21 Sep 2023
Construction is the process of building materials, facilities and infrastructure. As construction involves a long-term complicated and challenging process, it is necessary to work on a building project. That means, the construction manager must create a well-thought-out plan before beginning this task. Material requirements, construction procedures, and legal requirements of the project are all determined at the planning stage.
We can’t deny that one of the most important aspects of a construction project is the planning stage. Without a sound plan, the likelihood that the project will succeed is also impacted. As a result, the planning team for the construction project needs the appropriate tools, among which is construction ERP software. Some building planning tasks can be automated using construction management software. With it, the construction team may create building plans that are more effective and based on more precise data.
Also read: What is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)?
Table of content
- What is Construction Planning?
- Engage in Collaborative Construction Planning
- Prioritise Risk Management
- Implement Lean Construction Principles
- Embrace Technology and Software Solutions
- Embrace Technology and Software Solutions
- Continuously Monitor and Adjust
What is Construction Planning?
Construction planning is the first step of the whole process. This is a challenging and fundamental activity in the management and execution of the construction project. The project manager creates a plan that overviews the construction project from start to finish.
The goal of this step is to ensure that the project owner and builder meet the standards for cost, time, quality, and safety. Field analysis is typically the first step in construction planning so that the project manager may assess the circumstances of the site. With this knowledge, the project manager can develop a construction master plan that specifies the project’s timeline, organisation, monitoring, and control.
Below are 5 tips that can help you leverage your construction planning process.
Engage in Collaborative Construction Planning
Construction projects involve multiple stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and clients. Collaborative planning ensures that everyone’s perspective is considered, leading to a more comprehensive and effective plan. Make sure that your plan is adherent to the SMART criteria which are the requirements that you must satisfy in the plan.
- Specific: Establish clear goals for your project, such as deadlines for significant milestones.
- Measurable: Decide how you will define success as the goal. For instance, is it enough to have begun laying concrete by the deadline, or should it be entirely set by then?
- Attainable: You must have a strategy in place for achieving this objective. Does your project, for instance, depend on particular materials that might not be accessible at the time or in the required quantities? If so, you need to make modifications.
- Realistic: Your objectives should line up with your construction management skills. You are setting yourself up for failure, for instance, if your project calls for finishing electrical work in three months, but you haven’t done it in less than six months for a project of this size.
- Timely: Set a deadline by which you may realistically expect to accomplish this goal.
Prioritise Risk Management
There are hazards associated with every construction project, whether they be operational, financial, or environmental. Proactive planning can assist in identifying and minimising hazards in advance rather than responding to them as they happen. Reduce the risks by using ERP or any risk assessment tools, doing in-depth site surveys, and holding brainstorming sessions with your team. By foreseeing potential roadblocks, you may create solutions to get around them, ensuring the project stays on course.
Implement Lean Construction Principles
Lean building emphasises maximising value and reducing waste. You may simplify your planning process and make sure that each stage advances the project by implementing lean concepts. Continuous process improvement, resource optimisation, and process elimination are all part of this. The outcome is a project execution that is quicker, cheaper, and more effective.
Embrace Technology and Software Solutions
The digital age has brought a plethora of tools that can revolutionise the way we plan construction projects. These tools offer real-time insights, collaboration features, and predictive analytics. By integrating technology into your planning process, you can visualise potential challenges, streamline workflows, and ensure all stakeholders are on the same page. To bring in the table efficient planning, construction managers can benefit from Synergix Technologies’ Construction ERP Software.
Continuously Monitor and Adjust
No matter how perfect a plan might seem at the outset, the dynamic nature of construction projects means that adjustments will be necessary. Regular monitoring (as said, with an ERP system) allows for real-time feedback, helping you identify any deviations from the plan early on. This proactive approach ensures that you can make timely adjustments, keeping the project on track and within budget.
So, begin with having a meeting with your crew to discuss how you performed. Make notes as you ponder ways you could have done things better. It’s crucial to do the close-out tasks since they help influence how you approach the following project by providing information and data from this one. Before you write a final report that you give to the project’s key stakeholders, create the project’s final budget and contrast it with the preliminary budget.
Conclusion
Perfecting your construction planning process is an ongoing endeavour. By embracing cutting-edge softwares, prioritising risk management, fostering collaboration, implementing lean principles, and continuously monitoring your progress, you can ensure that your projects are executed seamlessly, meeting both time and budget constraints. Remember, a well-planned project is half the battle won!
