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
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
Construction contract awards reach £7.1bn in February
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
How to write an inspection and test plan
ITPs for quality control and assurance particular elements.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.
Winners of the 2024 ASBP Awards
Project, Product and Initiative according to the 6 pillars.
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.