Cooperation with METIB from the General Contractor’s Perspective – Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A) Part 1

Date of last update: 10.11.2025

Collaboration Framework and Design Assumptions

METIB is a design team specializing in structural engineering and related services supporting the investment process.
We work as a subcontractor within larger projects – from concept and tender stages through detailed and workshop design, up to on-site support and handover.

The following Q&A summarizes key issues from the General Contractor’s (GC) perspective to ensure cooperation that is predictable, compliant with standards, and cost-efficient.
It compiles our experience from steel, reinforced concrete, and mixed structures, delivered in both traditional and integrated (BIM/CDE) workflows.
Because there is a lot to cover, we divided the material into two parts.

In this first part, we focus on the organizational, procedural, and technical aspects of cooperation between METIB and the General Contractor.
We explain how we define scope and responsibilities, communication paths, input data, BIM rules, and project planning.
For the reader – GC, project manager, or discipline coordinator – this part serves as a “how-we-work” guide before getting into execution details.

Table of contents:

1. Scope and Responsibilities
2. Organization, Communication, SLA
3. Input Data and Boundary Conditions
4. Standards, Codes, and Quality
5. BIM, Multidisciplinary Coordination, Data Exchange
6. Scheduling and Planning
7. Summary

You can read this article in 5 minutes.

Scope and Responsibilities

Q: In which cooperation model do you usually operate – as lead designer or discipline designer?
A: We typically act as the structural discipline designer within a multidisciplinary team, reporting to the lead designer or directly to the GC.
We can also take over coordination of prefabricated/steel structures (shop drawings, erection) if defined as such in the RASI (RAM) responsibility matrix.

Q: How do you define scope and manage changes?
A: The scope is defined as a list of deliverables (models, drawings, calculations, schedules) and activities (approvals, author’s supervision, responses to site queries – RFIs).
Once the design assumptions are frozen (design freeze), any input changes follow the Change Request path (description → impact on time/cost/risk → decision), with full traceability in the Common Data Environment (CDE).

Q: Do you include temporary structures (supports, assembly design)?
A: Yes – if specified in the order. For temporary works we define a separate calculation, drawing, and responsibility track.

Organization, Communication, SLA

Q: What is your standard communication and approval workflow?
A: We establish clear contact points and operate entirely within a CDE (Common Data Environment). Versioning, approvals, and comments are handled exclusively in the CDE, eliminating “parallel versions” and accelerating decision-making.

Q: What are your response time standards (SLA)?
A:

• Critical RFIs affecting works: response within 24–48 h
• Planned/explanatory RFIs: within 3–5 working days
• Revised documentation after comments: typically 3–10 working days (depending on scope)

SLA parameters are finalized in the Project Management Plan (PMP) and linked within the CDE.

Q: How do you conduct coordination meetings?
A: Weekly status meetings (30–60 min), multidisciplinary coordination meetings according to the GC’s schedule, and formal minutes with decisions and action lists including deadlines and responsibilities.

Input Data and Boundary Conditions

Q: What is the minimum data required to start design?
A: Current architectural layout and gridlines, technological assumptions (if applicable), load parameters, geotechnical and ground-water conditions, investor’s requirements, standards and guidelines (norms, exposure classes, fire resistance), and the overall project schedule.
Any missing information is identified in a start-up checklist.

Q: How do you handle uncertain geotechnical data?
A: We maintain a geotechnical risk register, mark sensitive elements, prepare alternative foundation schemes, and transfer the risk to the project risk plan, with decision points after supplementary soil investigation results are available.

Standards, Codes, and Quality

Q: Which design standards do you apply?
A: Eurocodes (PN-EN) with the respective National Annexes, supplemented by investor requirements and local regulations. For special structures, additional industry guidelines are applied.

Q: How do you ensure quality of deliverables?
A: Through dual verification (peer review + formal check), checklists for calculations and drawings, consistency control between model and drawings, clash detection, and closing reports confirming resolution of comments. Each revision includes a defined scope of changes and a change log.

Q: Do you work in accordance with ISO 19650 (BIM)?
A: Yes – whenever the project requires it. We apply folder structures, status codes, and model/drawing classifications consistent with the EIR (Employer’s Information Requirements) and BEP (BIM Execution Plan), using agreed naming conventions and levels of information (LOI/LOD).

Q: How do you handle signatures and responsibility under Building Law?
A: All documentation is signed by licensed designers and a checking engineer, in accordance with Articles 20–21 of the Polish Building Law. We hold professional liability insurance; the policy limit and coverage are confirmed prior to project start.

BIM, Multidisciplinary Coordination, Data Exchange

Q: In what formats do you deliver data?
A: In line with EIR (Employer’s Information Requirements) and BEP (BIM Execution Plan):

• Models – IFC as the standard exchange format; native formats upon agreement
• Drawings – PDF + DWG/DXF
• Schedules – XLSX/CSV
• Clash reports – BCF/HTML

We follow agreed structure, naming conventions, status codes, and LOD/LOI levels.

Q: Who is responsible for multidisciplinary coordination?
A: Typically, coordination is managed by the GC or lead designer. METIB is responsible for coordination within the structural discipline and actively participates in clash detection sessions, reporting and resolving issues in the CDE (statuses: open / closed / conditional).

Q: Do you perform constructability reviews?
A: Yes. We assess assembly feasibility, sequencing of works, equipment access, tolerances, and logical division of elements, proposing corrections before the design freeze.

Scheduling and Planning

Q: How do you align the design schedule with construction works?
A: Documentation is divided into packages matching the work sequence (foundations, columns, frames, bracing, etc.).
Design milestones are linked to construction milestones, and the critical path is monitored with regular progress reporting.

Q: What if schedule conflicts or external delays occur?
A: We implement re-sequencing of packages and/or parallel calculation-drawing tracks. Each change includes an analysis of impact on time, cost, and risk, and alternative solutions are proposed.

Summary

METIB is a design office specializing in steel, reinforced concrete, and mixed structures.
In the first part of our Q&A, we describe how cooperation with the General Contractor is organized – from defining scope and responsibilities, through communication within the BIM/CDE environment, to quality control and schedule planning.
Our goal is a transparent design process that is standards-compliant and cost-efficient.
Thanks to clearly defined rules, METIB supports the General Contractor in the efficient delivery of the investment – from concept to construction.