About Forward.
What
is Forward?
Forward is a simple-to-use document sharing and project information management application created specifically for construction industry professionals, their clients and project teams.
We know there are plenty of file sharing and project management applications out there, but none of them are designed to fit the specific needs of our industry and the way our projects typically develop.
Forward allows you to create and share a new project in seconds, and builds a single, trusted source of project information throughout your RIBA Plan of Work stages which can be accessed by you or your team anywhere, anytime they need it.
Why
was Forward created?
According to the RIBA, the vast majority of UK Chartered Architects practices are teams of less than 10 people. But…
We know that creating great buildings doesn’t just need great architects - it needs a great TEAM outside the studio walls. And each project needs a slightly different team of consultants, specialists and contractors.
And of course, a great project needs its own great CLIENT who is engaged, in the loop and on the same page as you and your team.
Forward was created to make the process of designing and making great buildings simpler, more enjoyable and more profitable, particularly for the vast majority of project teams who are small firms lacking their own IT department or software engineer on hand to create and maintain a bespoke solution.
When
will Forward Launch?
Our web-based application is currently being built and will be available for free trial use from Autumn 2025.
We think it’s going to quickly become as essential as your email or CAD software, and we already have plans to create an iOS and Android mobile application to make on-the-go and client access even better than our web-based app can offer.
Where
does Forward Store my Projects?
Forward uses ultra-secure Amazon Web Service (AWS) Cloud Computing servers for storing your projects.
Original copies of all your drawings and documents stay where you currently keep them, but we provide an easily accessible cloud sharing platform that is always there when your team need it.
We don’t pretend to be a substitute for email, voice / video calls or in person meetings - we believe in talking, meeting and collaboration by whatever means works for you, but we do think we can create a much better way of providing everyone access to the things they need to get their job done efficiently.
How
much does Forward cost?
We want to make Forward affordable and accessible to as many people who need it as possible. To keep subscription prices as low as possible, we need as many subscribers as possible.
We offer a 3 month no-obligation trial period, with an annual subscription per user account following the trial period.
Forward is, and will always be FREE for your clients, but a subscription account is needed to upload drawings and documents, or to act as Project Lead. Project Leads can change during a project and have control over the project work stages, dashboard, team members access and can request approvals from other team members. Our Billing page provides more information.
Who
created Forward and who is it designed for?
Forward is designed by Jim Hicks RIBA, a practicing architect in the UK with over twenty-years experience working in the construction industry, collaborating with hundreds of co-professionals, clients and contractors.
Forward exists to make the management of design information simpler for everyone involved in construction projects.
Forward saves architects, consultants and designers time by cutting out manual project team information sharing, and building a single, trusted source for all critical project information.
Built around customisable RIBA Plan of Work stages, projects can be created and shared quickly, providing the right people with the right information at the right time.
The collaborative ethos of the platform supports new regulatory duties around co-operation and information sharing introduced in the Building Safety Act.