Design Guide e-learning module spotlight: Working with the right people

This overview of the second module in our new Design Guide e-learning programme focuses on getting the right people involved and making sure they’re working together in the right way. 

Working with the right people is the second of three core modules in the GIRI Design Guide e-learning. It is structured around four interconnected topics that can make or break a project, and closes with a knowledge check.

These topics are: 

• Collaboration 
• Stakeholder management 
• Contractor input
• Guiding the design team

Each topic provides information on how to apply the relevant principles from the GIRI Design Guide and includes an example scenario to show how the results are directly affected by that guidance.

Topic one: Collaboration

In this module, you will learn:

• Why working with the project team transparently, cooperatively, and collaboratively leads to more successful outcomes.  
• Example scenario showing what can go wrong when a process isn’t collaborative.
• The benefits of working collaboratively.
• What effective collaboration looks like, especially on projects with multiple parties.
• Practical steps to take to establish collaborative working.
• Example scenario showing what can go right when a process is collaborative.
• The behaviours that lead to success.
• Questions to help you reflect on how the topic applies to you and your role and help you identify the most important actions you can take.

Topic two: Stakeholder management 

In this module, you will learn:

• How to identify, map and prioritise everyone with an interest in the project, both internal and external.
• How to establish a process to manage and communicate with them all. 
• Example scenario showing what can go wrong without effective stakeholder management.
• Recommendations from the GIRI Design Guide about stakeholder management.
• How good stakeholder management turns potential obstacles into shared solutions.
• Example scenario showing what can go right with effective stakeholder management. 
• The benefits of good stakeholder management.
• Questions to help you reflect on how the topic applies to you and your role and help you identify the most important actions you can take.

Topic three: Contractor input

In this module, you will learn:

• Why bringing a contractor’s insight into the design early is key to setting the project up for success. 
• Example scenario showing what can go wrong on a project without contractor input.
• Practical steps to take to improve contractor input at the design stage.
• How to avoid access and buildability issues.
• Example scenario showing what can go right on a project with contractor input.
• Questions to help you reflect on how the topic applies to you and your role and help you identify the most important actions you can take.

Topic four: Guiding the design team

In this module, you will learn:

• How a structured design management approach reduces design errors at the construction stage.
• What the process looks like with design team guidance.
• Recommendations from the GIRI Design Guide.
• The importance of the design management plan and the design manager.
• What the process looks like with a design manager in place.
• Questions to help you reflect on how the topic applies to you and your role and help you identify the most important actions you can take.

Access the e-learning