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Construction Management Jump Start
Chapter 5
Project Stages
Chapter 5
Project Stages
- This chapter introduces you to the people, activities, and requirements that must be coordinated to execute the construction project. This chapter focuses on the stages of the design and construction process.
The Design and Construction Process
The design and construction of buildings, bridges, and roadways follow a consistent linear path from initial concept to occupancy.
The Design Stage
- Programming and feasibility
- Done prior to design and engages the owner to clarify needs.
- Schematic design
- First step of the creative process consisting of sketches that identify preliminary design characteristics.
- Design development (DD)
- Detail work of the design occurs here. Selection of material, equipment and systems to go into the building.
- Contract documents (CDs)
- Final detailed drawings known working drawings and the project specifications are known as the CD’s
Codes and Compliance Issues
- The major goal of the design team is to make the building compliant with various statutory regulations
- The duration of this process varies. It can take weeks, months, or even years.
- The success of the project depends on the successful execution of this stages
The Bidding Stage
- Plans and Specifications produced for bidders
- This stage is traditionally coordinated by the architect to assist the owner in contractor selection
- Notice to Proceed with construction is issued to the winning contractor.
Pre-construction Stage
- Project manager plays the lead role in assembling and orchestrating the team that will complete the job.
- Detailed planning is invaluable at the this stage
- One of the hardest stages of the job to manage
- Assigning the team is dependent on the size and complexity of the job. Usually there is…
Assigning the Project Team
Team Roles
- Project manager (PM)
- Captain of the team, usually with extensive experience in construction and management.
- Contract administrator
- Assists the PM and Super with the details of the contract.
- Superintendent
- Coordinates all of the on-site construction activities. He/she is the daily point contact for the owner other representatives.
- Field Engineer
- Entry level position that is the first step in progressing through the ranks of project management. Primarily handle paperwork such as requests for information (RFI), submittals, and shop drawings
Due Diligence
- Site Investigation
- Looking for hidden geological problems, hazardous material, or historical remnants that may delay or alter the job.
- Soil testing and engineering
- Should be provided by owner, reviewed by architect for design, and used by the contractor to price and conduct work
The process of identifying any problems or areas of concern that exist and addressing them during the preconstruction phase
Value Engineering
- The point when this occurs depends on the selected delivery method.
- Field personnel are underutilized and can provide valuable information during this process.
The purpose of value engineering is to optimize resources by reviewing designs, products, materials, installation methods, applications, and execution to get the best value for the owner.
Permitting and inspection process
- Mismanagement of this process can cause the entire project to fail.
- The Construction management team must be vigilant in pursuing timely building permit release.
- The superintendent must be fully aware of the inspection requirements connected to the project.
The Procurement Stage
- This stage is also known as “buying out” the job and entails
- Purchasing labor, materials, equipment, and sub contracts
- Two primary instruments are used to accomplish this stage which are
- Subcontracts
- Purchase orders
Subcontracts
- Sections of the job are out for bid to respective trades and prices are returned to the general contractor
- These are only offers, not binding agreements. The lowest number for each scope of work is then used for the GC’s total bit price.
- Once the General contractor is selected the subcontract is then executed with each trade contractor.
- A large part of the responsibilities of the management team is to ensure these subcontracts are in accordance with the plans and specifications
The Construction Stage
This is when the building is physically constructed. It involves everything from the pre-construction meeting and planning the site layout to erecting the structure.
Pre-construction Meeting
- When building is ready to start the superintendent will hold a pre-construction meeting for all subcontractors and major material suppliers.
- This sets the tone and establishes the ground rules for the job
Mobilization
- Set up field office
- Set up temporary storage
- Secure the site
- Organize adequate parking and site access
- Develop a materials and handling plan
- Secure temporary electric, water, and telephone services
- Arrange for trash and debris removal
- Provide and place portable toilets
- Install job signage and barricades
- Assemble survey and layout personnel
- Confirm testing agencies and personnel
- Establish job site management systems
- Establish safety programs and protocol
- Obtain and pay for all require permits
Mobilization is all about setting up, getting ready for construction, and laying out the site to be a safe and efficient environment.
