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OAA Council is pleased to announce the Ontario Association of Architects Practice Consultation Service, launched on July 2, 2003.
The Practice Consultation Service is a key component of The OAA Professional Excellence Program. This comprehensive program, which replaces a voluntary review program, was created by the Council of the OAA as a means of helping architects maintain competence and currency, enabling the profession to retain the confidence of the public and government. The program is mandatory under Section 52 of Regulation 27 under the Architects Act.
The OAA Practice Consultation Service (PCS) is designed to support Ontario's architects by:
- Encouraging and supporting the use of 'good practices'
- Helping practices manage risk, and minimize the potential of claims against the practice
- Ensuring that all Ontario practices meet the standards that the OAA sets for the profession
Through this service the OAA is positioning individual practices and the profession as a whole to continue to provide the high standard of services that their clients expect and deserve, and to produce quality architectural design.
The OAA Practice Consultation Service Consists of Three Components:
The first is a self-assessment by the practice. The practice completes the Practice Self-Assessment Rating Form (PSARF), and carefully reviews the results. This Web-based tool helps the practice evaluate strengths and areas for improvement. It also provides immediate feedback with suggestions for resources that will help the practice begin to implement improvements immediately. The response to this tool was so positive during the field testing phase of the program, that members asked that it be made available for voluntary and periodic use by practices. Members are encouraged to access it at any time.
The second component of the OAA Practice Consultation Service is the On-Site Consultation, which consists of two parts. The Document Review by an OAA Practice Consultant which entails review of specific documents in the project files and the drawings and specifications for three selected projects. A standard guide is used to ensure consistency. The Practice Consultant then conducts a Structured Interview with the principal(s) of the practice, and others who may be responsible for the three projects. The interview consists of a specific set of standard questions.
The third component of the OAA Practice Consultation Service is the final report, Observations and Recommendations.
Key areas of the practice are reviewed with respect to professional standards and good practice. The Practice Consultant will identify opportunities for improvement, and provide specific advice to assist the practice in implementing change.
Where a practice is found to be in contravention of the Architects Act, or Regulation 27, the principal(s) will be advised of the nature of the alleged contravention by the Practice Consultant who will follow-up with the practice within 12 months of the original consultation date to confirm that corrective measures have been made. Practices that fail to implement the corrective measures in a timely manner will be referred, in writing, to the Executive Director and Practice Review Committee for consideration of further action.
Practices, which are found to be performing in a manner that exposes the practice to liability claims will be advised by the Practice Consultant, of the liability issues and a follow-up with the practice will be undertaken.
Practices will be selected to participate in the PCS randomly from the OAA' s membership database and grouped according to geography. In addition, the PCS is available to individual practices that volunteer to participate in the PCS. As well, new practices will be subject to the PCS in the 12 months following their inception.
As well, the OAA Complaints Committee may recommend to the Practice Review Committee that a practice should be subject to a review as a result of the investigation into a complaint, and a Discipline Tribunal can impose a PCS review on a practice as part of their decision and order. The Tribunal has the authority to request a copy of the results of that review.
Practices that refuse to comply with the Practice Consultation process will be referred, by the Practice Consultant, to the Practice Review Committee for consideration of further action. Failure to cooperate with the Practice Consultation Service may constitute "Professional Misconduct", under Section 42. Paragraph (28.2) of Regulation 27 under the Architects Act.
All information collected by the Practice Consultant through the Practice Consultation will be kept strictly confidential except where the practice may be in contravention of the Architects Act or Regulation 27 or where a practice is participating in the PCS as a result of a decision and order of the Discipline Committee.
The OAA Practice Consultation Service addresses the expectation of government and the public that a self-regulating profession has measures in place to ensure that practices meet the standards set by the profession. However, this new service goes well beyond that by supporting Ontario's architects in building strong, successful practices.
Questions regarding the Practice Consultation Service should be directed to OAA Practice Consultant, Richard Wilson at richardw@oaa.on.ca or 416-449-6898, 1-800-565-2724.
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