Visual Scheduling (4D BIM)

In a large-scale construction project, complexity becomes the norm especially when different core elements are factored in. This can range from materials to equipment, and labor workforce manning your construction site to completion. At the onset of contractor bidding process, your build model can either be structured by multi-prime or general contracting. Whichever project delivery method you choose, one thing is certain: build sequence is one challenging task to undertake not only on the client's end, but more so on the side of professionals orchestrating the whole construction sequence.

Where general contracting (GC) mandates a single point-of-responsibility, multi-prime on the other hand works by different construction trades. If communication is the key criteria in the make-or-break of your construction project, then the former option wins over the latter as per the client's perspective. Subcontractors work under the premise of the GC, which consequently serves as the single point-of-contact for the owner. Multi-prime leans on the opposite spectrum with specialized contractors working on their forte of construction trades.

In turn, this makes coordination much more complex in multi-prime contracting, but is one that poses greater control point on the client's technical and financial aspects due to quality control and value-engineering. It is only rightly fitting that these complex project drivers can be neutralized through visual scheduling. At Nearby EngineersNew York Engineers, we utilize 4D BIM to equalize all your project constraints.

Construction build sequence on its own requires AEC industry experts to be in sync during interfacing of the trades. Anytime at all that responsibility matrix is not practiced, this poses safety hazards on your construction workforce. Take fast-track construction of high-rise office projects, for example.

Our experienced MEP engineers show you the typical build sequence for MEP engineering in line with multi-prime contracting:

• Civil engineers work on the foundation design and superstructure
• MEP consultants calculate the fabrication time for long-lead items, and starts in-situ job with handover from structural contractors
• Setting-out and roughing-ins of MEP components while masonry contractors simultaneously implement blockwork installation
• Installation of second fix and final fix of MEP components
• Conflict detection and punch listing of items
• Testing and commissioning

Parallel workflows enable you to work on the critical path item, giving you the lead time to enter the construction phase via 4D BIM visual scheduling and handover date from the package contractors. At Nearby EngineersNew York Engineers, we give you the power to calculate the discrepancies between planned versus actual dates so you can assess early or late building project handover.

Reduce Liabilities on Project Constraints with Visual Scheduling or 4D BIM

Building your project ideas to life are not without hard and smart work, as attested by AEC industry professionals ranging from architects, engineers, project managers, construction managers, contractors, fabricators, facilities managers, vendors and suppliers. If you are a first-time client or an experienced building owner undergoing new construction or renovation, know that there's a trifecta at work in delivering a successful building construction project.

Below are the three critical project constraints which make up the Project Management Triangle:

• Cost
• Time
• Quality

Any component you move on the slider effectively moves the other two constraints. Our engineers clue you in on these three principles we keep in application: fast and good is not cheap, cheap and good is not fast, and lastly, fast and cheap is not good. On a side note, however, our engineers negate the first item as you can also achieve fast and quality results with lesser costs through our value-engineering services.

For your better understanding, let's apply this in light of how project constraints occur in building and construction sector. In an agile construction where all elements are geared up for accelerated workflow, any such time that the contractor doesn't meet your specified handover dates for the construction phasing usually translates to higher purchase orders, rushed timelines and compromised quality and safety. Oppositely, if the contractor is not in question and the client implements unnecessary hold orders due to negative cash flow, this can possibly lead to delayed timelines and even worse, liquidated damages on the contractor's end.

All these undesirable scenarios lead us to develop a two-way solution which will cater to both technical and legal perspectives. At Nearby EngineersNew York Engineers, we utilize 4D BIM and visual scheduling to pull the cost and quality constraints out of the extremes—effectively reducing liabilities on all aspects. Our aim is to make visual scheduling a priority in your project, so you do not have to go to such extent where mediation and arbitrary disputes happen between parties, as this could be very costly for your business' bottomline despite legal contracts designed to protect every stakeholder.

Visual scheduling plays a key role in understanding how site logistics and safety planning work. Constructing a building facility is a very critical point for all AEC industry players, and with this multi-collaborative notion comes complexity in juggling all ingredients for your recipe to success.

Here at Nearby EngineersNew York Engineers, we lay out all the stage-by-stage items you need to consider in the construction site logistics and safety planning of your building project:

• Supply chain management
• Sourcing materials, labor and equipment
• Procurement methods and purchase orders
• Delivery and transport of materials
• Material handling and inventory management
• Off-site or on-site assembly and installation

At best, it's easier to coordinate supply chain management and construction site logistics with visual scheduling in place. Through 4D BIM, our innovative engineers know just when the right timing is for each stage implementation. We facilitate our expertise with visual technology and economic demand and supply so that we'll know when to source, purchase, deliver, store and assemble materials for your building facility.

Leverage NY Engineers for Visual Scheduling or 4D BIM Expertise

Understand how project timeline functions along with cost and quality drivers so that it can work for you, and not against you. At Nearby EngineersNew York Engineers, we merge the functionalities of project constraints on an efficient visual scheduling so that you can achieve an early handover date, maximum returns on investment, and cutting-edge quality on your building facilities.

Our leading-edge engineers value visual scheduling for its core emblems of direct communication, efficiency, collaboration and potential for innovation. Learn more of how our engineers defy the limit of time with visual scheduling or 4D BIM in our list of sector-specific projects.