Article #019 Biddability and Constructability Reviews for Construction Projects

Most engineering consultants have limited experience in how a project get built compared to contractors nor to bid
for a construction project. The drawings and specifications prepared by the engineering consultant are for the
Contractors to review and interpret, which could be different than the intent of the engineering consultant, thus
increasing the likelihood of directive and constructive changes, claims and disputes. Therefore, it highly
recommended to perform the Biddability and Constructability Review Process to ensure a cost-effective design that
is biddable, buildable, and maintainable.

Constructability Review is a formalized process that utilizes a team with extensive construction knowledge to ensure
that a design is buildable while also cost-effective, biddable, and maintainable, with reduced overruns and delays. A
Constructability Review is to be conducted separate from and independent of the design team. The scope of
Constructability Review is to be flexible to suit the individual project requirements.

Biddability Review is a review of contract documents to identify errors, omissions and conflicts in plans,
specifications, quantities, work items/activities, operational constraints and appropriate basis of payment.
Biddability Review is part of Constructability Review process.

There could be one or more Constructability Reviews during the development of design depending on the project’s
complexity and size. Many of the organizations that are implementing constructability reviews have created
predefined checklists for what need to be analyzed and reviewed during those reviews. For example, the United
States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) created the “BCOE” checklist which to set the minimum set of guidelines for
biddability, constructability, operability, and environmental review.

Using Project Management Information Systems (PMIS) like PMWeb those constructability and buildability reviews
checklists can be created to Fulfill the analysis requirements for those reviews. PMWeb form builder module will be
used to create those checklists for which against each item there will be confirmation that is was done and remarks
provided by the reviewers. Those checklists can be separated into multiple tables if this is a requirement.

For some organizations, they usually limit the use of the constructability review checklists to be more no more than
an audit checklist to confirm that those review items were completed. All design issues identified during those
reviews will be captured in a separate Design Issue form that will also be created used PMWeb form builder module.
This form will include fields for Constructability Review Date, identified Design Issue, Discussion, Considerations,
Conclusions, Actions, Responsible Person, Due Date, Completed Date and Status.

The attachment tab for both forms, Constructability Review Checklist and Design Issue, will be used to upload, store
and attach all relevant project documents such as drawings, specifications among others. In addition, it will be used
to link relevant PMWeb records and imported emails to those two forms.

The workflow tab will be used to submit, review, approve and final approve the workflow process assigned to each
one of those two forms. The workflow will enforce accountability and timely review by the involved project team
members.

The design issues register will include a table that will detail the status of all raised design issues along with relevant
information. The register will include visuals to detail the status of those actions that need to be taken to resolve the
design issues and the count of actions assigned to each project team member.
About the Author

Bassam Samman, PMP, PSP, EVP, GPM is a Senior Project Management Consultant
with more than 35-year service record providing project management and controls
services to over 100 projects with a total value in excess of US $5 Billion. Those
projects included Engineering and Construction, Oil and Gas Plants and Refineries,
Telecommunication and Information Technology projects. He is thoroughly
experienced in complete project management including project management control
systems, computerized project control software, claims analysis/prevention, risk
analysis/management (contingency planning), design, supervision, training and
business development.

Bassam is a frequent speaker in topics relating to Project Management, Strategic

Project Management and Project Management Personal Skills. Over the past 35 years
he has lectured at more than 350 events at different locations in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and South
America. He has written more than 250 articles on project management and project management information
systems that were featured in international and regional magazines and newspapers. He is a co-founder of the
Project Management Institute- Arabian Gulf Chapter (PMI-AGC) and has served on its board of directors for more
than 6 years. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute (PMI),
a certified Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP) and Earned Value Professional (EVP) from the American
Association of Cost Engineers (AACE) and Green Project Management (GPM).

Bassam holds a Masters in Engineering Administration (Construction Management), (1982) with Faculty
Commendation, GWU, Washington, D.C., USA, Bachelor in Civil Engineering (1980) – Kuwait University, Kuwait and
has attended a number of executive management programs at Harvard Business School, Boston, USA and London
Business School, London, UK.