What should a design group do if they must drop a consortium member during fee negotiations?

In a scenario where a design group must drop a consortium member during fee negotiations, the best course of action is to declare the change to the owner. Transparency is essential in maintaining trust and integrity in professional relationships.

By informing the owner about the change in the consortium member, the design group demonstrates accountability and ensures that the owner is fully aware of the team's composition and qualifications. This act of transparency helps prevent potential misunderstandings or ethical issues that could arise if the owner later discovers the change without prior notice.

Proceeding without declaring the change undermines the foundational principles of engineering ethics, which emphasize honesty and openness in all professional interactions. Therefore, acknowledging the modification fosters a collaborative and ethical working environment.