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	Guide to Professional Experience
		Introduction
		Frequently Asked Questions about Working in Practice
		What is Professional Experience?
		The Learning Environment
		Stage 1 & 2 Activities
		Criteria for Validation: Part 3
		The RIBA's Requirements
		The ARB's Requirements
		What does a Professional Studies Advisor do?
		Duties and Responsibilities of the Employer
		Duties and Responsibilities of the Student
		RIBA Plan of Work
		RIBA Policy on pay and conditions for Stage 1 students
		Terminology

	Professional Experience and Development Record
	Certificates of Professional Experience
	Employing Students
	Education and Part 3 Courses
	Job opportunities
	Recommended Reading
	RIBA Membership
	News
	Useful Resources / Links
	Free Stuff / Practice Guides
	Your Account

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Stage 1 and 2 Activities

Introduction - Suggested activities for Stage 1 and Stage 2 Graduates

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to Graduates and employers alike when embarking on Stage 1 and Stage 2 professional experience in an office environment.

The Validation Criteria (syllabus) for the Part 3 Examination have been set out on the left-hand side of the table. Working towards the right, the type of activity that would satisfy the appropriate level of experience required is listed, together with the stage it would be expected to fall within and whether the experience would be in the form of observation or participation. Additional notes are then added to further clarify expectations.

All Graduates are different and very few practices and office environments are the same. It is therefore impossible to cover all possible variations. This document has been written for the 'typical' Graduate working in the 'normal' office. The authors have drawn on their own experience in differing practices to compile the guidance notes below.

Employers should note that, whilst there are a number of activities that a Graduate is expected to participate in as an observer, all activities do not require an equal amount of time to be allocated. Therefore, participation activities when a Graduate is working productively for the practice will probably represent the most significant amount of a Graduate's working time.

Similarly, the degree of time spent on an activity, together with the degree of responsibility given to a Graduate will be dependent on the developing experience, skills and ability of that Graduate.

The goal for a Graduate at the end of Stages 1 and 2, prior to sitting the Part 3 Examinations, is that he or she should have sufficient knowledge and a reasonable level of experience to be able to run a small project through all of the RIBA work stages, with minimal supervision from a qualified Architect. A small project may, for example, be a domestic extension. It is not a requirement that each Graduate has actually completed such a project.

If, at any stage, the Graduate or employer are uncertain of the advice being given in this document, or whether appropriate experience is being gained, it is recommended that the Graduate's PSA be contacted for further clarification.

