Redefining work planning in heavy civil construction

Are your proposed means and methods thoroughly vetted prior to starting work?

Despite the widespread use of work plans, the contents of a work plan vary drastically throughout the industry. To some, a work plan consists of hundreds of pages of project procedures, contract plans, shop drawings, and specifications assembled into a large 3-ring binder; while to others, a one-page printout containing crew details and a description of the operation is sufficient. Although needs may vary depending on the operation, we define work planning and a work plan as follows.

​Work Planning: The process of evaluating seven critical considerations that influence the safety, cost, schedule, and quality of an operation: 1) design, 2) work area and logistics, 3) sequence of operation, 4) equipment selection, 5) worker access, 6) work tolerances and 7) safety hazards.

​Work Plan: A set of construction sequence drawings created from the output of the evaluation and organized in a manner that clearly communicates the work to the field personnel tasked with performing the operation.

​​Fundamentally, our planning process is a simulation of the actual work execution through the creation of geospatial models in CAD that reflect the site conditions throughout the sequence of an operation. At each stage, we evaluate seven considerations to identify and mitigate interferences, shortfalls, discrepancies, and constraints. All seven considerations drive the means and methods of an operation and arriving at a well-balanced solution often requires several iterations because all components are interrelated.

​1. Design

Design evaluation starts with a thorough understanding of the current plans and specifications. Means and methods must align with the designer’s intent, but we also need the design to facilitate the preferred method of work execution. In evaluating a design, we consider the following:

• What design constraints exist that limit our means and methods?
• Do conflicts or discrepancies exist within the current design that prevent or hinder the operation?
• Would a design change produce a more favorable execution of work?
• Is a further investigation required to properly vet the integrity of the means and methods?
• Do all components fit together both geometrically and functionally?

2. Work Area and Logistics

An evaluation of the work area and logistics considers the flow of people, equipment, and material into, around, and out of the jobsite throughout the sequence of operation. To establish a smooth, efficient flow of people, equipment, and material, we must develop a plan that accounts for space constraints, logistical limitations, site obstructions, utilities, and impacts of adjacent operations.

3. Sequence of Operation

We develop the sequence of operation in conjunction with the evaluation of the work area and logistics as each impacts the other. Each step of an operation may result in a complete transformation of the work area and poses new obstacles and limitations. We analyze the consequences of possible sequences of construction to establish a work progression that provides the most favorable outcome.

4. Equipment Selection

Equipment selection depends on the machine’s ability to operate efficiently and effectively while considering space limitations, site preparation, site obstacles, cost, mobilization, demobilization, and required support equipment. Our evaluation accounts for potential chances to field conditions that could affect the machine’s ability to operate. Once selected, we detail the entire configuration to ensure that machine is properly outfitted to perform the work.

5. Worker Access

Every plan must establish a safe, efficient way for field personnel to access necessary points of the work. Lack of thought towards worker access in the planning process often results in field personnel implementing unsafe acts to access different points of work. A complete plan considers that access may significantly change with each step of an operation. Familiarity with safety regulations is fundamental to understanding the protection measures that must be in place for each operation or situation.

6. Work Tolerances

Our evaluation determines the viability of each applicable tolerance as defined in the contract plans and specifications. Sometimes design tolerances are unachievable, and the design must be reevaluated to provide greater flexibility. When tolerances are strict, we establish measures that increase certainty of achieving the desired outcome.

7. Safety Hazards

As a plan nears completion, we identify all safety hazards that exist for each step of the operation. For each hazard, we determine which can be avoided altogether and which must be mitigated. If necessary, we adjust means and methods to reduce safety risks.

-Jordan Roberts is the President of J.A.Roberts Co.