Defining Design for Management

To distil it down to its very core, in DfM we're Shaping Sustainable and Profitable Buildings from Vision to Reality.

Design for Management is "the practice of applying technical expertise and operational experience to influence the vision, philosophy, and physical aspects of a building's design." The ultimate aim is to maximise operational efficiency, optimise service charge, and future-proof the building. This approach ensures that buildings are not only designed for initial aesthetic and functional appeal but also for long-term sustainability and profitability.

To fully grasp what DfM entails, it's essential to break down its core components by addressing three pivotal questions: "How is DfM done?", "When should DfM be done?", and "Why should DfM be done?"

Why should DfM be done?

The primary motivation behind DfM is to maximise Return on Investment. This objective mirrors the fundamental reason for designing and constructing buildings in the first place: to generate profit. By focusing on management from the outset, DfM ensures that buildings are not only built to last but also remain cost-effective and adaptable over time, ultimately securing and enhancing their revenue potential.

How is DfM done?

In simple terms, DfM is achieved through the collaborative efforts of experienced property managers and design professionals. Here's how it works:

1. Experience-Driven Recommendations: Property management experts, leveraging their operational expertise, review design plans and propose modifications aimed at enhancing the building's operational efficiency. Their suggestions are based on practical insights gained from managing similar properties over many years.
2. Operational Efficiency: The goal is to create buildings that are easier and more cost-efficient to manage. This involves selecting materials, systems and designs that are durable, cost-effective to maintain, and adaptable to future changes.
3. Continuous Involvement: DfM isn't a one-time intervention. It requires ongoing collaboration throughout the design and construction phases to ensure that management considerations are consistently integrated into the evolving design.
4. Future-Proofing: By anticipating future needs and potential changes, DfM helps in creating buildings that can easily adapt to new technologies and shifting user requirements, thereby extending their useful life and maintaining their value.

When should DfM be done?

The timing of DfM is crucial for its effectiveness:

1. Concept Stage: The most impactful time to start DfM is at the Concept stage of the project. At this early phase, the fundamental philosophy and vision of the building are established. Introducing management considerations at this point ensures that they are deeply embedded into the design process from the outset.
2. Ongoing Reviews: DfM should be a continuous process, with regular reviews and adjustments made throughout the design and construction stages. This iterative approach allows for the incorporation of management-friendly changes as the design evolves.
3. Pre-Design Freeze: It's essential to conduct thorough DfM reviews before the design reaches the finalisation stage (design freeze). Once the design is frozen, making significant changes becomes challenging and costly.

By incorporating DfM principles from the conceptual stage and maintaining a continuous review process, developers and design teams can create buildings that stand the test of time, both functionally and economically.