2.1.1 Organization of an Architectural Practice
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Which type of ownership of an architectural practice is a legal, collective entity authorized by statute to act as an individual business unit?
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What is the role of a comptroller in a larger architectural practice?
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Can a company in Québec practice architecture?
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What is the responsibility of a project manager in an architectural practice?
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Which type of insurance covers personal business partners and directors?
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What are multi-disciplinary firms in the context of architectural practice?
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Which type of insurance covers theft and vandalism of office premises and automobiles?
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What is the role of a project architect in a design team?
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What are some reasons why architects may set up their own practices?
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What are some reasons why establishing an architectural practice has serious implications for one’s personal, professional, and business life?
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Which of the following is a reason for architects to incorporate their practice in Québec?
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What should architects seek before structuring a practice?
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Can architects in Québec practice in any type of arrangement with non-architects?
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What are joint ventures in architectural practice usually formed for?
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What type of architectural practice provides highly efficient service on routine assignments?
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What is a sole proprietorship in the context of architectural practice?
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What are some skills that are necessary for establishing and maintaining an architectural practice?
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What is the purpose of a joint venture in the context of architectural practices?
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Which of the following is NOT a model for the internal structure of an architectural practice?
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Which type of architectural practice is organized to deliver experience and reliability on complex assignments?
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What factors affect the type of ownership of an architectural practice?
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Which of the following professional services is NOT required to support an architectural practice?
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Why is it important for an architect to establish a relationship with a lawyer?
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Which type of insurance covers extended medical care and dental plans?
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What are the first key steps in launching an architectural practice?
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What is a partnership of corporations in the context of architectural practice?
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Which of the following is NOT a reason why architects decide to set up their own practices?
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Which type of insurance is a specialized type provided by a limited number of insurance underwriters?
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Which type of architectural practice is the most common in Canada?
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What is a strategic plan?
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The average score is 70%
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2.1.2 Succession Planning
What is goodwill in the context of a practice?
What should be verified regarding individual protection against potential long-term liability exposure after succession?
What is the first step in developing a succession plan according to the text?
What is one potential advantage of reapportioning ownership in a practice?
What is one potential reason for the unsuccessful outcome of a merger between two firms?
What is one purpose of the selection and transition phase in the succession planning process?
What is the purpose of the strategic planning phase in the succession planning process?
Why is contingency planning important in the succession planning process?
Who is generally liable for past work in a practice?
What is a significant advantage for a practice during the succession period?
According to the text, why is succession planning important for architectural firms?
Which of the following is NOT a potential reason for the dissolution of a practice upon the retirement of the principal architect?
What is one measure that future leadership must take to maintain staff commitment and motivate people to achieve success?
What is one potential consequence of a merger diverting resources away from architectural practice?
Which of the following is a common concern regarding staff education programs?
What is one advantage of selling a practice to an architect or architects outside the practice?
What does succession planning enable architects who own a firm to do?
According to management expert Peter Drucker, what is the best way to predict the future?
What is one advantage of inviting new architects or others to become part of an existing practice as partners or shareholders?
Why is succession planning particularly important for sole proprietorships and small architectural firms?
What is one potential reason for the failure of a merger between two firms?
How is goodwill calculated?
When reviewing agreements, sellers should seek professional advice in which areas?
According to the text, why might a retiring principal be able to obtain a higher price through internal buyers?
Which of the following is a succession planning option for a firm with retiring principals?
What is the recommended timeframe for implementing a comprehensive succession plan?
What is one potential disadvantage of merging a practice with another architect or firm?
What can assist second-generation owners to buy-in and pay-out the first-generation founders?
What are some methods to estimate the value of a practice?
What is one of the key components of a comprehensive succession plan?
The average score is 58%
2.1.3 Public Relations and Marketing
What is the main focus of marketing in architectural practice, according to the text?
What is critical at the stage of generating client commitment in architecture?
Which of the following is NOT a technique for building market awareness in architecture?
What is the purpose of promotion in the context of architecture?
What is the difference between marketing and selling in an architectural context?
True or false: Architectural competitions can be a high risk activity for any architectural practice.
