Sustainability Practices and Metrics for the Construction Phase of Capital Projects

The research presents the recommended process for incorprating or integrating sustainability on capital projects during construction. Each of the seven distinct steps is important, regardless of construction contracting approach or division or responsibilties between owner and contractor. Implementing this process will be optimal in early construction planning stages.

Step 1 – Establish Objectives

Step 2 – Rank Top Actions

Step 3 – Select Actions

Step 4 – Plan Action Implementation

Step 5 – Implement Actions

Step 6 – Measure Outcomes

Step 7 – Improve Process

The research elaborates on step descriptions and associated implementation resources. (RS304-1, p. 9)

RT-304 identified 54 unique CPSAs that project teams can take during construction to enhance overall project sustainability. The CPSAs are organized to these 8 primary construction functions. 

• Project Management
• Contracting
• Field Engineering
• Site Facilities and Operations
• Craft Labor Management
• Materials Management
• Construction Equipment Management
• Quality Management, Commissioning and Handover

Nearly two-thirds of the 54 CPSAs pertain to three construction functions: project management, field engineering, and site facilities and operations. The assessment identifies two common barriers to successful implementation for each CPSA. IR304-2 presents the entire CPSA catalog in its Appendix A, where the CPSAs are sequenced according to construction function. The research also provides a sample CPSA catalog entry. (RS304-1, p. 11)

Choosing from a catalog of 54 CPSAs may seem challenging to project teams seeking a limited number of CPASs for their projects. To meet this challenge, RT-304 developed a screening tool to help project managers determine the most applicable CPSAs for any given project. The screening tool solicits user input on project-specific sustainability priorities and general project characteristics, to generate a prioritized list of CPSAs. To process user input, the tool relies on tool-resident fixed data on CPSA sustainability impact types and magnitudes, along with CPSA benefit-leveraging conditions – variables covered in the CPSA catalog. Figures 12, 13, and 14 present screen shots from the screening tool. (RS304-1, p. 25) (provide link to the Screen tool spreadsheet)

One of the primary objectives of this research was the development of construction sustainability metrics. Such metrics can help project teams assess their sustainability implementation efforts or measure performance against set targets. They can also measure sustainability implementation progress over time. In general, metrics come in one of two forms: input-oriented and output-oriented metrics.

• Input metrics typically measure the breadth and/or extent of effort applied in the pursuit of an established goal.
• Output metrics focus on the actual achievement of one or more performance goals.

RT-304 developed the CPSA Implementation Index, an input metric, as a numerical measure of the breadth and extent of a project’s implementation for all 54 CPSAs. (RS304, p. 27 or IR304-2, p. 33)

The table below shows the points the Index awards each of the 54 CPSAs, depending upon the extent of its implementation on the project.

Performance-oriented output metrics are generally preferable to resource- or process-oriented input metrics, and the research team identified a wide range of construction sustainability output metrics. Following are the 7 most predominant output metrics: (RS304, p. 28)

• Percentage of projects with sustainability performance section in project reports
• Cost savings
• Portion/volume of total waste recycled or diverted from a landfill
• Street value of recycled material
• Equipment environmental performance
• Size of carbon footprint from project
• Number of complaints from community, agency, or camp residents

IR304-2, A Framework for Sustainability During Construction

• CPSA Screening Tool – This tool enables users to find the CPSAs most applicable to their projects. 
• CPSA Implementation Index Calculator – The calculator determines a numerical measure of the breadth and extent of CPSA implementation.
• Appendix A – Catalog of Construction Phase Sustainability Actions
• Appendix B – CPSA 28 Checklist Tool: Sustainable Temporary Site Facilities/Services
• Appendix C – CPSA 30 Guidance: Source of Onsite Power