Constructability Review (CR) is an important project management tool, which can help reduce project risk. During construction, Requests for Information (RFI's) are often necessary for clarification of design intent or specifications, but often result in construction delays. Even more costly are Change Orders, which owners and contractors find necessary to improve project quality or reduce the costs of construction. In short, this document review process helps to avoid unnecessary costs and/or delays.  Well coordinated documents represent lower risk factors to both our clients and potential contractors, which result in more competitive bids.

MENG Analysis' CR Approach

MENG's Experience in facilitating Constructability Reviews indicate the following key elements to a successful study:

• Review of "Bid-Ready" Documents
• Experienced, Tactful Contractor-based leadership of the CR team
• Field-Experienced CR team members
• Collaborative Approach vs. a "Critical" 3rd Party Review
• Strong (hands-on) Project Management
• Interdisciplinary Workshops vs. Distributed Reviews
• Back-Check Control

It's All in the Details

There was a day when a building could be constructed with just s few sheets of drawings and a handshake.  Things have changed. Often it seems that project engineers are on-site solely to produce change orders and RFI's.  We have new, innovative building systems, which expand design options. The ease and speed of drafting, as well as standard details all help to solve many problems, but templates and the ease of cutting and pasting in drafting software programs also cause problems too.

Preparing a project for bid is usually one of the most stressful of all project phases.  Last minute changes are the rule, rather than the exception for most projects. Coordinating these details throughout the drawings and specifications is very important. With the importance of efficiency and recognizing areas of specialized expertise more and more owners and architects are choosing to benefit from a fresh, unbiased perspective and outsource this detailed, interdisciplinary coordination task to MENG Analysis.

The following article from American School and University Magazine explains why a third-party construction document review to prevent change orders is key for reducing school construction costs during tough economic times.

Cost Control, American School and University Magazine, July 2009