CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Project
A Project is defined as a temporary
endeavour undertaken to create a unique
product/service/results.
Product
The product in case of a construction
project is the constructed facility such as a
building, a bridge, a highway, a dam, a canal, a
factory etc.
Construction projects
Construction projects involve varying
manpower and their duration can range from a
few weeks to more than five years.
Each construction project is ‘unique’ and
‘temporary’ in nature and so is the management
involved.
Unique Features of a Construction Project
One time activity
A start and finish
Complexity
Involvement of several people on an adhoc basis
Limited set of resources
High cost
A time frame for completion
High risk of failure
Difficulty in defining quality standards
Sequencing of activities and phases
No practice/rehearsals
Uniqueness of people relationship
Lack of experience of client/owner
Feedback mechanism
High level of subcontracting
Uncertainty exists
PHASES OF
A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Briefing stage
Designing stage
Tendering stage
Construction stage
Commissioning stage
1. Briefing stage
• This stage is also called the ‘Report stage’.
• It is the stage where ideas originated by
individuals are studied with regard to cost and
benefits so as to establish the economic
viability/social utility of a project.
Purpose
• The purpose of the briefing stage is to enable
the client to specify project functions and
permissible costs.
Activities (Briefing stage)
• To appoint a project committee, if necessary.
• To appoint a project manager who will have a
continuing responsibility to the client through out
the construction project.
• To carry out technical and non-technical
investigation so that alternative proposals may be
given due consideration.
• To study the various alternatives and identify
the most feasible one.
• To prepare the project report which is the
outcome of the first stage.
Feasibility report
• Technical analysis
• Economic analysis
• Financial analysis
• Ecological analysis
2. Designing stage
• It is a very important stage in the field of
construction because any modification of the
project after this stage would prove expensive.
• A realistic and detailed cost estimate of the
project can be prepared during the design stage.
Purpose
• The purpose of this stage is to complete the
project summary and determine the method of
construction and estimated costs so as to obtain
necessary approvals from the client.
Activities (Designing stage)
• To develop the project summary for the final
adoption of the most suitable alternative.
• To carry out technical investigations such as,
– Soil investigation
– Topographic investigation
– Materials surveys
– Market surveys
• To prepare detailed design, working drawings,
specifications, bill of quantities, final cost
estimate and preliminary construction
programme.
3. Tendering stage
• During this stage tenders are invited and the
contract is awarded at the best available
terms agreed mutually between the owner’s
team and the contractors.
Purpose
• The purpose of the tendering stage is to
appoint a contractor who will undertake the
construction work on the most suitable terms
and conditions of quality, cost and completion
time.
Activities (Tendering stage)
• To invite tenders from the contractors for the
construction work and to award the contract.
• Pre-qualification of contractors involves an
investigation of the potential of contractor’s
financial, managerial and physical resources,
contractor’s experience of handling similar
projects, etc.
• To prepare contract documents, to be signed by
the client and the contractor.
• Holding a pre-bid conference and providing the
necessary information.
Activities (Tendering stage)
• Negotiating contract price with qualified
contractor.
• Reviewing documents submitted by
contractor.
4. Construction stage
• The construction stage involves the execution
of construction work as per the design,
drawing and within agreed limits of time, cost
and specified quality.
Construction Planning Activities
• Construction schedule
• Manpower schedule
• Material delivery schedule
• Plant and equipment schedule
Control of site operations Activities
• Supply of materials and equipment
• Supervision for quality control
• Co-ordination among sub-contractors
• Supervision for quality control
• Supply of necessary drawings
5. Commissioning stage
• It is the stage in which the performance of
the structure is evaluated and the proposed
nature of maintenance and repair are
considered.
Purpose
• The purpose of this stage is to ensure that the
construction work has been carried out as
per the drawing and specifications and all
the facilities developed function properly as
envisaged in the design.
Activities (Commissioning stage)
• To keep various records of actual work.
• To inspect the construction work
thoroughly and have any defects rectifies.
• To prepare operating instructions and
maintenance manuals.
• To carry out tests for performance, such as
water tightness, strength etc.
Scope of Construction Management
• Planning and estimating
• Execution of works
• Financial management
• Material management
• Equipment management
• Labour management
• Site layout
• Equipments and Materials plant location
• Labour relationships
• Industrial psychology for smooth flow of work
Need of Construction Management
• Co-ordination between different agencies
• Economy in Construction
• Development of management and machinery
• Speed of Construction
• Quality Control of materials and workmanship
Objectives of Construction Management
• Completing the work within estimated budget.
• Completing the work within specified time.
• The Quality and workmanship should be better.
• The work should be executed as per specification.
• Providing safe and satisfactory working conditions
for all personnel and workers.
• Taking sound decisions at the lowest practical
management level through delegation of authority.
• Motivating people to give their best within their
capacities.
• Creating an organisation that works as a team.
Stakeholders of a Construction Project
(Construction Team)
• Owner
• Constultant (Engineers / Architects)
• Contractors
Owner
The owner in a building or engineering project
may be an individual, group of individuals, private or
public undertaking.
