Construction Practice and Management

This document provides insights into construction practice and management, including the roles and responsibilities of different experts, construction stages, and the importance of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in construction projects. It discusses the planning, design, and construction phases, as well as the use of BIM for site analysis, maintenance, and operations. The document also highlights the factors to consider when choosing a construction company and emphasizes the importance of health and safety in construction projects.

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CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE AND MANAGEMENT
By Name
Course
Instructor
Institution
Location
Date

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Question 1
In the current construction industry, there needs to be experts and specialists with different kinds
of skills. When a project is allocated to certain firms, they are allowed and required to offer the
specific and the required different skills, roles and responsibilities that would help into the
success of the project. It’s this team of experts that will ensure that the project is successful and
they include: - construction managers, civil engineers, quantity surveyors, painters, electrical
engineers, plumbers among others. The Chart below shows its roles and responsibilities.
Question 2
a)

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This will depend on the experts involved who will have to use their skills and knowledge to
ensure that it is done and appropriately and to the standards that are acceptable and workable.
The land details, which include/- acreage, site location, landscape, land features and many more
are kept by the land surveyor, so he’s the one who will guide and give the information needed to
construct the junior school on such a site so that the project is implemented without any
disruption or future causes of doubt that may result because of the uncertainties (Herbert, 2015,
p. 764).
The order of the landscape in consideration with how the project will sit on the site will be
determined by the land planner. He will also ensure that the initial master plan of the project is
followed to the latter and it’s sensitive to the aspects of the neighboring site like economic
factors and culture (Herbert, 2015, p. 532).
Then there are these people, the contractor/builders, who are usually on ground tackling the
physical construction of the proposed project. Their work is to deliver the work to the client by
ensuring that the work is going on the site and that the progress is as it should be. They are
responsible for interpreting the drawings, and the design specifications into the actual structure
by applying their skills and knowledge that will be relevant to the success of the project.
The engineering team which will be involved in the project delivery will includes; mechanical
engineers, Civil engineers, electrical engineers and structural engineers. They are responsible for
the design of the project in accordance with their specification and skills that each of them has.
They are trained and skilled in their specific fields and they are to ensure that whatever falls in
their field is done up to the standards required which include doing this they have to do several
calculations and analysis before delivering a solution. The project managers are also part of the

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expertise involved in the construction process and plays an important role too. Their work is to
ensure that the minute details like measurements plans and all the dimensions are followed
carefully and strictly by the people working on the project without any fail or misinterpretation
so that nothing is left out to ensure that the buildings will be as designed and safe for use by the
client.
The architects will ensure that what the needs an idea of the client is met in the simplest form
and way possible and give advice on the workability in consideration to the laws and all legal
requirements are met to the later so that the project will be fit for use by people.
Construction stages
The construction process takes place in the following stages;
Phase 1 of the project is planning
Phase 2 of the project is Design
Phase 3 of the project is Tendering
Phase 4 of the project is construction
Phase 5 of the project is Handover
Stage 6: Evaluation
Below are stages which will be involved in the construction of the project from the tendering
stage to handing over of the project.
During tendering;

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 The documents required for tendering with all its required details are prepared so that
they are availed for bids for the construction of the project.
 The quantity surveyor will then have to prepare the bill of quantities.
 The client will then select the contractor with help from the experts and practitioners.
Activities during construction stage
 Site preparation
 Foundation excavation
 Laying of the substructure
 Pouring of Concrete
 Wall construction
 Roof construction
 Internal and external wall plastering
 Fixing of the primary and secondary fixtures
 Testing and cleaning
 Handing over
Phase Specialist
Preparation of the site  Project manager
 Builder
 Town planners
 Architect
foundation Construction  Structural engineer

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 Surveyor
 Builder
 Architect
Construction of a Substructure  Contractor
 Structural engineer
sub-floor concrete pouring  Project manager
 Builder
 Structural engineer
Walls construction  Builder
 Builder
 Project manager
Roof Construction  Project manager
 Architect
 Structural engineer
 Builder
Plastering  Project manager
 Builder
Connection of secondary fixtures  Electrical engineer
 Builders
 Mechanical engineers
 Architect
Handing over  Project manager

