Change management in the construction industry is the process of identifying, evaluating and implementing changes to construction projects to ensure their success and minimize negative impacts on cost, time and quality. This is important for eliminating design or engineering errors, poor project planning or management, financing or cash flow problems, supply chain problems, and legal or regulatory issues. Changes can be made both during the design and construction phases, and the sooner changes are made, the more costs will be saved for the project.
Some key aspects of change management in construction include:
- Planning for change: Change management should be planned at each stage of the project life cycle, ensuring that the necessary resources, such as time, budget, and materials, are allocated to implement changes.
- Setting expectations: Creating a change framework is critical to effective change management. This involves creating an environment in which stakeholders understand the importance of change and are willing to adapt to new circumstances.
- Effective change order policy: A clear and well-defined change order policy helps manage changes in the project by ensuring that all parties are aware of the process and requirements for handling changes.
- Use of change procedures: Using proper procedures can help streamline the change management process by making it easier to track changes, communicate with stakeholders, and manage project updates. We can help Clients create project management procedures at the project initiation stage.
- Monitoring and analysis: Regular review of the change management process allows for continuous improvement and learning from past experiences.
A well-managed change process will result in more reliable project schedules and better overall project management. We can help improve the process and ensure future changes are handled more efficiently.
Common types of changes in construction projects include:
- Design changes: Include changes in design drawings, specifications, layout, materials, or structural design elements.
- Scope changes: Refers to adjustments to specific project scope, such as adding or deleting work activities, deliverables, or project objectives that affect project goals and requirements.
- Changes in methods: Include changes in the way the work is performed or the materials used, which may affect the project configuration, sequence of work.
- Unforeseen site conditions: Changes due to unforeseen events or circumstances, such as changes in weather conditions, geological conditions or force majeure, requiring immediate adjustments to activities, resources or schedules.
- Changes to original design: Includes changes to the original scope of construction work, such as additions, substitutions, or deletions from the original scope of work required by the contract.
- Changes in original quantities: Changes in original quantities measured by surveyors that affect the cost and schedule of the project.
- Directed changes: These are changes explicitly directed by the Owner, such as adding or deleting work, revising material specifications, or changes in project phasing.
These types of changes are common in construction projects and require effective change management to ensure they are properly identified, assessed and implemented to minimize disruption and negative impact on the project. By implementing effective change management techniques in construction projects, EK Innovative Engineering consultants can benefit from cost savings, improved project outcomes and increased Client satisfaction.
To find out more, please contact us at info@ek-innovative.com to receive information from experts competent in the respective field.