True or false: Architectural competitions for buildings must be endorsed or approved by the Council of the provincial or territorial Association of Architects and/or the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
What is one function of marketing according to the text?
Which of the following is NOT considered a role that architects may be asked to fulfill?
What should each architectural practice evaluate before participating in an architectural competition?
Which of the following is NOT a method for generating client commitment after the contract has been executed?
What is the objective of reinforcing interest in architecture?
What should the practice do after an initial contact with a lead?
What does an effective marketing strategy in an architectural practice involve?
What action should be taken to develop and maintain a professional relationship with the client after the completion of the project?
What is the correlation between a firm's profit and growth and the amount spent on marketing?
Which of the following activities is NOT considered a part of marketing in an architectural practice?
What is the role of an architect as a professional advisor in endorsed architectural competitions?
According to the text, why is it important for architectural practices to develop a public relations and marketing strategy?
What does the text say about public relations in the context of architectural practice?
Which of the following best describes the difference between public relations and marketing in the context of architectural practice?
True or false: Each architectural practice must evaluate the effort and return on investment before participating in an architectural competition.
What is MERX?
True or false: The International Union of Architects (UIA) has prepared guidelines for conducting international architectural competitions in its publication, Instructions and recommendations to promoters of international competitions in architecture and town planning.
According to the text, what is the role of public relations in the architectural practice?
When preparing promotional brochures or proposals, what should the architect always do?
What should architects strive to do in relation to public awareness about the value of architectural services?
According to the text, what are some factors that the strategic plan should help identify?
True or false: Open and limited competitions for buildings require endorsement as most provincial associations of architects prevent their members from participating in competitions that have not been approved by their Councils.
What are some techniques for identifying potential clients or 'leads'?
The average score is 63%
2.1.4 Financial Management
Which of the following factors may lead to inadequate profit margins for an architectural practice?
What does a statement of income and expenses provide?
True or false: The prime rate is the interest rate at which banks lend to their most creditworthy customers.
According to the text, how should the distribution of bonuses to staff be determined?
How can the number of billable hours in a year be determined?
What does the multiplier in the billing rate formula represent?
Which type of accounting is done within the architectural practice, often by staff or a bookkeeper?
What does a balance sheet indicate?
True or false: Financial planning in an architectural practice should include short-term budgeting only.
Which of the following is NOT a reason why a profit is required in a practice?
True or false: The purpose of building a successful financial history in a practice is to attract potential clients and investors.
According to the text, what are some factors that should be considered in a performance review?
True or false: The investment of shareholders or partners in the practice should earn interest at the bank's prime rate of interest.
What should the financial plan of an architectural practice include?
What is the purpose of building a successful financial history in a practice?
According to the text, what is the prime rate?
According to the text, when is the best time to negotiate for a line of credit with a bank?
Which financial system records all income and expenses as they occur in the general ledger?
What should an architect establish when engaging an accountant?
According to the text, what information should the architect provide to the bank when borrowing funds?
In 'lean' years, what may happen to the capital reserve?
What is the utilization factor?
When the practice is owned by shareholders or partners who have invested capital, how should their investment earn interest?
True or false: The distribution of bonuses to staff should be solely based on their productivity.
What are some factors that should be considered in determining the distribution of bonuses to staff?
What is the purpose of short-term financial planning, usually called budgeting?
What is the purpose of proper tax planning in relation to profit withdrawal from the practice?
According to the text, what should the architect do when determining fees for services?
According to the text, what is the purpose of setting aside a percentage of the profit as a capital reserve?
What is an audit in the context of accounting?
2.1.5 Office Administration
True or false: Hardware upgrades are not required on an ongoing basis for computer technology.
True or false: Annual budget for computer training is not necessary for an architectural practice.
True or false: Back-up tapes should be stored on-site to ensure their safety in the event of a fire or other disaster.
What is the minimum time period that project records should be retained for pursuing a claim for professional negligence in Canada?
What can lead to significant improvement in performance when using computer software in an architectural practice?
Which of the following is NOT a concern for security in an architectural practice?
