X - Test Questions

Question 1

What is one key recent change in the industry and how does it affect your work with regards to Detailed Design & Documentation?

Answer 1

OPEN ANSWER

• Earthquake (restraint non-structural items)
• Fire (cladding & intumescent)

Question 2

How would you go about establishing consultants for a project?

Answer 2

OPEN ANSWER

Note, never “recommend” anyone

Question 3

How would you go about preparing for a project with or in an existing structure?

Answer 3

OPEN ANSWER

Question 4

What are key aspects to Area A (Project Initial & Pre-design)?

Answer 4

understand the scope, brief, site, regulatory environment & client expectations

establish fee agreement & responsibilities

identify project risks

relationships

Question 5

What would you consider during design with respect to sustainability?

Answer 5

OPEN ANSWER

Question 6

How would you approach consultant coordination if you were working with a local vs disparate team?

Answer 6

OPEN ANSWER

Question 7

What risks does not obtaining written approval to proceed pose?

Answer 7

(WIP)

Question 8

What are key aspects to Area B (concept, prelim & developed design)?

Answer 8

strong leadership & strong concept

establish project constraints, opportunites & risks and address before proceeding

statutory & regulatory monitoring

client engagement & approval

budget

Question 9

What are key aspects to Area C (detailed design & documentation)?

Answer 9

technical resolution

communicate & monitor decisions

cost, time & quality

Question 10

What are key aspects of Area D (procurement)?

Answer 10

discuss options

prepare documents to suit contract type

fairness

Question 11

What did you do at the initial site meeting?

Answer 11

OPEN ANSWER

Establish roles, responsibilities & communication procedures.

Health & Safety

Question 12

What are key aspects of Area E (Site & Observation)?

Answer 12

Communication & clear record keeping

Act impartially

Maintain good relationships & trust

Question 13

What are key aspects of Area F (Practice & Office)?

Answer 13

Management & QA procedures

Reporting & record keeping

People & project management

Ethical conduct

Question 14

What is your design approach?

Answer 14

OPEN ANSWER

Question 15

What are some special clauses you may add to an AAS?

Answer 15

1. Assumption of one experienced client point of contact
2. Architect will be supplied with survey information and existing cad information
3. Limit the survey of existing furniture to x hours or x number of visits, followed by an
   hourly rate
4. Straightforward construction programme has been assumed, fast tracking or staging
   will require further fee negotiation.
5. 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
6. Limit number of design iterations or meetings and propose hourly rate when
   exceeded.
7. Architect is to take part in selection of contractor/ reserves the right to vito

Question 16

How have you dealt with a change in scope with regards to fees?

Answer 16

OPEN ANSWER

Question 17

Give an example of competence?

Answer 17

OPEN ANSWER

Question 18

Give an example of responsibility?

Answer 18

OPEN ANSWER

Question 19

Give an example of integrity?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Give an example of impartiality?

Answer 20

OPEN ANSWER

Question 21

If you limit your liability in the AAS does this limit negligence or other claims against you?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

How do you undertake a risk assessment?

Answer 22

Identify
Assess = Critical/ L/M/H
Manage = Eliminate, Substitute, Isolate, Engineer, Administration, Protection
Residual Risk Assessment = M or L

Question 23

What are the 6 ways to manage a H&S risk?

Answer 23

“E(very) S(moko) I E(at) A P(ie)”

Eliminate
Substitute
Isolate
Engineer
Administation
Protection (ie PPE)

Question 24

Overview Limitation of Liability:

Answer 24

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”.

Question 25

Definition of Professional Indemnity Insurance:

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

What does Subrogation mean?

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

What is Vicarious Liability?

Answer 27

A legal liability for the acts of other parties such as a principal for an agent or an employer for employees.

Question 28

What is a Waiver of Subrogation?

Answer 28

The foregoing or abandoning some right or benefit against other parties.

Question 29

What is the difference between Public Liability insurance & Professional Indemnity Insurance?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Have you been party to a traditional tender process before?

Answer 30

OPEN ANSWER

Question 31

What would you ensure you do if you were opening a new practice tomorrow?

Answer 31

OPEN ANSWER

Question 32

Are your companies invoices issued under the CCA?

Answer 32

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

Question 33

What would you do if you were not engaged to do site observation but received site photos and questions by email?

Answer 33

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.

Question 34

How might you help a client set a budget?

Answer 34

• 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

Question 35

What is receivership vs liquidation?

Answer 35

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.

Question 36

What is a key aspect of client management?

Answer 36

Listening.

Do you understand what they need?

Question 37

Should / can you give advice on insurance?

Answer 37

No. You are not an expert on insurance

Question 38

During the architectural process what is important with respect to decisions?

Answer 38

Do not make decisions that should be made by the client

Question 39

What is a good thing to remember for client communication?

Answer 39

You do this everyday but your clients do not. Guide them through the process

Question 40

If you dont know the answer in the conversation what are some ways to respond:

Answer 40

“I dont know, I could look into it by XYZ”

“Sorry, could you re-phrase the question?”

“I would ….”

(Show understood question)