An analysis plan should be created prior to the data analyses. The analysis plan contains a description of the research question and what the various steps in the analysis are going to be. The analysis plan is intended as a starting point for the analysis. It ensures that the analysis can be undertaken in a targeted manner.
However, both the research questions and the analyses may be revised during the data analysis. It may also be that certain options are not yet clear before the start of the data analysis. Even explorative data analysis is possible. The findings and decisions made during the analyses may be documented at a later stage in the analysis plan, meaning the analysis plan becomes a dynamic document. However, there is also the option of documenting findings and decisions made during the data analysis in SPSS syntax (see guideline 1.4-05 Documentation of data analysis). In this instance the analysis plan only serves as the starting point.

To improve performance over time, a contractor must continually learn from the past. One of the most important ways is through post-project reviews. The focus of a post-project review is to improve the construction process and build teamwork on future projects. Specifically, it will create better relationships and knowledge sharing among your estimators, project managers, and superintendents. The review also answers how well or poorly your company has done on a particular project. The best post-project reviews also include feedback from customers. The review process capitalizes on the “intellectual equity” gained from each project to ensure that “lessons learned” are captured and the information made available to the entire organization, not just the few directly involved.

Construction estimating is the process of anticipating the expense of building a physical structure. This step is essential, and one of the most crucial in the construction process. Estimators need to be as accurate as possible because profit margins (the livelihood of contractors) are impacted if any estimated direct and indirect costs for the project are off by even the slight amount. Every successful project starts with a precise and accurate cost estimate. By the end of this article, you will know the basics of estimating and learn the importance of its role in delivering successful commercial construction projects.

A successful construction project is the one which can achieve a balance between cost, time, and quality. Quality control is branched from the quality management sector as the responsible party to ensure that products and facilities comply with requirements and established standards.

There are many definitions of Project Controls used across industries and indeed across companies within industries. Project Controls is a professional function not widely recognised as a set of specialised skills in its own right. It is a function that is critical to achieving successful project and programme outcomes i.e. delivering required benefits to cost, time and performance. For the purposes of this portal, the field of project controls is defined as follows:

“Project Controls are the data gathering, data management and analytical processes used to predict, understand and constructively influence the time and cost outcomes of a project or programme; through the communication of information in formats that assist effective management and decision making.”

This definition covers all stages of a project lifecycle from initiating and scoping the project through to closure, final learning from experience and analytical analysis of overall project performance.

It is crucial that the government is aware, at all relevant times, of the development and progress of the project. The most efficient way to ensure that this is done under the circumstances is by requiring the private partner to liaise with the government on a regular basis and report on progress against the construction schedule. The reporting should include information on the progress of the works, notice of any anticipated delays, the program for managing any delays, and other issues of importance during construction.