Construction project management - Guidelines, Part 1: General
2009 Edition

IS 15883 Part 1 outlines the entire construction project lifecycle, segmented into key phases including: Project Appraisal (feasibility and initial evaluation), Project Development (setting objectives and preparation), Construction Planning (detailed scheduling and resource allocation), Tendering (contract bidding and awarding), Construction Execution (implementation and supervision), and finally Commissioning and Handover (testing, acceptance, and transfer). Each phase involves defined deliverables and milestones designed to ensure systematic progress and accountability.

The standard addresses several project delivery frameworks as detailed in Clause 4.4, including Traditional Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build (and its variants), Turn-Key projects, and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) schemes. These models specify contractual relationships and responsibilities among owners, designers, and contractors, influencing the organizational setup and contract structures to suit project requirements.

IS 15883 Part 1 advocates a structured approach to schedule management involving defining the project scope through a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), estimating activity durations based on productivity norms and past data, sequencing tasks with logical dependencies, and creating a network schedule analyzed via forward and backward passes to determine early and late start/finish times, float, and critical path. Continuous monitoring compares actual progress with the baseline schedule, with corrective measures such as resource reallocation or resequencing applied as needed to mitigate delays.

Key procurement management components include early identification of procurement needs for materials, equipment, services, and contractors; preparation of procurement documentation; solicitation and evaluation of proposals; selection and contracting of suppliers; contract administration and performance monitoring; and formal contract closure. The standard emphasizes developing a detailed Procurement Management Plan covering contract types, scheduling coordination, risk mitigation measures, supplier prequalification, and quality assurance. It also highlights integration with project scope and inventory management.

The standard prescribes a comprehensive risk management framework encompassing risk planning (defining roles, budgets, schedules, and classification via a Risk Breakdown Structure), systematic identification and analysis of risks based on probability and impact, formulation of mitigation strategies with assigned risk owners, and ongoing monitoring and control of risk responses throughout the project. This approach aims to proactively manage potential threats to cost, schedule, and quality objectives, ensuring informed decision-making and enhanced project resilience.