Field Rework Index

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Tiia Monto CC by-SA 4.0)

A good tool for predicting rework and cost impact on a construction project is the Field Rework Index (FRI).

Take a past project on which you have good data on rework, waste, and costs. Then cast your mind back to the design and construction stages of that project and then score each of the questions listed below from 1 to 5, with 1 being the best rating. You can also do this evaluation as a team.

See if this score is giving an accurate estimate of rework and cost impact based on your hard data on that past project.

THEN conduct the evaluation on a current project or the initial stages of a current project and, having the accuracy evaluation from the previous FRI, see what the upcoming impact will be on this current or upcoming project.

To improve the score, simply address each of the issues addressed in each question.

Degree of alignment between the various elements (departments, divisions, etc.) of the owner's organization
Degree to which project execution planning was utilized
Design teams qualifications for the specific project
Degree to which leaders of key design disciplines have changed
Quality of field verification of existing conditions by engineering
Quality of interdisciplinary design coordination
Quality of prequalification of vendors for the project
Availability of vendor information for equipment
Degree to which design schedule is compressed
Level of overtime worked by the engineering firm
Level of design rework (repeating design work)
Commitment to constructability of the design and construction team
Expected availability of skilled workers to the project
Expected level of construction contractor overtime