IDP Training Areas and Core Competencies

The activities in this section enable you to acquire the knowledge, understanding, and skills that form core competencies related to architectural practice. You should use the activities as a tool to enhance the quality of your training. This section may be downloaded as a working document as Appendix F of IDP Guidelines.

Two types of activities—Awareness and Understanding and Skills and Application—are identified for each of the 16 IDP training areas. Awareness and Understanding Activities encompass the technical information, concepts, and principles you can articulate both orally and in writing. They refer to three important reference documents: Emerging Professional's Companion (EPC) (see Chapter III); The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP), 13th edition; and The Construction Specifications Institute Manual of Practice (CSI). Skills and Application Activities involve performance-based tasks that form each core competency.

You may use the information on this page in a variety of ways: as a checklist, a set of goals, or a map to identify how far along you are in the process. Given the wide diversity among interns’ architectural educations and training settings, achievement of core competencies is not precisely correlated with the minimum training units required in each area. Some interns may achieve their objectives in the minimum required time, while others may require significantly more experience.

At the beginning of your internship, you should familiarize yourself with the training areas and activities. Analyze your current knowledge and practical skills and consider how you can acquire the core competencies most efficiently. Keep the IDP Guidelines with you at work so you can chart your progress. Remember that specific office tasks will often result in competencies in more than one IDP training area. Take care to accurately prorate time among the various areas. Consult with your IDP supervisor regarding the appropriate distribution of time.

As your internship progresses, periodically discuss the activities and your particular training objectives with your supervisor, mentor, and other interns. Because the activities provide a common benchmark, sharing your progress with others can be mutually beneficial.

1. Programming
Programming is the process of discovering the owner/client's requirements and desires for a project and setting them down in written, numerical, and graphic form. For a project to be successful, all participants, including the owner/client, must understand and agree on the program at the outset.

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 1 and in AHPP topics 1.2, 2.3, 5.1, and 17.1.

Skills and Application Activities

Complete the following activities for a specific project:

Identify the qualitative and quantitative requirements for the project, and develop questions and a checklist for an owner/user survey.
Investigate and document the work process for a particular user.
Prepare functional relationship/adjacency diagrams.
Calculate net and gross area requirements.
Relate the budget and schedule to the program.
Determine owner/client needs for phasing the project and for future growth and development.
Analyze owner-supplied data and document programmatic implications.

2. Site and Environmental Analysis
Site and environmental analysis involves research and evaluation of a project's context and may include environmental evaluation, land planning or design, and urban planning.

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 2 and in AHPP topics 15.3, 15.5, and 17.3.

Skills and Application Activities

Document and evaluate the following issues for a specific program:

Building location options on the site.
Regulatory restrictions (e.g., parking, zoning, building codes, ADA) for the site.
Natural conditions (e.g., topography, vegetation, climate considerations, orientation) on the site.
Constructed conditions (e.g., infrastructure, building foundation).
Access to utilities.
Environmental hazards.
Input from consultants (e.g., landscape architect, geotechnical engineer).
Input from groups with community interest (e.g., community organizations, historic preservation organizations).
Information from public agencies with jurisdictional authority (e.g., zoning, planning, building, fire).
Feasibility of alternate sites.

3. Schematic Design
Schematic design is the development of graphic and written conceptual design solutions to the program for the owner/client's approval.

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 3; in AHPP topic 18.3; and in CSI Chapters FF/010, FF/180, and SP/070.

Skills and Application Activities

Complete the following activities for a specific project:

Develop alternative conceptual design proposals that address the program.
Evaluate engineering systems appropriate to the project.
Prepare volume and area calculations and evaluate the cost of alternative design proposals.
Prepare a presentation package, including drawings and models, to show the owner/client.
Prepare a verbal and graphic presentation to communicate the intent of the designs to the owner/client.
Review the selected schematic design with the owner/client and revise the design based on the owner/client's feedback.
Coordinate consultants' activities relative to the schematic design.
Incorporate relevant code requirements into the schematic design.

4. Engineering Systems Coordination
Engineering systems coordination involves selecting and specifying structural, mechanical, electrical, and other systems, and integrating them into the building design. These systems are normally designed by consultants in accordance with the client's needs.

Core Competencies

At the end of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 4; in AHPP topics 18.5 and 18.6; and in CSI Chapters FF/010, FF/030, FF/070, and FF/080.

Research and assist in the selection of appropriate engineering systems.
Assess sustainability issues.
Evaluate the types of consultants required.
Coordinate and verify the availability of adequate utilities.
Evaluate engineering proposals and fee structures.
Coordinate project information with consultants.
Coordinate engineering system documents.
Evaluate space requirements and costs for engineered systems.

5. Building Cost Analysis
Building cost analysis involves estimating the probable construction cost of a project.

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 5, in AHPP topic 14.4, and in CSI Chapter FF/140.

