Engage Early and Define Roles Clearly Effective collaboration begins at the very start of a project. Architects, engineers, and MEP consultants should be involved from the conceptual phase, sharing their ideas, concerns, and visions. Early engagement allows all parties to align their goals, understand each other’s constraints, and lay the groundwork for an integrated design process. It’s also crucial that everyone has a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities—architects should appreciate the technical requirements of MEP systems, while MEP consultants and engineers should respect the overall design vision.