What is the purpose of thorough documentation in project activities and communications?
What is one solution for addressing minor maintenance needs in an office?
What type of insurance protection should be included in addition to property coverage?
What is one common practice for protecting important documents and original software in an architectural office?
What is the purpose of an architectural office maintaining a reference library?
What is the purpose of archiving electronic files in architecture projects?
What should an architect consider for storage of project records once the contractor's one-year guarantee/warranty has expired?
What are the two types of filing systems required in an architectural practice?
True or false: It is important to determine the practice's needs for computer modelling before selecting the appropriate software.
When are software upgrades typically needed in computer technology?
True or false: Careful management of the inventory of computer software and hardware is not an ongoing necessity of office administration.
Which of the following is NOT a reason for maintaining good records in architecture projects?
Which of the following is NOT automatically included in most commercial office insurance policies?
Why is careful management of the inventory of computer software and hardware an ongoing necessity of office administration?
Which of the following is NOT a reason why the appearance of the office is important for an architectural practice?
Why is good management important for an architectural practice?
If the practice is a home-based business, what endorsement may be required on the home insurance policy?
Which one of the following is NOT an extension available with a commercial property insurance policy package?
What is one advantage of an office manual in relation to hiring new staff?
What should be done to ensure the safety of electronic information in the event of a fire or other disaster?
What can an office manual help communicate to the staff of an architectural practice?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of having an office manual in an architectural practice?
Which of the following is NOT a consideration when selecting computer hardware for BIM and CAD applications?
What is the purpose of documenting office policies and procedures in writing?
2.1.6 Communications
Which form is used to record the notes of a meeting or transaction?
Which of the following is NOT a key to building and maintaining a good relationship with a client?
Which form of communication is NOT suitable for sending legal documents requiring original signatures?
What is the goal of the design team when working with consultants?
Why is it important for architectural practices to develop policies and procedures for email communication?
What is one benefit of using video conferencing in the architecture profession?
True or false: Communication is the act of transmitting information and imparting news.
What is the primary means of communication with the contractor during a construction project?
What is an effective way to resolve an issue?
What are some tips for effective speaking and presentations according to the text?
Which form is used to communicate important information or news?
True or false: Standard forms are not necessary for managing communications in an architectural practice.
Why is good communication between principals essential in an architectural practice?
True or false: Minutes are a brief summary of the proceedings of a meeting.
Which of the following is NOT a tip for building good communication skills among staff members in an architectural practice?
Why should all documents in an architectural practice be dated and carry the name of the project?
Which of the following is NOT a tip for ensuring effective teleconference calls?
True or false: Memorandum, Minutes of Meeting, Transmittal, and Project Team Directory are the forms provided for General Communications.
Which of the following is a benefit of electronic communication for architects?
Which form is used to provide information about the project team members?
What is the recommended approach for negotiations according to the text?
Which of the following is NOT a potential issue with transferring electronic files in the construction industry?
What is the importance of external communications in the architectural practice?
True or false: Transmittal is used to recommend a course of action.
Which of the following is NOT a traditional way of communicating for architects?
What is the purpose of an architect's desk diary or personal digital assistant (PDA)?
Which form is used to recommend a course of action?
What is the importance of maintaining accurate written records for architects?
Which of the following is NOT a component of active listening?
Which form is used to transmit documents or information to the project team?
2.1.7 Human Resources
True or false: Constructive feedback should only be given during formal performance reviews.
How often should formal performance reviews be conducted?
What is the main reason for engaging permanent employees, according to the text?
What is one advantage of hiring temporary employees, according to the text?
Which method of performance review measures the extent to which the employee conforms to a pre-determined goal or result?
True or false: Both the employee and the appraiser should prepare in advance for the performance review meeting.
Which of the following is NOT a possible option for meeting human resources needs, according to the text?
According to the text, what should be considered when determining the extent of staffing a firm can support?
According to the text, what is a factor that motivates people to be productive?
According to the text, what is the purpose of confirming verbal offers in writing?
According to the text, what costs should the principals of a practice consider when hiring new employees or retaining consultants?