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The contracting company will be the one which will be directly involved in the construction of
the project. The companies are usually categorized into categories according to the type of work
depending on the type of work they do. For instance companies such as -Real Estate Developers,
Professional Construction Consultants, Renovation Construction Company, General
Construction Company, Architectural Firms, etc.
Commonly, before the construction of the project, there usually is a meeting of agreement
between the two parties in the construction industry and basing their agreement on the terms and
conditions that are required for the project to be a success and approved for use.
Question 3
a) What is placed on the tender document usually is depended on the type of project and the
work to be done. The following are usually included in the tender document by the local
council;
o Project scope
o Site conditions
o Estimated cost of the school (project)
o Project requirements
o Preliminary plan regarding to the health and safety of the workers.
o Specifications of the project
o Documents to be used in pricing
All the issues mentioned above will greatly assist the tendering contractor to be able
to understand the scope of the project and all the deliverables. (Kelleher, 2011, p. 193)

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o
b)
The BIM repository will be able to store all the data which was collected during the planning
phase and that data which is stored in the BIM repository will play a great role in dictating the
design for the school. The main aims and objectives of the preliminary design is to ensure that
project development and all the documents which are need are delivered and they will be useful
, sustainable and safe to be used for during the construction stage without any alteration. The
decisions which are made during the design stage should take into account the constructability
of the project, the ability to maintain the design and the future management of the proposed
school. (Reddy, 2016, p. 65).
Building Information Modeling is a very essential tool which all the experts in the construction
industry should have knowledge about. The BIM knowledge will enables the experts to identify
the errors and other area in the construction process which might require clarification.
Application of BIM during construction stage
BIM plays a very crucial role in provision of knowledge and data which is needed construction
process. The essential responsibility played by the application of designing and site preparation
is normally carried out by BIM. It is normally used in BIM by assisting the location of all the
supporting facilities which are normally required in site clearance, delivery services, storage
facilities and electricity. (Reddy, 2016, p. 76)
BIM also assists in the construction systems, during the construction of support systems such as
scaffolding and false works it plays a great role. Also during the construction process BIM will
show the required time required for the project to be completed.

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BIM helps the clients and the contractor to plan ahead which assists in the early detection of
the unforeseen challenges which will be likely to occur later in the project and that will also
prove b to be very essential to the safety of the workers or residents and will also help to
oversee the cost of the project . (Guggemos, 2016, p. 116)
The BIM also greatly assists on the production of construction elements such as the digital
production of steel beams and columns which will be required in the construction of the
project. The digital production of the building components and elements is normally achieved
when the data contained in the BIM system is automatically fed into the production system and
then the elements are then automatically produced.
c)
When choosing a company, one has to consider a few factors to ensure efficiency to production,
which includes;
i) Time Consciousness.
During construction of projects time is a key factor. The project construction is thought to be
completed on or before the time allocated. This is very important since will help in the
prevention of any losses and at the same time ensure that the school is opened on the set time
and also to allow more time for other things like cleaning to occur on time so as not to delay
anything.
ii) Communication
They should be open and quick to share information with the other experts in the construction
team and also be able to seek clarification on where they seem to find difficult in doing or

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understanding something. They should also be able to be updating the rest of the team of experts’
updates on how they are proceeding on so that in case there is anything to be corrected it won't
be too late. Quality work
A full charge should be taken by the main contractor overseeing the work done by the
subcontractors and ensuring that it is done up to the required standards and quality of output and
to also include some sense of ingeniousness and creativity. Thus ensuring that the client won't
feel or won't complain of having been conned and also to be able to build trust for future
contracts.
iii) Track record of the subcontractor.
The subcontractor should have a good portfolio which is a comparable to a CV containing the
projects he/she has done previously and skills in order to be sure of whom you’re working with.
One with a good track record ensures that the work will be done up to the required standers.
Other factors taken into consideration when selecting a contractor include;
 Skills to manage conflicts
 management Skills
 Cooperation
 Teamwork
Question 4
a)
BIM plays a very crucial role in breaking down a project into phases during the construction
stage which gives room for proper planning to regarding to the implementation of the of the

