Framework for Design‐Quality‐Review Data‐Base System

Abstract

Even though design reviews are often performed by one or more parties, design deficiencies continue to be a costly problem for both public and private owners. Design deficiencies are responsible for approximately half of all construction contract modifications and have the potential for resulting in defects during the operational life of a project. Owner design‐review manuals and professional society design‐quality handbooks are evaluated to assess current design‐review practices and to identify frequently encountered design deficiencies. Based on findings, a framework for a design‐quality‐review data‐base system is developed to aid the reviewer in the early detection and correction of design deficiencies. The proposed PC‐based system will allow the reviewer quickly to retrieve design‐review standards by discipline, system, and product classifications. An example application of the proposed data‐base system applied to earthwork design‐quality‐review standards is presented. Potential system features including the utilization of hyper‐text cross‐referencing, integration with an existing review management system, and the application of expert‐system technology are discussed.