RISK DURING THE PRE CONSTRUCTION STAGE OF A PROJECT

Indentifying and analyzing the process of risk during the pre construction stage of a project

Indentifying and analyzing the process of risk during the pre construction stage of a project

Introduction

Construction planning is necessary to account for all the variables and situations that may arise during a construction project. Planning for construction allows a contractor to be proactive rather than reactive to the problems as they arise. A proactive contractor controls the direction of the project while a reactive contractor allows the project outcome to change, hoping to minimize the impact of problems as they occur. Most construction industry experts believe that the earlier planning is executed, the larger impact it will have on contributing to the project outcome. As the project progresses and expenditures become greater, the less influence project planning will have on project outcome. Research has stated that it is advantageous to begin planning prior to construction execution due to management's ability to influence the project early in the project. On the other hand, preconstruction planning is a comprehensive set of procedures initiated after contract award and prior to construction execution (Chitakornkijsil 2010). Preconstruction planning has also been referred to as pre-job planning, preplanning, or execution planning. The majorities of sheet metal contractors have overlooked this type of planning and, therefore, do not benefit from the advantages of early planning. The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors PHCC National Association lists the benefits of preconstruction planning as greater project control, increased project organization, better worker productivity, improved safety record, and increased project profitability Plumbing-Heating- Cooling Contractors PHCC National Association 2002.

Research defines planning as a process of deciding what activity to be completed; how the activity should be completed; who should complete the activity; and when should the activity be completed prior to when the activity is to be performed. This information is then conveyed to the project team in the form of a plan, which can be project drawings, specifications, schedules, etc. Preconstruction planning is a comprehensive set of procedures that is completed by the contractor in the period between contract award and construction execution (Cvilikas 2010). The output that result from preconstruction planning are schedules, estimates, budgets, manpower loading charts, coordination drawings, and safety notes. Most research completed on planning prior to construction execution has focused on pre project planning. Pre project planning is completed by the owner and encompasses all planning completed from the initial idea of the project to the decision to proceed with the project and begin detailed

Aim and objectives

The aim of the project is to identify and analyze the process of risk during the pre construction stage of a project. In addition, the project will also aim to establish an understanding of the implementation of risk identification techniques during the pre construction stages of the project in order to facilitate the establishment a guide to accurately indentify risks at the pre construction stage. In the process of doing so, the discussion will also take a look at risk ...