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project ((Lancaster, 2017, p. 552). All the construction phases are then broken down into
components which are much manageable which will ensure that the process of designing and
constructing the project are simplified hence making the construction work easier and simple
hence faster.
When planning BIM, is used in site analysis, before the implementation of the project starts.
BIM plays a very important role in analyzing the site topography by making application of the
surveyor and other components. There are many other elements which are analyzed by BIM
during the planning stage and they include; climate, site area and the neighborhood. Also during
the planning stage of the construction project BIM is used to simulate how the project will look
like completed.
The BIM also plays a very essential role during the designing of the project, this is because BIM
is used for all the references by all the experts who will be involved in the delivery of the project.
BIM guides them by helping them to cut down the errors and the project future shortcomings of
the project. BIM assist the team to clarify any ambiguity which may arise.
b)
The school which will be constructed will be able to enjoy the real-time data and
specifications which are easily delivered by BIM regarding to the maintenance and the
operations which are required to be carried out on the urgency basis. BIM will also help in
removing tedious and bulky paperwork which is very common in schools systems and the
great dependence which exists on the paperwork. This will greatly assists in cutting down the
maintenance costs which are involved in the maintenance of the utility systems of the school. By
adopting BIM the school will have make a very essential step in undergoing transformative

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changes and at the same time the school will be able to save more resources through the
reduction of the annual running costs. (James C. Balogh, 2018, p. 438).The adoption of
Building Information Modelling will at the same time ensure that there is no re-entry of data,
the institution can capitalize on that and be able to save a lot of resources. (Kotaji, 2017, p.
495).
The application of Building Information Modelling will be able to take care of the human
errors and hence the output of the work will be of high quality hence efficient for use and
the references, with the use of BIM there will be minimal loss through human errors.
c)
BIM will give a guarantee of the health and safety of the workers and other parties involved in
the implementation of the project. Some of the ways through which the health and safety of the
workers include;
BIM will ensure that during the construction process of the school, the off-site, model-driven
fabrications are dome outside the construction site. Some of the materials which will be used in
the construction will be forced to be fabricated in the industries to ensure that there safety in
the construction site.
BIM will ensure that all the rules and regulations which have to be adhered to during
construction are strictly followed and at the same time it will help in checking all the codes
which are to be adhered to and facilitates automatic checking , hence ensuring timely
measures are put in place effectively.
BIM will ensure that the hypothetical situations planning are possible. This will mean that the
contractor will have ability to build a model which will be tested as a real project on the

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ground and hence all the physical factors are fully considered and that the integrity of the
structures which are to be constructed are tested to find out how they will be able to hold in
the real live physical conditions.
BIM will assist in finding out the collision which will be likely to occur during the actual
construction process. This will guarantee that there is nothing which is foreseen will happen
because it will be dealt with before the start of the construction of the school.
d)
The key role BIM in the construction of the school will be to ensure the safety and health of
all those people who will be involved in the delivery of the project .BIM will be able to foresee
any safety concern which will harm those who will be involved in the construction process.
This can only be accomplished by bearing in mind that the companies chosen by the contractor
initially before the design began are up to the task and they are keen to observe the safety and
health issues thus trusted upon that. (Gresham Smith, 2018, p. 54). BIM will ensure that all the
rules and regulations which have to be adhered to during construction are strictly followed and at
the same time it will help in checking all the codes which are to be adhered to and facilitates
automatic checking , hence ensuring timely measures are put in place effectively.
References
Azhar, S., 2011. Building information modeling (BIM): Trends, benefits, risks, and challenges
for the AEC industry. Leadership and management in engineering, 11(3), pp.241-252.

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Davenport, T.H. and Short, J.E., 2017. The new industrial engineering: information technology
and business process redesign.
Eastman, C., Teicholz, P., Sacks, R. and Liston, K., 2011. BIM handbook: A guide to building
information modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers and contractors. John Wiley
& Sons.
Harris, F. and McCaffer, R., 2013. Modern construction management. John Wiley & Sons.
Harrison, F. and Lock, D., 2017. Advanced project management: a structured approach.
Routledge.
Pahl, G. and Beitz, W., 2013. Engineering design: a systematic approach. Springer Science &
Business Media.
Volk, R., Stengel, J. and Schultmann, F., 2014. Building Information Modeling (BIM) for
existing buildings—Literature review and future needs. Automation in construction, 38, pp.109-
127.