Construction drawings are more than just blueprints for building structures. They are also essential tools for managing project risks, such as cost overruns, delays, safety hazards, and quality issues. In this article, you will learn how construction drawings can help you identify, analyze, mitigate, and monitor project risks throughout the project lifecycle.
Construction drawings are detailed and accurate graphical representations of the design, specifications, and requirements of a construction project. They include plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules, and notes that communicate the intent and scope of the project to the contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and inspectors. Construction drawings are also legal documents that define the contractual obligations and responsibilities of the parties involved in the project.
The more details you have on your construction drawing the higher is the chance of clear understanding of the project scope. Clear scope will lead to much robust, effective & reliable estimate and costing. It will also articulate & guide every step & task on site as every plan is well detailed. Construction drawings are not just drawing but communication of what, how in pictures for better project communication. A reliable estimate has little inherent risks, details drawing has gave better insight on almost all issues
Project risks are uncertain events or conditions that can affect the objectives, performance, or outcomes of a project. Identifying project risks is the first step in risk management, as it allows you to anticipate potential problems and plan accordingly. Construction drawings can help you identify project risks by providing you with relevant and reliable information about the project, such as the site conditions, the materials and methods, the design features and constraints, the codes and standards, and the quality expectations. By reviewing and verifying the construction drawings, you can spot any discrepancies, errors, omissions, ambiguities, or conflicts that could cause issues during the construction phase.
What could these possible Project Risks be?: in brief, not including enough details in the “Construction Drawings”, which could result in costly “Contractor’s Change Orders”. There could also be problems encountered with the house itself, regarding the existing and current layout of the house, structural issues, incompatible materials, and/or electrical, mechanical, and plumbing problems. Also, issues with the topographical aspects of the property itself may be revealed, such as easements, grading, drainage, heritage trees, and landscape considerations. These issues will be revealed and resolved, and Building Codes complied with, during the comprehensive process of creating a set of Working Construction Drawings, aka House Plans.
Construction drawings are like a project crystal ball, revealing potential risks before the first nail is hammered. You can anticipate challenges by scrutinizing these drawings, such as design complexities, structural clashes, and material limitations. If, for example, your plumbing plans clash with electrical layouts on paper, it's a red flag for on-site conflicts. That's why it is better to utilize BIM (Building Information Modelling) to define such clashes beforehand. Additionally, detailed drawings expose vulnerabilities to weather conditions, ensuring you prep for rain or shine. Remember, the devil is in the details.
Analyzing project risks is the second step in risk management, as it allows you to evaluate the likelihood and impact of each risk on the project objectives. Construction drawings can help you analyze project risks by providing you with a basis for estimating the time, cost, and resources required for the project, as well as the potential deviations and variations that could occur. By using construction drawings, you can perform quantitative and qualitative analysis of the project risks, such as risk ranking, risk matrix, risk breakdown structure, and risk register. By analyzing project risks, you can prioritize the most critical and urgent risks that need to be addressed.
Mitigating project risks is the third step in risk management, as it allows you to reduce the probability or impact of the negative risks, or exploit the opportunities of the positive risks. Construction drawings can help you mitigate project risks by providing you with a framework for developing and implementing risk response strategies, such as avoidance, transfer, acceptance, or reduction. By using construction drawings, you can communicate and coordinate the risk response actions with the project team and stakeholders, as well as document and track the changes and adjustments made to the project scope, schedule, budget, and quality.
Monitoring project risks is the fourth and final step in risk management, as it allows you to track and control the status and performance of the project risks and their response strategies. Construction drawings can help you monitor project risks by providing you with a reference for measuring and reporting the progress and outcomes of the project, as well as identifying and managing any new or emerging risks. By using construction drawings, you can compare the actual results with the planned expectations, as well as verify and validate the compliance and quality of the project deliverables.
Construction drawings are not only useful for designing and building structures, but also for managing project risks. By using construction drawings, you can effectively and efficiently manage project risks throughout the project lifecycle, and ensure the success and satisfaction of your project.