CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT - PLANNING TECHNIQUES

CONSTRUCTION PRE-PLANNING

Planning

            Planning is an art, and the art of planning exist only among human beings.

Planning Functions has Four Different Dimensions namely:

1.      Planning is a philosophy

2.      Planning is migration

3.      Planning is a process

4.      Planning is a collection of procedures

The central figure in a project is the PROJECT MANAGER. Project construction management differs much from management of more traditional activities. The main feature in project  construction is the Project Manager who oversee a variety of operations that involves repetitive activities and other various activities.

The Project Manager needs to know are:

1.      The logical construction sequence that must  be followed

2.      The quantity and the delivery date’s of various materials to be used

3.      How much and what kind of manpower will be needed

4.      When to start and complete the job on time

Timetable

            The project manager should conduct one or more informal sessions with key personnel assigned to the project such as:

a.       The construction superintendent

b.      Job buyer

c.       Drafting room coordinator

d.      Job expediter

The Project Engineer must:

a.       Review the timetable thoroughly

b.      Raise questions on its overall logic and workability

c.       Offer constructive criticism on detailed work functions and interrelated activities

Preliminaries and Site Management

            After a contract is awarded, the contractor has to:

1.      Determine the key personnel to supervise the work

2.      Make provisions for the equipment to be used

3.      Determine the location and methods of erecting temporary structures such as:

a.       Job offices

b.      Storage sheds

c.       Workshops

d.      Roadway

e.       Bank house for workers and facilities

Project undergoes series of stages which includes:

1.      Planning

2.      Execution of major activities

3.      Project phase out

Project construction life cycle requires various requirements such as:

1.      The site must be found and boundaries relocated

2.      Plan must be drawn

3.      Plan must be approved by the owner

4.      Building permit must be secured

5.      Succession of personnel follows

The main objectives in the preliminaries of organizing a construction job are:

1.      To secure the necessary licenses and building permits

2.      Prepare a time and progress chart

3.      Have an access to the site or a temporary roadway

4.      Construction of boarding, fences, and temporary shed

5.      Construction of temporary field offices for the staff

6.      Arrangement for canteen facilities

7.      Cleaning and leveling the site

8.      Demolition of existing structures

9.      Disposal of materials obtain from the demolition

10.  Shoring to adjoining structures

11.  Arrangement for temporary water and electric supply

12.  Allotment and preparation of storage space for use of contractor and sub-contractor

13.  Allotment of space for borrows pits or other sources of fill to be brought in

14.  Provision for drains and soak-ways

15.  General site problems including any special features