Six Important Stages In A Construction Project

  1. Pre-project phase

A construction project begins with an idea, a perceived need, a desire to improve or add to productive capacity or the wish for more efficient provision of some public service.

This is where the dream begins as well as the research for the right location and the specifications/standards that should be followed.

  1. Planning and design phase

The project is fully defined and made ready for contractor selection and deployment during the planning and design phase. It is convenient to divide this phase into three stages. The goal of the first stage is to define the project’s objectives, consider alternative ways to attain those objectives and ascertain whether the project is financially feasible.

In the second stage, the design professional will use the results of the planning efforts to develop schematic diagrams showing the relationships among the various project components, followed by detailed design of the structural, electrical and other systems.

The output from this design development effort is used in the final stage, wherein contract documents are prepared for use before a contractor is selected and installation work at the construction site. The designer prepares not only the detailed construction drawings but also written contract conditions containing legal requirements, technical specifications stipulating the materials and the manner in which they shall be installed and a set of other documents related to the process of selecting the contractor and finalizing the contract with the successful tenderer.

  1. Pre-construction stage

In this stage, a contractor is selected to do the desired project. After this, a project team is put together and they have the task to prepare the construction site before the work begins.  the project team is responsible for visiting the field in order to complete a site examination. The site examination will allow the project team to detect or predict any environmental challenges that might emerge during the building process.

  1. Procurement stage

A detailed program for the construction activities is prepared. The cost estimate should be converted to a project budget and the system for tracking actual project costs must be established.

The worksite must be organized, with provisions for temporary buildings and services, access and delivery, storage areas and site security. The process of obtaining materials and equipment incorporated into the project is initiated and arrangements for labor, the other essential resources, must be organized.

  1. Construction stage

Before the construction work begins, a pre-construction meeting is done to ensure that everyone is on the same page when the construction starts. Actual schedule progress must be compared against the project program to determine whether the project is on schedule; if it is not, actions must be undertaken to try to bring the program back.

Once the meeting is over, the actual construction work can commence.

  1. Post construction stage

In this stage, the project is almost complete. There are a few more things that need to take place before the contractor’s responsibilities are considered complete. This final stage is further divided into;

  • New construction building commissioning

An inspection of the whole building needs to be done. If everything is done correctly, these inspections are fairly simple to pass.

  • Owner Occupancy

The project owner should have enough time to examine all the different systems, equipment, and materials that have been installed.

  • Closure

This is the last step in the completion of a construction project. A myriad of special paperwork is required, including approvals and certifications that allow the contractor to receive final payment, a set of as-built drawings that include all changes made to the original design, operating manuals, warranties and a final report which will be the post project review.

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