Is Pre-Construction Planning a Good Investment?
In this blog, we explore one of the most important questions
in construction management: Is pre-construction planning worth the investment?
The answer is an emphatic, undeniable, trillion-percent YES.
Let’s break down why this phase is so critical, referencing
key concepts from the powerful book How Big Things Get Done, along with
insights from Elevating Pre-Construction Planning, resources every construction
professional should have at their fingertips.
Why Pre-Construction Planning Matters:
You’ve probably heard someone say, “Just throw a
superintendent in an office with a set of drawings.” That never works.
Pre-construction isn’t about sitting around; it’s about actively shaping the
conditions for project success.
In fact, the goal is to complete at least three iterations of
the construction plan before breaking ground. Yes, that might sound ambitious,
but with the right support (and possibly a pre-con department), it’s possible.
And it’s worth it.
By the time you mobilize onsite, you should have:
- A
detailed Takt plan.
- Zone
maps.
- Logistics
plan.
- A
fully designed trailer layout.
- A
clear org chart.
- A risk
and opportunity register.
- A
comprehensive procurement log.
- And of
course, a thoroughly reviewed budget.
Backed by the Numbers:
From the book How Big Things Get Done, we learn from 16,000+
projects worldwide (now likely over 25,000). The statistics are shocking:
- Only 48%
finished on budget.
- Only 8–9%
finished on time.
- Only 0.5%
met owner expectations (budget, schedule, and satisfaction).
Why? Lack of planning.
The Cost of Not Planning:
When projects skip thorough pre-construction, the
consequences are steep:
- Design
issues discovered late.
- Permitting
delays.
- Late
procurement of long-lead items like elevators, switchgear, and curtain
wall systems.
- Uncoordinated
teams moving in opposite directions.
- High
costs to fix issues during construction.
- A “Window
of Doom” the longer the project takes, the more you’re exposed to
black swans (major unforeseen problems).
Solving Problems Where It’s Cheapest:
Here’s the truth: It’s 10x more expensive to solve a problem
during construction than it is during pre-con. If you catch it in pre-con, you
erase a whiteboard or delete a file. If you catch it in the field, you pause
crews, rework installations, lose schedule, and morale drops.
Lean Thinking: Iterate Early
Lean isn’t about iterating in the field while crews wait.
It’s about iterating on paper, design, simulate, refine so that when you
execute, you’re not wasting time or resources.
Final Thoughts:
Pre-construction planning is the investment that
protects every other investment you’ll make in the project. From budget to
safety, to team alignment and client satisfaction, it all starts with great
planning.
If you want to learn more we have:
-Takt Virtual Training: (Click here)
-Check out our Youtube channel for more info: (Click here)
-Listen to the Elevate Construction podcast: (Click here)
-Check out our training programs and certifications: (Click here)
-The Takt Book: (Click here)
Discover Jason’s Expertise:
Meet Jason Schroeder, the driving force behind Elevate Construction IST. As the company’s owner and principal consultant, he’s dedicated to taking construction to new heights. With a wealth of industry experience, he’s crafted the Field Engineer Boot Camp and Superintendent Boot Camp – intensive training programs engineered to cultivate top-tier leaders capable of steering their teams towards success. Jason’s vision? To expand his training initiatives across the nation, empowering construction firms to soar to unprecedented levels of excellence.
On we go
