value engineering at the nuts-and-bolts level. They have a strong and multidisciplinary approach which weaves seamlessly across these two levels of abstraction - we would relish the opportunity to do business with EEDN again.

Freddie Scobey // Work+Play

Elad's input into the Design Team was paramount in establishing the correct parameters for the execution of our complex cGMP building. His knowledge about the science behind the product was key to unlocking its potential.

Miranda Neville // SVP Project Management, Autolus Therapeutics

Tes is always keen and enthusiastic. In a performance-driven approach, he shows a dedication to the task, second to none.

Keith Miller // Interim Deputy Director of Estates, University of Essex

Tes’ input into the Project Team promoted collaboration and effective working throughout the various stages. Under his guidance the project flourished through some very challenging technical issues and would be very happy having him leading my projects again.

Valerie Cooper // Capital Projects Team Leader, UCL

Tes brings experience and enthusiasm to project delivery, with a calm and measured approach. He is able to quickly galvanise the project team and provide direction and focus on project critical matters.

Neil Stevens // Associate, Core Five

With excellent awareness of the market and the process involved, EEDN showed proactivity, professionalism and enthusiasm founded on the strength of interdisciplinary working and we would have no reservations in recommending them to any organisation who would greatly benefit from their approach as we did.

Mike Parrett FRICS // Chair of UKGA Building Committee, True Jesus Church

I love it! Its personality is so accommodating and serene and yet dynamic and unique at the same time Every single group I have seen here has taken and given something to this beautiful space. It is transformed by every event’s own “personality” – you have created a magical palette. You should be very proud!

Margaret Manning // The Crystal

Paul has a unique and broad range of skills that make him an asset to any client and is well respected in the industry by his peers.

Ashley Crawford // Commercial Director, Systech International

With the challenges of building highly technical studios in speculative office space together with a move to agile working in the office areas, you have created a highly creative and dynamic environment which allows seamless integration of the programme making process.

IMG media // Stockley Park