Glossary · Stages 0–7
RIBA Plan of Work
The RIBA Plan of Work is the UK construction industry's framework for organising the design and delivery of building projects, structured into 8 stages from strategic definition (0) through to use (7).
The eight stages
Stage 0 — Strategic Definition. The client identifies the business case for the project and the desired outcomes. No design.
Stage 1 — Preparation and Briefing. The brief is developed, project budget agreed, site information gathered. Cost plan begins.
Stage 2 — Concept Design. Architectural concepts produced; cost plan refined to elemental level. First detailed cost picture.
Stage 3 — Spatial Coordination. Concept developed into coordinated spatial design. Cost plan firmed up; long-lead items procured.
Stage 4 — Technical Design. Final design produced ready for procurement. BoQs prepared for tender. Cost certainty established.
Stage 5 — Manufacturing and Construction. The building is built. Monthly valuations, variations, cost reports run on cycle.
Stage 6 — Handover. Building handed over to the client. Final account begins.
Stage 7 — Use. Post-occupancy evaluation, defects liability period, performance monitoring.
What QSs and project controls do at each stage
Stages 0–1 are about budget setting. Stages 2–3 are about cost plan refinement and benchmark estimating. Stage 4 is about detailed estimating and tender preparation. Stage 5 is the bulk of the work — PCSR, valuations, variations, cashflow forecasting on a monthly cycle. Stage 6 closes out the final account. Stage 7 is dilapidations and post-completion analysis.
Common pitfalls
- Treating stage names as immovable. Many consultancies still call them "Stage A/B/C..." (the pre-2013 nomenclature). Modern contracts use 0–7. Mixing them confuses contractors and clients.
- Skipping Stage 0 entirely. Many UK projects launch into Stage 1 without proper strategic definition. The downstream cost is a brief that changes, expensive variations, and disappointed clients.
- Cost plan not aligned with stages. If your cost plan says "elemental cost plan" but the project is at Stage 4, that's underdeveloped. The cost plan depth should match the stage.
Related
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