Skills and Application Activities

Complete the following activities for a specific project:

Prepare preliminary cost analysis using:
- unit cost/building type basis(cost/square foot),
- unit cost basis (material labor), and
- standard references such as RSMeans Construction Cost Estimating Guides and Cost Data.
Investigate and prepare quantity calculations for selected materials.
Evaluate life-cycle cost information in relation to specifications.
Research value analysis opportunities.
Evaluate and document scope/ quantity/cost in comparison to materials selection and the preparation of specifications.
Factor the current inflation rate and other economic variables into the cost estimates.
Understand non-construction project costs, including land acquisition, design, government approvals, project financing, and marketing, and how they impact building cost.

6. Code Research
Code research involves evaluating a specific project in the context of relevant local, state, and federal regulations that protect public health, safety, and welfare.

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 6; in AHPP topics 15.4 and 18.4; and in the International Building Code.

Familiarize yourself with the information contained in the applicable codes in the construction in which the project is located; the Americans with Disabilities Accessibility Guidelines; and any other applicable regulatory manuals.

Skills and Application Activities

Complete the following activities for a new facility and for an existing facility:

Evaluate design alternatives based on code requirements.
Research all applicable codes.
Develop a life-safety analysis.
Participate in preliminary meetings with code officials and make design adjustments to reflect compliance with relevant codes.
Develop a list of required agency approvals during final project reviews.

7. Design Development
In design development, a project's schematic design is refined, including designing details and selecting materials. This step occurs after the owner/client has approved the schematic design.

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 7; in AHPP topic 18.3; and in CSI Chapters FF/010, FF/180, and SP/070.

Skills and Application Activities

Complete the following activities for a specific project:

Prepare design development documents from the approved
schematic design, incorporating appropriate levels of detail in drawings and outline specifications. Be sure to coordinate and cross-reference documents.
Participate in discussions with the owner/client regarding project scope, quality, and cost.
Document decisions reached during owner/client meetings and evaluate their impact on the design program.
Review the design development documents for conflicts between building systems. If any are identified, coordinate the work of consultants to resolve them.
Review the design development documents to ensure they conform to previously established requirements and meet
applicable codes.

8. Construction Documents
Construction documents are the written and graphic instructions used for construction of the project. These documents must be accurate, consistent, complete, and understandable.

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Understanding and Awareness Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 8; in AHPP topics 13.4 and 18.5; and in CSI Chapters FF/010, FF/030, FF/070, FF/080, and FF/090.

Skills and Application Activities

Complete the following activities for a specific project:

Create mock-ups of project drawing sets.
Prepare a schedule for preparation of construction documents that includes milestone markers and reviews as appropriate.
Prepare plan, elevation, and section drawings that clearly convey the design development documents. Coordinate
and cross-reference the documents, including the work of consultants.
Document decisions reached at relevant project team meetings, and evaluate their impact on the development and production of the construction documents.
Review the program to check for discrepancies between the design development and construction documents.
Help the owner/client obtain required approvals and permits.
Using the owner/client operational requirements, develop a construction phasing plan.

9. Specifications and Materials Research
Specifications and materials research leads to analysis and selection of building materials and systems for a project. The materials specified for a particular project communicate the requirements and quality expected during construction. Specifications are included in a project manual that is used during
bidding and construction.

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 9; in AHPP topics 13.4 and 18.6; and in CSI Chapters FF/070, FF/100 through FF/170, SP/010 through SP/060, and SP/080 through SP/130. Familiarize yourself with the information contained in the Sweets Catalogs.

Investigate product literature or question manufacturers' representatives to acquire information about materials for
use in preparing specifications.
Prepare specifications for a project.

10. Document Checking and Coordination
Document checking and coordination is the means by which quality assurance is established and maintained throughout a project's development.

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 10; in AHPP topic 13.4; and in CSI Chapters FF/070, FF/080, FF/090, and SP/050.

Develop a list of all drawings and other documents required for the project, including brief descriptions of their contents.
Assist in cross-checking products and materials called for in the specifications for consistency with corresponding terminology and descriptions in the construction documents.
Coordinate all project drawings for accuracy of dimensions, notes, and abbreviations.
Assist in developing a schedule of lead times required for proper coordination with other disciplines.
Cross-check all consultants' drawings with architectural drawings for possible conflicts and interference of plumbing lines, ductwork, electrical fixtures, etc.
Assist in final documents review for compliance with applicable codes, regulations, etc.
Make revisions and corrections to project documents based on the results of project document checks.

11. Bidding and Contract Negotiation
Bidding and contract negotiation involves the establishment and administration of the bidding process, issuance of addenda, evaluation of proposed substitutions, review of bidder qualifications, analysis of bids, and selection of the contractor(s).

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 11; in AHPP topics 11.1 through 11.3 and 18.8; and in CSI Chapters FF/040, FF/050, FF/060, FF/190, SP/010, SP/020, SP/030, and SP/150.

