Constructability Programs: Method for Assessment and Benchmarking

Abstract

Project constructability improvement should be treated as part of an overall continuous project‐improvement process. As such, constructability activities, and results should be continuously evaluated, updated, and improved. This process should include goal setting, self‐assessment, benchmarking of industrywide standards, identification of barriers, and progress measurement. This paper presents a structure of program elements or parameters critical for constructability implementation success and a classification scheme for use in evaluating constructability programs. Industry analysis is used to validate the assessment tool, and the classification system is used to benchmark current constructability implementation practices. Benchmarking study results indicate that the constructability programs of EPC (engineer‐procure‐construct) firms, large‐volume firms, and those involved in industrial projects tend to be more developed, while the constructability programs of general contractors, construction managers, designers, owners, small‐volume firms, and those involved in either the general building or utility sectors tend to be less developed.