Project Life Cycle in Civil Engineering

Study Notes

Economy and Management - Project Life Cycle

The course covers the project life cycle for civil engineering projects, regardless of size or type.
The effective management of each stage of the project lifecycle is crucial for success.
Effective coordination and integration of all project work throughout the lifecycle is vital and the domain of project management.
Project stages are: Concept, Design, Tendering, Preconstruction, Construction, and Commissioning.

Project Stages

The development of construction projects follows sequential stages.
The precise management, coordination, and integration of all works throughout the lifecycle are the primary function of project management.

Project Stages (Detailed)

Concept: The first, most critical stage where the project's execution effectiveness is determined.
Design: Detailed plans and specifications are developed, ensuring the project's viability.
Tendering: Processes for soliciting proposals from contractors.
Preconstruction: Project preparation before formal construction starts.
Construction: Actual physical construction of the project.
Commissioning: Formal project completion and handover.

Project Lifecycle Timeline

A visual representation (graph) shows the relative time commitment for each stage of the project lifecycle.

Conceptual Stage

This critical first stage is essential for a project's success.
Decisions made during this stage heavily influence the project's overall outcome.
It lays the groundwork for a functional, aesthetically pleasing, and economically viable design.
Poor conceptual stage decisions lead to inaccurate designs and associated cost and time overruns.
The development of a project concept requires thorough analysis addressing: Principal requirements, resources, performance standards, external factors, and decision-making processes.
Statement of Principal Needs: The construction principal/client is who initiates the project and their needs (e.g., capital investment, facility improvements, infrastructure) are documented.
Scope Statement: Clear definition of the project deliverables and requirements, including physical attributes, technical specifications, operational considerations, and environmental factors.
Feasibility Study: A technical and economic analysis to determine if the project can be executed effectively and economically. This evaluates different scenarios and determines if the project is achievable.
Strategic Plan: Defines the project's scope, execution, responsible parties, timelines, costs, and integrates the principal's needs and project goals with technical and operational requirements.
Project Objectives: The project brief outlines the project scope, defines project objectives, and includes budgets & schedules.
Project Organization: Defining the roles and responsibilities of project participants.
Project Brief: A concise, unambiguous outline of the project which incorporates needs, objectives, scope, budget, and timelines from the principal. The brief must accurately communicate the principal's needs and objectives to the design team. Changes after brief preparation can adversely affect project costs and delays.
Consultant Agreements: Contracts involving consultants to assist the principal throughout the conceptual stage. Payment is typically a lump-sum.

Design Stage

Translation of project concept into design documents, including drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
Design deliverables are vital for securing approvals and serve as the basis for tendering.
Design quality directly impacts post-design processes, project time, costs, and eventual quality.
A strong design management plan is essential; it clearly identifies roles and responsibilities.
A cost budget is prepared which incorporates a contingency for unknown elements in the pre-design phase.
Value management is a crucial approach for appraising the design. This ensure compliance with objectives and cost-effectiveness.