How could the structural steel drawing delay have been prevented?

Delays in the submittal and review process for critical items like structural steel drawings are a common and foreseeable project risk. The most effective preventative measure is proactive planning. By incorporating realistic durations for the initial review, potential revisions, and subsequent resubmittals into the baseline schedule, the project plan accurately reflects the time this iterative process requires. This prevents the review cycle from consuming float and becoming a source of delay, as the necessary time is already accounted for in the project's critical path.

A. Adding a buffer is a contingency for a delay, not a method to prevent the process from taking too long in the first place.
C. This is a high-risk schedule compression tactic (fast-tracking) that can lead to significant rework and cost if drawings are not approved.
D. This is a complete design change that avoids the problem rather than managing the original risk within the planned scope.

1. AACE International

Recommended Practice No. 39R-03

Project Planning – As Applied in Engineering and Construction for Capital Projects

Section 3.3.2

2008. (This section emphasizes that the project plan must define the review and approval requirements for deliverables like drawings).

2. AACE International. (2015). AACE International's Skills & Knowledge of Cost Engineering (6th ed.). AACE International. Chapter 9 (Project Scheduling)

Section 9.2 discusses the importance of including non-construction activities like submittals and approvals in the schedule logic.

3. Hinze

J. W. (2008). Construction Planning and Scheduling (3rd ed.). Pearson. Chapter 5 emphasizes the need to schedule administrative procedures

including shop drawing review and approval

as distinct activities with realistic durations.