Construction project planning is the initial and most important phase of project management. Planning comprises defining objectives of the project, sequence of works, construction methods, planning of resources, preparing estimation, and durations for various activities to bring about the satisfactory completion of project.
The documents for construction planning consist of designs and drawings, quantity estimates, construction methods to be adopted, contract documents, site conditions, market survey, local resources, undertaking environment and the client’s requirements.
Project planning provides direction and standards of performance. It also helps to know about the risks and opportunities coming ahead. In this phase, a plan is made and strategies are set by considering the company’s rules, procedure and policies.
Objectives of a project must be provided very clearly because these are essential for the completion of project with in the time. The objectives of project planning are not independent. They are interrelated with each other either directly or indirectly. The objectives must follow the rule “SMART”. Here each letter implies certain quality of an objective and those are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Tangible.
Following are the objectives of building project planning.
The construction project planning must identify and include every activity of the project in a sequential order. Every activity must be scheduled in a timeline for tracking of construction project.
Plans must include construction approaches to be adopted for different construction activities and instruments and planning for instruments and tackles for each activity so that they can be made available whenever required.
Cost of a construction varies greatly with the use of construction equipments and heavy machinery as their renting cost could be very high per day. undertaking should be planned in such a way that the use of these machinery can be made to maximum during the given period to make it cost effective. So, planning and scheduling for such equipments and machinery should be done in advance so that undertaking activities goes on smoothly without keeping these equipments in waiting.
Project planning should also include procurement planning for materials. It is not advisable to keep the material unused for site for long time. So, proper planning of material procurement also helps to complete the project within budget. This can degrade the material as well as much of the cost is spent on such materials.
Some of the construction activities requires availability of skilled person to execute that work. It is not necessary to employ such person throughout the undertaking, so proper planning of such work can reduce the cost of operation for that activity.
Construction projects are executed based on the drawings and specifications. Thus construction project planning should also include the schedules of drawings, specifications and other documents to be made available at site for review and execution without delaying the project. It is necessary to track and make available these drawings at site on time so that the construction activities are not stopped.
Financial planning of construction is the most crucial aspects. Different amounts are needed at different stages of construction undertaking. Proper planning of funds for construction helps the undertaking proceed smoothly. There is no point in investing all the budgeted amount on the construction undertaking during start of the undertaking. This can be done in phases as and when needed.