Phase 1

Pre-Design Stage

Preparation & Initiation

1. Who is the Project Owner ?

1.1 A project Owner is the person who is ultimately responsible for the success of a project and its completion on time and within budget. They are typically the head of the business unit that proposed the project or will receive the project’s output. Key responsibilities includes, Leadership, Championing the project, Securing funding, Assembling the project team, Communication, Resources and Critical path management (Generative AI).

2. Who is the Owner’s Construction Manager Or Project Manager ?

2.1 The person tasked with initiating, planning, executing, and closing a project, and with managing all aspects of project performance through all phases. The term is typically used for a project management professional. Project managers are able to use organizational resources for projects. They serve as contact points for sponsors, program managers, and other stakeholders (Smartsheet Glossary 2017)

3. Who is the Project’s Quantity Surveyor Or Cost Consultant (QS) ?

3.1 A quantity surveyor (QS) is a construction industry professional who manages the financial and legal aspects of construction projects. They are experts in estimating the costs of labor, materials, and time required for a project. In the UK, quantity surveyors are also known as Chartered Surveyors (Generative AI).

4. Who is the Project’s Prime Consultant Or Architect/Engineer ?

4.1 A prime consultant is a design firm or professional that is hired by the Owner to provide the main part of professional services for a project, Responsibilities includes managing and coordinating design subconsultants, and for ensuring the project meets the Owner needs and expectations (Generative AI).

5. Who is the/a Project’s General Contractor ?

5.1 A general contractor is responsible for providing all of the material, labor, equipment (such as heavy equipment and tools) and services necessary for the construction of the project. A general contractor often hires specialized subcontractors to perform all or portions of the construction work (Wiki).

6. Who is a Project’s Sub-Contractor (Sub) ?

6.1 A project’s subcontractor is a person, team, or business that is hired to perform a specific part of a project or contract for a general contractor. Subcontractors are often hired for their area of expertise, such as electrical work, drywall, or roofing (Generative AI).

7. Who is the/a Constructor by Ontario/Canadian Law ?

7.1 In Ontario, a Constructor is a person or entity that takes on a construction project for an owner and is responsible for the project’s overall safety. The Constructor is defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) as someone who or entity that assumes responsibility for a construction project. This can include the owner who self-perform the work themselves or hires more than one vendor to do it. A constructor is responsible for ensuring that all workers and employers on the project comply with the OHSA and regulations. They must also make sure that the project follows the OHSA’s prescribed measures and procedures (Generative AI).

8. What is the Key Role, Responsibilities & Competencies of a GC vs Sub ?

8.1 The main difference between a contractor and a subcontractor is that a contractor is responsible for the entire project, while a subcontractor is responsible for a specific part of the project. Key responsibilities of a contractor is for the project’s completion, meeting deadlines, communicating with the Owner, and managing the project’s budget and schedule. A subcontractor is responsible for completing their specific part of the project, and they report any concerns to the contractor. The Owner hires a contractor to complete a project, while the contractor hires a subcontractor to perform specific tasks. Contractors negotiate contracts with the client, while subcontractors primarily collaborate with the contractor who hires them (Generative AI).

9. What are Construction Manager/ Contractor & Subcontractor Scopes of Work ?

9.1 A contractor’s and subcontractor’s scope of work (SOW) is a contractual agreement that outlines the work to be performed and the responsibilities of each party. A scope of work informs contractors and subcontractors of their responsibilities for the construction project (Generative AI & Indeed).

10. What are the Different Construction Business Sectors ?

10.1 The construction sector refers to a part of the construction industry. This industry involves building, repairing and maintaining infrastructure and real estate projects. This includes residential, commercial or industrial construction along with civil engineering projects such as bridges, roads and dams. The construction industry also includes planning, financing, renovation, and maintenance of infrastructure and civil engineering projects (Indeed & Generative AI).

11. What is the Construction Project Life Cycle & Each Phases?

11.1 The construction project development life cycle is a series of phases that a construction project goes through from start to finish. These phases includes Initiation, also known as the pre-construction phase; Project planning which involves schematic design, design development, and architectural and engineering planning; Construction execution where the construction plan is put into action; Project performance and monitoring phase happens simultaneously with the construction phase. It ensures the project is on schedule and running efficiently. Completion and post-construction are the final phases of the project, where it is handed over to the Owner.

11.2 The Five Phases of a Construction Project 

11.3 RIBA Five Project Phases Plan of Works

11.4 The Six Stages of Construction Life Cycle

11.5 Six Phases of Construction Project Life Cycle

11.6 An Overview of the Building Delivery Process

12. What are Project Delivery Models & Contracting Methods?

12.1 Project delivery methods and contracting methods are used to define how a construction project is designed and built, and the responsibilities of the parties involved: 

12.2 Project delivery methods define how stakeholders work together throughout the project, from conception to completion and establishes relationships between parties, such as the owner, designer, and contractor, and how they will fulfill their obligations. Contracting methods involves the types of contracts to be used in a project, such as lump sum, guaranteed maximum price, or cost plus.

12.3 The right project delivery method and contracting methods can help avoid disputes and time or cost overruns. Some common project delivery methods:

  • Design-Bid-Build (DBB)
  • Design-Build (DB)
  • Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)
  • Construction Management Multi-Prime (CMMP)
  • Public-Private Partnership (PPP or P3)
  • Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) 

 

When choosing a project delivery method, you can consider factors such as: project scope, risks and  liability issues, timeline, budget, and previous experience (refer to CMAA guide)

13. Glossary of Construction Projects Terms