The 7 Essential Stages of a Successful Construction Project

14 January 2023

The complexity of construction projects necessitates multiple stages to ensure that projects are carried through to completion as planned.

Carrying out work in calculated and carefully-measured construction phases ensures that appropriate arrangements and decisions will be made. A precise and controlled approach to project implementation saves time and prevents cost overruns while helping to maintain quality standards.

Here are the seven key phases of construction projects deemed essential for successful completion.

1. Project conception

Every construction project begins with an idea, and the idea or the conception behind a particular project requires thoughtful consideration. At this stage, construction teams should get input from experts to determine if the project is feasible and viable before starting to draft plans or blueprints.

Coming up with an idea is one thing—translating it into reality is another. As one of the preliminary construction phases, project conception is where the project's scope and goals are thoroughly analyzed from all angles to ensure the project concept is realistic.

A dedicated team is required to research and develop the project concept to have something more concrete that can be moved into the planning and design stages.

2. Planning and design

Once the right concept is ironed out, the project can enter the planning and designing stages. The planning phase is critical to the construction project because it lays the foundation for project implementation.

It involves an in-depth explanation of the project, with timelines and milestones established according to the project's scope and goals. Planning also involves estimating, outlining, and approving a budget.

Designing is where the assistance of architects comes into play. Designing takes into consideration the project objectives in addition to the regulations and building codes specific to the region.

3. Preconstruction

The preconstruction phase is the period in which the bidding is completed and the contractor is selected. A team is selected for project execution and roles like project manager, field engineer, health and safety manager, contract administrator, and superintendent are assigned.

Project materials are also selected during the preconstruction phase. Formal building contracts, finance applications, land settlement applications, and building license applications are also submitted during this stage.

During this phase, many contractors make use of technological solutions to ensure successful preconstruction. The Atom™, for example, can be used to proactively plan and avoid the need for reconstruction and rebuilds. This headset allows users to layer and delayer large models for real-time clash detection, minimizing the chance of costly delays and rework.

4. Procurement

Procurement is the phase in which materials decided upon are purchased. This is one of the most important phases of a construction project, as it involves necessary materials being ordered and collected.

This is also the stage at which a project’s main workforce is hired. Most of the work in this stage is conducted by a general contractor.

5. Construction

The construction phase sees all the materials prepared being used to bring blueprints to reality. The work carried out during this phase will determine the quality of the project once it’s completed.

During this phase, subcontractors collaborate with general contractors to ensure every aspect of the project is completed according to plan, working according to a schedule and a set of instructions assigned to them.

A seamless workflow during this phase is crucial. Consider making use of the XYZ Platform, which centralizes project data to connect teams working in the office and onsite. Data can be synced without Wi-Fi, which is vital since construction sites may lack connectivity.

6. Closeout

The closeout phase sees ensuring that the project is completed correctly and that it’s ready for occupancy. Here, building inspectors will conduct a safety examination to evaluate whether the building meets all the specifications and regulatory requirements.

Project managers often conduct a post-project review during this phase to tick all the checkboxes from the contract. This ensures all the developmental plans are met according to the agreement to prevent the possibility of legal issues.

7. Post-construction

The post-construction phase involves builders providing new occupants a set time frame in which they’ll perform necessary maintenance checks. Problems are not always apparent immediately after the completion of a construction project, so a particular revisit time frame helps to identify any problems so they can be addressed.

If there are any issues with the building’s electrical systems, plumbing, or the structure overall, a maintenance team will be sent out to conduct repairs or contact relevant subcontractors to address the problem.

Technology can help improve the efficiency of a project

As a business owner, you may not just be asking, “What are the phases of a construction project?” but also, “How can I optimize this process to save time and money?”. Integrating technology into the project’s workflow can help with improving the efficiency of each construction stage.

Augmented reality is a tool that can be utilized during the planning to post-construction phases. Businesses looking to enhance their construction process and gain an edge over competitors can do so with cutting-edge technology.

Streamline each stage of your construction project with XYZ Reality

XYZ Reality offers Engineering Grade™ augmented reality tools that can improve the construction process. With productivity and safety at the forefront, our tools will help to reduce overall project costs and help you deliver projects on time and on budget.

Book a demo with XYZ Reality today.