Constructability Improvement Using Prefabrication, Preassembly, and Modularization

This research, published in July 1986, was CII’s first effort to define and quantify the benefits of an effective constructability program. CII defines the new term “constructability” as the optimal use of construction knowledge and experience in planning, design, procurement, and field operations to achieve overall project objectives.

Constructability results in better projects: lower costs, better productivity, earlier project completions, and earlier start-ups. Paybacks for various examples from the research vary, but The Business Roundtable’s (BRT) B-1 study team estimated that the benefits of early construction involvement are at least 10 to 20 times the cost.

This research stresses that construction considerations should begin early, and be incorporated into every phase of a project; feasibility studies, conceptual planning, design, procurement, as well as construction. Only through the effective and timely integration of construction input into planning and design as well as field operations will the potential benefits of constructability be achieved.

It also defines what constructability is not. Constructability is not just:

• Determining more efficient methods of construction after mobilization of field forces
• Allowing construction personnel to review engineering documents periodically during the design phase
• Assigning construction personnel to the engineering office during design
• A modularization or preassembly program

Projects that emphasize constructability have four common characteristics.

1. Owner and contractor (design and construction) managers are committed to the cost effectiveness of the whole project. They recognize the high cost influence of early project decisions.
2. These managers use constructability as a major tool in meeting project objectives concerning cost and schedule.
3. These managers bring construction aboard early. This means finding the right kind of construction personnel: experienced people with a full understanding of how a project is planned and built, not just people who may be available because they are between jobs.
4. Designers are receptive to improving constructability. They think constructability, request construction input freely, and evaluate that input objectively.

Research Team 3 was created to be a primer on the subject of constructability. Research Team 34 has superseded much of the research; however, the guidelines for implementing a constructability program and constructability improvement during conceptual planning present solid fundamental information.