Resource Planning and Subcontractor Coordination
Programs fail at interfaces: one trade is ready, the predecessor isn’t finished, and rework begins. Coordination is the art of ensuring trades arrive to a prepared, safe, and inspectable workface.
1. Look-Ahead Planning
A 3–6 week look-ahead is the operational heartbeat of a site. It should include:
- workface readiness (what must be complete first),
- materials and lead times,
- inspections and hold points,
- access constraints (crane time, lifts, traffic control).
2. “Ready, Willing, and Able” Checks
- Ready: previous trade complete, tolerances met, QA hold points signed.
- Willing: trade booked and confirmed, scope clear, variation disputes not blocking.
- Able: labour available, materials on site, plant arranged, inductions complete.
3. Coordination Deliverables That Reduce Chaos
- services coordination drawings (penetrations and setouts),
- delivery calendars and laydown plans,
- trade interface scope sheets (who does fire-seal? who patches? who installs backing?).
4. Interface Management: The Hidden Trade
Most disputes on site are interface disputes: who is responsible for backing, penetrations, fire stopping, patching, temporary protection, and tolerance fixes. A simple interface matrix (trade vs trade) saves weeks of argument.
5. The “Workface Ready” Standard
Before you call a trade to site, enforce a workface-ready checklist:
- previous trade complete and signed off (including hold points),
- materials staged and protected,
- access and lifting arranged,
- setout and penetrations confirmed,
- inspection booking requirements understood.
Result: fewer abortive visits, fewer defects, and better productivity because trades can actually work when they arrive.