Plan
A plan is a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.
Commercial Continuous Improvement Assessment Framework, published by HM Government in May 2021, suggests: ‘A plan ensures that desired outputs and outcomes are likely to be delivered within defined constraints, to meet an agreed strategy.’
Construction projects are very complex, with many risks, and careful planning is vital to ensure requirements are satisfied, problems are avoided and delivery is achieved on time and on budget.
The word ‘plan’ can have many different meanings in the construction industry:
- BIM Execution Plan.
- Block plan.
- Business plan.
- Commissioning plan.
- Construction phase plan.
- Contingency plan.
- Cost plan.
- Design management plan.
- Emergency plan.
- Environmental plan.
- Floor plan.
- Health and safety plan.
- Inspection & Test Plan.
- Local plan.
- Location plan.
- London plan.
- Master Information Delivery Plan.
- Material management plan
- National infrastructure plan.
- Neighbourhood plan.
- Off-plan property.
- Performance management plan.
- Plan making.
- Procurement plan.
- Project execution plan.
- Project implementation plan.
- Project plans.
- Project quality plan.
- Site layout plan for construction.
- Site layout planning for daylight and sunlight.
- Site plan.
- Site waste management plan.
- Stakeholder management plan.
- Task information delivery plan.
- Travel plan.
- Types of drawings.
NB In the construction industry, the term ‘planning’ can also refer to the process of obtaining planning permission, or the general subject of town and country planning.
Featured articles and news
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.