Construction Techniques

used to monitor and control

resources

Schedules
Before materials are ordered from suppliers, it is usually necessary to produce materials schedules.
These are usually provided by the Architect or Engineer but sometimes they are drawn up by the
contractors Quantity Surveyor or Scheduler, with reference to the contract drawings, bill of quantities and
specification.
Usually schedules may consist of:
Window Schedule
Door Schedule
Steel Re-enforcement Schedule
Drainage Schedule
Finishes Schedule
An example would be a door schedule. Each particular door has a reference number which is then drawn
up on a schedule with information regarding the total number of doors required, the material that is going
to be used, the location of that specific door, the size of the door and other various instructions. A typical
door schedule may look like:
DoorSchedule

Door
Ref.

Location

Size
(mmxmm)

Material

Number
Required

Lock
Type

Other
Hardware

Finish

Hinges

D006

Bedroom

1965x736

Softwood

Mortice
5 lever

Letter plate

Varnish

3 No
100mm

Requisitions
Requisitioning is the process where all the finished schedules and material requests are sent off to
the buying department. A requisition states what material is required and when it is required by. This
allows the buying department to be able to purchase the correct material, finishes or object ahead of
time so they are available for use when required. This can also be referred to as a purchase order.

Goods Received Note

The goods received not is a document that is produced after an inspection is carried out when goods
are delivered for proof of the order receipt. The goods received note plays an important role in the
construction industry because it contains a list and a description of the goods that have been
received, including the number and quantity. It simplifies the processing of the goods through the
various departments of the company. These types of notes especially apply to the financial element of
construction, which has documents to make a comparison of the goods that have been supplied in
relation to what was ordered by the company so that you have proof if an item is missing. The note is
then used to raise issues and update stock records.

Vehicle Allocation Sheets

Vehicle allocation sheets are used to make a record of the hours of each company vehicle and
allocate it alongside the contract that the vehicle was employed.

Bar Charts
Bar charts are the easiest and most simple way to produce a scheduling form in the construction
industry. It is widely used due to its simplicity and it is able to adapt to fit a wide variety of events.
A bar chart may sometimes be formed with a list of activities, specifying the start date, duration of
the activity and completion date of each activity and is then plotted into the project time scale. The
detailed level of the bar chart will depend on the project complexity and the intended use of the
schedule. By producing a good bar chart, you are able to schedule subcontractors and material
deliveries that the proper sub and the required materials arrive when they are needed on site,
which allows the contractor to save money, time and hassle. A good construction bar chart may
look something like:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Week1
Week2
Days 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Site Preparation
Footings
Foundations
Temporary Electric Service
Water And Sewer Tap
Soil Treatment
Framing
Masonry Walls
Roof
Windows
Exterior Doors

Week3
11

12

13

14

Week4
15

16

17

18

19

20

Method Statements
Method statements are often used in the construction industry for controlling specific health and safety
risks that have been identified. These types of risks could be things such as lifting operations, demolition
or dismantling, working at height, installing equipment and the use of plant and machinery.
A method statement is useful as it helps to manage the work and makes sure that necessary and
sufficient precautions are put into place and communicated to those involved in the risks. The
development of method statements provides evidence that:
Significant health and safety risks have been identified
Co-operation of workers have been ensured
Safe, co-ordinated systems of work have been put into place
Workers have been involved in the process
The statements are usually used after a risk assessment of operation has been carried out. The method
statement is always Site specific and are used for a particular section of similar work, they detail
boundaries, materials and plant requirements and temporary work designs. These types of statements
must be written by a competent person familiar with the work processes.

Budget and Cost Plans

Budget and cost plans are usually prepared by the Quantity Surveyors. They progress through the
lifecycle of the construction project and often develop in detail and accuracy when more information
becomes available regarding the design, and actual prices are provided instead of the original
estimates.
The Quantity Surveyors can provide a full budget estimating and cost planning which is then used to
control expenditure, ensure that the client receives better value for money in the design and construction
elements and also to ensure that the project budget that was agreed to during the planning stage is
maintained.