RIBA PART 3 SYLLABUS ITEM	STAGE 1	STAGE 2	OFFICE-BASED ACTIVITIES	SCHOOL COURSE-BASED STAGE 1	SCHOOL COURSE-BASED STAGE 2	NOTES
RIBA PART 3 SYLLABUS ITEM	Observer (O) Participant (P)		OFFICE-BASED ACTIVITIES	SCHOOL COURSE-BASED STAGE 1	SCHOOL COURSE-BASED STAGE 2	NOTES
1.0 THE CONTEXT FOR PRACTICE
1.1 adequate knowledge of the size and relative importance of the construction industry to other sectors of the national + international economy and the role of the profession relative to the industry.	O	O		Y	Y	DELIVERED AS PART OF SCHOOL BASED COURSE; OBSERVED IN PRACTICE
1.2 adequate knowledge of the overlapping interests of organisations representing the built environment and their relation to the role of the architect	O	O/P	CLIENT MEETINGS	Y	Y	EG. CABE, ENGLISH HERITAGE, DFES, BRE/TRADA ENVIRONMENT AGENCY, ARB, RIBA ETC.
	O/P	O/P	DIRECT DISCUSSIONS WITH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS	Y	Y
1.3 adequate knowledge of the range of on-going specialist panels of advisory, consultative or government bodies which have responsibility for developing policies which guide or control construction industry practices	P	P	PRODUCTION INFORMATION	Y	Y	BRE OFFICE OF DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER EUROPEAN STANDARDS
	P	P	MEETINGS WITH STATUTORY AUTHORITIES	Y	Y
	P	P	DESIGN TEAM MEETINGS - MINUTE TAKING	Y	Y
	P	P	SITE MEETINGS - MINUTE TAKING	Y	Y
	P	P	LIBRARY FILING	Y	Y
1.4 adequate knowledge of the principles underlying the law which is relevant to architectural practice + building procurement	O	O	DISCUSSION IN OFFICE		Y	BRE DELIVERED AS PART OF SCHOOL BASED COURSE; OBSERVED IN PRACTICE
1.5 understanding of the social + economic context for investment in the built environment.	O	O/P	CLIENT MEETINGS	Y	Y	ESPECIALLY RELEVANT IF PRACTICE WORKING FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPER, FOR EXAMPLE.
	P	P	PROJECT APPRAISALS	Y	Y
	P	P	FEASIBILITY STUDIES	Y	Y
1.6 understanding of professional conduct + the concept of "professionalism" with its relationship to a market economy; the codes + standards regulating the profession of architecture; the roles+ responsibilities of registration bodies, professional institutes + interest groups.	O	O	DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICE MENTOR	Y	Y
	O	O	BROADER DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE OFFICE	Y	Y
2.0 THE MANAGEMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
2.1 an ability to identify + articulate a client's brief to meet both 1st user + longer term needs + society's concerns for sustainable development	O	O/P	IN-HOUSE DISCUSSIONS			EXTENT OF INVLOVMENT DEPENDS ON SIZE OF PROJECT; SMALLER PROJECTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO OFFER A BROADER RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION. COMPLEXITY OF ISSUES WILL DEPEND ON NATURE OF PROJECT
	P	P	DESIGN REVIEWS, TO WHICH THE CLIENT MAY BE INVITED
	P	P	TAKE MINUTES OF CLIENT BRIEFING MEETINGS
	O/P	O/P	CONSULTATION WORKSHOPS
2.2 an understanding of the client's perspective + an abiltity to communicate effectively with each part of the client body, consultant + project team.	O/P	O/P	ATTEND MEETINGS, TAKE MINUTES
	P	P	DETAILED DESIGN, WORKING DRAWINGS,
	O	P	LETTER WRITING.
	P	P	DRAWING ISSUE
2.3 an ability to assess the variety + appropriateness of project procurement methods + their implications in relation to client requirements + the architectural + professional input required.	O	O	ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS AND IN-HOUSE DISCUSSIONS,	Y	Y
	P	P	CPD	Y	Y
2.4 an ability to assess the architectural services required to deliver a project effectively + the establishment of appropriate contracts of appointment for all members of the project team.	O	O	OBSERVING RESOURCES/FINANCE MEETINGS	Y	Y	EXPOSURE TO THESE ISSUES FOR GRADUATES NEARING COMPLETETION OF PART 3 SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED. GRADUATES CAN BE EXPECTED TO TREAT THIS INFORMATION IN CONFIDENCE
	O	O	PROJECT BUDGET PLANS	Y	Y
2.5 an ability to programme + manage the flow of information among the members of the design team	P	P	DRAWING ISSUE, RECEIPT OF INFORMATION, LOGGING OF INFORMATION			IT IS EXPECTED THAT THESE SKILLS WILL BE TAUGHT IN PRACTICE.
