RIBA Plan of Work 2020
The RIBA Plan of Work is published by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Split into a number of key project stages, the RIBA Plan of Work provides a shared framework for design and construction that offers both a process map and a management tool.
The RIBA Plan of Work 2020 replaced the 2013 edition. It changed the structure of the stages as shown below:
| Stage | 2013 | 2020 |
| 0 | Strategic definition. | Strategic definition. |
| 1 | Preparation and brief. | Preparation and briefing. |
| 2 | Concept design. | Concept design. |
| 3 | Developed design. | Spatial coordination. |
| 4 | Technical design. | Technical design. |
| 5 | Construction. | Manufacturing and construction. |
| 6 | Handover and close out. | Handover. |
| 7 | In use. | Use. |
Changes have been introduced in relation to the digitisation of the industry, modern methods of construction, increasing awareness of ethics, the importance of sustainability, the value of aftercare and different approaches to the timing of planning applications and procurement.
The green overlay and BIM overlay which were separate additions to the 2013 edition have now been incorporated into the plan itself. Nine project strategies have been introduced to tease out specific briefing issues and to allow the lead designer to coordinate design team contributions into the broader design.
Professor Alan Jones, RIBA President wrote: ‘The biggest addition to the new RIBA Plan of Work comes in the form of the new sustainably project strategy. This challenges design teams to design with a focus on sustainable outcomes from the outset of the project… In addition to the sustainability changes, this update has concentrated on improving the guidance in relation to the planning process, procurement and information requirements at each stage. Most importantly we have set out detailed stage descriptions and new guidance on core project strategies.’
The RIBA Plan of Work 2020 is available at: https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/resources-landing-page/riba-plan-of-work
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BREEAM and RIBA stages.
- BSRIA guidance on project information process BG 78/2021.
- Comparison of BIM work stages.
- Enterprise asset management.
- Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP).
- NBS.
- OGC gateway review.
- Plan of work.
- Project lifecycle for major road projects.
- Record keeping.
- RIBA Plan of Work for Fire Safety.
- RIBA plan of work v project plans v OGC gateways.
- RIBA plan of work.
- RIBA.
Featured articles and news
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.
Construction contract awards remain buoyant
Infrastructure up but residential struggles.
Home builders call for suspension of Building Safety Levy
HBF with over 100 home builders write to the Chancellor.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2024/2025
CIOB names James Monk a quantity surveyor from Cambridge as the winner.
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
Treasury responds to sector submission on Warm Homes
Trade associations call on Government to make good on manifesto pledge for the upgrading of 5 million homes.
A tour through Robotic Installation Systems for Elevators, Innovation Labs, MetaCore and PORT tech.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.
BS 9991:2024 and the recently published CLC advisory note
Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings. Code of practice.