BuildRevu blog
Shop Drawing Review Process Explained
A practical shop drawing workflow covering the agreed register, technical checks, coordinated review, decision codes and resubmission.
Shop drawings translate design intent into information used for fabrication and installation. A controlled review checks coordination and compliance without transferring the contractor’s responsibility for dimensions, methods or means.
1. Agree the drawing register
Before submissions begin, list the required shop drawings by discipline, package, building and zone. Record the producing organisation, target submission date and review route. The register exposes missing deliverables before they delay procurement or work.
2. Complete the contractor’s checks
The contractor and relevant subcontractor should verify dimensions, interfaces, materials, access, builder’s work and coordination before submission. Include the reviewable PDF and any required native DWG or IFC file, together with references to approved materials and method statements.
3. Validate the submission
Document control checks the number, title, revision, file naming, required formats and references. Rejecting an incomplete package at this gate is faster than sending it through a technical review that cannot conclude.
4. Coordinate technical opinions
Architectural, structural, MEP and specialist reviewers may need to comment. Keep every markup on the submitted revision. Technical comments are opinions; the authorised manager issues the formal decision.
5. Record the decision
Use the project’s agreed status codes consistently. Under an A/B/C/D workflow, A is approved, B approved with comments, C revise and resubmit and D rejected. Require a useful comment for any restricted or rejected outcome.
6. Resubmit in sequence
A returned drawing moves to the next revision only after the current decision is recorded. The new submission should identify how comments were addressed. Preserve earlier files, markups and decisions for audit.
Review checklist
- Matches design drawings and specification.
- Coordinates interfaces, tolerances and access.
- Uses approved materials and equipment.
- Shows dimensions, levels, details and references.
- Includes required calculations or model.
- Resolves previous comments.
- Carries correct number, title and revision.
BuildRevu combines the approved drawing register, sequential revisions, browser redlines, reviewer comments and team-manager decisions in one history.
Try the shop drawing workflow or review shop drawing management software.