Early appointment of O&M providers

[edit] Introduction

On a typical construction project, the main contractor has between 30 – 40 subcontractors to procure and manage. Procurement is largely driven by the construction plan which means an O&M provider (Operation and Maintenance) is often appointed late in the project.

This creates a problem as the time it takes to collate and review 30 – 40 O&M submissions should not be underestimated. Condensing this activity into a few weeks or months before practical completion (PC) gives the contractor, supply chain and O&M provider little time to manage the task properly. Ultimately, this can lead to project delays or the risk of incomplete O&Ms at PC.

[edit] Issues with late engagement

• Added cost for O&Ms not previously budgeted for.
• Trades already left site and fully paid.
• No standardisation across O&M submissions.
• Increased pressure on site teams close to PC.
• Risk of missing or incomplete O&M submissions.
• Unhappy end client.

Procuring the O&M package early in the project, makes everybody’s life easier, as the dedicated O&M provider can manage the supply chain in line with the construction plan.

O&M templates can be included in trade contracts to ensure a standardised format is followed. Managing trades as they start on site gives enough time to conduct a thorough review process and makes sure a complete and accurate set of O&Ms is delivered at PC.

The end result is less stress for the main contractor at handover and a happy client with all the information needed to run and maintain their building safely and effectively.

[edit] Benefits of early engagement

• Cost certainty – a realistic budget for O&Ms in the cost plan.
• O&M templates in contract documents.
• Free up valuable site resource.
• Trades managed as and when they start on site.
• Plenty of time to conduct a thorough O&M review.
• Smooth, pain free handover at PC.
• Happy client with a complete and accurate as-built record.

Appoint an O&M provider at the start of the project and gain the full benefits of early engagement – a fully managed process delivering a complete and accurate as-built record at PC.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Building log book.
• Building user's guide.
• Decommissioning.
• Deferred maintenance.
• End-user.
• Handover to client.
• Health and safety file.
• Maintenance.
• Operation, maintenance and training (OMT).
• O&M manual.
• Practical completion.
• Preliminaries.
• Technical guide.
• Tender documentation.
• Users.