The CIC Scope of Services comprises lists of tasks which are to be undertaken by all members of the project team. From these lists, parties can draw up schedules of services for the appointment of consultants, specialists and contractors by allocating the tasks to whoever is to undertake them. All participants therefore know what they are to do, and what others are to do as well. Responsibilities are transparent, and the inter-dependence of the various roles is clearly demonstrated. The result is a set of services that are fully integrated across all disciplines and roles.

The CIC Services are for use on major building projects and can be used with the CIC Conditions, or with other forms of contract, and with whatever procurement route is chosen. The client can be a developer or end-user client, or a design and build contractor. The services may be undertaken by:

1. consultants (on the CIC Conditions section of the CIC Consultants' Contract);
2. specialists contributing to design; or
3. contractors (whether the procurement route is traditional or design and build).

The Services compromise fourteen Tables and the Specific Scope Schedule, together the Definitions.

The Tables set out the services (tasks) to be undertaken by all those undertaking the 'definition process'. The term 'definition' is used rather than 'design' because far more than design is involved and not all of those participating in the process undertake design. The process includes the activities of non-designers, such as Project Lead, Cost Consultancy, and Health and Safety Consultancy.

The Specific Scope Schedule provides a further level of detail, allowing the parties to allocate the primary responsibility for the definition of components. So the potential for confusion over responsibility for such things as specialist pre-cast concrete design, underground drainage, sprinkler systems or external works, should be a thing of the past as the elements and stages for which design services are required are defined.

The Definitions set out the defined terms and abbreviations used, together with the rules of interpretation.

The approach adopted is different and innovative. The parties can assemble schedules of services tailored to the needs of their particular project and the contractual relationships and responsibilities of the various participants. The result will integrated and transparent. The CIC Services are therefore the perfect tool for working in partnership.

The CIC Services Handbook is 'must read', imaginatively presented guide to understanding and using the CIC Services. To download a free copy of the Handbook, click here.

The easiest and simplest way to prepare the schedule of services for a contract is to use the DefinIT allocation software package. Purchasers of a paper copy of the CIC Services are provided with a licence code which gives a credit for one licence payment, enabling them to use the software for any number of draft documents and print the services for one concluded contract (client and one participant) on a project. Licences for additional concluded contracts can then be purchased on-line, depending upon the number of participants on the project.

The cost of each additional concluded contract (client and one participant) is £50 plus VAT.