Construction is one of the leading and most important industries in the world, which is why knowing and sharing the best practices for the construction sector is crucial for all people working in construction and those planning to start a construction business.
Since through the years, with the development of new technologies and construction materials and techniques, many thing in the construction business have changed dramatically, especially in the last 10 years. This is why the industrial construction best practices are not set in stone, and evolve along with the evolution of the construction business itself.
Handling the procurement:
– Choosing the best team or partners to design, do the construction work in some cases operate the facility
– Picking the best way to manage the construction project
– Choosing effective partnerships and contract arrangements over the not so reliable tendering based on lowest price or bulk sums
Using the partnering project approach:
– Finding the best collaborative approach for work which achieves greater value for the investor’s money, better quality and timely completion
– Set common objectives for all involved
– Set problem resolution procedures
– Implement an open book pricing approach
– Establish a relationship based on mutual trust and co-operation
Proper risk management:
– Develop a detailed risk register for the entire timeline of the project with all risks identified and assessed
– Create a plan for actions for reducing all risks, as well as the planned costs and finances necessary for these actions and continuously review them
Good value management:
– Include all teams and sides involved in the construction project to find the best way to meet the needs of the customer, including: time, quality, cost and risk constraints
– Perform an appraisal of all suggested components and processes for the project beforehand as well as after the project is completed to review the extent of its success for improving the value for the customer
Relying on sustainable construction:
– Improve the profit and competitiveness of the project
– Increase the customer and end-user satisfaction
– Improving better, safer and healthier work conditions for the employees on the site as well as for the local residents in the area
– Ensuring that the environment is protected, including special care for the local flora and fauna, waterways and other natural resources
– Minimizing the use of natural resources by using recycled materials, and maximize the use of renewable energy resources for the construction work as well as for the future life and use of the facility
– Minimizing the waste and pollution during the construction
Using the benchmarking approach
– To help improve the performance compare your performance in regard to others, and analyze the results to take actions which will improve the work and the value
Proper supply chain management:
– Establishing criteria for choosing and approving the primary suppliers of materials and services for the construction work
– Creating an efficient integration of the operations of all primary and secondary suppliers of materials, products and services for a seamless construction process
– Establishing strict rules for quality and quantity control when ordering and upon delivery of the products and services by the suppliers
– Establishing procedures for dealing with complaints and non-conformities in the products and services supplied
Ensure health and safety:
– Do a thorough health and safety risk assessment, and create a plan with the actions and precautions which need to be taken, as well as a plan for the money necessary for that
– Ensure that precautions are taken for safety hazards and risks for the short and long-term health of the employees, including instructions, training, safety gear, safety clothing and footwear and all other necessary protection to reduce the risk of incidents on the workplace or a negative effect on the overall health
– Make sure you follow and comply to the requirements of the local and national construction safety laws and regulations
– Further reading: http://mybootprint.com/safety-shoes-symbols-and-their-meanings/
Establish the whole life costing of the facility:
– Measure the cost for owning the building by including the initial cost for the design and construction and add the future maintenance and servicing costs for the life of the facility
Use the Lean construction approach to remove processes which add to the cost but not to the value:
– Define value from the perspective of the customer
– Identify and add process which add value to the project
– Remove disruptions and bottlenecks which can stop the value flow
– Produce only what is demanded and when it is demanded
– Focus on continuous improvement
About the author: Michael Pierce is an outdoor enthusiast and footwear fanatic. When he is not hiking, working or writing about work footwear, you can find him spending time with his family. He runs two websites dedicated to quality footwear – MyBootprint.com with special focus on work boots, and ShoeMatters.com – a site focused on comfortable footwear for different activities.