Who should conduct performance reviews?
What is the purpose of employee appraisals, according to the text?
According to the text, what is the purpose of Workers Compensation or Workplace Safety Insurance Board?
According to the text, what is one potential challenge of allowing employees to work from home?
True or false: Spontaneous praise or criticism is not essential to good human resources management.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good performance review method, according to the text?
Should formal performance reviews replace spontaneous praise or criticism?
Which of the following is NOT considered a benefit that some firms offer to their employees, according to the text?
What is the main difference between independent contractors and permanent employees, according to the text?
Which of the following is NOT a tip for nurturing staff at various stages of their career development, according to the text?
What behavior is considered harassment, according to the text?
According to the text, what is the most valuable resource of an architectural practice?
What should constructive feedback be given during?
According to the text, what is the recommended approach for architects when working in stressful environments?
True or false: Performance reviews should only be conducted once a year.
True or false: Performance reviews should be conducted by a supervisor who is familiar with the employee.
According to the text, what is the purpose of establishing standard office policies and procedures for conduct?
What is the architect's duty regarding discrimination, according to the text?
Which of the following is a key factor in making performance reviews meaningful?
The average score is 73%
2.1.8 Quality Management
Which one of the following is a key objective of a good quality management system in architectural practice?
What is the definition of total quality management?
Why might implementing a quality management system be more challenging for larger architectural practices?
What is one potential benefit of implementing a quality management system in an architectural practice?
What is the greatest potential benefit of widespread implementation of quality management systems in the architectural profession?
Which of the following is the correct definition of a service?
According to the text, what is a recommended two-tier approach to quality management systems in architectural practice?
What is the purpose of project planning in architectural practice?
What are Management System Standards?
What is the purpose of Total Quality Management (TQM)?
Total Quality Management (TQM) is a management approach that focuses on long-term success through client satisfaction and benefits to all members of the organization and society.
What is the difference between verification and validation?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit claimed by the ISO 9000 quality systems?
What are some examples of instruments of service provided by architects?
Which one of the following statements best describes Quality Management?
Which of the following best defines Quality Assurance?
ISO certification is a compulsory requirement of the ISO 9001: 2008 standard.
What is the main purpose of an audit conducted by a third-party certifier?
Which of the following is true about ISO 9001: 2008?
What is the product of an architectural practice?
ISO 9001: 2008 is the only standard in the ISO 9000 series that allows organizations to become certified.
ISO 9000 quality systems provide a single set of standards applicable to all industries.
What is one of the challenges faced in implementing a quality management system in an architectural practice?
Verification is concerned with a 'process' while validation is concerned with a 'product'.
What is the pre-design or analysis stage of a project used to determine in architectural practice?
According to the text, what are the elements that help to define quality as it relates to architectural services?
Why is it important to distinguish between a product and a service?
Who commissions architectural services according to the text?
Which of the following functions must be in place to ensure the provision of quality architectural services?
Which of the following is NOT a phase in the project where the quality management system should be applied?
The average score is 65%
2.1.9 Risk Management and Professional Liability
What is the purpose of excess insurance coverage for a specific project?
What is the purpose of professional liability insurance?
What is a key aspect of risk management?
True or false: Using the same consultants on a continuing basis may save the architect time, money, aggravation, and billable time.
What should architects do if they believe that a claim might be made?
Which conflict management strategy seeks to avoid the costly and lengthy process of litigation?
According to the text, what is the main function of a GO NO-GO checklist?
Who is usually engaged to manage and coordinate the work of the main engineering sub-consultants?
According to the text, what action should be taken if a client does not make payment for services?
Which main engineering sub-consultants are mentioned in the text?
What is the purpose of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the context of a dispute?
Why is it important for architects to establish a retrieval system for records?
When should an architect consider obtaining professional liability insurance?
True or false: The architect should consider obtaining professional liability insurance after the completion of a project.
What is the purpose of obtaining a retainer at the execution of the contract?
According to the text, professional liability insurance provides protection from claims and is intended to cover liabilities. What does a professional liability insurance policy typically have that may void coverage for certain activities?