2.6 an adequate knowledge of appropriate fees, negotiation + fee-bidding techniques, bearing in mind the funding + procurement basis for the project, + with reference to other factors listed below.	O	O			Y	AS 2.4
2.7 an understanding of relevant statutory bodies, construction + development legislation + consultative bodies, + their potential effect on programme, cost + quality of design.	P	P	PREPARATION OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS; MEETINGS WITH AUTHORITIES	Y	Y	STAGE 1 MAY HELP IN PREPARATION OF BUILDING REGULATIONS APPLICATIONS IF WORKING ON VERY SMALL PROJECTS, EG. DOMESTIC
	O	P	PREPARATION OF BUILDING REGULATIONS SUBMISSIONS; MEETINGS WITH AUTHORITES	Y	Y
	P	P	VERY OCCASIONAL ATTENDANCE AT PLANNING APPEAL (RARE)		Y
2.8 an understanding of legislation on health + safety and its implication on design + construction	O (P)	P	ASSIST PROJECT ARCHITECT WITH COMPILATION OF HEALTH + SAFETY FILE (AS-BUILT DRAWINGS, ETC)	Y	Y
	O/P	O/P	ASSIST PROJECT ARCHITECT WITH RISK ASSESSMENTS CPD	Y	Y
2.9 an understanding of methods + standards intended to ensure + manage quality standards	P	P	COMPLIANCE WITH OFFICE MANUAL + QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM	Y	Y	OBLIGATIONS OF TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT. COMPLEXITY DEPENDS ON SIZE OF PRACTICE
2.10 an ability to construct the team; to co-ordinate + integrate the work of other consultants + an awareness of the terms of their appointments	O (P)	P	WORKING DRAWINGS, CO-ORDINATION OF DESIGN DRAWINGS	Y
	O/P	P	IN-HOUSE DISCUSSIONS
	P	P	RESEARCHING PROJECT FILES
2.11 an ability to operate quality assurance procedures which ensure the maintenance of design standards + intentions in relation to budgetary + programme control.	P	P	BUDGETARY + PROGRAMME CONTROL AT STAGE 2 ONLY			IT IS EXPECTED THAT THESE SKILLS WILL BE TAUGHT IN PRACTICE
2.12 an ability to analyse the appropriateness + completeness for its purpose of forms of documentation including written and graphic communication.	P	P	AT ALL PROJECT STAGES DETAILED SKETCHES, PLANNING DRAWINGS, WORKING DRAWINGS, AS-BUILT DRAWINGS	Y	Y	IT IS EXPECTED THAT THESE SKILLS WILL BE TAUGHT IN PRACTICE . STUDENTS NEED TO LEARN TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT INFORMATION THE DRAWING RECIPIENT NEEDS.
2.13 an awareness of technical standards + sources of specialist information	P	P	LIBRARY FILING			IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS WILL BE TAUGHT IN PRACTICE
	P	P	WORKING DRAWINGS
	P	P	TECHNICAL RESEARCH
	O	P	SPECIFICATION RESEARCH + PREPARATION (DEPENDENT ON SIZE OF PROJECT)
2.14 an ability to communicate effectively with the full client body + an understanding of methods of reporting.	O	O/P				IT IS EXPECTED THAT THESE SKILLS WILL BE TAUGHT IN PRACTICE, STAGE 2 GRADUATES MAY BE EXPECTED TO HAVE CLIENT CONTACT IF WORKING ON SMALL PROJECTS
3.0 THE MANAGEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION.
3.1 an understanding of project planning, documentation + execution.	O	P	ASSIST IN DRAWING UP PROGRAMMES PREPARED BY OTHERS		Y	PARTICULARLY AT START OF STAGE 1, STUDENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO DO LOTS OF FILING. THIS SHOULD BE USED AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FAMILIARISE ONESELF WITH THE PROJECT DETAILS + OFFICE ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES
	P	P	RECORDING OF INFORMATION ISSUED AND RECEIVED, FILING (SOMEONE HAS TO DO IT!)
3.2 an understanding of the range of methods of building procurement, tender types + codes of practice for procedure, + the creation of appropriate pre-contract information.	O	O/P	ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS - IN HOUSE + WITH CLIENT, - MINUTE TAKING	Y	Y
		P	SPECIFICATION WRITING UNDER SUPERVISION (STAGE 2) - EG PRELIMINARIES.		Y
3.3 an ability to analyse contract types + assess their implications for time, cost, quality, information flow + the procedures related to each.	O	O (P IN SMALL OFFICE)	TEAM DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE OFFICE		Y
3.4 adequate knowledge of site organisation, mobilisation + the establishment of appropriate lines of communication in relation to the specific responsibilities of the building team.	O	O/P	MINUTE TAKING AT PRE-CONTRACT MEETING + CONTRACT PROGRESS MEETINGS		Y
