Effective construction planning is the backbone of project success. Core strategies in construction management are important to know and use. Planning requires understanding project scope, resource allocation, scheduling, budgets, and the construction’s complexity.
Here are the top strategies for construction planning to create a foundation for your next project.
Set Clear, Measurable Goals
Establish how to measure success and pinpoint the milestones you want to include throughout a project’s progress. A great place to start is scheduling, budgeting, and safety.
Collaborate In-Depth with Your Client
The client should have extensive input into your construction plan. Discuss the project with them, let them see the site, and ensure you have their full approval before proceeding. If they aren’t enthusiastic about the plan, ask the client what can be done to excite them.
Use Construction Software
Construction software is your hub for project management. Set it up in the planning phase. This way, you can sync all documents, reports, calendars, and communications. Updates, budgets, and scheduling can be monitored from here and adjusted as you go along.
Conduct Project Risk Assessments
Every project has risks. Conduct a risk assessment analysis to define the likelihood of a risk and how you intend to manage it. Discuss the financial implications of a risk and its impact on the project’s outcome.
Set Up the Right Management Team
Put in place the right project managers and team leads. Individuals should be proficient in construction management and have the right skill set for their job scope. Without the right team to execute, a plan is just a plan.
Consult with Your Team
Prepare your team by ensuring they have the resources to fulfill job expectations. Discuss with relevant stakeholders what’s required in terms of workforce and equipment. Embrace others’ input into how to perform specific tasks.
Have Realistic Project Completion Dates
Your construction milestone dates should be realistic and achievable. Unrealistic dates could mean rushed, poor-quality work and safety issues.
Be Ready to Pivot to a New Timeline
Stay on top of your construction plan upon completion. It will need to be further developed and refined as the project progresses. Delays, equipment failures, and other issues may mean you execute a plan differently than you originally intended. Be open to that.
Pack In Some Extra Budget
Only spend part of your budget. Make sure 10-15% of your budget is set aside for emergencies or for later use in your project. With so many moving pieces, unexpected expenses can come up. Have your budget ready to react.
Establish a Communication Plan
Communication flow matters. Have a contact list with relevant emails or preferred contact methods for all stakeholders. Articulate clearly when communication is planned and what to expect, such as a specific report, progress update, etc.
Define Quality Control Methods
Strict monitoring and quality control checks on a project will tell you whether the required work has been completed. There is no way around quality control on construction projects. They provide peace of mind to you and all stakeholders that a building is built safely and to code.
Set Up Regular Project Reviews
Schedule regular project reviews and meetings so that updates can be provided and issues can be identified promptly. Any problems on site should be resolved promptly.
Automate Reports, Updates, and Admin Actions
Administrative tasks on construction projects can be automated. Set up the systems in advance to automate data analysis and generate the reports or updates required to pass along to other project stakeholders.
Use Accounting Software to Monitor Budgets
Scheduling can be managed in any project management software. Budgeting requires accounting software. Monitor what you spend and how. Automate invoices, cash flow, accounts payable and receivable, and more. Set up the project manager to always know the money circulated through and around a project.
Set Up Data Collection Methods
Modern construction work is data-driven. Find a way to collect data manually and automatically. Schedule the methods and processes you want to use to capture data. Then, it is stored in construction management software and cloud computing service accounts.
Keep Track of Legal Requirements
Regulations and legal requirements for construction projects are constantly challenged, evolved, or outright changed. As an industry in perpetual motion, it’s important to understand what legal requirements a construction plan must meet to move forward.
Also Read: BIM for Small Construction Firms: Benefits and Implementation