Skills and Application Activities

Complete the following activities for a specific project:

Prepare bidding documents and maintain the distribution register.
Research and prepare an addendum to the bidding documents and write a notice announcing the change.
Attend a bid opening and observe the bidding process.
Assess requests for substitutions.
Develop and illustrate a comparative analysis of bids.
Compare bids with final project estimate.

12. Construction Phase—Office
Construction contract administration tasks carried out in the architect's office include facilitating project communication, maintaining project records, reviewing and certifying amounts due contractors, and preparing change orders (also see Training Area 13, Construction Phase—Field).

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and procedures contained in EPC Chapter 12; in AHPP topics 14.2 through 14.4 and 18.9; and in CSI Chapter FF/190.

Skills and Application Activities

Complete the following activities for a specific project:

Obtain information and submittals required for the notice to proceed.
Manage, review, and coordinate the shop drawings, samples, and other items submitted by the contractor.
Attend a preconstruction conference.
Process change orders, requests for information (RFIs), and requests for clarification.
Document conflicts that occur during the construction process, and propose at least two alternative resolutions to each conflict.
Review and approve applications for payment.
Participate in verifying the punch list submitted by the contractor.
Prepare a certificate of substantial completion.

13. Construction Phase—Observation
Construction contract administration tasks carried out in the field include observing construction for conformance with drawings and specifications and reviewing and certifying amounts due to contractors (also see Training Area 12, Construction Phase—Office).

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 13; in AHPP topics 14.2 and 18.9; and in CSI Chapter FF/190.

Skills and Application Activities

Complete the following activities for a specific project:

Take minutes at a regular job site meeting.
Review progress of work and attend meetings when appropriate to assess quality and performance.
Document unforeseen conditions that arise during construction, and develop several alternative solutions to resolve these problems.
Verify completion of work itemized in monthly applications for payment.
Verify the completion of punch list tasks.

14. Project Management
Project management includes planning, organizing, and staffing; budgeting and scheduling; leading and managing the project team; documenting key project information; and monitoring quality assurance.

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 14; in AHPP Chapter 14; and in CSI Chapters FF/010, FF/070, FF/080, FF/090, FF/180, and SP/050.

Skills and Application Activities

Complete the following activities for a specific project:

Assess time requirements for all project tasks.
Develop a project work plan that identifies tasks, responsibilities, personnel requirements, schedule, and budget.
Manage consultants and review all contracts and billing approvals.
Evaluate project work progress.
Manage project reviews and coordination through participation in meetings.
Prepare a schedule of client billings, and establish initial client invoices according to project contracts.
Participate in and document the project closeout process.
Help resolve any disputes that arise.

15. Office Management
Office management involves allocation and administration of office resources to support the goals of the firm.

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be able to:

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Review the information, concepts, and principles contained in EPC Chapter 15; and in AHPP Chapters 6, 8 through 10, and 12, and topics 7.4, 13.1 through 13.3, 14.1, and 15.1-15.2.

Review economic trends, forecasts, and indicators in relation to the firm's markets.
Study the firm's statement of principles, strategic plan, and organization.
Participate in selected marketing activities.
Assist in interviewing potential project team members, including consultants.
Help develop opportunities for professional collaboration, team building, consensus building, and conflict resolution.
Prepare interview questions for prospective employees, and participate in the interview process.
Understand the difference between compensation, overhead, and direct personnel expense.

16. Professional and Community Service
Interns will find that voluntary participation in professional and community activities enhances their professional development. Such activities will increase your understanding of the people and forces that shape society, as well as augment your professional
knowledge and skills. Community service does not have to be limited to architecturally related activities for you to receive these benefits.

Core Competencies

At the completion of your internship, you should be prepared to

Awareness and Understanding Activities

Understand the information, concepts, and principles contained in the chapter titled "Goal Seven/Service to the Nation" in Building Community, published by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (1996).

Participate in a professional association by serving on committees and engaging in related service activities. Training units cannot be earned only by attending seminars, meetings, or conferences.
Provide career counseling or mentorship for high school and college students.
Conduct educational programs about the profession in elementary and secondary schools.
Participate in civic organizations, neighborhood groups, museum programs, and other activities that address such issues as homelessness, natural disasters, historic
preservation, resource conservation, and environmental awareness.
Participate as a member or advisor to a local zoning board, planning committee, fine arts review board, or similar community-based organization.

The Intern Development Program is not intended to be narrow or restrictive; rather, IDP brings the broad aspects of architectural practice into proper perspective. In addition, new services that do not fall into more traditional practice settings are opening to architects. Other related activities allow you to gain expertise in these areas, while developing basic practice skills. Activities in the following areas would be appropriate: energy conservation, computer applications, planning, interior design, landscape architecture, environmental and structural engineering, applied research, teaching, historical restoration, and professional delineation.


	2008 NCARB \| Homepage \| Site Map