Design Quality Indicator (DQI)

The DQI was launched in 2002 as an initiative from the Construction Industry Council (CIC) to provide a tool to assess the design quality of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings. DQI is a process that seeks to actively involve stakeholders in the design of buildings. Stakeholders are people responsible for the design and construction and those who will use the building or be affected by it. DQI can be used at all stages of a building’s development and plays a fundamental role in contributing to the delivery of quality of building projects.

The process can be used on wide variety of buildings. For example DQI has been used successfully for the building/refurbishment of police stations, office buildings, college and university buildings, libraries, and many other civic and private building projects. The DQI for schools is a bespoke version specifically designed for use on schools projects.

The DQI process is also referred to within BREEAM as a tool, which can be used as part of a consultation process as evidence to obtain credits.

Richard Donnelly of 6ix Consulting is a registered DQI facilitator and is currently assisting Pembrokeshire County Council with DQi facilitation on their Schools development programme in the County.

For more information on DQI, case studies and how to setup a project go to www.dqi.org.uk or contact Richard Donnelly direct.