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
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation which closes 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.