The Layer Guide to Sustainable Interior Design Practices
Easy strategies to improve your interior design firm's commitment to building more sustainably.
In construction, the unexpected is common, but never welcome. The root cause is often poor communication. According to KPMG, 82% of owners would like deeper collaboration with their GCs.
Project controls is a collection of methods utilized to grasp and manage the allocation of time or financial resources in a project. Each component of project controls concentrates on a specific element of the project plan. Examples include schedule, resources, or potential risks.
Project Controls’ purpose is to prevent the unexpected from ever happening. This article will explain what the PC process is; who is involved; and outline why this department is the ultimate lynchpin of project success!
Both a GC and an Owner will have a Project Controls Department. Project Controls handle a combination of activities. These include planning, monitoring, and control across various project variables including project, time, quality, risk, and potentially others.
Project Controls is unique in each organization. However, there is a general litmus test you can use to determine if project controls will be involved in a particular step, phase, or activity:
| Does [insert activity here] interact with the project schedule?
If so, project controls will be included.
The project controls process encompasses several pivotal steps:
1. Planning and Scheduling:
As an architect or engineer you’ll likely first encounter project controls during planning. The owner and GC will have representatives that align with the technical staff to create a detailed project plan. Based on the contract structure and delivery model this will lead to timelines, and resource allocation.
A comprehensive project plan will outline at minimum:
These plans serve as the project's north star. They set the direction, allocate resources, and provide a clear understanding of what needs to be accomplished.
Within planning, milestones take center stage. Milestones represent significant points in the project's progression. These could include groundbreaking ceremonies, foundation completions, structural framing, and more.
Financial considerations are the main reason milestones are considered so important. Clients typically pay contractors based on milestones outlined in the project contract and project plan. Late delivery can lead to penalties or forfeited payments.
Once timelines and milestones have been determined it’s time to allocate resources in order to meet these deadlines. Resource allocation is a delicate balance. It involves determining where and when labor, materials, and equipment, are needed. Efficient resource allocation is a hallmark of successful projects.
Today, availability of on-site labor may be a chief concern, particularly in large projects. As an architect or engineer you can offer guidance to your client on the best way to overcome these challenges. Sometimes it may make sense to build portions of your project off-site then carefully sequence the assembly instead of using traditional stick built techniques.
Project controls professionals collaborate with project managers to ensure that the right resources are available when required. This might involve coordinating with suppliers to ensure timely material deliveries or scheduling skilled labor for critical phases.
Contingency planning is the safety net that project controls professionals meticulously weave into the planning phase. It involves identifying potential risks and developing strategies to mitigate them.
For instance, if a project involves constructing a high-rise building in an earthquake-prone region, contingency plans may include how materials are stored on site in case of a natural disaster . Identifying these risks and planning for them in advance minimizes disruptions during construction.
In order to stick to the budget, effective cost management is essential. It starts with accurate cost estimates, but budget monitoring, and robust cost control strategies to thwart budget overruns are just as important.
At the core of cost management lies the art and science of cost estimation. Construction projects are complex and multifaceted endeavors, and accurate cost estimates are the compass that guides financial decision-making.
Project controls professionals collaborate closely with estimators who assess every component of the project, from materials and labor to equipment and overhead costs. These estimates provide a foundation upon which budgets are constructed. The accuracy of these estimates is paramount, as any miscalculation can ripple through the project's financial landscape.
It requires constant vigilance and monitoring. Project controls professionals employ sophisticated tools and systems to track expenditures against the budget.
These activities allow project controls professionals to detect early warning signs of budget overruns and take corrective actions promptly.
Effective cost management isn't just about keeping tabs on expenses; it's also about implementing robust cost control strategies to ensure that the project stays within budgetary boundaries.
Project cost control strategies may include:
Pro Tip - We recommend integrating your work plan with your cost control strategies. Specialty labor can be incredibly expensive. The equation to keeping your project life cycle and budget under control? Have materials ready to as soon as your specialized trades or installers get to the site.
Cost management isn't solely about dealing with known expenses; it's also about preparing for the unexpected. Construction projects are susceptible to various risks, from weather-related delays to supply chain disruptions.
Project controls professionals collaborate with risk analysts to identify potential financial pitfalls and develop strategies to mitigate them. This may involve creating contingency budgets or purchasing insurance to cover unforeseen events.
In essence, cost management in construction project controls is a delicate balancing act. It requires the precision of a financial expert, the vigilance of a detective, and the foresight of a strategist.
Given the inherent uncertainties in construction, risk assessment and mitigation strategies are indispensable. A risk assessment is not merely a component of project controls; it sets project boundaries.
The first step in risk assessment is identifying potential risks. This involves a comprehensive examination of every facet of the project, from design and procurement to execution and delivery. Project controls professionals work in tandem with risk experts to catalog an extensive spectrum of potential threats.
Common risks in construction may include:
Once risks are identified, the next challenge is quantifying them. This involves assessing the likelihood of each risk occurring and estimating its potential impact on the project. These quantitative measures create a risk profile that allows project stakeholders to prioritize their attention and resources.
Risk quantification may involve:
These quantitative insights enable project controls professionals to focus their efforts on the most significant risks, developing strategies to address them proactively.
Risk assessment is not a passive endeavor; it's about developing robust strategies to mitigate identified risks. Project controls professionals collaborate with risk management experts to craft tailored mitigation plans for each risk category.
Mitigation strategies may encompass:
Risk assessment is not a one-time task but a continuous process that evolves with the project. Project controls professionals monitor risk profiles throughout the project's lifecycle, adapting mitigation strategies as circumstances change.
Continuous monitoring involves:
Work sequencing and unforeseen risks are not the only challenge you may face. Quality control begins with defining clear and stringent quality standards that align with project objectives and industry best practices.
Key aspects of setting quality standards include:
Quality control is not a one-time audit, but a pervasive culture embedded within the project team. It requires proactive quality assurance measures to prevent defects rather than merely detecting and rectifying them.
Quality assurance entails:
To enforce quality standards, a robust inspection regime is imperative. Quality control professionals conduct meticulous inspections at various stages of the project, from material procurement to final delivery.
Key components of quality inspections include:
Despite the best efforts, quality deviations may occur. Effective quality control includes a robust system for identifying, documenting, and addressing non-conformance issues promptly.
Non-conformance management involves:
Pro-Tip: You can use software tools like Layer to track RFIs and corrective action followup. → Preview the Layer App RFI Template
Ultimately, the client plays a pivotal role in quality control. Their acceptance of the project's quality is the ultimate litmus test of success.
Client acceptance entails:
In essence, quality control in construction project controls is the guardian of the project's reputation and the assurance of client satisfaction. It is a relentless pursuit of excellence that demands unwavering commitment, meticulous attention to detail, and a relentless dedication to delivering nothing less than perfection.
The construction industry, while celebrated for its monumental creations, grapples with its fair share of challenges. One persistent issue is the lack of transparency. Stakeholders often hoard information, given the colossal financial stakes involved.
This opacity can lead to inaccuracies and inefficiencies in project management. Accurate and timely information is paramount for informed decision-making, directly impacting project outcomes.
Project controls in construction stand as the unsung heroes behind the magnificent structures that define our world. The challenges may be formidable, but they are not insurmountable. By embracing modern project control methodologies and integrating technology, the construction industry can continue to erect awe-inspiring edifices that shape our future. As a new project controls professional, you hold the keys to unlocking construction excellence.
Easy strategies to improve your interior design firm's commitment to building more sustainably.
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