The client mentioned above assumed that the combined input of his architect and other consultants would more than adequately address any issues that might arise during the design stage of the project. However, even the most commercially astute architect can often be blind to alternatives and more financially responsible solutions to design issues.
Also, and with the best will in the world, project participants cannot objectively assess their own performance or independently manage the activities of other members of the same project team.

Meet the Client’s Representative, who, although sympathetic to the objectives of the various individual project stakeholders, will first and foremost protect the client’s interests – free from any potential conflicts – and perform an independent co-ordination role to ensure that all members of the project team are working towards a common goal.
Such an individual, or organization, needs to be totally comfortable with the language and vocabulary of design, and be capable of leading the creative process, but also needs to be completely at home in a construction environment. In addition, the Client’s Representative should be able to ‘translate’ the objectives of the design team to the
contractors, and vice versa, whilst mediating any conflicts that might occur between the two sides.
The Client’s Representative should maintain an independent overview of the detailed design development process and ensure that the project does not deviate from the client’s vision. He (or she) should provide creative and strategic input throughout the project process – whilst maintaining an appropriate degree of detachment – and integrate the
works of the various specialist consultants, which does not ordinarily happen, un-aided, by itself.
Some benefits of appointing an “Client’s Representative.”
The early appointment of a Client’s Representative has a number of major benefits:

• Efficient management of pre-construction will save you time and money.
• The value engineering process and the allocation of the project budget in the most effective way will be coordinated by an unbiased and experienced professional.
• Any necessary additional specialist consultants that should be brought onto the project team will be identified and appointed in a timely manner, thereby minimizing costly “afterthoughts”.
• The burden of the project development and delivery process can be removed from the client’s shoulders – thereby enabling the client to pursue other opportunities.
• And, most importantly, potentially expensive mistakes can be avoided.