Diversity, Inclusion and Teamworking

Question 1

Why is it important to have a diverse workforce

Answer 1

• Population is represented.
• Different ideas are generated.
• Inclusion is encouraged.
• No individual needs are missed.

Question 2

When might you work as part of a team in the construction industry?

Answer 2

Internal office, internal role, design team, project team, with other APC candidates

Question 3

Talk me through the process of making an appointment for a consultant?

Answer 3

• Determine requirements with client
• Engage consultants for quote, provide site details/scope/insurance requirements/submission requirements/latest submission date
• at submission date review quotes and any additional info and determine most appropriate for client
• pro forma recommendation form on who to proceed with
• client appointment document send to consultant for any comments and thereafter distribute for signature

Question 4

How does your company become appointed on a project?

Answer 4

• Client engage myself, hold meeting to confirm client brief
• After brief confirmed determine scope of service
• Issue fee proposal including description, scope of service, fee, insurance requirements, terms of engagement
• Once client confirms to proceed request client form of appointment and make any comments
• Sign form of appointment

Question 5

Name some roles which are required for a new build project?

Answer 5

• Contract administrator / EA
• Principal Contractor
• Principal Designer
• Structural Engineer
• M&E consultant
• Fire Engineer
• Various Other Consultants

Question 6

Identify the reports and recommendation forms which can advise a client on an appointment?

Answer 6

Tender analysis and tender report - contractor and pro forma recommendation form - consultant.

Question 7

What is unconscious bias?

Answer 7

social stereotypes that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness.

Question 8

What policies prevent discrimination?

Answer 8

Equality Act which replaced Race Relations Act, Disability Discrimination Act and Sex Discrimination Act.

BS8300

NPPF

Building Regs part M

Question 9

How does RICS encourage and promote diversity?

Answer 9

• Rules of conduct.
• CPD such as podcast episode on queer spaces.
• Promotion of diverse range of people at senior leadership positions within RICS.

Question 10

What are the benefits of diversity?

Answer 10

• Encourages inclusion / prevents discrimination
• Gives more wide ranging perspectives
• More accurately represents the population
• Positively impacts the country

Question 11

What makes an effective team?

Answer 11

• Communicates
• Cooperates
• Delegates effectively
• Has good leaders
• Good morale
• Professional members

Question 12

Give examples of when you may work as a team?

Answer 12

Project team
Design team
APC team
Work colleagues team

Question 13

Talk me through the process when a client wants to appoint a project team member?

Answer 13

• Determine what they require
• Send brief to consultants and request quote and other information
• Analyse quotes once received and produce recommendation pro forma
• Once instruction to proceed confirm to consultant and provide client contract for comment
• Introduce parties

Question 14

Can you define diversity?

Answer 14

The practice of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc

Question 15

Can you define inclusion?

Answer 15

Providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized

Question 16

How can diversity positively impact a team?

Answer 16

• End user fully represented
• Different perspectives and opinions gained
• Varied attributes

Question 17

What documents can advise a client on an appointment?

Answer 17

• Tender report
• Pro forma recommendation form
• Bespoke recommendation form

Question 18

What are different methods that can reduce unconscious bias?

Answer 18

• Educating others
• Identifying unconscious bias, both to yourself and others
• Encouraging diversity and inclusion

Question 19

What policies are in place to prevent discrimination in the workplace?

Answer 19

Equality Act 2010 which ensures that theres accessibility audits undertaken, equal pay, protection of the protected characteristics, providing training, having an equality policy, etc.

Question 20

What forms of appointment are there for consultants?

Answer 20

Appointment – consultant standard forms, e.g. – JCT Consultancy Agreement, bespoke agreement, letter of appointment.

Question 21

What are the different factors to consider when advising on an appointment?

Answer 21

cost competitive, budget, submission quality, qualifications, supporting info, experience.

Question 22

What should you include in a fee proposal?

Answer 22

description of project, scope of services, terms of engagement, level of PII, the fee / hourly rates.

Question 23

What is the Tuckman model? Name the factors?

Answer 23

forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning.

Question 24

What is Herzberg two factor theory? Identify the factors?

Answer 24

poor hygiene factors decrease satisfaction (working conditions, relations, wage, policies) motivating factors increase satisfaction (achievement, recognition, the work, responsibility).

Question 25

Describe what discrimination is?

Answer 25

Unjust treatment of an individual based on their social or ethnic background.

Question 26

What are the advantages of a diverse workforce?

Answer 26

• Different skills and ideas
• Representative of the population
• Ensures different needs are thought of and inclusion is encouraged.
• Improves productivity.

Question 27

Discuss a situation where you have had to show your leadership qualities?

Answer 27

• Undertaking handover documentation checks with an internal team.
• Obtaining planning permission for MGC, led the process.

Question 28

What is the difference between diversity and inclusion?

Answer 28

Diversity describes the variation in personal, physical, and social characteristics that exist, while inclusion refers to the procedures organizations implement to integrate everyone in the workplace. In other words, diversity indicates the “what” and inclusion the “how”.