Construction projects choreograph the interplay of resources, complex scheduling, ample manpower and strict deadlines. Poor construction project planning could result in loss of time, money and or other resources; and it creates the risk of adverse events including personal injury, loss of future contracts or legal action. Construction managers and planners must meticulously plan every aspect of a construction project to minimize associated risks.
This article explores some industry standards and best practices for designing construction plans.
Critical Path Method
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) defines the critical path method (CPM) as “a step-by-step project management technique for planning that defines critical and non-critical tasks with the goal of preventing delays to a project.” The CPM is a widely-used framework for analyzing various tasks in multifaceted projects and developing a hierarchy to combat confusion, miscommunication, and problems. CPM uses mathematical analysis and logical principles to ensure efficient project planning and execution. CPM includes a few top-level components:
- Schedule: An overall global schedule, which contains the overarching parameters or goals of the project, and a granular schedule, which specifies the order in which each task should be completed.
- Resources: According to the Project Management Institute, resources include equipment, monetary funding, employees and their skill sets, technology and raw materials, to name a few. Resources are generally only available in finite quantities, and they may be restricted by time or other hindrances on availability so they must be closely managed.
- Construction plans must be subjected to external review to mitigate the risk of error. Strict guidelines and requirements are created to ensure thorough reviews.
Strategic Planning
Strategic planning refers to the preliminary process of accounting for the most important goals and creating an overarching framework so the planning team can later contextualize all milestones. Without a master plan to provide a clear overview of the project’s scope and goals, it is very difficult to efficiently plan each step required to make the project a success.
Operational Planning
After establishing the framework, a planning team can begin adding details of the various components and subordinate goals required to complete the project plan. Operational planning accounts for all the details of a project including parsing budgets, accounting for personnel and manpower, creating detailed schedules, compiling documentation, and securing licenses or permits.
Scheduling
Fixing all activities or tasks within a precise, time-oriented framework is critical for meeting deadlines and keeping the project on track. The following elements, derived from FDOT CPM training materials, are included in scheduling schemas of varying types:
- Baseline schedule: The original schedule received with, or developed as part of, the initial project documentation.
- Relationships: Parameters that dictate how different project elements or tasks can be arranged in conjunction with each other on the project schedule. For instance, a “start to start” relationship between “task A” and “task B” allows one task to begin before the other is completed because it’s possible to work on both simultaneously. However, a “start to finish” relationship dictates that “task B” can’t start until “task A” is completed. Identifying task relationships helps avoid starting a task too early too or late, reduces the chances of interfering with another task or rendering another task unable to be completed. Defining relationships is necessary when projects include multiple interdependent tasks.
- Float: The maximum amount of time a single task can be delayed from its originally scheduled start date before it causes the entire project to be delayed.
- Starts: A CPM schedule includes differentiating details with each schedule item. A “start” is when a task is scheduled to begin, and an “early start” denotes the earliest possible day or time that a task can begin. Conversely, a “late start” identifies the latest possible day or time a task can begin without delaying the rest of the project. These details are important to include in a CPM construction plan because, as the project progresses, unforeseen issues may cause schedule shifts. Including these types of accommodations while writing the plan makes it more dynamic and adaptable.
A CPM schedule offers an overview of some considerations that construction planners must take into account. The construction planning process is complex and requires a solid understanding of industry best practices, software, legal considerations, resource management and more. These competencies are developed within the context of a quality engineering program.
Learn More
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Additional Reading
What Is Construction Engineering? Exploring Careers, Salaries, and Educational Requirements
How Augmented and Virtual Reality Can Boost Productivity in Construction
Global Bridge Construction Designs from Around the World
Sources:
United States Department of Agriculture, Critical Path Method Applied (PDF)
Project Management Institute, Resource scheduling incorporating capacity into schedule construction