What are the best practices for conducting a design review before submission?

1 Prepare the design documents

The first step in conducting a design review is to prepare the design documents that will be reviewed by the reviewers. These documents should include all the relevant information, such as drawings, calculations, specifications, reports, codes, standards, and references. The design documents should be clear, consistent, and complete, and follow the appropriate format and style. You should also ensure that the design documents are updated and reflect the latest changes or revisions that have been made to the design. Preparing the design documents properly will make it easier for the reviewers to understand and evaluate your design, and reduce the chances of confusion or misunderstanding.

2 Select the reviewers and define the scope

The next step is to select the reviewers who will participate in the design review and define the scope of their review. The reviewers should be qualified, experienced, and independent professionals who have the relevant expertise and knowledge to assess your design. Depending on the nature and size of your project, you may need to involve different types of reviewers, such as peers, consultants, clients, stakeholders, regulators, or third-party experts. You should also define the scope of the review, which means specifying the objectives, criteria, methods, and deliverables of the review. The scope of the review should be aligned with the project requirements, standards, and specifications, and cover all the key aspects of your design.

3 Conduct the design review

The third step is to conduct the design review according to the agreed scope and schedule. There are different methods and formats for conducting a design review, such as meetings, workshops, presentations, checklists, questionnaires, or software tools. You should choose the method and format that best suits your project needs, preferences, and resources. The design review should be conducted in a collaborative and constructive manner, where the reviewers provide feedback, suggestions, comments, or questions to the designer, and the designer responds to them accordingly. The design review should also be documented and recorded, so that you can keep track of the progress, issues, and outcomes of the review.

4 Address the feedback and recommendations

The fourth step is to address the feedback and recommendations that you receive from the reviewers during or after the design review. The feedback and recommendations may include corrections, improvements, clarifications, or validations of your design. You should analyze and prioritize the feedback and recommendations based on their importance, urgency, and feasibility, and decide how to implement them in your design. You should also communicate and coordinate with the reviewers to ensure that they agree with your actions and solutions, and that they are satisfied with the results. Addressing the feedback and recommendations will help you to enhance the quality, accuracy, and reliability of your design, and avoid any potential problems or conflicts in the future.

5 Verify and validate the design

The fifth step is to verify and validate the design after you have implemented the feedback and recommendations from the reviewers. Verification means checking that the design meets the specifications and standards that have been defined for the project, and that it complies with the codes and regulations that apply to the project. Validation means checking that the design meets the needs and expectations of the client, the stakeholders, and the end-users, and that it achieves the intended objectives and functions of the project. You can use different techniques and tools to verify and validate your design, such as calculations, simulations, tests, inspections, or surveys. Verifying and validating your design will ensure that it is complete, correct, and consistent, and that it is ready for submission.

6 Submit the design

The final step is to submit the design to the client, the stakeholders, or the authorities for approval, acceptance, or authorization. You should submit the design along with all the supporting documents, such as drawings, calculations, specifications, reports, certificates, or approvals. You should also ensure that the design and the documents are properly signed, sealed, and dated by the authorized persons, and that they follow the required format and style. Submitting the design is the culmination of your design review process, and it signifies that you have completed your design work and that you are confident and proud of your design.

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?