Look at a significant steel fabrication and it’s easy to become absorbed in the scale and think it’s all about large sections, large loads and large assemblies. But the keys to a successful project usually lie in the smaller details that most people wouldn’t notice.
By ‘success’ we mean the structure conforms with all the technical and performance requirements, and is completed on time and within the budgeted cost. Often, it’s small details missed in the project scoping that would stop this from happening.
Accurate Project Scoping
Whose responsibility is it to ensure the project scope is accurate and complete? Talk to our design team and they’ll tell you that they define their role as producing designs that are easy to fabricate and easy to install in a single attempt, with no late design changes or reworks.
To achieve that you also have to take responsibility for ensuring that the scope and requirements are complete and sufficiently detailed. A reactive service will design what you asked for, a proactive approach will deliver what they know will work in practice.
Moving from reactive to proactive is easier with an integrated process. For example, starting with a combined survey and site inspection team to ensure every relevant detail, constraint and potential clash is captured.
It’s also easier when you have direct lines of communication with fabrication and installation specialists to ensure designs are efficient and practical.
Being Prepared
An example of how details can affect the scope comes from the replacement of the Victorian footbridge at Brading Station. While it was believed that the original iron supporting trestles could be retained, FTE designed replacements that could be quickly manufactured if needed.
This turned out to be the case. With forward-planning we managed the increased project scope while allowing the installation to be completed within the existing short scheduled possessions.
To understand more about intelligent integration and how it supports accurate project scoping, access our free information hub below.
