Strategic definition marks the initial step in the RIBA Plan of Work. It’s worth noting that although it’s a recently added phase, some tasks in this stage were part of the previous first stage in the 2007 Plan of Work, known as Appraisal.

During this stage, the focus is on evaluating the client’s business case and strategic brief to ensure thorough consideration. Additionally, the project’s scope is outlined at this point.

As per the 2020 Plan of Work Edition, strategic definition revolves around making informed strategic decisions and encapsulating them in a Business Case, rather than concentrating on design or practical details.

Tasks include assessing benefits and drawbacks, analysing project risks, reviewing the project budget, conducting site surveys as needed, and confirming the option that best meets the client’s requirements.

After completing feasibility studies and options appraisals, and having a project brief in place, the next step is the concept design phase.

In this stage, the main tasks include developing a design concept that incorporates strategic engineering needs and takes into account project strategies, cost plans, and basic specifications.

The design team will also conduct reviews of the design with clients and project stakeholders.

Spatial coordination is a recent addition to the 2020 RIBA Plan of Work, taking the place of ‘Developed Design’ in the 2013 edition.

This stage primarily focuses on evaluating the Architectural concept using engineering analysis, design studies, and cost exercises. The goal is to confirm that the engineering and architectural information from the concept design phase is spatially coordinated and matches the updated cost plan, basic specifications, and project strategies.

In construction projects, handover can mean either:

• Giving the site to a contractor at the project’s start.
• Delivering the completed work to the client.
  
  

In ecological matters, handover occurs at any point in the development cycle when landscape and ecological responsibilities shift between individuals, groups, or organizations, including the transfer of necessary documentation and information to achieve ecological goals.

Key tasks during the handover stage include assessing project performance, addressing identified defects, and completing initial aftercare services.

In the 2013 RIBA Plan of Work, stage 7, known as ‘In Use,’ included tasks like evaluating how a building is used and reviewing the project after completion. In the 2020 edition, design and construction teams usually don’t have stage 7 responsibilities. However, clients can seek advice from consultants for tasks like post-occupancy evaluation, maintenance, insurance, tenant queries, energy efficiency, and preparing documents for operation and maintenance contracts.