How do you manage design changes and revisions in a civil engineering team?

1 Define the scope and baseline

The first step to manage design changes and revisions is to define the scope and baseline of the design project. This means clarifying the objectives, deliverables, specifications, assumptions, constraints, and risks of the project with the client and other stakeholders. You should also establish the roles and responsibilities of the design team members, the communication channels, the quality standards, and the approval processes. Having a clear and agreed-upon scope and baseline will help you to avoid unnecessary changes and revisions, and to evaluate and justify them when they occur.

2 Use a design management software

The second step to manage design changes and revisions is to use a design management software that facilitates collaboration and coordination among the design team members and other parties involved in the project. A design management software can help you to store, organize, share, and update the design documents and data in a centralized and secure platform. It can also help you to track and monitor the progress and status of the design tasks, to identify and resolve any conflicts or errors, and to generate and review the design reports and drawings. Some examples of design management software are Autodesk BIM 360, Bentley ProjectWise, and Trimble Connect.

3 Implement a change control system

The third step to manage design changes and revisions is to implement a change control system that defines the procedures and criteria for requesting, reviewing, approving, implementing, and documenting any changes or revisions to the design scope and baseline. A change control system can help you to maintain the integrity and consistency of the design, to avoid scope creep and rework, and to communicate and record the impacts and outcomes of the changes or revisions. A change control system should include the following elements: a change request form, a change log, a change review board, a change impact analysis, and a change notification.

4 Conduct regular reviews and feedback

The fourth step to manage design changes and revisions is to conduct regular reviews and feedback sessions with the design team members and other stakeholders. Reviews and feedback can help you to ensure that the design meets the quality standards and the client's expectations, to identify and address any issues or gaps, and to incorporate any suggestions or improvements. Reviews and feedback should be conducted at different stages of the design process, such as conceptual, preliminary, detailed, and final. You should also use different methods of reviews and feedback, such as peer reviews, checklists, audits, surveys, and presentations.

5 Document and archive the design

The fifth step to manage design changes and revisions is to document and archive the design documents and data in a systematic and comprehensive way. Documentation and archiving can help you to record the history and evolution of the design, to demonstrate the compliance and performance of the design, and to support the maintenance and operation of the project. You should document and archive the following types of design information: design scope and baseline, design changes and revisions, design reports and drawings, design calculations and analyses, design specifications and standards, and design approvals and sign-offs.

6 Learn and improve

The sixth and final step to manage design changes and revisions is to learn and improve from the experience and feedback of the design project. Learning and improving can help you to enhance your design skills and knowledge, to identify and correct any mistakes or weaknesses, and to apply any lessons or best practices to future projects. You should learn and improve by conducting a post-project evaluation, by collecting and analyzing the data and metrics of the design process and outcomes, by soliciting and reflecting on the feedback and comments of the design team members and other stakeholders, and by updating and revising your design methods and tools.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?