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Why use Quality Based Selection (QBS)?
Rarely does a consumer select an item on price only, however this is often the method used to select an architectural design team.
Considerations for purchase of a consumable item be it electronic equipment, clothing, machinery or food, include many considerations of which colour, price, or brand name are only a few.
For example, a decision to purchase an item of clothing may involve the following:
- colour
- country of origin
- design
- designer
- durability
- ease of washing
- material
- price
- retailer
- sustainability practices in manufacture.
Frequently, architectural design teams are selected on limited criteria, with the primary one often being price. Whilst price is an important consideration in any purchase, the list of criteria above shows that price is only one of many criteria involved in the choice of a clothing purchase, thus similarly price should be only one of many criteria in the selection of an architectural design team.
QBS sets out a process which enables the selection of an architectural design team based on a range of criteria without undue loading being given to any one criterion, such as the current fashionable profile of a particular design firm, personal association of a member of the selection panel with a particular design firm, or price.
QBS also allows for a transparent selection process, which is required by many government entities and corporate bodies to ensure that no undue influences have been allowed to occur in the selection process.
The Institute publishes a free booklet that sets out the QBS process for the selection of architects. Download a copy here.
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