A construction plan is the backbone of any successful construction project. It's like a roadmap that guides everyone involved through key aspects like the schedule, budget, and communication. For any construction manager aiming to minimise delays and deliver high-quality results, having a construction plan is essential.

However, creating a construction plan can be a bit of a challenge. Some managers might skip this step due to tight schedules, especially for smaller projects. On larger projects, a construction plan is a must-have before you break ground, but it can sometimes be overlooked when things get hectic on-site. Plus, many cities require a plan to get a building permit, so planning is often non-negotiable.

To help you and your team kick off your planning session, we’ve rounded up some key questions to include in an effective plan. Regardless of the project's size, these questions will give you a solid starting point for every step of the planning process.

Step 1: Understand the Project

The first step is getting a clear picture of what needs to be done. Depending on the project's size, this can be a bit overwhelming, especially if there are a lot of factors to consider. Understanding the project helps everyone on the team—managers, contractors, and subcontractors—get on the same page.

When getting familiar with the project, take a look at site reports, renderings, drawings, and specifications.

Here are some questions to help you get a better handle on the project:

• What is the scope of work?
• What are the design requirements?
• What are the goals and objectives?
• What’s the timeline?
• What’s the working budget?

 

Step 2: Outline the Construction Plan

Once you’ve got a good understanding of the project, it’s time to outline the activities, timelines, and materials needed for execution. Don’t forget to consider quality assurance and how you’ll measure the quality of the work.

For materials procurement, the plan should identify the materials needed, suppliers, and the order and delivery process. When planning the sequence of work, ensure you schedule enough time for each activity by reviewing the timeline and dependencies.

Besides schedule and budget, think about any temporary services you might need. Things like temporary power, heating, water supply, and washrooms are often necessary to keep the team comfortable on-site.

Here are some guiding questions to help you outline the construction plan:

• What are the milestones or critical dates in the timeline?
• What’s the procurement process?
• What temporary services are needed?
• How will quality assurance be checked?
• What tools will you need to create the construction plan?

Step 3: Assign Tasks to Teams or Team Members

With your construction plan outlined, you’ll have a clearer idea of how to move forward. Now, it’s time to assemble your team.

Depending on how many people you have, you might need to assign specific roles to individuals or appoint team leaders to build out your team. Either way, consider the job requirements and the skills of your team members. This approach gives your team a sense of ownership over their roles and responsibilities.

Before assigning tasks, ask yourself the following questions:

• Who will be involved in the different phases of the project?
• Who will lead the smaller teams?
• What are the specific job requirements for each team or member?

Step 4: Conduct a Peer Review

No plan is foolproof, but you can get it pretty close. One way to make sure your plan is solid before starting construction is through peer reviews. Reviewing the plan with your team and external vendors, and getting their feedback, sets the stage for transparency and clear communication.

You can also have the plan reviewed by external experts to gain insights for improvement. Structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers can provide valuable input and feedback to enhance the plan.

Here are some questions to consider during a peer review:

• What critical feedback have you received from the team?
• Who are the relevant external experts that can provide crucial feedback on the plan?
• What comments should you consider?

Creating a construction plan is the first step in ensuring your project is on the right track. Remember that your construction plan is a living document, so expect some changes as you start execution. With a construction plan in hand, staying on track, managing last-minute changes, and keeping the team organised becomes much easier.