Contingency plan
Contingency plans are plans than could be enacted to mitigate project risks identified during risk assessment, if those risks increase or materialise. That is, they are alternative courses of action devised to cope with project risks.
Predictable risks that could be mitigated with forward planning might include:
- Non-delivery of materials. An alternative design might be prepared, or bulk or specific items could be pre-ordered before contractors are appointed
- Lack of available work force. This could be tackled by the provision of a site labour camp or by overseas recruitment.
- Lack of plant and equipment availability (or plant failure or access to spare parts). Plant such as piling rigs and spares could be ordered during the design stages prior to contractor involvement.
- Illness. This could be mitigated by insurance cover for key personnel.
- The risk of obtaining planning permission or other statutory approvals. This might be mitigated by early consultation with statutory authorities prior to design, or by employing ex-statutory authority employees, or consultants familiar with the statutory authority.
- Information and communications technology failure. This might be mitigated by duplicating facilities, establishing back-up procedures and providing uninterrupted power supplies.
- Failure of power or water supply. This might be mitigated by the duplication of supply, uninterrupted power supplies or the provision of standby generators.
NB Functional Standards Common Glossary, published by the Cabinet Office, defines contingency planning/ plans as: ‘A course of action and resulting document(s) that prepares the organisation to respond effectively to future significant events, incidents and risks.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Cross-ventilation in buildings. Do you have it ?
Will you need it ? after June 15 and the new Part O ?
Share your knowledge with the industry.
Create an account and write the first of many articles.
The green jobs delivery group.
CIAT commentary after the first meeting.
Liverpool's world heritage site status
Who is to blame?
Research recommends focussing on portfolio success rather than project success.
ICE and BSI launch revised PAS 128 standard.
The revised standard for mapping underground utilities.
Launching the UK net zero carbon buildings standard.
Cross-industry steering group seeks support in delivery.
How to write an inspection and test plan.
Help us update process pieces from your field.
APM report explores existing practice.
Previous reflections on mental health with CIAT.
COVID-19 and the importance of mental wellbeing.
IHBC accreditation recognised by CSCS
As Professionally Qualified Person (PQP).
The Queens speech; bill by bill for 2022.
In order of relevance and with industry responses.
Mental Health awareness week, May 9-15.
Raising awareness of the impacts of loneliness.
Rapidly renewable materials and construction.
The list is growing, and in more ways than one.
Personal experiences of infrastructure maintenance issues.
We shouldn’t build new, If we can’t maintain what's built.
Mass timber: challenges and potential solutions.
Timber Accelerator Hub phase 1 report
Comments
To start a discussion about this article, click 'Add a comment' above and add your thoughts to this discussion page.