Key Takeaways:
- Project planning is essential for a successful commercial construction project.
- One of the critical steps in project planning is precisely defining the scope.
- A detailed schedule will help ensure the project stays on track and avoid delays.
- Ongoing communication is critical for the success of any project.
Commercial construction can be an undertaking of mammoth proportions. Without careful planning, your project could easily fall apart. But with a commercial construction plan, you can avoid many potential pitfalls that could otherwise sabotage your efforts.
Project planning is essential for any construction project, but it’s especially important when dealing with a commercial project. By planning and mapping out each step of the process and ensuring all your bases are covered, you can avoid many common problems and save yourself a lot of headaches down the road. So, what should you include in your project plan? Read this blog post by Voshall Construction for some tips.
Project Planning in Commercial Construction – An Overview
Commercial construction projects are complex and multi-faceted endeavors. Many businesses need buildings, from small office complexes to large manufacturing plants. Regardless of the nature of a company, a lot goes into getting the construction done right.
The project plan is one of the most important aspects of any commercial construction project. A well-crafted project plan will lay out every step of the process, from start to finish, and help to ensure that nothing gets forgotten along the way.
Got a construction project coming up? Here is our take on How to Begin Preparations for Your New Commercial Construction Project!
Let’s look at what goes into making a good project plan for commercial construction.
Creating a Project Plan
Every project plan should have the following key components:
1. Defined Scope
The very first step in any commercial project is to determine the scope. What exactly are you trying to achieve? What are the boundaries of the project? Once you clearly understand the project’s parameters, you can begin to develop a plan.
Knowing the answers to these questions will help to keep the project on track and prevent Scope creep, which is when additional tasks or objectives are added to the project without proper planning.
2. Detailed Schedule
Once the project’s scope is determined, it’s time to create a detailed schedule. This should include every task that needs to be completed, who is responsible for each task, and when it needs to be done. A precise schedule will help ensure the project stays on track and avoid delays.
3. Budget
A construction project can quickly become expensive, so it’s essential to create a budget and stick to it. Work with your team to determine the cost of materials, labor, and other expenses that must be covered. Keeping a close eye on the budget will help to avoid overspending and ensure that the project is completed on time & within budget.
4. Risk Management
No matter how perfectly you plan, there’s always the potential for things to go wrong. 1 in 5 deaths among U.S. workers is in the construction industry. That’s why it’s crucial to have a risk management plan in place. This should identify potential risks and include strategies for dealing with them if they occur. By carefully planning, you can help ensure that the project is successful despite any challenges.
5. Clear Communication
Clear & effective communication is critical for any construction project. All team members should know the project plan and objectives to work together to achieve them. Good communication can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure everyone is on the same page.
There are a few key things to keep in mind when communicating with your construction team:
1. Be precise in your communication. Make sure everyone understands what is being communicated and what is expected.
2. Be respectful of everyone’s time. Don’t waste time with unnecessary chatter or long-winded explanations.
3. Be available and accessible. Ensure your team can reach you when needed and that you’re responsive to their questions and concerns.
4. Be patient. Construction projects can be complex, and things will inevitably go wrong. Don’t lose your cool – things will get back on track eventually.
Critical Considerations for a Commercial Project
Understand the Development & Planning:
The development and planning stage is when the project team comes up with the initial idea for the project and creates a plan to make it a reality. This stage can be broken down into four main steps: feasibility study, concept development, schematic design, and design development.
Pre-Design:
This phase of the project is all about feasibility. The first step is to determine whether or not the project is possible and, if it is, what kind of impact it will have on the surrounding community. This can be done through various methods, including market analysis, surveys, and public opinion polls.
Design:
After the pre-design phase is complete and it’s been determined that the project is feasible, it’s time to start working on the design. This is where the team will develop a detailed plan of what the finished product will look like and how it will function.
Construction:
Once the design is complete, it’s time to start construction. This is usually the project’s longest and most expensive phase, as it involves building the structure.
Post-Construction:
After the construction phase is complete, a few final steps need to be taken care of before the project can be considered finished. These include commissioning, punch list items, and turnover to the owner.
Looking For a Commercial Contractor in Malibu, LA? We Can Help!
Voshall Construction is a well-known contractor serving the Malibu community for over 38 years. We specialize in commercial and residential construction projects of all types and sizes.
If you’re planning a commercial construction project in Malibu, we can help. We offer our clients a wide range of services, including project management, construction management, and general contracting.
We’ve experienced professionals working with you to ensure your project is completed on time and within budget. Contact us today to learn more about our services or get a free consultation.