Responsibilities of the owner
• The owner is supposed to provide necessary site on
which the proposed work is to be constructed.
• The owner should appoint an engineer, to look after
the technical requirements of the work.
• The owner should supply necessary plans and
working drawings through his architect to the
contractor in time so that the work is not
unnecessarily delayed.
Responsibilities of the owner…
• The owner should respect the conditions of contract
concerning his powers and duties.
• The owner should provide necessary work front to the
contractor so that work is not delayed.
• The owner should make necessary arrangement for
the funds required for the construction of the work so
that regular payments shall be made to the contractor.
• It is desirable that the owner should pass all the
instructions to the contractor through his engineer.
• The owner should supply materials and issue
machinery, if it is a part of the contract.
Responsibilities of the owner…
• The owner should make arrangements to record the
measurement of items in time before they are covered
up in the subsequent execution of work.
• The owner should not interfere with the progress of
the work and should not pass such instructions which
will lead to the problems of extra items, liquidated
damages, etc.
• The owner should not suspend the work temporarily
unless it appears to be in his interest to do so.
• To take over possession of the completed work timely
from the contractor.
Consultant (Engineers and architects)
• This includes structural, mechanical and
electrical engineers, architects, quantity
surveyors, specialists such as structural
consultants, safety and maintenance planners,
soil investigators etc.
Responsibility of engineer
• To organize and supervise the execution of work
and to see that they are suitably and
economically carried out with specified quality
of materials.
Responsibility of engineer…
• It is the duty of the executive engineer to prepare
estimate of proposed works through his
subordinates and submit the same to his
superintending engineer.
• The engineer is responsible for explaining the
plans and provisions of the specifications.
• The engineer is responsible for giving all lines
and levels required in connection with the work.
• It is his duty to invite tenders for works valued
within his power, after obtaining administrative
and technical sanction.
Responsibility of engineer…
• In certain complicated items, the engineer should
give the sequence of operations and should explain
method of construction in detail to the contractor.
• It is duty of the engineer to prepare specifications
for the work and to see that these specifications
are accurate, proper and reasonable for the work.
• The assistant engineer is responsible for taking
detailed measurement of works during progress
and to enter the same in M.B. and prepare bills
for payment.
Responsibility of engineer…
• To see that machinery likely to be used on works
are properly maintenance and safely house.
• To keep tools and plants in working conditions
and arrange to protect surplus stock from
deterioration.
• To prevent encroachment on government lands
under his division.
• The engineer is responsible for the acts of his
assistants or other agencies employed by him.
• It is also the duty of the engineer to assist the court
of law or the arbitrator during the hearing of the
dispute.
Contractor
• The contractor may be an individual undertaking
small or big need the services of qualified
engineers.
Responsibilities of the contractor
• The contractor is responsible to provide all the
materials, labour, equipments, etc. required
under the provisions of the contract for the
execution of the work.
• The contractor should carry out the work as per
plans and specifications and as per directions
given by the engineer.
Responsibilities of the contractor…
• The contractor should inform the supervising
engineer before taking up any new item and
before covering up of any work.
• The contractor should appoint a qualified person
on site of the work to whom instructions and
directions can be imparted.
• The contractor is responsible for any damage to
the persons or adjoining properties during
execution of the work.
• The contractor should submit the bills of work as
and when required.
Responsibilities of the contractor…
• The contractor is responsible to respect all the
prevailing labour laws and should make regular
payments to his labourers as well as to the
subcontractors.
• The contractor should give all the required
assistance to the engineer for establishing the
lines and levels of the work.
• The contractor is responsible for arranging for
the permit of the controlled materials and for
paying fees and royalties for the use of patented
articles.
Responsibilities of the contractor…
• The contractor is responsible for the safety of all
the labourers and personnel working at the site
and should provide safety shoes, helmets etc. to
the workmen.
• To handover the completed work in a sound
condition.
• The contractor should submit his claims for extra
items in due time.
Interaction between Owner, Engineer and
Contractor
1. Co-relation between the Owner and an Engineer
• As the owner finances the project and employs an
engineer who agrees to perform his professional
duties with reasonable efforts and skill.
• If an engineer makes an unfortunate mistake, in
spite of due skill, he is not liable for his mistake
unless the owner proves that he failed to perform
his duty carefully.
• It is responsibility of the engineer to plan things
for the owner economically.
2. Co-relation between an Engineer and Contractor
• There is much co-relation between an engineer
and a contractor as the latter executes the work in
strict supervision of the former.
• The contractor has to work as per the design and
drawing in consultation with the engineer to avoid
any dispute.
Causes of delay in construction project
• Unexpected site conditions
• Difficulties in availability of materials
• Difficulties in availability of labours
• Weather conditions – heavy rain
• Delay in issue of construction drawings
• Lack of liaison between contractor and Engineer
• Delay in clarifying bills
• Cash flow and financial constraints
• Dispute between contractor and owner/engineer