Part one
The construction industry, its clients and the government are working together to improve UK construction performance, under the banner Constructing Excellence.
 
In July 1998, the DTI's Rethinking Construction task force produced its influential report, known as both the Egan Report and Rethinking Construction. Read the executive summary (insert link)
 
The RIBA responded by setting up a Constructive Change committee, headed by Sunand Prasad, and producing proposals for action.
 
A year later Architects and the Changing Construction Industry (insert link) was sent to all members, explaining how the industry can change for the better, and how the RIBA can contribute to that change.
 
In addition, the group organised a conference on design quality leading to the publication of a book, Designing Better Buidings, edited by Sebastian Macmillan. The group also put together a touring exhibition entitled Do It Differently which highlighted some of the best M4I pilot projects.
 
Part two
Early in 2005 the RIBA commissioned a strategic study of the future of the architectural profession, and the RIBA's role in that future.
 
The study, under the auspices of the RIBA Constructive Change Group, was undertaken by Bob White, Chief Executive of MACE (now Chief Executive of Constructing Excellence) and Beth Morgan of MACE. It took the form of a series of workshops involving many of the most senior figures in the construction industry, the last workshop being RIBA Council itself. As such, the report details the perceptions of those within the profession and in the wider industry, rather than any RIBA policy position.
 
The executive summary and full report are available below, along with the RIBA response to the issues raised, which outlines the work that the various areas of the RIBA plan to undertake to meet the challenges presented in the report.