Procurement in Construction
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Construction projects are highly complex, with buyers and sellers often filling multiple roles as project stakeholders. Construction projects have a complex web of different stakeholders: buyers and sellers, owners, clients, contractors or developers - plus an array of specialised vendors like architects engineers and suppliers. Relationships between owners, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers all exist on varying levels of contractual agreement in order to bring the entire endeavour to a successful completion.
Procurement in construction is conducted to better delegate the performance risk amongst these players who specialise in various fields. The procurement process might be repeated hundreds of times on big scale builds for one organisation alone! Procurement in construction carries with it a substantial financial burden - any missteps can have disastrous implications not just for the project owner, but throughout related hierarchies. To avoid this pitfall, even experienced professionals should ensure their contract management and scope knowledge is up-to-date and compliant with relevant legal standards.
[edit] Contractor’s Perspective
For contractors hoping to land the perfect job, bidding can be an extensive and costly exercise. When a successful bid is placed, contract clauses dictate that both buyers and sellers enter into agreement with one another.
Making sure scope, risk factors cost and time are managed properly during this competitive procurement process requires careful consideration of what products or services should be obtained internally versus externally by subcontractors or tradesmen.
As construction practices evolve there are more opportunities than ever before for contractors to show their mettle; by directing subcontractor activities effectively you can prove yourself capable of tackling even the most ambitious projects!
[edit] Owner’s Perspective
With every new construction project comes a number of factors that can heavily influence the cost, timeline and process. From specialised or hybrid contracting methods to fast-tracking projects for quicker outcomes - there are plenty of opportunities present to make decisions that will ultimately determine success.
Fast tracking is one technique to compress schedules which involves concurrently running design and construction stages- sometimes with design decisions made onsite.
See also: Procurement route.
[edit] Reference
Author(s) : Project Management Institute, Inc. (2016)
Name of publication : Construction Extension to the PMBOK® Guide
Place of publication : Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073-3299 USA
Name of publisher : Project Management Institute, Inc.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
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.