Project Development & Documentation (PDD) focuses on the integration and documentation of building systems, material selection, and material assemblies into a project. You should be able to demonstrate an understanding of and abilities in integration of civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and specialty systems into overall project design and documentation. 

Project Development & Documentation Details:

  • Number of items: 100
  • Test duration: 4 hr 5 min
  • Allowed break time: 45 min
  • Total appointment time: 5 hr

Preparing for Project Development & Documentation? You can find more details, sample questions, and suggested references in our ARE 5.0 Handbook, and test prep video series.

PDD includes sections on the following content areas: 

  • Integration of Building Materials & Systems 
    • Analyze the integration of architectural systems and technologies to meet project goals 
    • Determine the size of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and components to meet project goals 
    • Determine the size of structural systems to meet project goals 
    • Integrate specialty systems such as acoustics, lighting, fire suppression, conveying, security, and communications to meet project goals 
    • Determine how to detail the integration of multiple building systems and technologies 
    • Coordinate mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, and specialty systems and technologies
       
  • Construction Documentation 
    • Determine appropriate documentation of building design 
    • Determine appropriate documentation of site features 
    • Determine appropriate documentation of detailed building drawings within individual architectural systems 
    • Apply standards required to assemble a set of clear and coordinated construction documentation 
    • Determine impact of project changes on documentation requirements and methods to communicate those changes to owner and design team
       
  • Project Manual & Specifications 
    • Identify and prioritize components required to write, maintain, and refine project manual 
    • Identify and prioritize components required to write, maintain, and refine project specifications 
    • Coordinate specifications with construction documentation
       
  • Codes & Regulations 
    • Determine adherence to building regulatory requirements (IBC) at detail level 
    • Determine adherence with specialty regulatory requirements at the detail level 
       
  • Construction Cost Estimates 
    • Analyze construction cost estimates to confirm alignment with project design