Product Overview

Summary: This SOP provides a clear, repeatable process for reviewing detailed design drawings before they are issued for construction or fabrication. It helps Australian organisations reduce design errors, avoid costly rework, and ensure alignment with project requirements, relevant standards, and client expectations.

The Detailed Design Drawings Review Standard Operating Procedure sets out a structured, documented approach for assessing engineering and architectural drawings before they progress to the next project phase. In many Australian projects, design drawings move quickly from concept to construction, and without a robust review process, errors, clashes and omissions can easily slip through. This SOP defines who reviews what, when, and how, so your team can confidently sign off drawings knowing they have been checked against scope, codes, standards and constructability considerations.

Developed for engineering, construction, infrastructure and manufacturing environments, this procedure supports better coordination between designers, engineers, project managers and external stakeholders. It clarifies review criteria, version control, approval workflows and documentation of comments and resolutions. By embedding this SOP, your organisation can significantly reduce RFIs, site variations and rework, while strengthening quality assurance records and demonstrating due diligence to clients, certifiers and regulators across Australia.

Key Benefits

• Reduce design errors, clashes and omissions before drawings reach site or fabrication.
• Streamline the review and approval workflow across design, engineering and project teams.
• Ensure alignment of drawings with Australian Standards, project specifications and client requirements.
• Improve traceability and auditability of design decisions, comments and approvals.
• Support more predictable project delivery by minimising RFIs, variations and costly rework.

Who is this for?

• Design Managers
• Project Engineers
• Civil Engineers
• Structural Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers
• Electrical Engineers
• Draftspersons / CAD Technicians
• Quality Assurance Managers
• Project Managers
• Architects
• Document Controllers
• Engineering Consultants

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Standards, Codes and Project Requirements
• 5.0 Types and Stages of Design Drawings (Concept, Detailed, IFC, As-Built)
• 6.0 Drawing Submission and Version Control Requirements
• 7.0 Drawing Review Criteria (Technical, Compliance, Constructability, Coordination)
• 8.0 Step-by-Step Drawing Review Process
• 9.0 Commenting, Mark-Up and Change Management
• 10.0 Interdisciplinary Coordination and Clash Resolution
• 11.0 Approval, Sign-Off and Issue for Construction/Fabrication
• 12.0 Records Management and Document Control
• 13.0 Interface with Client, Certifier and Regulatory Reviews
• 14.0 Nonconformities, Revisions and Corrective Actions
• 15.0 Training, Competency and Review Authority Levels
• 16.0 Continuous Improvement and Periodic Procedure Review

Legislation & References

• AS/NZS ISO 9001:2016 Quality management systems – Requirements
• AS 1100 series – Technical drawing (e.g. AS 1100.101, AS 1100.201)
• AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 Risk management – Guidelines
• National Construction Code (NCC) – where architectural and building services drawings are involved
• Relevant discipline-specific Australian Standards (e.g. AS 3600 Concrete structures, AS 4100 Steel structures, AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations) as applicable to the project