Planning to make a Plan
For every project, any deliverable or even for a task one is advised to have a plan. We keep hearing that having a plan in place is like completing 40% of the task.
Won’t you agree that even making a plan for the project is also a sub-project/deliverable/task in itself? If it is so, why not have a plan for making a plan? Will it not be a prolific thing to do?
Yes! It is always a best approach to make a plan for making a plan. What shall we include, in this plan? Let’s explore.
We should consider to answer the
following and document it for future references:
1.
Stages,
WBS Elements and Level of Detailing:
a)
Do
we need a plan for each of the stages?
Feasibility stage,
Concept Stage, Design Development Stage, Execution Initiation Stage etc.
b)
What
should be the ‘Work Breakdown Structure’ in various stages?
It is preferable to keep
the WBS Structure consistent throughout the stages; some WBS elements may not
be included in some of the stages e.g., Plan for Execution stage may exclude the
Marketing or Finance related WBS elements.
c)
What
should be the level of detailing for different WBS elements in different stages?
In feasibility stage,
finance and returns related WBS elements may have more detailing, but in
Concept stage, marketing and design get prominence. In execution off-course a
lot of elements have very high level of detailing but the finance and marketing
may not have so.
d)
What
should be the level of detailing for each of the WBS elements in each of the
plan?
In earlier step, we decide inclusion/exclusion of WBS Element in each stage, & in this we decide If the plan would be a Level 2 Plan or Level 3 or say right up to Level 7 or 8.
2.
Phasing
and Zoning of the Project:
e)
In
how many phases the project will be developed?
If the project consists
of say, 12 numbers of 20 storied buildings, would it be developed in 3 clusters
of 4 buildings each or 2 Clusters of 6 buildings each and why so?
f)
How
many zones would be there in each of the Structures?
Would we take entire foot
print of the structure at one go or it is in 2-3 or more parts? e.g. Lift Core, or Shear Walls separately and
rest of area separately in several parts.
Zoning may differ for
different elements of works, e.g. for Finishes the zoning might not be same as
Structure, it may be Lobby, Back-of-House and Flats as zones, similarly for MEP
it might be Shafts, Common Areas and Flats as zones.
g)
What
should be the detailing level for the activities in each zone?
Detailing would be
different in different stages, e.g. in feasibility stage it is at minimal level
and in execution stage it is high level. The detailing criteria can be quantity,
amount or duration for an activity. E.g. any activity cannot have more than
500cum of concrete or the invoice/cost value shall not be more than $1,000/- or
the time required shall not be more than 10 working days. Similarly, the
criteria can also be given for the minimum level of quantity, amount or duration.
3.
Assumptions
and Constraints:
h)
What
the standard productivity for various items of work? What is the complexity
level of project on different parameters?
Defining these would give
the ‘Tailored Productivity to be considered for various items.
i)
What
are the assumptions related to time required for detailing & coordination
of the drawings so that the availability of the drawings for further actions can
be considered?
For example, the
assumptions that Super-Structure drawings can be issued after 6 weeks of issuing
the Sub-Structure Drawings. Architectural drawing would take around 4 months
after structural drawings and similarly the assumptions for various MEP
drawings and off course the further detailing like in Architectural – Door Details
would take 6 weeks after general arrangement drawings etc.
j)
What
are timelines for Procurement?
You have to assume the
time required to float tender after getting details, time required for
obtaining quotations, then time for scrutiny and negotiation, and time required
for issuing the Work Order or Purchase Order
k)
What
are the constraints related to work time?
In some locations work is
allowed between 7AM to 7PM only. In some other areas it’s only allowed to work
between 10PM to 6AM
l)
What
are the other constraints?
In some locations, it’s
related to Noise and in some places, it is related to restrictions of vehicular
movements etc. In some places, it could be the space constraint around
structure.
4.
Logistics
& Enabling Work Requirements:
m)
What
would be the Site Establishment? How will it change during various phases?
Temporary Offices,
Stores, Labour Camps, Storage Yards, Work Shops, Entry and Exit and Approach
Roads. How it would be in each of the phases? Will it change?
n)
How
to arrange temporary Water/Power connection and Telephone, Data Connectivity
etc. arrangements and enabling works for the same?
You may have to consider
tanks and pumping arrangement, Transformer and Cables etc.
o)
What
arrangements would be there for Lifting, Shifting of Resources?
Cranes, Hoists, Trucks,
Cutting/Bending Machines, Form works Yard machinery, Rebar and Pipe Threading,
Marble and Granite Cutting/Polishing, etc. Their Location and various enabling works
required for the same like foundations/Pits etc.
p)
How
the resources would be shared among various phases i.e. is there a dependency
or there could be separate set of resources for each of the phases?
If dependency is there
then you must consider that while making the schedule.
There can be several such things,
which are decided prior to making a plan so that there is enough clarity while detailing
the WBS Element and populating the Activity List. I hope after explain the
above you would have realized that there can be several more such items, which
need to be decided prior to making the Plan.
Abhay Gharpure
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