The construction planning process
The construction planning process is stimulated through a study of project documents. These documents include-but are not limited to-the available technical and commercial studies and investigations, designs and drawings, estimate of quantities, construction method statements, project planning data, contract documents, site conditions, working regulations, market survey, local resources, project environment and the client’s organization. The planning process takes into account the strengths and weaknesses of the organization. The planning process takes into account the strengths and weakness of the organization as well as the anticipated opportunities and risks.
Planning follows a systematic approach, Various planning techniques are employed to systematize and transform the mental thought process into a concrete project plan. Generally, the following steps are involved in planning for a project:
a. Define the scope of work to be performed.
b. Identifying the activities involved, and assessing the approximate quantities of physical resources needed activity-wise.
c. Preparing the logic or network diagram(s) to establish a relationship among activities, and integrating these diagram(s) to develop the project network or model.
d. Analyzing the project network or model to determine project duration, and identifying critical and non-critical activities.
e. Exploring trade-off between time and cost to arrive at the optimal time and costs for completing the project.
f. Exploring work options within specified time and resources constraints, and deciding on the project work schedule.
g. Establishing standards for planning and controlling men, materials, equipment, costs and income of each work package.
h. Forecasting input resources, production costs and the value of the work done.
i. Assigning physical resources like men, materials and equipment activity-wise, and allocating these to the organizational units earmarked for execution.
j. Forecasting the project budget and budget allocations for achieving targets assigned to each organizational unit.
k. Designing a control system for the organization.
l. Developing the resources, time and cost control methodology.
m. Evolving an information communication system.
n. Computerizing the planning and control system.
