The Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 (CDM) interpretation of “preconstruction phase” means any period of time during which design or preparatory work is carried out for a project and may continue during the construction phase.

Ellipsis International Solutions can support with the management and implementation of the systems and processes required for the 5 key parts of CDM including the preconstruction phase as follows

• Part 1 - Commencement, interpretation, and application.

• Part 2 - Client duties.

• Part 3 - Health & Safety Duties and Roles.

• Part 4 - General requirements for all construction sites.

• Part 5 – General (covering regulations 36 to 39)

A construction project has a number of  key stages including preconstruction, planning, mobilisation, delivery, monitoring and close-out. Fundamental to the process of implementing the requirements of the CDM regulations is understanding the requirements for preconstruction, which will give the understanding of how they can follow through with the construction project. The preconstruction process is vital to the success of the entire construction project.

The preconstruction phase should give the construction team a clear outline to follow during the project and Ellipsis International Solutions’ team can support and where required educate their client’s project team on what they will need to do to deliver their project, creating an understanding of the scope, schedule and what it is expected to cost. This is particularly important for client’s entering a new market or sector. The project’s success will often be dependent on this process and this helps the client better understand the project before they commit to work being done.

Ellipsis International Solutions can assist Construction managers who look after the preconstruction phase to define the following:

• Understanding of the project brief

• Assemble a team to do the work

• Create a strategy and schedule

• Develop an understanding of the owner’s business goals and align the project solution to match

The primary outcomes of the preconstruction phase include scope, schedule, risk, and cost.

Despite the initial investment, a detailed preconstruction process and procedures also saves money on construction projects because of the value it provides. Good preconstruction allows for value engineering and buildability analysis and helps prevent issues arising, each of which can be costly when addressed live on a construction project. Preconstruction offers many benefits to both Employers and contractors. The top benefits of preconstruction include:

• Removal of unknown variables for the Employer (commissioning client) and contractor

• It provides a clear picture of what the project will look like and how it will be executed

• It enables risk to be assessed and mitigated calmly without the pressures of live project working

• The completion date for the work can be assessed

• It provides the contractor the opportunity to present potential options for cost savings and value engineering proposals, which benefit the Employer.

To ensure efficiency the preconstruction process should always include a meeting between the commissioning client (Employer) and the contractor, this may be in the form of a structured site visit or presentation. During this meeting, the contractor will get a better sense and understanding of the Employer’s wants and needs. Goals and objectives will be defined, and any questions or issues the Employer has will be laid out for the contractor to resolve.

The preconstruction methodology ensures smooth and successful implementation during construction phases of the projects which are generally executed in a fast‐pace, deadline‐driven and cost‐conscious environment.

Evaluating all possible scenarios upfront gives the Employer confidence that the contractor they are working with knows what they are doing. Having realistic expectations helps avoid issues once the project is underway. It is a real “win-win” for everyone involved.

Ellipsis International Solutions’ have experience working with Employers and Contractors to ensure that the preconstruction phase of a project is optimised to provide the best possible wins for the overall project delivery.  Contact us to find out how we can assist with your specific requirements.