Why design consultants and Project management consultants should not be the same company?
Design consultants and project management consultants are involved in industrial projects to ensure their successful completion. Both the consultants function differently.
The design consultants design the facility. The project management consultants ensure that the contractors follow the design and complete the project within the set project constraints. The project management team follow not only the design but have an additional responsibility of managing the contractor, his resources and their safety at the site.
The scope of project management consultants may change in various projects. Some clients involve them in the early stages of the project, and the issue of RFP to design consultants is also a part of their scope. In some projects, it is just construction management and commissioning. Additionally, the design consultants usually have their role cut out to design the facility within the project constraints – time, space, and budget.
When do the design and project management consultants work together?
The design consultants and project management consultants have to work together on a project. This collaborative approach is necessary for the proper functioning of the projects team, from design charrette to the preparation of As-Built drawings.
The project management consultants form a vital part of the design charrette which the design consultants hold. They organise the pre-bid meetings and kick-off meetings so that the design consultants can present the design to the bidders or contractors. The project management consultants ensure that the deliverables of the design consultants reach on time. The PMC forwards any RFIs raised by the contractors to the design consultants. The PMC team inform any site deviations to the design consultants.
Why is it a disadvantage to have the same company as a design consultant and PMC?
If the design consultants and PMC are different companies, their communication is through emails, Minutes of meetings, etc. However, if both are from the same company, many correspondences will be lost as the communication will be verbal and not recorded.
The PMC acts as a checkpoint to get deliverables from the design consultant on time. Whereas, if the company is the same, the design team verbal instructs the PMC team for any iterations or responses to RFIs. The client notices the lack of written instructions or drawings only upon project completion or sometimes in future expansions.
The RFIs will be verbal if the PMC and design teams are from the same company.
The chances of incomplete documentation at the end of the project are higher.
Conclusion
To conclude, a project is successful, when there is a record of all documents, drawings and revisions. The project management consultants document any change requests or iterations as a part of the project record. It is, therefore, preferable to have design consultants and project management consultants from different companies.