	P	P	CDM
	O	O/P	READING TENDER RETURNS/ REPORTS
3.5 an ability to assess + organise a quality control + programming system in relation to the architect's role in administering the building process	O	O/P	STAGE 2: ASSIST PROJECT ARCHITECT		Y
3.6 an ability to use architect's instructions + certificates appropriately, + be aware of procedures for the assessment + valuation of claims	O	P	AT STAGE 2: DRAFT ARCHITECT'S INSTRUCTIONS, PAYMENT CERTIFICATES, CONSIDER CLAIMS, ALL TO BE CAREFULLY CHECKED + SIGNED OFF BY PROJECT ARCHITECT	Y	Y	EXPOSURE TO CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION IS IMPORTANT FOR GRADUATES PREPARING FOR PART 3.
3.7 an understanding of the implications of collateral agreements such as the nomination of sub-contractors + the position of domestic sub-contractors, suppliers, manufacturers + statutory undertakings in relation to contract administration.		O/P	COMPLETION OF CONTRACT FORMS IN CONJUNCTION WITH PROJECT ARCHITECT		Y	THIS EXPERIENCE LIKELY TO BE GAINED TOWARDS THE END OF STAGE 2 AS GRADUATES PREPARE FOR THE PART 3
3.8 an understanding of risk management in relation to construction + consultants' contracts, liabilities, indemnities + insurance + awareness mechanisms such as public indemnity insurance to deal with liabilities.		O	READING PROJECT FILES IN-HOUSE DISCUSSIONS CPD		Y
3.9 adequate knowledge of methods of decision making + dispute resolution, including techniques such as value engineering, value management, conciliation, adjudication, arbitration + litigation		O/P	IN-HOUSE DISCUSSIONS		Y	UNREALISTIC TO EXPECT ANY REAL EXPERIENCE OF ARBITRATION. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE
		O/P	CPD
		O/P	STAGE 2: PARTICIPATION IN VALUE ENGINEERING MEETINGS		Y
3.10 an understanding of post-completion assessment + appraisal + methods of de-briefing.	O/P	O/P	IN-HOUSE REVIEWS CLIENT QUESTIONNAIRES/ DE-BRIEFING MEETINGS KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, DQI, ETC.	Y	Y	OFTEN PART OF OFFICE QA
3.11 an ability to create maintenance manuals + post-completion information for clients + building users.	P	P	COMPILATION OF AS-BUILT INFORMATION - DRAWINGS, MAINTENANCE/PRODUCT INFORMATION, ETC. - UNDER SUPERVISION OF PROJECT ARCHITECTS
4.0 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT + BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
4.1 adequate knowledge of the resources (technical, financial, personnel, etc) necessary in order to offer professional services for a particular project.		O	READING PROJECT FILES		Y	UNDERPINNING OF KNOWLEDGE IN COURSE
		O	ATTENDANCE AT TEAM RESOURCES MEETINGS,
		O	DISCUSSIONS WITH RESOURCES MANAGER
4.2 an ability to use, and to assess the use of, information technology in architectural practice for design, administration, planning + programming to assist both the architect + the client.	P	P	CAD DRAWING		Y
	P	P	PREPARATION OF PRESENTATIONS (POWERPOINT, ETC.)
	P	P	OFFICE-BASED ELECTRONIC RECORDING SYSTEMS (DRAWING ISSUE, RECEIPT, ETC.)
	O	O	ASSIST PROJECT ARCHITECT WITH PROGRAMMING
4.3 an understanding of different forms of architectural practice, for example, sole trader, partnership, company, consortium or joint venture, + their respective legal implications.	O	O	OFFICE DISCUSSIONS	Y	Y
4.4 adequate knowledge of the internal structures + organisations appropriate to different forms of architectural + multi-disciplinary practice.	O	O	EXTENSION OF 4.3	Y	Y
4.5 adequate knowledge of the skills required for the management of people within an organisation + a basic appreciation of motivation, group dynamics, staff appraisal + reward structures.	O	O	OFFICE DISCUSSIONS		Y	NOT REALLY LEARNT UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL YEARS IN PRACTICE STUDENTS CANNOT EXPECT TO GAIN MORE THAN AN AWARENESS OF THESE ISSUES FROM WORK EXPERIENCE
4.6 adequate knowledge of the techniques + context required to create an effective + efficient ongoing environment for practice.	O	O	OFFICE DISCUSSIONS			NOT REALLY LEARNT UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF PRACTICE. STUDENTS CANNOT EXPECT TO GAIN MORE THAN AN AWARENESS OF THESE ISSUES FROM WORK EXPERIENCE

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