X - Test Questions Flashcards
What is one key recent change in the industry and how does it affect your work with regards to Detailed Design & Documentation?
OPEN ANSWER
- Earthquake (restraint non-structural items)
- Fire (cladding & intumescent)
How would you go about establishing consultants for a project?
OPEN ANSWER
Note, never “recommend” anyone
How would you go about preparing for a project with or in an existing structure?
OPEN ANSWER
What are key aspects to Area A (Project Initial & Pre-design)?
understand the scope, brief, site, regulatory environment & client expectations
establish fee agreement & responsibilities
identify project risks
relationships
What would you consider during design with respect to sustainability?
OPEN ANSWER
How would you approach consultant coordination if you were working with a local vs disparate team?
OPEN ANSWER
What risks does not obtaining written approval to proceed pose?
(WIP)
What are key aspects to Area B (concept, prelim & developed design)?
strong leadership & strong concept
establish project constraints, opportunites & risks and address before proceeding
statutory & regulatory monitoring
client engagement & approval
budget
What are key aspects to Area C (detailed design & documentation)?
technical resolution
communicate & monitor decisions
cost, time & quality
What are key aspects of Area D (procurement)?
discuss options
prepare documents to suit contract type
fairness
What did you do at the initial site meeting?
OPEN ANSWER
Establish roles, responsibilities & communication procedures.
Health & Safety
What are key aspects of Area E (Site & Observation)?
Communication & clear record keeping
Act impartially
Maintain good relationships & trust
What are key aspects of Area F (Practice & Office)?
Management & QA procedures
Reporting & record keeping
People & project management
Ethical conduct
What is your design approach?
OPEN ANSWER
What are some special clauses you may add to an AAS?
- Assumption of one experienced client point of contact
- Architect will be supplied with survey information and existing cad information
- Limit the survey of existing furniture to x hours or x number of visits, followed by an
hourly rate - Straightforward construction programme has been assumed, fast tracking or staging
will require further fee negotiation. - If project management software is used then all associated costs will be paid by the
client including a record of all communication at the completion of the project - Limit number of design iterations or meetings and propose hourly rate when
exceeded. - Architect is to take part in selection of contractor/ reserves the right to vito
How have you dealt with a change in scope with regards to fees?
OPEN ANSWER
Give an example of competence?
OPEN ANSWER
Give an example of responsibility?
OPEN ANSWER
Give an example of integrity?
OPEN ANSWER
Acting in an ethical way shows integrity.
Example could be if architect’s error or failure causes a site delay or cost on site - report and act impartially to administrate the contract.
Give an example of impartiality?
OPEN ANSWER
If you limit your liability in the AAS does this limit negligence or other claims against you?
Yes cost and time period but from the person in the contract only.
Still liable to others and the public for statutory and unlimited amount.
How do you undertake a risk assessment?
Identify
Assess = Critical/ L/M/H
Manage = Eliminate, Substitute, Isolate, Engineer, Administration, Protection
Residual Risk Assessment = M or L
What are the 6 ways to manage a H&S risk?
“E(very) S(moko) I E(at) A P(ie)”
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Engineer Administation Protection (ie PPE)
Overview Limitation of Liability:
An agreed monetary or time limit in a contract which places a limitation on the liability of a contracting party. The Limitation Act 1950 provides for the limits in time in which a civil action may be commenced. In contract it is six years from the date of the act or omission. In tort is it six years from the date the damage is discovered or may reasonable have been discovered. The Building Act 1991 provides that no civil action may be commenced more than ten years after the date of the act or omission, referred to as a “long stop”.
Definition of Professional Indemnity Insurance:
A special type of liability insurance covering loss caused by a legal liability to pay compensation to a client or other third party arising from a breach of professional duty. Such policies are usually underwritten on a “claims made & notified” basis in contrast with the “occurrence” basis of other forms of liability insurance. A policy may be of the traditional type responding to legal liabilities caused by “negligent” acts, errors or omissions in the performance of professional duties or it may be a more modern and wider “civil liabilities” contract.
What does Subrogation mean?
In insurance terms this means that upon payment of a loss under a policy the insurers are entitled to stand in the place of the Insured to pursue any recovery against other parties who may have caused the loss.
What is Vicarious Liability?
A legal liability for the acts of other parties such as a principal for an agent or an employer for employees.
What is a Waiver of Subrogation?
The foregoing or abandoning some right or benefit against other parties.
What is the difference between Public Liability insurance & Professional Indemnity Insurance?
PL = protects you/business against financial implications if found liable for loss/damage of other peoples property, cause illness or injury (not covered by ACC)
PI = services resulting in financial loss to client
Have you been party to a traditional tender process before?
OPEN ANSWER
What would you ensure you do if you were opening a new practice tomorrow?
OPEN ANSWER
Are your companies invoices issued under the CCA?
No, considered better to have as is because it is more user friendly and shows trust and confidence in our clients.
You could later issue under CCA
What would you do if you were not engaged to do site observation but received site photos and questions by email?
Be clear of what you were engaged to do so the client does not have reasonable grounds or belief that you are performing this role.
How might you help a client set a budget?
- Discuss with a QS
- Consider a recent, relevant estimate
- Talk to colleagues
- HEAVILY CAVEAT advice
The client needs to accept they are taking the risk
What is receivership vs liquidation?
Receivership
If a company doesn’t repay debt it has secured against an asset or assets, the creditor can appoint a receiver to sell the asset to repay the loan. — doesn’t affect assets that haven’t been used to secure a loan.
Liquidation
If a company can’t pay its debts, it may be put into liquidation, meaning all its unsecured assets are sold to repay creditors.
What is a key aspect of client management?
Listening.
Do you understand what they need?
Should / can you give advice on insurance?
No. You are not an expert on insurance
During the architectural process what is important with respect to decisions?
Do not make decisions that should be made by the client
What is a good thing to remember for client communication?
You do this everyday but your clients do not. Guide them through the process
If you dont know the answer in the conversation what are some ways to respond:
“I dont know, I could look into it by XYZ”
“Sorry, could you re-phrase the question?”
“I would ….”
(Show understood question)