What role does a mediator play in dispute resolution?
What is the importance of team chemistry mentioned in the text?
What is the purpose of the checklist mentioned in the text?
According to the text, what should an architect do if legal action has been threatened for non-payment of an invoice?
What is the primary objective of partnering?
True or false: The architect is responsible for directly engaging the main engineering sub-consultants (structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers).
What may be saved by using the same consultants on a continuing basis?
True or false: The success of a project often depends on the ability of all team members to work well together, known as team chemistry.
What is required for an arbitrator to make a final and binding determination?
According to the text, what should an architect do when considering whether to pursue a project opportunity?
True or false: Professional liability insurance provides protection from claims and is intended to cover liabilities, without any limitations or exclusions.
According to the text, what should architects do to reduce the risk of late payment or non-payment of invoices?
What should architects do if the documentation is not copied onto paper?
2.1.10 Architectural Services and Fees
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What should architects consider when proposing services to a client?
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The Construction Cost excludes the land cost and land development charges.
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Which one of the following is NOT one of the five sequential phases of a project according to the text?
4 / 29
According to the text, which method of compensation requires calculating all costs and making a comparison with the two other methods of compensation?
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What is the definition of Fixed Fee or Lump Sum or Stipulated Price?
6 / 29
Which document is NOT one of the Canadian standard forms of agreement between client and architect?
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What is the definition of Construction Cost according to the text?
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What are additional services according to the text?
9 / 29
What is the recommended base percentage fee for buildings that are more complex or have a lower construction cost?
10 / 29
What is one method architects can use to determine fees based on market conditions?
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What is the purpose of applying the fee to a known cost or approved estimate at the start of each project phase?
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Which costs are included in the Construction Cost of a building?
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What is the purpose of requests for proposals (RFPs) in engaging design professionals?
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The Fee is the amount of compensation paid to the architect for the provision of specific services, including reimbursable expenses or disbursements.
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According to the text, what type of agreement should architects in British Columbia use?
16 / 29
What is the range of Maintenance & Energy costs for a building?
17 / 29
What is the purpose of a fixed fee in architectural services?
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What is the definition of Service?
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What is the definition of Percentage Fee according?
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When should architects consider not responding to the RFP?
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Architects should always use customized stand-alone agreements developed for the specific use of their own architectural practice.
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The Construction Cost includes the compensation of the Architect and the Consultants.
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The Canadian standard forms of agreement between the client and the architect are not accepted nationally.
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What is the definition of Fee?
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What should architects do to identify the required services for a project?
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What is the definition of Per Diem?
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What should architects NOT use for their own architectural practice?
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What type of agreement should architects use in British Columbia?
The average score is 67%
2.1.10 Appendix - The Architect as Expert Witness
According to the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects, what should an architect do if it is not possible to state an opinion due to insufficient information?
According to the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects, what should an architect do if they are unable to state a final opinion?
What should an architect do with test results according to the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects?
True or false: Test results should be held safely under an architect's control until appropriate clearance or permission for destruction is given.
According to the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects, what should an architect do with test results?
True or false: Evidence that may become official evidence should be marked and/or tagged with information about where, when, and under which circumstances it was taken.
According to the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects, what should an architect do if they are unsure about stating an opinion?
What should be done to identify evidence according to the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects?
According to the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects, what should an architect do with material that may become official evidence?
According to the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects, what should an architect do if they are unsure about the preservation of evidence?
What should an architect do if they are unsure about the retention of evidence?
True or false: It is important for an architect to hold data and material that may become official evidence under their control until it is required to be produced.
What should an architect do if they are unable to state a final opinion?
According to the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects, what should an architect do with calculations that are not included in the report?
According to the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects, what is important when it comes to preserving evidence that may become official evidence in a hearing or court procedure?
True or false: According to the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects, an architect should clearly state if no final opinion was reached and provide the reasons why.
What should an architect do if they are unsure about stating an opinion?
True or false: Calculations that are not included in the report should be retained until appropriate clearance or permission for destruction is given.
The average score is 86%