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 challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherit 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.
The 2025 draft NPPF in brief with indicative responses
Local verses National and suitable verses sustainable: Consultation open for just over one week.
Increased vigilance on VAT Domestic Reverse Charge
HMRC bearing down with increasing force on construction consultant says.
Call for greater recognition of professional standards
Chartered bodies representing more than 1.5 million individuals have written to the UK Government.
Cutting carbon, cost and risk in estate management
Lessons from Cardiff Met’s “Halve the Half” initiative.
Inspiring the next generation to fulfil an electrified future
Technical Manager at ECA on the importance of engagement between industry and education.
Repairing historic stone and slate roofs
The need for a code of practice and technical advice note.
Environmental compliance; a checklist for 2026
Legislative changes, policy shifts, phased rollouts, and compliance updates to be aware of.
UKCW London to tackle sector’s most pressing issues
AI and skills development, ecology and the environment, policy and planning and more.
Managing building safety risks
Across an existing residential portfolio; a client's perspective.
ECA support for Gate Safe’s Safe School Gates Campaign.
Core construction skills explained
Preparing for a career in construction.
Retrofitting for resilience with the Leicester Resilience Hub
Community-serving facilities, enhanced as support and essential services for climate-related disruptions.





















