The middle-size and large construction projects require exceptional accuracy from contractors. It is impossible to progress well without a precise plan. That is why construction planning takes place. This way contractors are able to control all the stages of building and organize the pre-construction and post-construction phases.
One of the hot-topic trends in the present-day building sector is digitization. When most processes are automated, it is easy to undertake each step one by one. For the procurement processes and accurate costing & estimating, building estimator software and similar digital tools are used.
Additionally, it is important to pick sides with all the essential stages of construction planning and explore techniques to achieve all your business goals risk-free. Let’s take a closer look at all the hacks and tips to plan your workflows and manage them efficiently.
7 Construction Planning Stages Contractors Should Know
This is some kind of algorithm for your building process. Try to undertake each step with maximal accuracy and care not to miss any detail. Start with the key components of your construction project to realize the goals, resources you need, and other arrangements to get ready with.
1 – Outline All the Main Constituents Your Project Should Obtain
The identification of all the core components of your construction project is your basic need. Overview the similar completed orders and find the best-matching strategy to go forward. Find the single direction to announce to your team members. All your stakeholders should understand the main goals to reach and the tools, competence, and resources they need.
2 – Draw Up the Activity Sequencing
Your first version of the construction plan is some kind of a mundane task to complete. Draw up the list of steps to undertake for starting the pre-construction phase (estimates and costing) and finishing with the post-construction preparations (putting the object into operation, getting revenues, etc.).
3 – Identify the Project Duration
The starting point of your successful timing and scheduling is underlining the project duration. That is why you need to discuss this aspect with your teammates first. But be sure that your client will be satisfied with the time frames you are ready to offer. The success of your bidding performance will depend on your quality-speed ratio.
4 – Undertake Your Resource Planning
You should understand what equipment, materials, and labor resources you need to complete this construction project. This way you will be able to assess the best-matching budget and estimate your revenues correctly. This is your starting point for accurate costing and estimating experience.
5 – Start Scheduling and Budget Planning
Here, you need to draw up the timing plan for your project and the first version of your budget plan. Start to procure your activities before executing any planning and building tasks. Your task is to compare the list of required resources with the budgeting background you have for now. Explore your profit margins and undertake optimizations if you are not pleased with the expected revenues.
6 – Identify the Permissions for Construction
All your construction activities should meet your local laws and municipal codes. It is recommended to manage your tech documentation at this stage not to miss a thing and add extra costs for additional permits, certificates, licenses, and so on.
7 – Pick Sides with Your Project Team
It is necessary to approve your team members at this stage to understand labor costs. Remember that this is your essential budget item to take into consideration together with other costing insights like:
- Purchase of equipment and tools for on-site processes;
- Subscriptions, implementation of software, and rentals;
- Permits, licensing, onboarding costs;
- Supply costs for building materials, etc.
Take into account that the attraction of competent subcontractors can speed up your construction. That is why ask your managers and HR specialists to find experienced and qualified experts to cover some on-site tasks.
Some Efficient Techniques for Your Construction Planning
There are many approaches to use for effective construction planning. Some of them are CPM (critical path method), PERT (program evaluation & review technique), LOB (line of balance), and Q (queue) scheduling. Additionally, you can try GANTT Chart with estimating stakeholders’ levels of dependency in the context of project processes or resource-oriented scheduling where required services, materials, and humans are the top priority of your planning.
Explore all the available techniques to combine several or choose a single one for your business goals. Note that there are apps and various digital tools where these approaches are presented for your convenience. It means that construction planning can be partly automated through in-built algorithms and models in software you select for estimating, scheduling, timing, costing, and other purposes.