Constructability: A Primer
Constructability means better projects—lower costs, better productivity, earlier project completions, and earlier start-ups.
Owners, designers, and builders who belong to the Construction Industry Institute (CII) believe this statement. This publication is addressed to the executives who really cause things to happen in industry so that they will be aware of how they too can benefit from a constructability program—how they can realize the cost savings which better constructability will produce. Paybacks range up to fifteen to one.
The message is, “Be sure that construction considerations are incorporated into every phase of a project—feasibility studies, conceptual planning, design, procurement, as well as construction.”
The research identified that the following six basic constructability concepts are applicable to the conceptual planning phase of any project: (RS3-1, p. 4)
- Constructability programs are made an integral part of project execution plans.
- Project planning actively involves construction knowledge and experience.
- Early planning actively involves construction knowledge and experience.
- Overall project schedules are construction-driven.
- Basic design approached consider major construction methods.
- Site layouts promote efficient construction as well as efficient operation and maintenance.
The research also identified that the following seven basic constructability concepts are applicable to the design and procurement phases of any project: (RS3-1, p. 5)
- Design and procurement schedules are construction-driven.
- Designs are configures to enable efficient construction.
- Design elements are standardized.
- Construction efficiency is considered in specification development.
- Module/preassembly designs are prepared to facilitate fabrication, transport, and installation.
- Designs promote construction accessibility of personnel, material, and equipment.
- Designs facilitate construction under adverse weather conditions.
