What is a project?
A project is a series of related tasks which when they are carried out in the correct order will lead to the completion of the project. Projects are temporary, generally resulting in the creation of a tangible product or outcome. This is as opposed to a program, which is a series of interrelated projects that may be carried out repeatedly or continuously to support an ongoing process.
What is a construction project?
A construction project, sometimes just referred to as a ‘project’, is the organized process of constructing, renovating, refurbishing, retrofitting, or adapting a building, or other built asset such as a tunnel or bridge.
The project process typically starts with an overarching business requirement which is then developed through the creation of a brief, feasibility studies, option studies, design, financing, and construction.
Construction projects are typically one off’s (particularly in the UK). That is, a project team, brief, and financing are put together to produce a unique design that delivers a single project. Once the project is complete the team is disbanded and sometimes will not work together again. This can make it difficult to develop ideas or relationships, and so lessons learned are often not carried forward to the next project. The exceptions to this are repeat developers such as supermarket chains, housebuilders, and so on.
Who is involved in construction projects?
Typically, a construction project comprises many smaller projects which require a wide range of different disciplines working in collaboration. Large numbers of people are involved on a typical construction project, with the structure and composition of the project team usually changing through its duration. Projects may be coordinated by a project manager (or by a lead consultant) who is supported by professionals such as an architect, engineer, cost consultant and so on.
There will also be a range of suppliers, including contractors, sub-contractors, manufacturers, and so on.
This separation of project roles into different disciplines, and contractual arrangements that further separate the client, consultants, contractors, and subcontractors can make construction projects adversarial. This can result in conflict, opposition, confrontation, dispute, and even hostility.
Solutions that have been put forward to combat the adversarial nature of construction projects include:
- Partnering and collaborative contracts such as NEC
- Alternative dispute resolution.
- Careful consideration of selection criteria.
- Integrated supply teams.
- Fair payment practices
- Other collaborative practices.
There will also be several third parties involved in construction projects, such as neighbors, local authorities, funders, insurers, unions, customers, and so on.s.
What permissions are required for construction projects?
Several permissions are generally required for construction projects. These may be required before construction begins, during the construction works, and before the completed project is occupied. Examples include planning permission, building regulations approval, licensing, and so on.
Public v private construction projects
Projects may be public, or private:
- A ‘public project’ is financed by the government is typically owned, and may be operated by the government. This can include major infrastructure works such as roads, bridges, dams, railways, tunnels, and so on, or public facilities such as hospitals, schools, prisons, libraries, leisure centers, and so on. For more information, see Public project definition.
- A ‘private project’ is financed, controlled, or commissioned by a private party, i.e. one that is not a government. Private parties can include individuals, corporations, charities, privately funded institutions, schools, hospitals, and so on.
Some projects involve both public and private entities. Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are a very broad range of partnerships in which the public and private sectors collaborate for some mutual benefit, which can include the completion of a construction project.