Site Layout
Special though must be giving to the location of major site feature like the trailer, lay-down areas, break areas, location of cranes, and parking just to name a few.
Construction Operations
- This Stage of the project is where the rubber meets the road and the building actually gets built.
- The on-site project team must be able to answer questions and requests for information.
- Coordination of all trades must be proactively managed for the job to run smoothly.
Building Elements and Associated Work Items
- Site Work
- Clearing, grading, utilities, layout, landscaping, irrigation, paving, and exterior concrete
- Foundations
- Excavation, foundations, and slabs on grade
- Basement Construction
- Basement excavation, walls, and waterproofing
- Superstructure
- Floor construction and roof construction
- Exterior closure
- Exterior walls, windows and doors
- Roofing
- Coverings, flashing, and openings
- Interior construction
- Partitions, doors, specialties
- Staircases
- Stair construction, stair finishes
- Interior finishes
- Wall, ceiling, and floor finishes
- Conveying systems
- Elevators, escalators, moving walkers, materials handling systems
- Plumbing
- Fixtures, domestic water distribution, sanitary waster, rainwater drainage, and special sytems
- HVAC
- Energy supply, heat-generating systems, cooling generating systems, control & instrumentation
- Fire protection
- Sprinkler, standpipe and hose sytems, fire protection specialties
- Electrical
- Electrical services and distribution, lighting and branch wiring, communication and security systems
- Equipment
- Commercial equipment, institutional equipment, vehicular equipment, and others
- Furnishing
- Special furnishings, movable furnishings
- Special Construction
- Special structures, integrated construction, special systems, special facilities
- Selective building demolition
- Building elements demolition, hazardous compounds abatement
The Post-Construction Stage
- Project Closeout
- Owner Move-In
- Warranty Period
- Project Evaluation
This stage is just as important as all previous ones leading up to this. It is crucial to execute responsibilities with the same level of energy at the end the end of the job as the beginning. Doing so will leave a lasting positive impression with the owner.
Project Closeout
- Project punchout
- Substantial completion
- Final inspection
- Certificate of occupancy
- Commissioning
- Final documentation
- Final completion
Project Punchout
- This activity is guided by the project punch list
- Punch list
- Detailed list that ensures quality of all work items
- Compiled from lists by the owner, architect and contractor
- Completion of punch list ultimately results in the release of the final payment
Project Completion
- Two steps define the end of the project
- Substantial Completion
- Punch list completed
- Architect determines facility can be utilized for intended purpose
- Marks the official end of project and establishes beginning of warranty period
- All payments due to contractor are released
- Final Completion
- Accomplished after all remaining contract requirements are met
- Final paperwork and Documentation
Certificate of occupancy
- Issued by building official.
- Signifies all life safety code requirements are met prior to anyone occupying the building
- Owner is unable to move in until issued
- Conditional Certificate of Occupancy can be issued allowing limited occupancy
Commissioning
- Process can be conducted by general contractor, subs under direction of GC, or the architect or engineers involved.
- Testing
- Training end users
- Helps protect facility and limit warranty issues
Final Documentation
- Package of documents to be submitted to the owner including
- Warranties
- Operation manuals
- Inspection and testing reports
- As-built drawings
Owner Move-In
- All stages of the process complete and keys have been turned over
- Customary for builder to leave surplus supplies for maintenance personnel use
The Warranty Period
- Two types of warranties
- Express
- Deal with workmanship and installations
- EX work will be performed in a good and workmanlike manner
- Implied
- Deal with products, materials, and equipment
- EX warranty of merchantability
Project Evaluation
- Last step in the post-construction stage
- Opportunity for construction management team to review successes and hurdles.
- Owner satisfaction
- Subcontractor performance
- Vendor performance
- Self performance
- Equipment performance
- Inspection process
- Permitting process