Purpose of the Program
The AE (Architect and Engineer) Pass Rate Incentives program goal is to support A&E's by moving them up in the plan review process because they take the profession and the OnSchedule process seriously, and have earned resulting high pass rates. Conversely, those professionals who abuse the OnSchedule process will move back, until they improve.
A summary of the 2008 Proposed Commercial Plan Review Revisions is posted on meckpermit.com under "What's New." A key component of the January 15, 2008 report summary is the development of a program grading A/E's on their plan review pass/fail performance. The Department began grading contractors in 1999, and that program proved very successful in driving inspection pass rates up, improving process efficiency and lowering service cost to both customers and the Department. We believe we can achieve the same improvement in plan review.
Overview of Program
The program will categorize AE's into three major groups, Superior, Average and Poor performers. The AE Performance Level Chart outlines the incentives given to Superior performers, the services provided to Average performers, and the disincentives for Poor perfomers.
Grading:
AE grades are determined based on the pass/fail rate based on the most current 14 events in the plan review system. An event is defined as a plan review cycle. At the program start, each individual will receive 3 free passes. At the 7th event, a grade will be established. At the 15th event, the 1st event will fall off, so that the grade will be based on the most current 14.
The grades will be posted quarterly and will remain the same until the next quarter. Once posted, individuals have 10 days to appeal the grade.
Superior Performers (approval rate of 85% or higher):
All regular department service streams and programs are available to individuals and teams in this category.
In addtion to the regular department service streams and programs, teams that fall into the Superior Performing category are eligible for incentives. A few of these incentives are:
Priority Review - Priority Review allows Superior Performing teams to schedule an appointment for the 2nd review where the sealholder will be present for the review and can answer questions as they arise during the review. The Priority Review Steps document is a guide on working through the process.
Walk Thru Review via CTAC - Walk Thru Review via CTAC allows Superior Performing Teams to submit small projects through the CTAC area and wait for the plan review to be completed. The sealholders must be present for the review and the permit applicaiton must be complete. This is offered from 8:30 - 10:30 daily, first come first serve, with no more than 5 projects reviewed per day. The Walk Thru Steps document is a guide on working through the process.
Review Schedule Preference - Review Schedule Preference gives Superior Performing teams the ability to be scheduled first each day, giving them the first choice at the available times.
Average Performers (approval rate of 84%-50%)
This category consists of two types of individuals. Those who have at least 7 events in the AE Pass Rate program who have an approval rate between 84% and 50% and those who do not have at least 7 events and do not have a posted approval rate. All new individuals will be placed into this category until enough events are collected to obtain a grade.
All regular department service streams and programs are available to individuals and teams in this category.
Poor Performers (approval rate below 50%):
Poor Performers are individuals whose approval rate has fallen below 50%.
All regular department service streams and programs are available to individuals and teams in this category with the exception of Express Review, Professional Certification, 3rd Party Plan Review and Pool Reviews.
In addtion to the services above, individuals and teams in this category will be required to participate in additional programs that are designed to assist them in improving their approval rate.
A few of these programs are:
Peer Reviews prior to scheduled review - This program is under development at this time.
Advance Appendix B / Preliminary Review meeting - This program is under development at this time.
Questions?
Contact Patrick Granson, 704-432-0081, Patrick.Granson@mecklenburgcountync.gov, or Willis Horton, 704-336-4301, Willis.Horton@mecklenburgcountync.gov.
© 2008
