Building Research Establishment (BRE) Design Quality Method

Basics

What is it?
A balanced scorecard that measures the whole performance of all building types, at design stage and post-construction. The DQM uses expert opinion, professional judgement, user opinion, and scientific measurement to assess design quality and building performance. Six matrices with defined levels of quality and performance cover the key areas of: architecture; environmental engineering; user comfort; whole life costing; detailed design; and user satisfaction. A seventh matrix is often added to cover specific aspects such as school grounds; safety and security in prisons; and clinical aspects in health buildings.

Useful where?
The DQM is a tried and tested, independent, POE method and design review tool used by all UK auditing authorities, and many funding bodies. The DQM was first developed by Martin Cook in 2002, to assess the design quality of new schools in England and Wales for the Audit Commission, and was subsequently used by other public and private clients to review other buildings types. The Scottish Funding Council uses the DQM to conduct POEs of university and college buildings, and the Scottish Prison Service uses it to assess the Scottish Prison estate.

Related activities
Book available; Martin Cook, The Design Quality Manual; improving building performance. Blackwell, 2007.

In what sectors?
The DQM is suitable for all building types and has been used in most. Educational buildings remain the core sector, with over a hundred schools, colleges and universities on the DQM Database. Hospitals were reviewed for the NAO and prisons are the latest building type to use the approach. Partnerships for Schools is using the DQM, in combination with extensive user surveys, to assess BSF secondary schools.

Development status

Who developed it?
Martin Cook
cookm@bre.co.uk

Stage of development
Mature and well-established.

How it works

Is the technique in the public domain?
A generic approach is illustrated in the Design Quality Manual, but only the several summary matrices are ever published. The underlying thirty-six matrices comprise an ‘expert system’ that is copyrighted and trademarked.

Are the results in the public domain?
Via auditing authority publications and their websites, and the Design Quality Manual. Audit Commission; NAO; Northern Ireland Audit Office; and Audit Scotland

Organisations offering
Building Research Establishment,
Contact name: Martin Cook.