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Construction Contractor Planning for Fixed-Price Construction

Publication No
SD-20
Type
Checklist/Flowchart/Matrix
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1986
Pages
82
Research Team
RT-006b
DOCUMENT DETAILS
Abstract
Key Findings
Filters & Tags
Abstract
Good planning has proven to be an essential element for successful projects and successful companies, whether construction or otherwise. Planning is the first element in the cycle of planning, controlling, and feedback. Without a plan, there is no bas
Key Findings

Suggested planning process includes:

  • Establish set of goals
  • Formulate alternative plans
  • Establish criteria
  • Selecting alternative
  • Implement alternative
  • Develop feedback loop

Planning Guidance: Since limited time is available for planning and it would be very costly to plan each project from scratch, a company must maintain a family of data bases, policy documents, standard procedures, model plans and checklists to standardize and streamline the planning process. (SD-20, p. 6)

Fluor’s study indicates two influencers of project success: (SD-20, p. 16)

  • Quality and depth of early planning by the PM group
  • Execution by a strong PM group
Initial commitment to planning must come from top management. If top executives do not put their influence behind the planning process and create the environment to bring order out of disorder from their level down, the tasks of lower-level managers become more difficult and the planning process may be inefficient and meaningless. (SD-20, p. 8)
Figure 1 outlines who bears the risks in a construction project for each party. (SD-20, p. 17)
Figure 4 provides a layout of the development of a construction plan from bid to project start. A top-priority item is development of WBS for the project, because this defines the project structure for work planning and control. (SD-20, p. 26)

Subcontract success includes (SD-20, p. 37):

  1. Requesting quotations only from qualified, experienced, financially capable contractors
  2. Defining the scope of work in sufficient detail so that subcontractor rights and duties are clearly understood
  3. Requirements (specs, flow downs)
  4. Milestone dates for start and completion of work
  5. Deliverables, payment, definitions, insurance, guarantees

A major component of the planning process is the Project Execution Plan, whose many parts include the following: (SD-20, p. 47)

  • Project organizational structure
  • Work breakdown structure
  • Subcontract plan
  • Procurement plan
  • Site development plan

Source Document 20, Construction Contractor Planning for Fixed-Price Construction

This source document includes many useful tools and checklists including:

  • Pre-Bid Site Investigation Checklist (Appendix A)
  • Subcontractor/Vendor Checklist (Appendix B)
  • Materials Management Checklist (Appendix C)
  • Contractor Facilities and Services Checklist (Appendix D)
  • Project Controls Checklist (Appendix E)
  • Checklist for Evaluating Risk for Fixed-Price Contracts (Appendix F)
  • Quality Control Plan (Appendix G)
  • Loss Control Plan (Appendix H)
  • Project Responsibility Matrix (p. 43)
  • Project Execution Plan (p. 47)
Filters & Tags
Research Topic
Cost/Schedule Controls - Construction Contractor Planning for Fixed-Price Construction
Keywords
Planning, 6 Steps of Planning, Hierarchy of plans, WBS (Work Breakdown Structure), Materials Management Plan, Fixed Cost, Project Execution Plan (PEP), Fixed Price Contract, Project Responsibility Matrix, Scope, rt6