Using research learned about site setup and construction processes, address the following in your post to the discussion topic:
In what ways can a poorly designed site layout affect a project?
What methods and materials can be used to ensure proper site design, and how can these best be implemented or used?
Refer to the research you find/ your personal experiences to support your answers.
Respond to the 2 peers below (at least 1 paragraph each), compare and contrast your post with theirs. Use specific examples from any experience you have had preparing the layout of a job site.
To complete this assignment, review the Discussion Rubric.
Peer 1 Erik
It is important to have “A well-organized, clean jobsite provides a working environment that is conducive to completing work tasks for all jobsite personnel, including direct-hire and subcontractor employees.”(Mincks, Johnston, 2017). With out a well-organized jobsite site planning can lead to wasted time, low labor productivity, and increased safety hazards. For example, poor material storage placement can cause delays in retrieving necessary supplies, this could cause workers to navigate through unsafe or congested areas. I have experienced poor material handling at my job. I am a utility worker and poor placement of poles causes us to waste time by relocating it and also creates unnecessary hazards by needing to drag a pole in traffic to the proper location.
Ensuring proper site design requires the use of various methods. One critical method is to utilize pre-construction planning, which can involve creating detailed site layouts that include material storage, equipment placement, worker movement, and safety zones. Another method is using Building Information Modeling (BIM) “is ideal for many uses in the design and construction process, providing better communications, understanding, efficiencies, and problem solving”(Mincks, Johnston, 2017) as it allows project managers to visualize the site in 3D which can help identify potential conflicts before construction begins. Another important method is the use of automation software management tools, which can “Analyzing costs, planning labor, on site safety, and material handling”(Jones, 2022). These tools help too keep projects on time and in budget.
It is important to include these strategies early and communicate among project managers, site supervisors, and engineers. By utilizing BIM and automation technologies during the pre-construction phase, managers can adjust site layouts to avoid disruption during construction. Utilizing these tools helps mitigate risks and ensures overall project efficiency and safety.
-Erik Medina
References
Mincks, W. R., & Johnston, H. (2017). Construction jobsite management (4th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Jones. (2022, January 13). Construction manager’s guide to seamless projects: 4 ways to automate site processes. For Construction Pros.
Peer 2 Nickolas
The success of a project relies heavily on how effectively and efficiently a contractor manages the project, including the job site itself. An unorganized laydown yard can wreak havoc on the project schedule if materials are not placed in the order needed for the project (Mincks & Johnston, 2016). Ultimately, missed steps due to the poorly executed phasing of the laydown yard will increase the time required to complete each deliverable and incur additional costs for re-work on both the project and the laydown yard arrangement (Mincks & Johnston, 2016). On several occasions, I’ve found that poorly planned logistics often lead to safety issues and accidents when materials are missed placed or equipment is unavailable to either offload or move ill-placed equipment.
Methods for addressing the laydown yard can be resolved during the pre-design, and further addressed during the preconstruction meeting with the awarded contractor (Tsegay, et al., 2023). In the pre-design phase of the project, the project team should be looking at the footprint required to support the project. This will lend to understanding all logistical needs for both storage and equipment required to move materials when needed. During the preconstruction meeting, locations and logistical requirements can be ironed out to better accommodate the project schedule and address any supply chain constraints (Tsegay, et al., 2023). In my experience working on municipal capital projects, these two checkpoints eliminate most of the unforeseen logistical issues for job site and laydown yard management. On more complex projects, I have included broaching laydown yard requirements during Prebid site visits and requiring a physical onsite visit either by hosting the preconstruction meeting onsite or directly after an indoor session.
Reference
Mincks, W. R., & Johnston, H. (2016). Construction Jobsite Management (4th ed.). Cengage Learning US.
Tsegay, F. G., Mwanaumo, E., & Mwiya, B. (2023). Construction site layout planning practices in inner-city building projects: space requirement variables, classification and relationship. Urban, Planning and Transport Research, 11(1), 2190793.
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