Short answer: A construction site logistics plan is a map of how people, materials and equipment move on your site: entrances, trailers, laydown, cranes and hoists, deliveries, traffic and emergency access. Update it often and use it for day planning, not just once at mobilization.
What is a site logistics plan?
Your Logistics Map cannot just be a map you create, post, and use one time. It is a strategic planning tool that will allow you to properly control your project. It should be intelligently designed, easy to follow, nice to look at, and kept up-to-date. Every good superintendent will utilize a system to control logistics in an intentional and remarkable way.
The key to production is not just the work, but effective material supplies to the work.
I remember that we began using a logistics plan for day planning at a pharmacy project where I worked. On the day plan maps, we would identify where materials were to be staged, where work was taking place, and then send that drawing to every worker in the field. Our forklift operator, crane operator, and foremen began using that map to control the site. It was remarkable to take a static plan and turn it into a daily planning tool.
What should a site logistics plan include?
Plan the appropriate items and visually communicate to control logistics with the other leaders on the project site. You will want to plan for the following things at a minimum:
- Area control
- Clear access ways
- Trailer position and organization
- General site configuration and design
- Flow of deliveries
- Traffic patterns
- Pedestrian patterns
- Site security
- New utility construction
- Equipment mobilization and demobilization
- Loading platforms
- Pumping
- Slick lines and placing booms
- The hoist
- The crane
- Equipment staging
- Staging locations
Get help when creating your daily logistics plan. If you do this, you will begin the planning of your terrain, which has been a habit throughout centuries with the best generals in war.
What to decide first
Determine the following:
- Flow of construction
- Entrances to the jobsite (you really need two, if possible)
- Trailer location (always get it off-site when possible, or out of the construction area)
- Trade partner offices
- Dumpster location
- Temp restrooms (keep them grouped together, not spread out)
- Material laydown
- Fire lane
- Temp water and temp power
- Parking lots
- Temp fence
- Site organization
- Site signage
- Emergency gathering points
- Disaster planning
- Emergency personnel access and planning
If you want or need help with your logistics plan, talk to us about consulting, call 602.571.8987 or email jasons@elevateconstructionist.com.
Free logistics plan templates
Download our two free templates below (zip files): the Site Logistics Plan template (PDF) and the Logistics Planning template (the same PDF with its Bluebeam toolbox objects).
PLAN TEMPLATE:
PLAN TEMPLATE WITH TOOLBOX OBJECTS:
On we go!
FAQ
How often should you update a logistics plan?
Whenever the site changes, and ideally daily as a day-plan map that shows staging, work areas and deliveries.
How many site entrances do you need?
Two if at all possible, so deliveries and emergency access aren’t blocked by one choke point.
People Also Read:
Lean Logistics Explained: How to Make Jobsite Flow Actually Work
If you want to learn more we have:
-Takt Virtual Training: (Takt Virtual Training)
-Check out our YouTube channel for more info: (Elevate Construction on YouTube)
-Listen to the Elevate Construction podcast: (Elevate Construction Podcast)
-Check out our training programs and certifications: (Training Programs and Certifications)
-The Takt Book: (The Takt Book on Amazon)
Discover Jason’s Expertise:
Meet Jason Schroeder, the driving force behind Elevate Construction. As the company’s Founder and COO, he’s dedicated to taking construction to new heights. With a wealth of industry experience, he’s crafted the Field Engineer Boot Camp and Superintendent Boot Camp – intensive training programs engineered to cultivate top-tier leaders capable of steering their teams towards success. Jason’s vision? To expand his training initiatives across the nation, empowering construction firms to soar to unprecedented levels of excellence.