Last Updated on November 23, 2022 by Kravelv
Every construction project follows a checklist that fulfills every requirement of the client. But it shouldn’t be limited to just that. A comprehensive checklist focuses on more construction aspects, such as resource management, budget, and risks.
Many companies use construction management software like Bridgit to optimize their workforce to align a checklist with the client’s requirements.
Want to know more about the construction checklist? This article will tell you everything you should know.
What is a construction checklist?
A construction checklist or a pre-construction checklist is a document that includes several tasks. The head of every construction team gets a checklist that includes many activities, items, or components that need to be carried out by the workers. Not only that, but the construction checklist also directs the teams if they miss any step during the project.
The importance of construction checklist
The construction checklist is an important document ensuring every task is efficiently completed. The checklist also runs through all construction project phases to determine quality.
Here are the 5 factors that highlight the importance of a construction checklist:
1. Risk assessment
A construction checklist puts light on the project risks and its mitigation strategies. The risk document is created in the planning phase after checking the client’s requirements and due diligence using a checklist.
For example, the checklist might include maintenance of cutting-edge imported equipment. You will go behind the project schedule if you don’t regularly maintain it.
2. Resource management
It’s important to identify resource utilization throughout the construction project. Then, you can follow the checklist and manage resources to boost efficiency.
3. Safety analysis
Do you know that there were 5,333 fatal injuries in the US construction industry in 2019? No doubt, this industry is quite dangerous, but by using a construction checklist, you can maximize workers’ safety, for example:
- Equipment – By providing additional protection while using a particular equipment
- Environment – Adding safety sensors and providing emergency kits to the workers
- Transportation – Ensuring that the transportation route is safe
4. Maintenance and repair
The maintenance checklist helps you keep a check on the required equipment. This checklist is also useful for long-term equipment maintenance regularly.
5. Client updates
A construction project is distributed among different teams separated by distance and maybe time. That means the team heads don’t know when to submit a report to the client. But using a checklist, you can easily collaborate with the team heads and update the client on the project.
4 types of construction checklists
Multiple departments actively work on a construction project. For example, the design department might consist of 6-8 designers and architects. Similarly, the on-site contractor might have a team of 20-30 subcontractors.
Each department must follow a particular checklist to initiate the project according to the plan and efficiently deliver it to the client.
Therefore, we’ll look at the 4 types of construction checklists:
1. Certifications
You already know the risks associated with the construction industry. That’s why hiring only qualified employees for the job is important. The employees must be eligible to fulfill their responsibilities by considering the construction standards.
For example, a subcontractor having 10 years of experience might not follow the safety standards. Of course, they can carry out the mainstream job, but they are not eligible to join the modern construction project.
So, follow a checklist with all the certifications mentioned for each worker and only hire eligible ones for the project.
2. Equipment
Construction projects require various equipment, like bulldozers, excavators, and graders. However, you can also use modern machinery like drones, robots, and digital monitoring to reduce the workforce and streamline the workflow.
Regardless of what equipment you choose, you must follow a checklist to check the construction-worthiness of the equipment. You will also realize whether to buy or rent machinery using the checklist.
3. Emergencies
The emergency checklist is crucial as it draws a line between workers’ life and death. Unfortunately, although every construction company has an emergency checklist, not everyone follows it.
Emergencies in construction are unexpected. Even if you make a risk plan, you never know if things will turn into chaos. Therefore, invest more time analyzing the emergency checklist and consult an experienced construction manager and contractor. They’ll further guide you.
4. Quality
You must submit quality deliverables to the client with the help of a checklist. The project’s quality determines your company’s reputation and future prospects. So, prioritize quality instead of savings to leave an impact on the client.
Components of a construction checklist
A construction checklist might vary from project to project, but its components remain the same. Here they are:
Budget plan
You will go through the budget plan at least three times during the construction project life cycle:
- Bidding stage – The client requires a rough estimate of the project
- Planning stage – The construction manager and contractor create a budget plan
- Project cost – The final project cost before the closeout phase
The budget plan is a key factor for the client and your company. So, you must carefully analyze it and mark it on the checklist.
Master Schedule
The construction master schedule includes the project milestones, deliverables, and work breakdown structure (WBS). It also has a detailed timeline of the construction activities.
Communication plan
You should also mark the checklist regarding how you will communicate with other team members throughout the construction project.
Procurement plan
The contractor is usually responsible for the procurement process because of their experience and network. However, contractors tend to hire subcontractors independently for the project.
In such a case, you must guide the contractor about the certification checklist and the criteria of the construction project. Only then will they hire eligible workers for the project.
Work breakdown structure (WBS)
WBS is a visual document that divides the project scope into smaller tasks to make the project more understandable. It also helps team heads and members to prioritize their activities and create a link between other tasks to boost efficiency.
Conclusion
A construction checklist is a mandatory document to follow during the project. If you choose to complete the project without a checklist, it will lack efficiency, breach protocols, and might even lead to accidents. Therefore, distribute the checklists among the construction teams and deliver the construction project with quality.
