Planning in construction is one of the most important components that people often overlook. The assumption that a general idea provides most of the fuel for a successful project is quite prevalent in many circles of discussion, especially considering the projects that are most noted to be ambitious and daring by professionals.
But planning is a practical skill that cannot be understated. This is because of the importance of construction to the economy. Construction has a hand in developing innumerable projects of differing sizes, all which contribute to the economy. But the amount of time that goes into planning how to go about completing these projects is where time is mostly spent.
There is a strong reliance on quality and safety within the industry. Without it, people will inevitably lose trust in construction professionals to ensure adequate infrastructure is in place. The only true way to ensure this does not happen is through meticulous planning.
Courses for building and construction certainly put lots of resources into planning, by providing units and courses that seek to enhance skills in this area. Planning in construction can vary depending on the types of jobs on the market. For instance, the planning an electrician undertakes will be mostly different to that of a carpenter. However, this contrast does not take away from the importance of planning in construction.
Therefore, this blog details the ways in which construction courses enhance construction planning skills.
Construction courses care more about planning than anything else
The importance of construction to the industry is paramount. Construction is needed for infrastructure and other works to be able to be used by the intended target segment of people. From the beginning to the end of a project lifecycle, you will go through various stages which are not necessarily the same in difficulty and time spent. You may put heavy emphasis on one area and use small amounts of resources in another area. What is noticeable from this, however, is that this cannot be followed to a tee without a foolproof plan.
Construction courses will of course teach you how to perform a certain role or task, and give you the tools to do so. But even more importantly, they teach you how to plan for these tasks and structure workflow so that you can complete it successfully.
You might assume that construction courses are more focused on the content of the topic than anything else, but this is far from the case. In reality, they guide you with the planning of execution. Without proper planning, a task cannot be executed how you want to. Certain units within a course put significant time into teaching you the methods to planning to ensure successful completion of a project.
You will also learn about the types of plans and the stages within them. Plans can be developed at the beginning of a project, or even revised daily across the time spent on a project.
Some of the stages of construction you could be exposed to include:
- Feasibility and design
- Pre-construction
- Procurement
- Construction
And the stages you could come across include:
- An overall plan
- Detailed building plan
- Environmental plan
This very dedication to teaching planning is exactly why construction courses enhance planning skills. The amount of dedication allocated to this area is evidence of this.
Construction courses offer stepping stones to build upon knowledge of planning
What can be inferred when analysing planning in construction is that the skill of planning is not something that is only taught at one level. It is expanded upon as you progress in difficulty from course to course.
Progression is based on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which specifies the standard for educational qualifications in Australia. There are ten levels, which are as follows:
- Certificate I
- Certificate II
- Certificate III
- Certificate IV
- Diploma
- Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
- Masters Degree
- Doctoral Degree
But how does this information relate to developing construction planning skills? To answer this question, consider the levels mentioned above. They each build upon each other, stacking information and subsequently fortifying your knowledge.
Planning is prevalent in each of these levels. But it is not taught once and repeated in the same way across each of the levels. Rather, it is enhanced and developed as a skill as you rise and complete more difficult courses. It goes without saying that the more difficult the course is, the more time needed to understand how to plan effectively.
For example, someone who has completed a Certificate I course will most likely not have the same level of skills in planning as someone who has completed a Diploma.
Undertaking courses of a higher nature enhances skills in planning
Although this point has been briefly mentioned, it can be expanded upon to great effect. There is a particular reason why courses within higher levels of the Australian Qualifications Framework teach you more about planning than other courses at lower levels. This is specifically because of the types of jobs you can obtain with higher qualifications.
Higher levels of the Australian Qualifications Framework are designed to segway students into roles of added responsibility. These roles involve being the leader in some capacity by creating plans, delegating tasks and managing time and resources.
An example of this is the role of a construction manager. construction managers plan, organise, direct, control and coordinate construction of civil engineering and building projects, and the physical and human resources involved in the construction process. Some of the tasks defined include:
- Coordinating labour resources, and procurement and delivery of materials, plant and equipment
- Consulting with Architects, Engineering Professionals and other professionals, and Technical and Trades Workers
- Negotiating with building owners, property developers and subcontractors involved in the construction process to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget
- Preparing tenders and contract bids
- Operating and implementing coordinated work programs for sites
There are many other roles which focus mainly on planning for projects and executing them at a high level. Courses within these levels are designed to enable you with skills in this area. In fact, it is encouraged by professionals to progress further through the Australian Qualifications Framework to strengthen skills in construction planning.
For the reasons mentioned in this blog, construction courses are naturally inclined to enhance your skills in planning for construction. The importance of planning within construction could not be more clear, especially when considering how construction has a direct hand in the quality and safety of life.
As a domino effect, the industry has put time and attention into developing courses that not only show you how to plan effectively, but also teach you the importance so that it is carried on from education to employment. This ultimately helps to keep the industry thriving.
Parker Brent is an accredited provider of courses in building and construction. We currently offer the Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) and the Diploma of Building and Construction (Building). Enquire for here more details.
