Construction encompasses all activities from the initial planning to the final delivery of a physical asset. The assets can be buildings, infrastructure or industrial facilities. Click the Alpha Elite Contracting LLC to know more.
Construction outputs are considered investment-goods and thus rely on derived demand (Ofori, 1984). The construction industry often experiences wider movements of business cycle than other industries.
A building is a large structure constructed from brick, stone or other materials. A building may be used for living, working or playing, or it can be a place where goods and services are provided. The construction of a building requires a lot of work and effort. It is important to follow all the right steps to ensure safety and quality. The design of a building is also very important.
The process of designing a facility involves making multiple, often conflicting choices. It is necessary to rationalise the different requirements of aesthetics, the project brief, budget, construction methods, structures, regulations and other factors. The design process must also consider the use of principles such as balance, movement, emphasis, contrast and space.
Innovation in facility designs has become highly valued, not so much for its own sake but because it can improve the comfort and convenience of occupants as well as reduce costs by allowing less costly ways to achieve similar results. Ideally, these innovations should be introduced during the planning stage of a project. This would allow the designers to review and assess the impact of their ideas on the cost of the construction as well as on construction schedules.
The choice of construction methods and technology is another key decision in a project. This decision is usually made in concert with the design process and should take into account the economic viability of the various alternatives as well as the construction time and labor productivity implications. Alternatively, the decision to use prefabricated components may be made during the design phase in order to expedite construction.
One of the most important aspects of a good design is constructability, which relates to how easily and quickly a particular facility can be built. This is especially true of buildings. A major issue is that a building must be able to support the loads placed on it. In addition, it must be able to resist fire and earthquakes. This can be difficult to achieve using conventional materials. Increasingly, new construction materials are emerging which increase the strength and durability of a building or improve its insulating properties.
It is essential to visit the site of a construction project before starting the actual work. This will help the construction manager verify that all required facilities are available on site or nearby, and that there are no constraints such as water or electricity supply. It will also provide an opportunity to examine the site’s ability to withstand construction activities. A visit to the site can also help in preparing bid packages, especially for projects which will require special construction technologies or involve hazardous waste disposal operations. It is particularly important to evaluate the presence of existing facilities which could interfere with construction or pose other environmental risks.
Planning
Construction is a complex and demanding profession that requires careful planning and execution. The process of creating a work breakdown structure, project schedule, and budget planning is an essential part of construction management. It is a vital step in reducing waste and optimizing resources. It also enables the project to meet its deadlines, which is crucial for construction projects that are under contract.
It is also important to have a plan for procurement and estimating. This will ensure that the project has all of the required materials, tools, and equipment when it needs them. This will prevent delays in completion and costly overruns. Additionally, it will ensure that all on-site and office workers are working in tandem with a common goal.
A comprehensive planning process includes the generation of activities, analysis of the implication of these activities on other tasks, and selection among the generated activities. It may include an activity coding system to identify the individual tasks. This allows the project manager to easily reference a specific task and reduces the need for verbal descriptions of tasks in records. However, the use of a coding system can introduce additional complexity and inconsistency to the record-keeping and communication processes of an organization.
During the planning phase, the project manager must take into account all the potential risks and costs that could arise. This will help the project manager determine the required resources and prepare a risk-averse schedule. It will also help the project manager to identify potential issues that require immediate attention and action. In addition, the project manager must also consider the impact of any change orders on the overall schedule and budget.
Once the project is outlined and planned, the project team members must set goals to achieve the desired outcome. This is done by identifying the key steps to be taken and assigning responsibilities to all team members. Throughout this process, the project manager must constantly review the progress and performance of each team member to ensure that the project is meeting its milestones.
The strategic planning process is the heart of a construction firm. It is the process of determining the company’s direction and identifying external and internal factors that can affect it. The planning process includes market research, competitive analysis, and a strategic roadmap to success. It also consists of evaluating and measuring systems to determine which ones are effective, which need to be standardised, and which should be modified. This will improve the company’s bottom line and provide a sustainable competitive advantage. It will also increase client satisfaction and retention. This is a crucial step in growing a construction business. Moreover, it will ensure that all on-site team members are working in tandem to deliver the best possible results to clients.
Preconstruction
The preconstruction phase is a crucial part of any construction project. It lays the foundation for the rest of the work and helps ensure that the project runs smoothly, on schedule, and within budget. During this stage, stakeholders set expectations and plan the scope of the work. This is an important step because it helps reduce conflicts and disagreements during the construction process. It also allows the team to prepare for any obstacles that may arise.
In the preconstruction phase, a team of architects, engineers, and contractors collaborate to develop a detailed schedule for the entire project. This includes a breakdown of the expected timeframe for each task, and it helps the client understand the timeline. This also gives them a clear idea of what to expect throughout the process and what costs might be involved.
During this stage, a team will also identify the necessary materials for the project. They will pay special attention to materials that are in high demand and might have a long wait time. This is because if the materials are not available on time, they could delay the whole project. A team will then start to purchase the needed materials and plan their delivery dates accordingly.
Another aspect of preconstruction is establishing the project budget and reviewing existing plans to verify feasibility. This will help the team identify potential issues and develop cost-saving solutions. It will also provide a clearer picture of what the project is going to look like, allowing the team to determine how much manpower and resources are required to finish it on time.
It is important to note that the budget will be subject to change throughout the course of construction, but it will serve as a guide for how much the project should cost from the beginning. During this phase, a team will review the project plans and specifications to ensure that it is in compliance with all local laws and regulations. They will also conduct site surveys and geotechnical investigations to determine if there are any issues with the soil or underground utilities.
Finally, a construction company will submit bid packages to contractors who specialize in the type of building being constructed. This will help them determine what their capabilities are and which subcontractors they are best suited to work with. They will also identify and acquire the necessary permits for the project.
The more detailed a plan is during the preconstruction phase, the less likely it will be to have significant changes or delays. This is because the team can make sure that everyone is on the same page and has a clear understanding of what needs to be done. This will save valuable time and money, as well as prevent any surprises down the road.