Integrated planning of construction projects – Interview with Markus Rutz

Markus Rutz, Division Manager of Timber and Modular Construction at Blumer Lehmann CH, explains why integrated planning reflects a contemporary approach to construction.

When developers, architects, specialist planners and contractors get together early on to develop a project, everyone benefits from a targeted and cost-efficient solution.

Markus Rutz, what approach does integrated planning take?

MARKUS RUTZ In contrast to conventional planning processes, the planners work together with the people carrying out the work in an integrated project team right from the start. Everyone involved works together to design and develop the upstream and downstream processes and integrate what needs to be ordered, planned and built. This ultimately results in a financially sound project with optimal cost-benefit ratio. Not just that: it also avoids idle times – that is, planning stages that need to be repeated – because no-one noticed in time that the cost of any planned implementation would be too high.

Which models of cooperation are best?

MARKUS RUTZ We often take part in general contractor competitions that look for a contractor to function as a full-service contractor (FSC) to coordinate an entire project. A starting point could be, for example, an area-wide project for a site with defined use. For competitions like this, we work together with architects and specialist planners from our network. Where we are awarded the FSC contract, we bring on board all the necessary subcontractors to carry out the project.

A more recent approach to working together is the working group. This is where the client takes a leading role and assigns specific implementation packages. In St. Gallen, we recently won the working group competition for the innovative ‘FABRIK.SG’ project, a vertically-interlinked commercial building with modern workstations for industry and commerce. We won the judges over with our proposal for the building shell that included costings and was developed together with Blumer Techno Fenster AG and merz+egger ag. Whether it’s full-service contracting or a working group, so-called design & build models bring together the planning and implementation stages of a building project. Everything is developed in an integrated project team, with the expertise and detailed know-how of the construction process already forming part of planning.

«The question must always remain: what is best for the entire project?»

What are the key factors that allow a building project to be planned in an integrated way?

MARKUS RUTZ A team needs to be made up of companies that take an active role and want to see the bigger picture. This is because, in addition to each party’s own services, it is also necessary to coordinate interfaces, optimise across disciplines and keep the goal in mind. The question must always remain: what is best for the entire project? On the other hand, the client needs to formulate the project aims and parameters clearly so they have the backing and development input of the whole team.

What part do contractors play in project development?

MARKUS RUTZ Contractors are involved early on to support conceptual decision-making. This stage involves selecting specific building grids, shaft spaces or floor plans, proposing cost-efficient span widths and making early determinations on the construction of external walls and ceiling and roof structures. In doing so, we always see things from the perspective of the client and keep a constant eye on ease of production and assembly. 

And how does the client benefit from contractors being part of the process from the start?

MARKUS RUTZ We work together collaboratively and have the same objective: we want to hit on the best solution quickly and avoid idle time. If the client has the people who carry out the work sitting around the table from the start, then all pertinent issues are sure to be resolved because the expertise from planning, construction and operation are pooled early on. For the client, this gives them the certainty that the  building can be planned, produced and assembled within the given time frame. A similar process can lso often be used for contracts awarded by public bodies – all with great transparency throughout the construction process. And as the firm carrying out the work, we also have the opportunity to work directly with the client and understand their requirements better. We are able to take on more responsibility in the project and steer it in the right direction.