Construction projects cannot be started from just anywhere. The projects are usually designed, keeping their usability in mind for up to half a century. On the other hand, the major projects are designed to survive for centuries and enter the heritage list. Neglecting the construction process or omitting important activities can undermine the work quality and damage the project in a few years.
To avoid negligence and damage in construction projects, the parties decide on the scope of the work and try their best to follow it. The scope of the work in the construction industry is the document that details the requirements, objectives, expectations, and responsibilities of the involved parties. The document helps the parties avoid any conflict at the later stages.
A single document cannot suffice all the details, contracts, and reports needed in the work scope. So, it can compose several attached documents. Here are some of the work scope's major components, which should be essentially included in the project.
- Project overview
- Project deliverables
- Project schedule
- Roles and responsibility
- Project management
- Reporting requirements
- Additional information
This article intends to provide you with a comprehensive guide about the construction industry's work scope and projects.
Defining the work scope is one of the primary units of any construction project. Without it, working cannot be started. However, in some cases, the involved parties still make mistakes that cause delays and claim issues, as they fail to understand the scope of work properly. So, paying attention while drafting the work scope is crucial to avoid misunderstandings in the process.
Here are some essential tips to perfectly manage the construction scope of work.
The language of the work scope should be very simple, clear, and understandable. The project managers, contractors, subcontractors, project owners, and the experts have to refer to it repeatedly. They might not be able to understand the terminology at times and commit mistakes. So, keep this point in mind. Most parties employ Construction Consultants to prepare and follow the work scope without facing any issue.
The second tip to perfectly manage your construction project's work scope is to break it into smaller activities. Construction projects include several major and minor activities. Categorizing the tasks according to their nature and number can help the parties pay better attention to their completion. So, use this tip to complete the project successfully.
Once you have categorized the construction activities, the next step is identifying the goals of each activity. Without having clear goals in front of you, misunderstanding the needs and committing mistakes can become quite prevalent. The goals should be set according to this format:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable and agreed upon
- Relevant
- Timely
The next tip to make the work scope in your construction project effective and understandable is reviewing its deliverables and objectives. By this point, you must have decided upon all the important elements and activities of the project. So, ensure that some higher authority or representatives of all parties review the deliverable to root out the fear of any mistake or misunderstanding.
One of the major mistakes most construction parties make in their project is not including the designs and diagrams in the work scope. Remember that the work scope should be detailed enough to shed light on every aspect of the construction project. Design and diagrams are an inevitable part of it. The following are some important types of designs to include in the scope of work.
- Room designs
- Elevator/escalator/stairs diagram
- Emergency exit
- Parking lot
- Front look
- Back look
- Floor wise diagrams
- Architectural design details
Preparing the work scope while tending to all the details is not just enough. The parties may be able to complete the project effectively in its light. However, if any problem occurs in the process, they might blame the scope of work. So, get the signature of all the involved parties to ensure that you have understood everything. In addition to it, hire the service of construction consultants and include them in your projects to smoothly deal with all the arising issues.
The work scope is the backbone of a construction project. If you do not pay attention to it, you are bound to make a few mistakes, which will cause loss to your project. You can take help from the experts to prepare and ensure the proper following of work scope, which will lead your project towards success and profit.
