Haytham RabieDirector of Construction| Marlin Spring DevelopmentsPickering, Ontario, Canada
What would you do if your supervisor repeatedly belittled the importance of preconstruction compared to an active construction project? How would you change their mindset? Saving Changes...
Show them the "Systems 2020 Systems Engineering Cost Curve". I'd provide a link but PMI considers that promotion of other content.
Look for the one that has cost over time, ease of change, total knowledge, and commitment to technology/configuration. It has been around since the 50's or 60's. It shows that for a traditional predictive project, which construction typically is, that you have the least cost and most benefit early in the project.
As time goes on and your baseline becomes more firm, contracts are written, materials are sourced, etc. it becomes much more difficult and expensive to make changes. On large projects, after about 20% complete, if you are using EVM it is unlikely that your CPI and SPI will change much over time. The major decisions have already been baked into the plan.br type="_moz" Saving Changes...
Everett HowardProject Manager II| Sacramento Municipal Utility DistrictCa, United States
Preconstruction is a pivotal phase that significantly influences the overall success of construction projects. This initial stage involves the organization and development of the project team, along with the commencement of activities aimed at delivering a project aligned with the owners' requirements. For builders or project owners, the advantages of commencing with a fully functioning and cohesive team, that has worked through a comprehensive preconstruction phase, are substantial. Contrasting this with a team that initiates its collaboration only upon mobilizing to a project site underscores the strategic importance of effective preconstruction planning. Here are a handful of activities that help showcase the need for preconstruction planning:
-Become completely conversant with contract terms and conditions, especially performance, scope, cost, and schedule
-Review contracting plan and update it if necessary. Establish a project priority list
-Study available design documents to become knowledgeable on technical aspects of the project
-Prepare a master plan for approval by management
-Finalize the labor posture for the project and develop a local site agreement if required
-Become knowledgeable as to a project’s cost estimate, budget, and schedule, if you did not participate in their development
-Develop and issue a field procedure manual (FPM), including a statement on project goals
-Prepare a project organization and staffing plan, in accordance with the project master plan, and include it to the (FPM)
-Bring key staff members on board as required for project initiation
-Initiate the projects materials-control plan, including procurement activities , especially if your scope includes all procurement. Concentrate on long-delivery items.
-Review subcontract proposals and award subcontracts, especially those connected with site development or demolition
-Prepare a site layout for installing temporary site utilities lay down areas , and utilities, and start arrangements for their installation
-Establish rapport with client representatives and their organization
-Organize and chair internal and client kickoff meetings, per your duties and responsibilities
-Establish policies and procedures for expense accounts as well as field-assignment allowances for supervisory staff
-Keep your client’s management informed on your project initiation plans
-Start schedule & cost-control activities
-Set up project files and any early warning signs of contractor obligations not being met
-Ensure risk analysis has been met including bonding and insurance
-Establish job files available in filed and office
-Develop specific safety program applicable to the project
-Ensure construct-ability reviews have been completed
-Establish interface between design consultants and contracting obligations
-Establish administrative contract procedures
While educating and communicating the importance of preconstruction is valuable, the built environment often requires a tangible demonstration of success. To effectively address your current situation, consider implementing a proactive strategy by assembling a team dedicated to pursuing projects that include preconstruction. This approach aligns with various delivery methods such as design-build, CMAR, IPD projects, among others.
Ensure that preconstruction processes are executed diligently on your projects, emphasizing the distinct advantages they offer. Actively showcase successful outcomes resulting from comprehensive preconstruction planning. Demonstrating tangible results has a powerful impact on changing perceptions within the organization and reinforcing the significance of preconstruction in project success. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Preconstruction is an important phase and contributes towards the success of the project because you will be well-prepared and well-equipped to start the project (reminds me with Sprint Zero in Scrum).
To change your supervisor's point of view, you need to illustrate to them the benefits of this phase and provide real time case studies how preconstruction can contribute positively to a project and if combined with the initiation and planning phases, it won't be as much of an overhead. If possible, provide cost to benefit analysis as this will strengthen your position. Saving Changes...
Haytham RabieDirector of Construction| Marlin Spring DevelopmentsPickering, Ontario, Canada
You hit the nail on the head Rami!! They are focused on the bottom line and because in preconstruction there’s no revenue generated it seems like a loose situation. They are not seeing the big picture and how much savings are being realized just by having a proper preconstruction phase that produces a well coordinated documents and a verified budget and schedule.
the challenge now is to make them see the big picture, as you said, I will have to produce a case study substantiating the importance of this crucial phase
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jan 22, 2024 10:47 PM
Rami Kaibni
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I hear you, Haytham. Ive been on this side of the battle and unfortunately the only way to overcome this resistance and achieve buy-in is using data analytics and real-time case studies so in other words, you need to build a fancy business case to support your point of view. It might not work from the first time and you might need to try twice or thrice but it worth fighting for in my opinion!
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Jan 22, 2024 10:26 PM
Replying to Haytham Rabie
...
You hit the nail on the head Rami!! They are focused on the bottom line and because in preconstruction there’s no revenue generated it seems like a loose situation. They are not seeing the big picture and how much savings are being realized just by having a proper preconstruction phase that produces a well coordinated documents and a verified budget and schedule.
the challenge now is to make them see the big picture, as you said, I will have to produce a case study substantiating the importance of this crucial phase
I hear you, Haytham. Ive been on this side of the battle and unfortunately the only way to overcome this resistance and achieve buy-in is using data analytics and real-time case studies so in other words, you need to build a fancy business case to support your point of view. It might not work from the first time and you might need to try twice or thrice but it worth fighting for in my opinion! Saving Changes...
Haytham RabieDirector of Construction| Marlin Spring DevelopmentsPickering, Ontario, Canada
The funny thing is we started with a strategic plan to build a strong preconstruction and estimation department that is exemplary in the local market then all of a sudden the to e changed to it’s not generating revenue.
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jan 23, 2024 12:08 AM
Rami Kaibni
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This is quite interesting as how do they expect a Preconstruction Department to create revenue? Preconstruction departments usually helps save money by reducing change orders, saving on construction cost, safety and so on but they do not gnerate revenue and those benefits are realized after you complete multiple projects so this is a long terms investment with short, medium and long term goals. Maybe you should also put this into peerspective for them in your case study.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Jan 22, 2024 11:00 PM
Replying to Haytham Rabie
...
The funny thing is we started with a strategic plan to build a strong preconstruction and estimation department that is exemplary in the local market then all of a sudden the to e changed to it’s not generating revenue.
This is quite interesting as how do they expect a Preconstruction Department to create revenue? Preconstruction departments usually helps save money by reducing change orders, saving on construction cost, safety and so on but they do not gnerate revenue and those benefits are realized after you complete multiple projects so this is a long terms investment with short, medium and long term goals. Maybe you should also put this into peerspective for them in your case study. Saving Changes...
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